Present: Phyllis Bailey, Ed Bergen, Kay Buffum, Soren Christensen, Joan Gotlibson, Roger Gotlibson, Vaughn Hardesty, Deb Johnson, Babs Murdock, Deborah Rumery, Wilma Sarna, Aurelia Scott, Grace Wetherill. Guest: Sally, in place of Pam Gaudreau

President Joan Gotlibson opened the meeting at 1:10 p.m.

Secretary and Treasurer reports: No reports were available.

Committee Reports

Rose Sale: No official financial reports was available, but Joan reported the sale was profitable for the society. She received a $47.95 refund check from Growing Concern nurseries for the five Bailey’s roses that died before the sale. There was a brief discussion on limiting the number of bushes next year and finding other suppliers of own-root roses.

Membership: Co-chair Babs Murdock reported we gained approximately eight new members this year. She stressed how helpful MRS members are to new rose growers.

NEW BUSINESS:

Joan reported that Mercy Hospital had sent a thank you letter for the society’s contribution in memory of William Hatch, Margaret Edwards’ husband.

The group discussed possible speakers for the October 14 Founder’s Day luncheon. Among those considered were Chad (the landscaper) from Skillins Greenhouse, Wendy White of Nor’East Roses, Steve Palmer of Plainview Farms, and garden talk show host Paul Parent. Vaughn Hardesty will contact Steve Palmer on his availability. The luncheon will be held at The Village in Portland. Deb Rumery will finalize arrangements.

Joan requested everybody think about ideas for the December Christmas/holiday party. Possibilities include the popular auction, secret Santa, or a Chinese auction. We will discuss and decide at the November meeting.

Vaughn reported on the results of his worm compost-tea spray regimen. He has concluded that compost tea is “wicked good” for the soil and plants. He has seen new cane growth for the first time on his Alexander MacKenzie rose. For healthy plants, he found the compost-tea spray was sufficient; he saw a lot of blackspot on those plants that were already weakened. He will provide a short report for the next Rosebowl.

Meeting Program: The program portion of the meeting was a lively, open conversation on everyone’s gardening experiences this summer.

Refreshments: Grace Wetherill will provide refreshments for the November 11 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:30 p.m.