8 TOPNOTCH GARDENS 

(Photo by Pomeroy) 
Scene in the parlor of “Waldean” during Iristime 
The Misses Nancy LaBate and Claire Elizabeth Sharp of Gary pose with James 
H. Small, son of Deanette M. Small, owner of Topnotch Gardens. The ‘‘Debs” acted as 
hostesses during the formal ceremonies that marked the debut of ‘“‘Deb’s Delight .. .” 
the pink iris hybridized by David F. Hall and introduced by Topnotch Gardens in 1946. 
A photograph of Miss Sharp beside a clump of ‘‘Deb” and an article relating 
how thousands of Iris are grown at Topnotch and shipped all over America was later 
published in the Valparaiso (Indiana) Vidette-Messenger. 

——sS Se 
