Maine Rose Society
Draft Minutes of 9/25/05 Meeting
The Barron Center, Portland, Maine

Prepared by Deb Rumery, Secretary

Present: Members – Phyllis Bailey, Ed Bergen, Kay Buffum, Soren Christensen, Jerry Cinnamon, Susan Constable, Charlee Curtis, Sherman Curtis, Margaret Edwards, Jim Gass, Joan Gotlibson, Roger Gotlibson, Claire Homan, Sari Hou, Babs Murdock, Clarence Rhodes, Deborah Rumery, Marion Stevens

President Jerry Cinnamon opened the business portion of the meeting at 1:10 p.m.

Before tackling the agenda, Jerry asked Clarence Rhodes to briefly talk to the group about his rose care regimen. Clarence explained he uses water soluble fertilizer twice monthly and seems to have had success using SUPERthrive.™

Old Business:

Treasurer’s Report: The Society’s balance is $6504, Claire Homan reported. We made approximately $1700 on the spring plant sale.

Claire suggested MRS make a donation to the American Rose Society (ARS) in memory of two deceased members, Dr. and Mrs. Merle Bacastow. Following discussion, Margaret Edwards made the motion that MRS establish of policy of contributing $50 to ARS when a MRS member passes away. Joan Gotlibson seconded the motion, which passed by 17 votes with one abstention.

Plant Sale Committee: Chair Joan Gotlibson reported that she is researching a supplier of own-root roses for the 2006 sale. Young’s Perennials provided Bailey’s bare-root roses last year, but there is concern they will no longer be in business next spring. Joan also re-appointed all existing plant sale committee members and appointed Charlee Curtis to replace Brenda Peterson. Jerry requested Joan poll the committee for additional ideas and report back at the November meeting.

Founder’s Day Banquet: Hospitality Chair Margaret Edwards reported she’d made tentative reservations at The Village Café in Portland. Following discussion, the date for the banquet was set for Saturday, October 15, with a social hour at 12:30 p.m. and lunch at 1 p.m. Jerry will contact Wendy White at Nor’East Roses and ask her to serve as speaker. Jerry and Sari will send an invitation letter to members.

December Meeting/Holiday Party: Margaret will continue to plan and explore options for this event, which members greatly enjoyed last year. She will report back at the November meeting.

New Business:

Advisory Board Vacancy: Jerry noted he is seeking a replacement for the remainder of Brenda Peterson’s three-year term on the Advisory Board. The replacement term would be for the remainder of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Claire Homan nominated Charlee Curtis; Kay Buffum seconded the nomination, and Charlee accepted. Roger Gotlibson also noted that one of the advisory members terms (a member with a one-year term) ends in November. Jerry will verify and report back in November.

Nominating Committee: New officers will be elected at the November business meeting. In anticipation of that meeting, Jerry requested a 2 to 3 person nominating committee be created to prepare a slate of candidates. Joan, Margaret and Sari Hou agreed to serve as the nominating committee. They will also review the existing chairs of other standing committees Plant Sale (Joan), Rose Demonstration (Vaughn Hardesty), Flower Show (Steve Law), Publicity (Deb Rumery), Hospitality (Margaret), Newsletter/RoseBowl (Deb), and Yankee District Prizes and Awards (Clarence). Jerry suggested Clarence remain chair of the last committee due to his involvement in the Yankee District. Sari asked whether the Society needs a Membership Committee composed of people who would actively recruit new members at events, etc. At Jerry’s request, she will further develop the idea for discussion in November. Jerry also referred members to the minutes of the 11/14/04 meeting to see how the election process works (available at www.mainerosesociety.com).

Meeting “Program”

Each member was encouraged to bring their favorite gardening tool or a photo of the tool to this meeting. The fun “Show and Tell” went as follows:

Deb – Felco pruners: they make her feel like an expert and were given to her by her mom.
Joan – Short-handled shovel/spade that’s easy to use while kneeling; trowel belonging to her grandmother, another trowel that never breaks, and Roger!!
Clarence – Long-handled “hoe” that allows him to easily move his barrels and get close to bushes without damaging roots when cultivating.
Kay – 3-gal. Black & Decker sprayer on wheels, so she doesn’t have to carry it.
Marion – Her two hands! : she can hold her roses and weed with them
Soren – His sister and his hands also! (photo of the first )
Roger – Kabota tractor (the thing that holds dirt in the front bucket and dig holes with the back)
Jerry – Also his tractor, which he brought in model size!
Babs – Florists scissors, which allow her to prune and trim her minis
Charlee & Sherman Curtis – Each other!
Sari – “Mama” tool, a small, three-sided hand “hoe” that occasionally “hides” in her garden!

During refreshments the group discussed the disposition of old trophies, five of which Claire brought to the meeting. The group agreed that Claire as possible should contact families of former members with named trophies to inquire whether they’d like to have them back. Present members who have won trophies in the past may now keep them, if desired. Accordingly, Clarence took the Harry & Olive Cummings trophy. Claire will incrementally bring trophies to future meetings for similar disposition.

The meeting officially adjourned at 2:40 p.m.