Spring is finally here! I trust everyone is enjoying this beautiful time of the year; especially the days when it is not raining.

We have been pretty active already during the first three months of 2013! As mentioned in the March Newsletter, our Chapter members, family, friends and guests celebrated the coming of 2013 at the Glendale Country Club on Saturday, January 19th. On behalf of all, I wish to recognize and applaud the strong efforts of this year's New Year Celebration Co-Chairs, Yoshi Erickson and Lily McMahan, and their committee members. This was indeed a very special occasion to get 2013 off to a strong start!

From February 20th through 24th, 2013 the Northwest Flower & Garden Show was held at the Washington State Convention Center. Show Co-Chairs, Jane Wakasa and I would like to express our deep gratitude to everyone who helped to make the Ikebana Exhibition at the 2013 NWFGS a big success. We received many compliments on the exhibition.

Upcoming spring events; Our Chapter will again participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival (April 26th - 28th). Please offer your kind assistance to Akemi Sagawa and Nancy Evans (co-chairs of this event). And our Chapter's Annual Exhibition will be held at Seattle Asian Art Museum during the May 18th - 19th weekend.

The next Chapter Meeting will be held on April 18th. I am looking forward to seeing many members at the April Chapter Meeting.