Present (at various times): Ed Bergen, Kay Buffum, Soren Christensen, Jerry Cinnamon, Sherman Curtis, Charlee Curtis, Roger Gotlibson, Joan Gotlibson, Vaughn Hardesty, Sari Hou, Rita Lesniak, Phil Pariseau, Charles Ramee, Beverly Ramee, Clarence Rhodes, Deborah Rumery, Marion Stevens, Ning Sullivan, Russell Sullivan.

The annual Maine Rose Society Plant and Rose Sale was underway at 8:00 a.m., with customers awaiting us as early as 7:30 a.m. Steady rain, at times a downpour, failed to dampen the spirits of either shoppers or society members. All roses were sold out by 10:20 a.m. – a record for the society. All 50 bags of potting mix and compost, donated by Winterwood Farm and transported by Committee Chair Joan Gotlibson and Board Member Roger Gotlibson with help from their grandson Zack, were sold by 10:30 a.m. All perennials donated by Soren Christensen also were sold, many to member Ed Bergen. Members and shoppers who arrived after 10:30 were promised another good selection of roses at next year’s meeting. Based on the tremendous success of this year’s sale, we are considering purchasing more roses for sale next year.

Society members were at their best, contributing their time and talents and demonstrating their enthusiasm and commitment. Of note, Joan Gotlibson, our rose sale chair, with the help of her husband and board member Roger Gotlibson, planned and organized the event, and tapped all resources present at the sale. Roger, Jerry Cinnamon, Vaughn Hardesty and Phil Pariseau helped people carry roses and load bags into their cars. Phil along with Rita Lesniak, and Vaughn and Sari Hou were super salespersons. Vaughn got to the sale early and helped get it started.

Clarence Rhodes took care of the 100 rose bushes since April 29. He did a great job in providing the best care for these roses while selling some plants from his driveway. He and Marion Stevens made four waterproof signs, directing potential customers to the rose sale. All members were busy sharing their knowledge and passion for growing roses with shoppers. This enthusiasm, even in the rain, led to the recruitment of four new members.

Near the end of the event and standing in the rain, Clarence presented webmaster Sari Hou with the ARS certificate for Queen of Local Websites that he had formally received for the Maine Rose Society while at the spring American Rose Society convention in San Diego. Wet but happy, members huddled for a group photograph taken by Kay Buffum and Phil Pariseau. A unnamed participant in the plant sale kindly took a photo of those of us remaining, standing under the Maine Rose Society banner in the rain.