2007 Yankee District Convention Hosted by RIRS

The Rhode Island Rose Society will host the 2007 Yankee District Convention from March 16-18, 2007, in Newport, RI.  The rose societies that make up the Yankee District take turns hosting this fun and educational event; it was last held in Rhode Island five years ago.  You’ll be hearing a lot more about the convention in the next months, but I just want to make sure everyone keeps that weekend free.

In order to attract as many people as possible, we will be hosting the convention in a very moderately priced Newport hotel: the Best Western - the Mainstay.  This is located across from Newport Grand and only a mile from the Brick Market Place and downtown Newport. For those who have not gone to a convention before, the schedule basically runs as follows:  Friday evening is check-in and registration for those staying over.  There is a hospitality room where everyone can gather and have fun on Friday night (we will probably have a wine tasting).  On Saturday morning, the lectures and programs continue throughout the day, with a formal lunch. There will be interesting vendors and a big raffle. The weekend is capped by an Awards Dinner followed by a special guest speaker, and a rose auction that usually has new roses a year ahead of time and other great bargains. More hospitality follows the Awards Dinner and after breakfast on Sunday, the Yankee District annual meeting takes place, with all invited.  Details on pricing and the schedule will come later.

I’m happy to announce that our special after dinner speaker has already accepted our invitation to come.  Our persuasive past president Mike Chute invited Tom Carruth, the enormously talented hybridizer of Weeks Roses, to be our dinner speaker.  I guarantee that you have a number of Tom’s roses in your garden.  Here’s a very short portion of the long list he has hybridized: Hot Cocoa, Outta the Blue, Julia Child, Blue-berry Hill, Fourth of July, Scentimental, Moonstone, Crystalline, Cajun Moon, Wild Blue Yonder and Harm Saville.  You can see his work ranges from exhibition hybrid teas, to minis, climbers and wonderful shrubs and floribundas. 

Come for the day or make it a weekend.  Just don’t miss it! If anyone would like to help with any facet of the convention, contact Patsy Cunningham at 401-965-8286 or patham@cox.net.

-- Patsy Cunningham