Meetings

The Rhode Island Rose Society's 10th Annual Rose Show will be held June 21, 2008 and is open to the public from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Cold Spring Community Center, located at 30 Beach Street, North Kingston, Rhode Island. Entry is FREE, and there is plenty of free parking. The Center is right on the water in the charming town of Wickford.

The theme this year is "A Symphony of Roses." As the theme suggests, different roses from Old Garden Roses to the Modern Roses to the Knocks Outs to Easy Elegance will be brought together like an orchestra and blended in harmony to produce beautiful visual music. Rose Show 2008 celebrates all roses, and has classes for every kind, but also will feature “A Symphony of Roses” specific challenge class for all types of roses named for a song, singer, or any musical term.

The Rose Show provides an opportunity to observe the progression in rose breeding advances in form, fragrance, and disease resistance. To introduce young people to the joy of growing roses, the show will highlight a new Children’s Challenge Class featuring roses grown by anyone 15 years old or younger. There is also a Novice Class for beginner exhibitors. The arrangement classes follow the musical theme with creative displays entered under the challenging classes named as follows:” A Cappella” – a design containing only roses or any material from a rose bush; “Interlude” – An Oriental theme design; “Crescendo” – A design in absolutely any style; and “Minuet” – A design utilizing miniature or multi-flora roses to fit the theme.

In addition to free admission and free parking, exhibiting is also free. Anyone with roses grown in their own garden may exhibit, and members of the Rhode Island Rose Society will assist new exhibitors in getting their roses to the show table. Exhibitors should arrive by 7:00 AM, and plan to have their roses on the table by 9:45 AM. If you have ever looked at pictures of prize-winning roses in a book and thought, "My Peace rose is just as pretty as that one," now is your chance to prove it.

The show also includes two talks that are open to the public. At 1:30 PM, Mike Chute, Master Rosarian, will present “Rose Growing Basics.” Visitors may join a guided tour of the show tables to learn the fine points of rose judging and see why one specimen wins a blue ribbon, while others win red, green or white ribbons at 2:00 PM. Best of all, if you are thinking of planting a rose in your garden, here is your chance to see an entire room filled with A Symphony of Roses grown successfully in Rhode Island, and also to talk to members of the Rhode Island Rose Society about why these particular roses work so well. Join us on June 21. Information call Sofi 401 847 8593. Photos Available.

Judging School Scheduled

The Yankee District will be holding a Horticultural Judging School on
September 5 and 6, 2008 (Friday and Saturday), at the Harwich Community
Center in Harwich (Cape Cod) Massachusetts. The classroom portion of the
school will be conducted on Friday afternoon, with the practical examination
being held following the Yankee District show on Saturday.

All who wish to become a horticultural judge must meet the prerequisites for the
school and send a completed application to me no later than July 18, 2008,
to allow sufficient time for the ARS to process the applications prior to
the school. A fee is payable at the time of the school. Applications and
lists of qualifications are available from your society president or from
me.

Current judges should attend the Friday session if at all possible, to
fulfill the requirement to audit a school at least every four years.
Exhibitors and anyone else interested but not wishing to become a judge at
this time are welcome to audit the Friday session.

District Show weekend on the Cape is always a fun time, culminating in the
Lobsterfest. Do plan to come - more information on the other events of the
weekend will come later in 2008.

Craig Dorschel (District Chairman, Horticulture Judges)
13 Dodge Ave.
Worcester, MA 01606