Our 2025 rose year came to a close with a fun evening sharing good food, awarding some over achievers in our group, and getting started with 2026 planning. Kim Chmielewski shared the process for choosing roses to offer in our annual rose sale. 

A LOOK BACK THROUGH 2025…. 

• JANUARY: Zoom Meeting / History of Roses: Gaye Hammond
• JANUARY: Project: Annual Rose Sale rose list released.
• FEBRUARY: Zoom Meeting / ABCs of OGRs: Connie Hilker
• MARCH: He Says / She Says: Joe and Carrie Bergs
• MARCH: Project: Fertilizer Mixing for annual fertilizer sale
• APRIL: Roses for Rose Sale arrive and are given out 
• Program: Back to the Basics: Rose Care
• MAY: Program: Cultivating Balance with Native Plants & Insects
• JUNE: Bouquet Making Workshop  / Program: Tips, Tricks & Hacks of Floral Design by Mitch Reed
• JULY: Garden Tours: Cates Garden Tour and Eagleson Garden Tour
• AUGUST: Propagation Night
• AUGUST: Workshop: Bud Grafting Workshop in John & Donna Hefner’s garden
• SEPTEMBER: Rose Stories: Teresa Byington & Trudy Struck 
• Round Table Discussion: What to do to get our roses ready for fall.
• OCTOBER: All About Rose Hips: John Hefner  / Book and Plant Swap / Round Table: Tips for Fall and Winter Rose Care

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QUESTIONS FOR YOU…

• What were your fav activities this year?
• Any activites / events you’d like to see us repeat?
• What ideas do you have for 2026?
• Would you consider being a part of one of our teams next year? 
  • Rose sale distribution
  • Local Spring Garden Festival – handing out literature 
  • Fertilizer Mixing
• Having an Open Garden

When you have a minute, please let us know your thoughts about any or all of these. Your input makes a huge difference!! Just click this link … LINK (This will take you to the Rose Society Email.)

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MOVING AHEAD…

In January we start again from the warmth of our cozy homes via the magic of ZOOM where Carolyn Elgar sweeps us to her home in sunny California to talk to us about ROSE FRAGRANCE. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect program for January!

NOTE: Prior to the meeting you will receive an email with a ZOOM link to join us from your computer, mobile phone or iPad/notebook. 

Also in January our ANNUAL ROSE SALE begins. Remember First Come/ First Serve… so order early! Supplies are limited. The roses are priced at such a saving from garden center prices! Watch for information on the website and in our newsletter.

In February we will have another ZOOM meeting – speaker/subject TBD.

March will be the kickoff of our in-person meetings at Sullivan Munce.

Thank you for being a part of all the fun of 2025!

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to saying “hi” on our screens in January as we start garden dreaming and planning  together!