The members of the Indianapolis Rose Society would like to invite all of our fellow rosarians throughout the Illinois-Indiana District to attend our District's convention at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Indianapolis on September, 8th, 9th, and the 10th.
The convention will be at the same site as the 2005 Mini National, The Adams Mark Hotel at the Indianapolis Airport. The convention site is a full service hotel and all of the guest rooms should be completely renovated by the time the convention begins. The show room is full of natural light and it is conveniently located just across the hall from the prep area. You can download the full show and convention schedule and the convention registration form.
We have invited three speakers to present programs that we feel will be of great interest to you as rosarians. First, Dr. Clifford Sadof from the School of Entomology at Purdue University will speak to us about Japanese beetles. Dr. Sadof will be presenting the results of a research project about Japanese beetles and roses conducted by a graduate student while a Purdue University. Our second speaker will be Gaye Hammond, President of the Houston Rose Society. Gaye will speak to us about "Earth Kind" roses. Because "Earth Kind" roses require less time, this may be the best way to attract younger members to rose growing in the future. Our last speakers will be Professor Monica Valentovic and Professor Gary Rankin, a husband and wife team, from Marshall University. Monica will tell us about the latest pesticides and Gary will demonstrate some of the "gadgets" he uses to apply the pesticides.
Don Wilgus, the live auctioneer at the last Ill-Ind District Convention in Indianapolis will be back by popular demand. Don's irreverent and self-effacing humor will keep the audience laughing, but, at the same time, he will solicit those generous bids on the items in the auction. The auction will include about 15 show roses bud grafted by John Hefner. Anyone wishing to donate an item for the auction can do so by contacting the Auction Chair, Joan Gasper at 317 849-3635.
The singing quartet, "In Good Company", will entertain us after the dinner. The group consists of four good friends who enjoy singing barbershop harmony together. They are a fun group and like to throw out a few zingers as they perform. If anyone cares to share an amusing story about one of our rose society members, please feel free to call me at 317 859-4142 and I will pass the story on to Meridy.
The hospitality suite will be open on Friday evening to welcome everyone to the convention. We will serve mostly finger foods; but there will be enough food to satisfy a light evening appetite. The hospitality suite will be open at 7:00a.m.on Saturday morning, so exhibitors will be able to get a roll and a cup of coffee. The suite will also be open at lunch time on Saturday for those who order a box lunch.
On Sunday morning you will be able to greet the day with a bountiful buffet breakfast followed by the District meeting. When the meeting is over about 10:30, we will board the bus for a tour of three lovely rose gardens on the south side of Indianapolis. All of the gardens are immaculately groomed and will be in full bloom in September.
The garden of Nick and Anne Stanley has never been on tour, but you will be amazed at what they have accomplished in a few short years. The second garden belongs to Mark and Cathy Nolen. The Nolen garden is pure roses in a setting that was designed for maintenance and viewing. The last garden belongs to John and Donna Hefner. We have all seen the Hefner garden, but in all honesty, I never get tired of seeing their beautiful roses.
One final note, the Indianapolis Rose Society has agreed to donate all the profit, if any, from this convention to the District`s general operating fund. We would also appreciate any volunteers to help set up and tear down the rose show. We need clerks for the rose show and assistants in the prep area to get coffee for the exhibitors and do other odd jobs. Thank you all so much and I hope, as our convention theme suggests, that "everything is coming up roses" for you this year.
The full show and convention schedule and the convention registration form are available for dowload.
Mark Nolen
President, Indianapolis Rose Society
markbnolen@comcast.net