By Barbara Todd, President

What a beautiful fall day it is! The sun is shining, the trees are beginning to turn gorgeous colors, and our gardens are fresh from the taste of rain we received. I still have a few stalwarts that are blooming, including the lovely Fame.

The NCNH District conference and Festival of Roses was held Saturday, October 3 at the Holiday Inn and Our Divine Savior Social Hall in Chico. Several of our members attended and returned with glowing comments.

Our October meeting will not soon be forgotten. Our own Karen Flores and Marion Vanden Bosch presented a very inspirational program on creating flower arrangements for the holidays. Their pumpkin and Christmas wreath arrangements, in particular, were very creative and beautiful. Karen and Marion generously donated the arrangements they created to our monthly raffle and were much appreciated by the winners.

Our November meeting will be an unusual one on rose hips, presented by one of our frequent monthly show judges, Barbara Gordon. I look forward to learning all the uses of this rose byproduct.

Now is a good time to join ARS if you have not already done so. Along with discounts, the membership comes with a beautiful and inspiring magazine, “American Rose.” Another publication worth joining is the NCNH District Newsletter, “The Criterion.” This award-winning newsletter is full of local happenings and tips for growing and enjoying roses.

The year is rapidly coming to a close, with the holidays soon upon us. Enjoy your Halloween celebrations and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

“Just remember, during the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, that there’s a seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose.”
– Bette Midler