Why not join the local society? Wouldn't yours be the Midwest Hosta Society? Going to the local meetings is a great way to meet other hosta collectors such as yourself as well as the luminaries of the hosta world. See my post on the Discussion side titled "Minnesota Hosta Society Meeting". And I can't emphasize enough that volunteering for the local society is a blast. I joined the MHS in July of 2005 after being a guest on the hosta tour that year. Since then I have been a volunteer at two leaf shows, bus captain for the 2006 garden tours and I am on the planning committee for the 2007 garden tours.

It's a great way to meet other hosta people, make friends and in many cases acquire hostas you don't have through your new friends. Search for threads on the Hosta Elf - who provided much fun for many of the members at this forum.

I would also like to add that anything specifically related to hostas (like this post) should go on the other side (Discussions) of this forum. You will get many more responses. Illinois has a lot of hosta folks who could steer you in the right direction.

Teresa

Here is a link that might be useful: Midwest Hosta Society