The Official Newsletter of the
Gainesville Rose Society Affiliated with the American Rose Society GRS meets at 2:00 pm, December 13, 2015 at the Rose Petals Nursery, Newberry, FL President’s Message December 2015 What a beautiful time of the year, cooler temps, low humidity and not too much wind blowing. Just perfect! Perfect in life is short lived as we all know. We have perfect roses in the garden today but gone tomorrow. If I don’t get out there to see them today, I will have missed my chance to see such beauty. I do hope each of us will keep this in mind as we plan and look forward to our Mid‐Winter Meeting in January. This will be the most perfect time to enjoy a weekend, not only working together as a team, but enjoying the perfect moment seeing it all come together and enjoying it with friends from all around our District. The speakers are planning special programs for us, including Jim Mill’s talking about grafting. Lots of good times for us to share. As the year is winding down, our thoughts turn to fun and food. We will celebrate our Christmas gathering at the Rose Petals Nursery on Sunday, December 13th at 2:00 pm. Directions are below. At our last meeting we did not mention the Chinese Gift Exchange. We will be enjoying this as part of our fun, so I encourage each of you to bring a wrapped gift ($10.00 ‐ $15.00 in value) and join in. Let’s see who will “steal our gift”. For the meal, Shirley will bring ham (with biscuits) and Lee will bring turkey, stuffing, and gravy. Most of you have already signed up to bring vegetables, salads and desserts. If you have not, give me a call and I will let you know what others are bringing. Thank you Art and Cyd for hosting us at Rose Petals. You will find Dan’s Treasurer’s report attached. He has received 26 payments to date for renewal of Membership. Please, if you have not yet paid, give him your check at the party. ($15 for single membership and $20 for family) Some of you have been wondering what Ralph will be doing as the District Director. He has written an article this month that will give us all some insight into the DSD Director’s charter. As he took the initial steps, he requested leaders to be on his team. He was thankful to find many who are excited to be included. This is important for any organization to run smoothly. GRS is no exception and in the years ahead we will need new leaders to step up and say “yes” when asked. Each of us can be thinking now how we might best serve in later years. Going into the fall, we should not neglect our roses. They still need some care, especially watering when it is dry. Deadheading and taking care to keep as many leaves as possible on the bush. This promotes a semi‐dormancy (rest) period. We all love the crisp colors in the fall and what a treat to bring them inside to enjoy or give them away for others to enjoy. Let’s “love our roses to life” with care instead of “loving them to death” with neglect. I’m looking forward to a fun time at Rose Petals Nursery on the 13th. Hopefully everyone can make it.
DIRECTIONS TO THE ROSE PETALS NURSERY: West on Newberry Road 6 miles from I‐75, turn left on SW 170 (241S), go 1 mile and turn left on SW 15th Ave. First property on the left. 16918 SW 15th Ave, Newberry, FL. – Dec 13, 2:00 pm – Bring your food, Chinese Gift for the exchange and your membership if you have not yet paid. Jean Stream, President
Gainesville Rose Society November 8, 2015 At Celebration Methodist Church Meeting called to order at 2 p.m. by President Jean Stream New member Greg Pyle was introduced. Minutes of the October meeting were approved as printed. Treasurer’s report as emailed accepted with thanks. Shirley Mullins has sent several cards. Linda Rengarts is still recovering. Lee Kline moderated the program on Getting Ready for Winter. Business was discussed after delightful refreshments provided by Ann and Dan Sherwood and Anita Campbell. The Deep South District Mid‐Winter Meeting will be Jan. 15‐17, 2016, at Best Western Gateway Grand hotel in Gainesville. Cyd Wade reported that the joint GRS‐Gainesville Garden Club booth at the Kanapaha Fall Plant Sale worked well. The Valdosta fall convention was well‐organized, with good volunteers. Details for the Mid‐Winter Meeting: Theme: “A Sweet Ride with Roses” (Ann Sherwood) Registration: Kay Harrell Speakers: Ralph Stream Banquet Decorations: Ann Sherwood and Committee Raffle and Door Prizes, Bob and Lee Kline, Jean Giesel, Jean Stream, perhaps Missy Burton Registration: Mary M, Anita, Missy (?) Vendors: Cyd Welcome bags: Willie Mae Raffle Tickets: Bob, Earl, Missy (?), others Hospitality: Dan Mills, Wayne & Lyndy Myers CR School: Wayne Myers Name Badges: Kay? Yard Sale is Nov. 14 at Lee Wiegand’s; Bring items 1 p.m. Nov. 13 Bob Kline will get tables Ralph Stream will provide a Newsletter article. Newsletter will be emailed until Linda R. is able to do it or other arrangements are made. Those without email get printed copies. Sign up for the Christmas Party at Rose Petals Nursery was passed. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. GRS Rose show tentatively set for April 16 at Celebration UM Church; Ralph will check with the church. Suggestions for memorial money: Subscriptions to American Rose for library branches, ARS projects February meeting: Work on fence row roses at Dudley Farm Other rose shows: Thomasville, April 22, 2016; Jacksonville, April 30, 2016. We need delegate and alternate for the DSD meeting. Meeting Adjourn 3:45 pm Raffle followed Respectfully submitted – Jean Giesel, Secretary
GRS Treasurer’s Report (for Dec. 2015 NL) Bank Statement Balance as of 10-31-15
$11,704.12
(reported in Nov. 2015 NL) Nov. deposits: $32.00 raffle; $55.00 member dues $180.60 yard sale receipts
87.00 180.60
Nov. checks written: $444.00 to Archer Rd self storage; $500.00 to Best Western for deposit on 2016 DSD mid-Winter Meeting Other charges: $12.00 for bank deposit tickets
Bank Statement Balance as of 11-30-15
944.00 12.00
$11,015.72
(To be confirmed by Nov. bank statement) REMINDER: Membership dues for 2015-16 are due now! We have 26 paid members to date (11-30-2015). Daniel S. Mills, Treasurer The District Director’s Duties I have been asked to write something on what I see my job as District Director to be. First and foremost, a District Director, I feel, has to be a good listener. His or her job is to serve first the District members, addressing every issue, problem and concern. This is what the voting members expect. Finding answers to questions, making recommendations and even acting on certain aspects of issues that may arise, even personal conflicts, perhaps a peace making position. My very first task as District Director was to find District leaders to fill the many committee chairman jobs. I was so fortunate to have almost 100% of those I asked to fill a position say yes. I feel this is a tribute to their confidence in my leadership. With 19 chairman making up the District’s leaders, you can imagine all the questions and concerns the District Director has to deal with to keep everyone on track and feeling comfortable with his or her duties. Having several years’ experience with the District working, I feel the task at hand is manageable. The other job the District Director has is to serve the American Rose Society, this too is what I was elected for. Attending at least one National ARS Board meeting each year is mandatory. I may have to travel great distances to meet this requirement. These ARS Board meetings cover all aspects of what makes the ARS function. Dealing with membership is now and has been the number one issue for a good
many years. There is always issues that need to be voted on or acted on. Some are the ARS budget, insurance, employees, magazine, ARS facilities, programs and the list goes on. How to make things better for all ARS members is the goal. Then there are all the sub-committees that have jobs. They work on all the ins and outs of those items listed above. I am on a sub-committee working with our Vice President, Robert Martin, on exhibitor issues. This is a job I really fit into since exhibiting is my passion. My years of experience in this area hopefully will help give this aspect of our rose hobby a jump start. Hopefully we will find new ways to respark interest. Being new in this responsibility, I am quite sure I will be dealing with a good many things not thought of yet. It should be interesting and hopefully fun. But, I know I am not alone, as you count on me, I also have a support team I can count on. The members of the ARS staff are great folks to deal with and full of knowledge. That’s all I have for now, more to come. Ralph Stream – DSD District Director