2024 DeEtta Montgomery Outstanding Service Award

Dave Cocker's Acceptance Speech.


I want to thank Rob Mortko, the MRHS Board, Cindy Tomashek, my wife Denice, and all of you who have helped and supported me whenever I asked. I am very honored to receive this award. Growing hostas as a hobby has been rewarding in many ways.

When Cindy Tomashek held the first meeting to start the Shades of Green Hosta Society she said we all needed to have a job if the society was to succeed. How could I contribute?

I could grow hostas. I donated hostas to our annual sales.

When we were going to host the MRHS Convention in 2012, Denice and I decided we needed to go to a convention to see what they were about. In 2011, we went to the convention in Madison.

The next year, at our convention, I donated several large hostas for decorations and then to the auction. Ever since then we have gone to many MRHS and AHS Conventions. I always help with the auction, and I have met many wonderful people.

Last year the MRHS Convention was again in Rochester. I was in charge of the auction. I asked many of the people I had met over the years to help. They all graciously helped. Thank you. When I started helping at the auctions it was something I could do to make the auctions a success. I didn't need to speak; all I had to do was move plants.

Thank you to everyone. Denice and I have met many wonderful people over the years. The hosta truly is the friendship plant.

Thank you.