Lower Cape Rose Society

Spring is around the corner. This is the time to sharpen those old rusty garden tools, don’t wait until the day you want to use that old hoe or pruning shears and find out it needs sharpening. The same holds true for our bodies. Before you spend time, bending over your rose bushes pruning or digging around them do some stretching exercises to stretch those back and leg muscles. There is nothing worse than not being able to tie your shoes the day after a good day of pruning and digging in the garden. Check the mulch pile. Is it ready to spread? Do an inventory of your fertilizers, sprays etc and buy early.

For all the LCRS members that attended the second annual October luncheon held in February, you must agree it was a great time. Diane Goers once again made sure the occasion was a celebration of good fellowship. Thank You, Diane and your committee. The staff of the Yarmouth House was well attentive to our needs even though they took home their share of the raffle prizes. There were over forty raffle prizes given out to the lucky ticket holders. To the LCRS members that provided raffle prizes either though their own generosity or though a donation Thank You. A special Thank You is extended to Posey Cameron who led us all in a beautiful grace. When I asked Posey if she would say the grace she asked me why her? Now we all know why — it was beautiful. Oz once again came though with a great speaker. The speaker Arello Scott traveled all the way from Maine to share with us how she came write the book and about some of the characters referenced in the book.

The best part of the luncheon was the announcement and presentation of the Bronze Medal and Award. I was honored and pleased to announce that this year’s honoree was JULIE GAMMON. She is an exceptional example of what a dedicated and contributing club member is as well as being an extraordinary person. Congratulations Julie.

As I announced at the January meeting the board of directors was considering the feasibility of the LCRS sponsoring a raffle. The purpose of the raffle is to increase our bank account as well as having and making funds available for such things as the offering of a scholarship to a student at the Cape Cod Tech. or other deserving community recipients. Because the success of the venture depends on the full cooperation of the LCRS members I promised if the board were to approve the idea the members would be given the final vote to proceed.

At a Board meeting of the LCRS held on February 25, 2008 the board voted in favor of holding a raffle. Some of the specifics of the raffle are as follows:
• Only two (200) hundred tickets to be sold at $ 50 each. The member that sells the most tickets will be given a free ticket for the drawing.
• Each member will be given two(2) tickets to sell
• Remaining tickets sold are public gatherings rose shows etc.
• Drawing to held October 2008.
• The prize is: Two ( 2) round trip airfare tickets to Los Angles Calf
• A three night package at the Radisson LAX Hotel including ground transportation.
• The date of the trip would be Dec 30, 2008 to Jan.2, 2009.
• A Tournament of Roses Parade package that includes bleacher seats , wine and cheese party, continental breakfast, box lunches, post parade review of the floats, transport to and from the parade and much more.
• Estimated profit for the LCRS $6,000 to $7,000

This project can only be successful if each and every member commits to selling ticket.
The final commitment to the project is subject to member’s approval.
Please be sure to attend the March meeting for discussion and vote.

REMINDER—–DUES ARE DUE

Bill

Everyone loves a bus ride! The Lower Cape Rose Society is sponsoring a trip to the New York Botanical Garden on SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 2008. We will be leaving the Harwich Community Center at 7AM with a pickup at the Sagamore Bridge at 7:45 AM. We will leave NY at 4PM for the return trip. The cost is $45 per person.

Lunch is on your own - bring a picnic lunch or purchase lunch at the Garden Cafe which serves hot and cold dishes or at the Leon Levy Visitor Center Cafe for sandwiches, salads and beverages.

The Peggy Rockerfeller Rose Garden will be in full bloom! June 7 - 15th is Rose Week! Visitors have called this glorious garden an “encyclopedia of roses” and a “living catalog” of what can be grown at home. Enjoy demonstrations, expert tips, music, storytelling, prize drawings, and other rose-related activities. Visitors are encouraged to see many of the other gardens and plant collections that are alive with the splendor of spring. The Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden, Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden, the Rock Garden, and The Woodland Garden Conservatory exhibition should not be missed. See many varieties of roses (over 3000 plants) in the newly renovated garden.

Don’t miss the fun. This is a trip not to be missed. Contact Audrey or OZ Osborn at 508-430-5329. Send your check payable to the LOWER CAPE ROSE SOCIETY to us at 12 Scotch Pine Farm, E. Harwich 02645

• Location: New York Botanical Garden
• When: Saturday, June 7th, 2008 at 7:00 AM
• More Information: Contact Audrey or Oz Osborn at 508-430-5329

American Rose Society Consulting Rosarians of the Lower Cape Rose Society will present a program on improving Cape Cod garden soil. Learn how to amend your sandy soil into a garden rich in organics and nutrients that will retain moisture and grow your favorites roses, tomatoes, vegetables! Join in the discussion of what beneficial resources are available “for free” from Mother Nature and what beneficial raw materials we are throwing in the garbage every day. Why pay for composted products, when you can be making your own. The time is now — not in June to get your compost started. Guests are always welcome — join us for a cup of coffee.

Bring a sample of your soil for pH testing by Master Gardeners.

• Location: Harwich Community Center, Oak Street, Harwich
• When: March, 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM
• More Information: 430-5329 Oz or Audrey Osborn