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Jaydee Atkins Ager, Hawkinsville, Georgia, USA

Jaydee Atkins Ager

Jaydee Atkins Ager appeared at her first daffodil show in Atlanta, in 1972… “with a Coke bottle full of ‘Mount Hood’ daffodils in one hand...and a pacifier in her mouth”. Knowing absolutely nothing, she was met with kindness and tolerance that March day, and won two honorable mention ribbons. Jaydee joined the Georgia Daffodil Society and the American Daffodil Society (ADS) in 1973. At her first ADS convention in 1974, she just happened to bump into the legendary Bill Pannill, as she came through the front door of the hotel. Her “training” began on the spot.

At the 1976 ADS Bicentennial Convention in Philadelphia, Bill introduced Jaydee to the many international attendees at a private party. This began 40 plus years of wonderful international daffodil friendships. Jaydee fondly says, “My world expanded exponentially that evening.”

Jaydee has served ADS in various capacities. She was the 1990 ADS Convention Chair, ADS President 1996-1998 and ADS Executive Director 2005-2013. She was honored with the ADS Silver Medal in 2005. Jaydee continues trying to grow daffodils in the daunting heat and humidity in the heart of her home state, Georgia. She enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle with her husband, son, and a cantankerous older male Labrador Retriever named Sandy... named in memory of an international daffodil friend, the late Sandy McCabe of Northern Ireland.

Jaydee admits to having far too many hobbies and interests. She is currently working on a book, a personal memoir and creative non-fiction compilation titled Ain’t No Regular Kind of Woman. Join Jaydee for an evening of humor and reminiscing, about her many daffodil friends around the world... past and present. Hear about her trek through the Netherlands with Matthew Zandbergen, how John Lea picked her up at the train station in Worcester, England, sporting a smoking jacket and a colorful silk ascot, and learn about Ian Tyler’s immersion in Southern U.S. culture. These and many more tales will be shared.


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Northern California
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