This month’s meeting will be on Monday, November 18th and our meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Consulting Rosarians’ Corner led by CR Deborah Magnuson. At 7:00 p.m., we are privileged to have renowned speakers Ray & Pauline Martin speaking on the topic “Raindrops on Roses”, an interactive look back at some of their favorite things that have made them smile over their years of rose growing. The Martin’s have traveled all the way from the United Kingdom to share their extensive rose experience with us. Ray is retired from Health Services and Pauline from Social Services. They have been growing and showing roses for 50 years. Ray is the General Secretary of The Rose Society UK and Pauline is Shows Chair. Pauline is also serving as Chair of International Judges for the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS).

They grow about 800 roses on their allotments (rented land) and another 100 or so at home and in their greenhouses. (There are probably more but they are too afraid to count!) They have won a few championships and prizes along the way at national shows but they now believe that, more important than winning, is sharing roses with everyone. They are both UK and ARS judges and ARS CRs. Ray also edits the UK Rose Society Newsletter, The Rose Times. Any spare time Ray has (very little) is spent on golf courses and also growing a few dahlias.

As with their past presentations to SDRS, Pauline will again construct a beautiful mixed rose bowl and she will talk about the process she uses to create these. But she needs SDRS members attending the meeting to bring along a few buckets of roses for her to ‘play’ with to create this arrangement. We hope you can all come to this meeting and hear expert advice from these experienced and entertaining rosarians who have so much to offer us.

(Note: There will be no Rose Auction or Little Rose Show at this meeting.)

Directions to Casa del Prado, Room 101: The Casa del Prado building is immediately west of the Natural

History Museum. Entrances to the Casa del Prado lead to an inner court. The rooms are accessible from the

court. Room 101 is downstairs on the east end of the court.