AR IDU STheBulletinofTheDesertLegumeProgramofTheBoyceThompsonSouthwesternArboretumandTheUniversityofArizona
Volume20,Number2 August2008
Twenty Years Later – DELEP at Two DecadesMatthew B. JohnsonProgramManagerandCuratorDesertLegumeProgram
Thissummer,DELEPcelebratesits20thanniversary. It is difficult to believe that it has been so long ago, in June 1988, when the first seed collections were madefromcultivatedlegumesontheUniversityofArizonacampus.Thepasttwentyyearshaveseenmanychangesandmuchprogress. AttheheartofDELEPisourseedbank.Fromhumblebeginnings,ithasgrowntoacollectionof3480accessions representing 1350 identified species with a total of1434taxain219genera.Theseseedshaveoriginatedfrom57countriesonsixcontinents.Theseedsarestoredinawalkinfreezerandtwosmallerchest-typefreezers.Storingtheseedsat0°F(-18°C)extendsviabilityandeliminatespotentialpestproblemssuchasseedweevils. Foreachaccessionwithaminimumof200seeds,aportionissenttotheUSDAAgriculturalResearchService’sNationalCenterforGeneticResourcesPreservation(NCGRP),inFortCollins,Coloradoforsecurebackupstorage.ThisensuresthatthoseaccessionswillnotbelostshouldsomethinghappentotheseedsstoredatDELEP’sfacilities. It would be very difficult and expensive, if not impossibletorecreatetheDELEPseedcollectiongiventherealitiesoftheworldtoday.WearegratefultotheUSDAfortheencouragementandassistancethattheyhaveprovidedovermanyyears.DELEP’sIndexSeminumisalistofseedsintheseedbankthatareavailablefordistribution.ItisavailablethroughtheDELEPwebsitehttp://cals.arizona.edu/desertlegumeprogram/andincludesspecific information on requesting seeds. The ARS also includesDELEP’sseedbankholdingsonitsGeneticResourcesInformationNetwork(GRIN)siteandwereceive numerous requests each year through GRIN. DELEPhasprovidedseedstohundredsofrecipientsaroundtheworld.Inmanycases,weareabletosupplyseedsthatareotherwiseunavailable.Someofthemanyusesforwhichseedshavebeensuppliedincludefood
cropresearch,forageresearch,seedstogrowplantsforfodderforexoticanimals,wildlifehabitatimprovement,soilimprovementresearch,researchonsalinitytolerance,drylandforestry,researchintolegumesthatcanbeusedascovercropstoprovideweedcontrol,researchinplanttaxonomy,anatomy,morphology,molecularbiology,genetics,DNAbarcoding,pharmacologicalresearch,researchtoidentifyphytotoxins,viralindicatorsstudies,starchextractionfromseedpods,seedstogrowplantsforfuneraryrites,seedincreaseforseedbanking,weedseedreferencecollection,archeologicalseedreferencecollection,teachingmaterialforuniversitycourses,seedsforcollectionsandeducationalexhibitsatbotanicalgardensandzoologicalparks,andseedsforcommercialnurseriesandprivatehorticulturists.
EachseedcollectionthatDELEPobtainsisassigned a unique accession number, which is used to trackanyseedsorplantsfromthatcollection.Adatabasecontainsdetailedinformationoneachaccessionintheseedbank.Accessionrecordsincludethenameoftheplant,thecollectiondate,informationonthelocationwhereitwascollected,thename(s)ofthecollector(s),andotherdetailssuchaswhetheraherbariumvoucherspecimenwasmade, the quantity of seeds, and storage location. Copies ofaccessionrecordsareprovidedwithanyseedsthataresentoutfromtheseedbank.VolunteerRoyWilliamshasbeenworkingonanimprovedversionofourdatabasethatwillallowgreaterversatilityingeneratingreportsaswellasstoringdigitalimagesandvideofootage.Thisrepresentsamajorstepforwardinmanagingthecollection. CollectingtripsinsupportoftheseedbankandotherprojectshavebeenanintegralpartofDELEP’sactivitiessincetheprogramwasestablished.Duringtheearlyyearsoftheprogram,theemphasiswasonobtainingseedsofasmanytaxaaspossible.Extensivecollectionsweremadefrombothwildandcultivatedlegumes.Inrecentyears,wehavefocusedonobtainingcollectionsfrommultiplepopulationsofspeciesinanefforttosamplea significant portion of the genetic diversity present across theirranges.Wherepossible,seedsarecollectedfroma
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minimumof30individualplantswithineachpopulation.CollectiontripsfortheLegumesofArizonaproject(anefforttoproduceapublicationofthesamename)willgreatly facilitate our efforts to improve the quality of collectionsintheseedbankaswellasaddnewtaxa.Inthepast,DELEPhascontractedwithcollectorsinotherpartsoftheworldtocollectseeds.Additionalmaterialshavebeenobtainedthroughexchangewithotherbotanicalinstitutions,donationsfromprivateindividuals,andpurchasefromcommercialsources.Inthepast20years,DELEPhashostedbotanistsfromtheRoyalBotanicalGardens,KewandtheUSDA,assistingthemontripstocollectseeds. Beginning in 1989, DELEP has maintained field plotswherevariouslegumeshavebeengrown.Therearecurrently two fields at the Campus Agricultural Center and an additional field at the West Campus Agricultural Center,inTucson,andasiteattheYumaMesaAgriculturalCenter.Since1989,nearly600taxaoflegumeshavebeen planted in these fields to evaluate their performance andadaptability.Numerousplantshavefailedtosurviveforvariousreasonsincludingfreezingtemperatures,soilconditions,herbivoredamage,orsenescence,andwerereplacedwithotherplantsawaitingevaluation.Therearecurrentlyover250taxaofperenniallegumesgrowinginthe fields. Data on the performance of these plants has been collected since 1989. A summary of the field evaluations is availableonDELEP’swebsite.Inadditiontoevaluatingthe
performance of legumes in our fields, the plants serve as an importantsourceofseedsfortheseedbank.Especiallyincaseswhereanoriginalcollectionhasonlyasmallnumberof seeds, we grow plants to flowering size to increase the numberofseedsfordistributionandresearch. Anotherimportantpurposethattheseplantsserveisforbiomasscollectionforvariousresearchprojects.Hundredsofsampleshavebeencollectedforbiomedicalscreeningandthesearchforpotentiallyusefulindustrialcompounds.Intheearly1990’s,DELEPparticipatedinaprojectthatwaslookingatthearomaticresinfromthecalyxglandsofthedesertsmoketree,Psorothamnus spinosus,forpossibleuseasafragranceincosmeticsandhouseholdcleaningproducts.DELEPcollectedhundredsofplantsamplesoveratenyearperiodforSankyoCompanyinJapan,forabiomedicalscreeningproject.CollectionsforanotherpharmaceuticalscreeningprojectyieldedcompoundsthatwereextractedfromtheseedpodsofanAcaciaandarecurrentlybeingevaluatedforpossibleuseincancertreatment. DELEP’s field plantings serve additional uses. Wearenowinthefourthyearofcollectingdataontheflowering and fruiting times of all of the legumes growing in our Tucson fields. We will continue to collect this phenologydataincomingyears.ResearchcarriedoutbyaUniversityofArizonagraduatestudentexaminedtherootsof mesquite (Prosopis species) growing in the fields for
DELEPcollectiontripinTexas,1990.(SVS)
3nodulationbyRhizobium bacteria. Plants in the fields are evaluatedfortheirlandscapepotential.DELEPhasworkedcloselywiththeArizonalandscapenurseryindustrytointroduceattractivetreesandshrubsthatareadaptedtothelocal climate and have low water requirements. A dozen specieshavemadetheirwayontothelandscapepaletteinArizona,eitherasnewintroductionsbyDELEPorlittleknownplantsthatwerepromotedfollowingfavorablefield evaluations. Interest in low water-use legumes hasn’t beenlimitedtoArizona.WehaveprovidedmaterialforlandscapeevaluationinotherpartsoftheSouthwestandmoredistantstatesincludingGeorgia,Florida,andNorthCarolinawherethereisaninterestinreducinglandscapewateruse.SeedshavealsobeensenttoAfrica,Asia,Europe,theMiddleEast,andLatinAmericaforhorticulturalandlandscapepurposes.
DELEPisdiligentregardingspeciesthatcouldpotentially become ecosystem weeds. The fields are closely monitoredforanylegumesthatmaybevolunteeringfromseeds since these irrigated fields are particularly favorable sitesforthegerminationandestablishmentofplants.Non-native species that show an eagerness to reseed in the fields arenotreleasedforlandscapeevaluation;thevolunteerseedlingsandinsomecasestheparentplantsaredestroyed. OtherprojectsthatDELEPhasbeeninvolvedinincludedpropagatingandestablishingplantsofAcacia angustissimafortheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceon
theBuenosAiresNationalWildlifeRefuge,insouthernArizona.Theseacaciasgraduallydroptheirseedsduringthewintermonths.TherefugewasworkingonreintroducingtheendangeredMaskedBobwhiteQuail,anditwasthoughtthattheseedsmightprovideafoodsourceatatimeoftheyearwheninsectsandotherfoodwasscarce. DELEPhasworkedwithWallaceDesertGardenssince1989.TheWallaceGardensareanidealsitetoplantlegumesforfurtherevaluationoftheirperformanceinalandscapesetting.Mr.andMrs.H.B.Wallacehadakeeninterestinlegumesandtheirimportance.SupportprovidedbytheWallaceResearchFoundationhasbeeninstrumentalintheprogressthatDELEPhasachievedtodate.DELEPhostedFulbrightScholarDr.AlejandraVilela,fromArgentina,whocarriedoutexperimentsongerminationofNorthandSouthAmericanProsopisspecies.
DELEPhasbeencloselyinvolvedwiththeBoyceThompsonArboretum,ofwhichitisapart,sincetheearlydaysoftheprogram.AnearlyprojectinvolvedgrowinglegumesfortheBTAplantsales.Sincethen,DELEPhasgrownover2000individualplantsforthelivingcollectionsatBTA.ManyspecieswerenewtotheBTAcollections.Whilethemajorityoftheplantswerelegumes,manyotherwoodyplantsandsucculentshavebeengrown,andwecontinuetopropagateplantsforthecollectionsattheArboretum.DELEPhasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingtobringseveralexhibitstofruition.InthecaseoftheSouthAmericanexhibit,essentiallyallofthewoodyplantsexceptforsomeofthecommerciallyavailablespeciesofProsopisweregrownbyDELEP.Theotherspecieswerenotavailablefromothersources.MattJohnsonhasactivelyparticipatedincollectionsdevelopmentthroughtheBTACollectionsCommitteesincetheearly1990’s,andMattandMargieNoremserveontheArboretum’sResearchCommittee.
Fouryearsagowebeganaphoto-archivingprojecttorecorddigitalimagesoftheplantsgrowinginour fields. Ken Coppola has spearheaded this effort. We extendoursincereappreciationtovolunteerDanSimswhoprovidedadedicatedcomputerforthisproject.DanwasourGreenhouseCoordinatorformanyyears.TheLegumesofArizonaprojectcameoutoftheStrategicPlanningprocessinitiatedbyDr.MarkBierner.Begunin2006,thisprojectwillproduceamajorpublicationentitledLegumes of Arizona – an Illustrated Reference,whichwillincludeallofthenative,naturalized,andcommerciallygrownlegumesfoundinArizonawithdescriptions,botanicalkeys,informationonhabitatanddistribution,andusesandpotentialusesoftheseplants.Thebookwillalsoincludedistributionmaps,illustrationsandphotographs.ThiswillbeamajormilestoneforDELEP.
DELEP’sbulletin,Aridus,wasinitiatedbyvolunteerDr.EdmundWeber.Edservedaseditorforthefirst three volumes. Volunteers Dr. Steve Stephens and Dr.PhilUpchurchandDr.BillFeldman,1994.(MBJ)
PhyllisStephensassumededitorshipforthreeissuesofVolume4.EditorshippassedtoMattJohnsonwhoservedin this capacity for five years. Dr. Margie Norem assumed themantleofeditorwiththelastissueofVolume9,andcontinuestoeditandproducethebulletinnowinits20thyear.BeginningwithVolume16,Aridusmaybefoundonline,bygoingtoDELEP’swebsite.Anadvantageoftheonlineversionisthatimagesareincolor.Additionally,hewebsitecontainsinformationontheprogram,theIndexSeminum, and the field evaluation summary. DELEPisasmuchaboutpeopleasitisaboutplants,asevidencedintheparagraphsabove.Manyindividualshavebeeninvolvedwiththeprogramoverthepast20years.Morethan110peoplehavevolunteeredforDELEP since the first volunteer session in January, 1989. Among this distinguished group, five volunteers who were present at the first volunteer session are still active with theprogram:ClydeAdams,BillBearly,KarlMay,DanSims,andDr.EdmundWeber.ThevolunteerprogramisagreatassettoDELEPandbringstogetherpeoplefrommanywalksoflifewhocontributetheirtimeandtalentstotheprogram.MonthlyseedcleaningsessionsatDELEP’sheadquarters are a great way to get involved. Some volunteershavecontributedexpertisewithcomputerhelp,theliteraturecollection,donorrelations,plantpropagationand care, and field work. Volunteers have participated in seedcollectingtripslocallyandaroundtheSouthwest. TheDesertLegumeAdvisoryBoardwasestablishedin1994bythendirectorDr.R.P.Upchurch.Boardmembershavegenerouslydonatedtheirtimetoprovideadviceandassistancewithactivitiesandeffortstostrengthentheprogram.Atotalof40UniversityofArizonastudentshavebeenemployedbyDELEPonapart-timebasisovertheyears,gainingnewexperiencesandprovidingmuchneededhelp.Wearegratefultoallofthesepeoplefortheirefforts. DELEPhasbeenablyledbythreeoutstandingdirectors.Ourfoundingdirector,Dr.RobertPhillipUpchurch(1988-1994)turnedDELEPfromavisionintorealityandestablishedtheprogram’sdirectionandprimaryactivities.Dr.WilliamR.Feldman(1994-2005)continuedtomoveDELEPforward,makingmanyimprovementsandstrengtheningthetieswiththeBoyceThompsonArboretum.Dr.MarkW.Bierner(2005-present)furtherstrengthenedtieswithBTAandintroducedstrategicplanningtoDELEP.ThroughDr.Bierner’sleadership,we have a series of specific objectives and a timeline for implementingthem,withthegoalofachievingexcellenceattheinternationallevelandensuringthelong-termcontinuityoftheprogram. DELEP’s first curator was June Sullivan (1988-1989).Junewasinstrumentalinbeginningtheseedbankandpropagationprogram.MattJohnsonworkedwithDELEPin1988whilecompletinggraduateschool,
conductinglibrarysearchesandleadingseedcollectingtrips.Heassumedthedutiesofcuratorin1989andwasgiventheaddedresponsibilitiesofprogrammanagerin1992. Ken Coppola, DELEP’s horticulturist, field and greenhousemanager,andvolunteercoordinator,hasbeenwiththeprogramsince1989.Heperformstheessentialfunctionsthatkeeptheprogramoperatingsmoothly.Dr.MargieNorembeganworkingforDELEPin1990.HertimeisdividedbetweeneditingthejournalDesert PlantsforBTA,andworkingwithDELEP.InadditiontoAridus,MargiehasbeentheleadpersoninprojectsinvolvingthegenusLupinusaswellasparticipatinginaprojectwithDr.UrsulaSchuchthatinvestigatedthephenologyofseveralwoody legumes in DELEP’s fields over a two year period. Ourneweststaffmember,KirstenLake,joinedtheprogramin2007asmanagingeditorfortheLegumesofArizonaproject.Shehasmadeconsiderableprogressinashorttimeonthisimportanteffort.
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Wehavehadseveralpart-timegroundskeeperswhohaveprovidedinvaluablehelpwithplantcareinourfields and propagation facilities. Theresa Contos, Wayne McGowan,JenaPeterson,AdamRyan,RickSpriggs,JamieWahl,andSteveWilcoxhaveallbravedsummerheatandspinyplantsinservicetoDELEP.JenaandJamiewerepreviouslystudentemployeeswhocontinuedtoworkwithDELEPforatimefollowinggraduation.AdministrativesupporthasbeenprovidedbyDeeDilhoff,ValerieHales,CharlotteBrooke,CarolKnowles,JaneRua,GinaVance,andBruceKlewer.TimClark,MonicaDelisa,KathyBrewer,andLeandraLewishaveassistedwithdevelopmentactivitiesthroughBTAandtheFriendsoftheArboretumoffice.
Thefutureoffersmanychallengesaswellasopportunities.Futurefundingisamajorconcern.TheDELEPendowmentprovidessomeyearlyoperatingexpensesandwillincreaseovertime.WearegratefulforsupportprovidedbytheUACollegeofAgricultureandLifeSciences,aswellasmanyindividualsandorganizationsthathaveprovidedsupportoverthepast20years.Wearecurrentlyseekingnewfundingopportunities.Aswemoveinto our third decade, we reflect on how far DELEP has comefromitshumblebeginningsandrememberthemanypeoplewhohaveparticipatedwithusinvariouscapacities.PerhapsthemostimportantaspectsofDELEP’sworkaretheservicesthatwehavebeenabletoprovidetotheworldcommunityinpreservingandsharingseedsandotherplantmaterialofthisvitallyimportantgroupofplants.Itiswiththisforemostinmind,thatwelookforwardtothecomingyearswiththecommittmentthatthisisaworthwhileundertaking.Workingtogether,wecanachievealevelof excellence for DELEP that will fulfill Dr. Upchurch’s originalvisionfortheprogramandcontinuetoprovidevaluableserviceforyearstocome.
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Staff and Volunteers in Action
WeareinthetwentiethyearoftheDesertLegumeProgram’sexistence, continuing a significant periodofwarmassociationsamongstourfaculty,staff,volunteers,andadministrators.Wecontinueourseedcollectionefforts;preserving,propagating,andsharingtheresourceswehavecreatedwithyoursupport,interest,andinspiration.Seedswere first collected by volunteers, withfacultyandstaffguidanceregardingspeciesforinclusion.Thecompositionofourvolunteergroupandmechanismsforaccomplishingour goals have changed as required duringtheseyears,butDELEPremainstruetotheobjectivesofourMissionStatement[seeARIDUSvolume17,April2005]. MattandIhaveworkedtogetheratthecoreoftheprogram’sbotanical,horticultural,andtechnicalfunctionsince1989.Dr.Norembeganproviding key elements to our field andlaboratoryresearchduringthefollowingyearandbecametheeditorofARIDUSinearly1998.MostrecentlyshehasworkedtocreateDELEP’swebsitewhichincludesour Index Seminum and the past five yearsofARIDUS.Inmostyears,sheandIworktogetheragainstunknownodds,inefforttoincreaseourLupinusspecies’ seed numbers through field andpottednurserypropagation. Thankstoyoursupport,DELEPhasbeenabletogrowimportantlegumespeciesforthegardensatBoyceThompsonArboretum,helpingtocreategreaterinterestintheirpotentialuses.IhopeyouwillconsidervisitingBoyce Thompson Arboretum for a first orreturnvisit,especiallyifyouhavenotbeenthereinafewyears!TheBTAwebsitewillhelpyouplanyour
dayoryoureventontheBTAgrounds(WWW.arboretum,ag.arizona.edu).DesertLegumeProgramlinksarealsoaccessiblefromtheBTAwebsite. Astheseyearshavepassed,ourvolunteergrouphasgrownandchanged.Intwentyyears,therehavebeenmorethan200volunteerworksessions!Astaffofstudentsandgroundskeepershasprovidedamightyforce, especially during the first ten yearsofDELEP’sexistence.Thereare14currentlyactivevolunteerswhowereworkingwithusin1998.Fiveofthosefourteenare“original”volunteersfromthe1988group!Thesewonderfulfolksarestillactiveatmonthlysessionsandinothersupportaspects.Collectivelyandsolowecontinuevariedseedcollectioneffortsforpreservation,propagation,andeventuallysharingtheresourcewehavecreatedwithanevergrowingenvironmentally-mindedkinship.Wehavetraveledhundredsofmiles
aroundArizonatomaintainourfields and volunteers have been with us on many occasions. Our field specimenshavegrownfromseedlingsin“six-paks”throughmanypotsizes,reachingtheircurrentsizesinourfour Arizona fields. There, many have attainedamazingheights,withsometaller than 55 feet, in the Yuma fields. Theselivingnurseriesareduallyforevaluationsandseedproduction.Itisgratifyingtobeabletoprovidethisvarietyofseedsandplantmaterialtothe scientific community, ensuring thelong-termsustainabilityofdesertlegumesasanentityasenvisionedbyR.PhilipUpchurchmorethantwentyyearsago.Wecontinuetoachievewhatwehadintendedtodo,asDELEPchangedfromaprogram“concept”toaviableandthrivingentity.Yourcontinuedinterestwillallowustocontinuethiszealouseffort.Wethankyou!
DELEPvolunteersession,1994.(MBJ)
DELEP Personnel
MarkBierner,Ph.D. Director
MatthewB.Johnson BotanicalSpecialist
KenCoppola Horticulturist
MargaretNorem,Ph.D. EditorAridus
KirstenLake FloristicsCoordinator
BruceKlewer AdministrativeAssistant
Volunteer Coordinators
YumaFields PamelaHonaker
Advisory Board
MichaelChamberland ElizabethDavison
DavidEllis,Ph.D.
StephanieGreene,Ph.D.
LeslieGunatilaka,Ph.D.
RyanHuxtable,Ph.D.
MichelleMcMahon,Ph.D.
KenMorrow
PamelaSlate
RaymondTurner,Ph.D.
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TentativedatesforFallvolunteersessionsare:September10,October8,November12,andDecember10.Pleasesendmeanemail,[email protected],orcall(520)318-7047tolearnmore.KC
CurrentlyactivevolunteerswhohavevolunteeredsinceDELEP’sbeginninginclude:ClydeAdamsBillBearlyKarlMayDanSimsEdWeberTherestofourcurrentvolunteergroupare:BobandJoanBriggsCarolandMauryClappKayandMikeFaganJeanandGeorgeGirardJanetandCharlieGrayLauraHollander,BillKendall,CesarandHazelLee,CarmenandMatMatsudaSusieMayShariandEdMontgomeryPiaReynoldsPatriciaRorabaughMarvSmootJackandIolaStroehlein
PastandpresentvolunteersinourYumagroupinclude:GailCulver,PamelaHonakerGlenBranhamTerenceDonovanJoePrincipi
WearesaddenedattherecentpassingofvolunteerandformerUACollegeofAgricultureprofessorT.CurtTucker.Ourcondolencestohisfamilyandfriends.
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KeithTaylorandKenCoppolaplantingin1989.DanSimsandBillBearlyvolunteering
inthegreenhousein1989.
Opportunities for Participation
DELEP’sbulletinAridus,ispublishedthreetimesannuallytostimulateinterestindesertlegumes,informourreadersofDELEP’sactivities,andencouragesupportofDELEP’sprograms.Manuscriptsrelatedtolegumesarewelcomeandshouldbemailedtotheeditorforreview.Subscriptionsarecomplimentary and are available by contacting the DELEP office. AridusispublishedbyTheUniversityofArizonaforTheDesertLegumeProgram.
FinancialsupportforDELEPisprovidedbyprivateindustries,governmentagenciesandindividualsthroughcontracts,grantsandcontributions.DedicatedvolunteerworkisanintegralcomponentofDELEP.Ourvolunteershavemanydifferentbackgroundsandworkonvariousprojectsincludingwildseedcollecting, seed processing, special events and office tasks. Delep volunteersmeetonceamonth.
To Volunteer:
Call(520)318-7046 Email:[email protected]
To Contribute: Calltodiscussapledge,restrictedgift orestateplanning Makeacheckpayableto DELEP/UofAFoundation MailtoDesertLegumeProgram 2120E.AllenRoad Tucson,AZ85719
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NON-PROFITORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 190
TUCSON, ARIZONA
TheUniversityofArizonaDesertLegumeProgram2120E.AllenRoadTucson,Arizona85719U.S.A.
Return Services Requested
DELEP’Sboardofdirectors,1996:KeithTaylor,WarrenJones,BobKneebone,RayClark,CindySalo,PhilUpchurch,BillFeldman,AllanDunstan,EdWeeber,RyanHuxtable.
