Prepared by Deb Rumery, Recording Secretary
Present: Kay Buffum, Soren Christensen, Jerry Cinnamon, Joan Gotlibson, Roger Gotlibson, Vaughn Hardesty, Claire Homan, Sari Hou, Clarence Rhodes, Deborah Rumery, Marion Stevens
President Jerry Cinnamon opened the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Vaughn Hardesty motioned to accept the April and May meeting minutes and Joan Gotlibson seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous vote. Jerry reminded all present that anyone noticing errors in minutes should send their corrections to Sari Hou and Deb Rumery.

Committee Reports:

Plant Sale: In response to Jerry’s question, Joan reported that holding the plant sale in conjunction with the Maine Master Gardeners still works well for MRS. A brief discussion followed touching on the need for cold-hardy roses, questions about root stock, and the fact that our prices were and need to remain highly competitive in order to move the plants. Members agreed that both this year’s advertising and widespread winterkill contributed to the sale’s success. Joan distributed a thank-you card to Winterwood, who donated the compost and potting sale, for all to sign.

Rose Demonstration: Chair Vaughn Hardesty reported that we are set for the rose exhibition/demonstration at Broadway Gardens in South Portland on Saturday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Broadway Gardens will be promoting the demonstration in their weekly flyer. A discussion on logistics yielded the following decisions:

• Members should plan to be at BG by 9:30 a.m. to help with set-up.
• Sari is creating tags for exhibitors to indicate vital statistics including name, type of bush, growing habit, etc.
• BG is providing tables; Vaughn will follow-up for details and also will get the society’s vases from Claire.
• Jerry and Sari, Vaughn, Joan, Clarence and hopefully Kay are planning to have roses to exhibit.

Summer Garden Tour: Joan and Roger will host a garden tour at their home on July 11, beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m.. Members should plan to bring their lunch for a casual picnic-style lunch. Additional details to come from Joan and Roger.

New Business/Announcements: Jerry introduced the following items for review/discussion:

Tax ID #: As a result of purchasing roses from Canada for our plant sale, Jerry learned MRS is not incorporated with the State of Maine; thus we have no tax I.D #. Jerry contacted Art Emmons of the Yankee District and learned our non-profit status comes via the ARS. Jerry is awaiting more information from ARS on specifics.

Organic Gardener Magazine: Jerry was contacted by the editor of this national magazine who was interested in coming to Maine to shoot photos of an “idealized” garden to be used with a story on ground-cover and shrub roses. The photos would be used in their May 2005 issue. Jerry will contact Ben Kirkland of the Mid-Maine Rose Society for possibilities as no one present had any recommendations.

Messenger: Joan provided several handouts on this product from Eden Bioscience and a good discussion followed with several members sharing their practices and results with the use of Messenger. Most users viewed Messenger as something to be used in rotation with a regular spray/feeding regimen. At Jerry’s request, Joan will explore more and report back.

Member News: Sari reported that since May 1, 2004, MRS has five new members. All agreed this was attributed to the society’s higher visibility and outreach at the plant sale. Vaughn led all present in congratulating Sari on the ARS web page award.

Treasurer: Claire Homan reported the current MRS balance is. She provided the results of the plant sale, with the Society spending to purchase plants and the sale of the roses and the Winterwood amendments.

Claire also reported the Arthritis Foundation and Gerry Newell’s daughter have sent thank-you notes (distributed) to the society for our donations in Gerry’s memory.

Budget: Jerry noted that Claire will prepare an annual budget for MRS that will be presented at the November business meeting when we will discuss all society expenses, etc.

Meeting Program: Following a break for birthday cake and ice cream in honor of his birthday, Clarence presented a program on tips and techniques for exhibiting roses. Pointers included how to effectively stage a rose in the vase and “polish” foliage. To everyone’s delight and despair, his “props” were some magnificent roses shown in that weekend’s New Jersey/New York rose show. Kay, Joan and Sari were among the lucky members who went home with beautiful bouquets of Moonstone, Gemini, Dublin, Graham Thomas and others.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:30 p.m.