News and Events

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021

     In 2021, the FVRS Board of Directors followed the guidance of health officials regarding COVID-19.  In an abundance of caution, all meetings of the society for 2021 were cancelled until the Board made the determination it is safe for General Membership and for Board meetings to resume.      In December, the Board determined the society membership meeting of Thursday, December 2, would take place.  Incorporating the adopted COVID-19 prevention guidelines of the church (our current meeting space at St. Luke's-San Lucas Episcopal Church in Vancouver), the meeting was held and all present thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship.  The evening also included the election of 2022 FVRS Board officers and members-at-large.

2022 MEETINGS

     The society held its first meeting of 2022 on February 3, with Mary Benson facilitating the meeting and Louis Rossetto and Jim Swenson providing a skillful rose pruning demonstration.  FVRS member Margaret Snitzler was presented with the ARS Pacific Northwest District 2021 Silver Honor Award.

     On March 3, the society held its Rose Auction, a major fundraiser for the FVRS 2022 Rose Show scheduled for June 18 (see below).

     The April 7 meeting of the Fort Vancouver Rose Society featured Master Rosarian Dr. Rich Baer who spoke on the many myths concerning rose gardening and briefly on pruning climbing roses.  FVRS Katherine Fry also shared a few words about her work with Mason bees and offered a Mason bee house as one of the evening's door prizes.

    Members and guests attending our May 5 meeting enjoyed the opportunity to focus on one of three topic tables, hosted by one or more of our consulting rosarians. Topics included "What's Happening in the Rose Garden," "Rose Grooming Techniques and Tricks for the Rose Exhibitor," and "Rose Show Floral Arrangements."  A bonus for those attending was a display of gardening products (pruners, gloves, rose name tags, etc.) by consulting rosarian Wendy Tilley (therosegardener.com).

     Thursday, June 2, the General Membership meeting featured guest speaker Cassie Cichorz.  Cassie is the Outreach & Education Specialist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture Plant Protection-Pest Program.  She focused her presentation on the danger to our roses should the Japanese Beetle become established in Washington State.   FVRS members learned what they should do to mitigate beetle damage if this insect manages to land in their gardens.

2022 FVRS ROSE GARDENS TOUR

       One of the most delightful of FVRS activities is our summer Rose Gardens Tour.  This is a social event we've come to enjoy not only for seeing the gorgeous gardens of some of our members but also for catching up with each other and meeting new people who join the tour.   

       On Sunday, July 24, FVRS members and guests enjoyed touring five gardens—one in Washougal and the remainder in Vancouver. It was a gorgeous day and perfect for viewing beautiful gardens, each a unique reflection of its FVRS gardener. A huge thank you goes to our tour garden hosts—Tammy Mabin, Larry and MJ O’Leary, Joseph Ziemba, Jim and Detra Swenson, and Ryan and Wendy Tilley. Appreciation is also due to Mary Benson who organized the tour, Sally Rossetto who assisted, and to Maggie Mikalatos for the artful, handcrafted fans she made to commemorate this year’s 2022 FVRS Rose Gardens Tour.  Thank you all!

     Thursday, September 1, FVRS held its annual in-house rose show.  It was a chance for novice rose exhibitors to enter a favorite rose and get expert feedback on properly exhibiting their rose in the show.  In addition, a display of show-quality rose arrangements provided a beautiful backdrop to the exhibited roses.

     At its General Membership meeting on October 6, the program featured a panel discussion of three consulting rosarians on fall/winter rose garden care.  The Q&A session following was lively and informative.  Included in the program was a talk by Rob Zimmerman from Soil Builders of South Ridge Farms in Ridgefield.  Rob spoke about the mulch he produces, which is highly prized by rose growers in the area.

     On Thursday, November 3, the society held its annual election of Board officers and members at large.  The evening's program included viewing a portion of a Roger Phillips (BBC) entertaining presentation entitled The Quest for the Rose.  In addition, FVRS treasurer Margaret Snitzler took registrations at this meeting for the society's annual December dinner meeting to be held Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m. at the Old Spaghetti Factory.  The cost is $25.  As with all our meetings, the public is always welcomed.  Contact Margaret at 360-695-0456 for further dinner registration information.

NEXT MEETING:  Thursday, December 1, 6:00 p.m., at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 730 SE 160th Avenue in Vancouver.  Doors open to meeting room at 6 p.m.; dinner approximately 6:30 p.m.  The cost is $25; due to FVRS Treasurer Margaret Snitzler by Monday, November 28.  As with all our meetings, the public is always welcomed.  Contact Margaret at 360-695-0456 for further dinner registration information.

ANNUAL ROSE SHOW: 2023

     The FVRS Board of Directors cancelled the 2020 Rose Show that was scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2020 and did not hold a rose show in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.   Thus, it was with great pride that the society was able to hold its 67th Annual Rose Show on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at the First Evangelical Church in Vancouver.  We send our sincere thanks to all the exhibitors and all our volunteers at the 2022 show.  Together, you made Vancouver proud with a most spectacular display of outstandingly beautiful roses. 

     Details for next year's show are roughly outlined below.  You'll see that many decisions will need to be made and this space will reflect those decisions in the early part of 2023.

When:    To be Determined (a Saturday in June 2023)

Theme:  To be Determined

Location:  To be Determined

Free and open to the public, the Fort Vancouver Rose Society rose show features competitors from throughout the Pacific northwest who grow their roses at home.  New rose growers are welcomed and encouraged to participate! Members of the Fort Vancouver Rose Society are available to help new competitors.

FREE ADMISSION - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING SHOW HOURS  

Show Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SHOW SCHEDULE

Entries ............……………........................  7:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Hospitality ...……………..........................  8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Novice/Junior Entry Table...……......  9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Judging/Clerk Instruction ……………………………....... 10:30 a.m.

Judging .........…..……...………………….………………............ 11:00 a.m.

Luncheon ...………………………….………….........................12:30 p.m.

Show Hours ...………………...….................. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Trophies Awarded ...……………………..…………............... 3:00 p.m.

Removal of Arrangements/Tags...……...……………….. 4:00 p.m.

Show Breakdown .........………………………………….......... 4:30 p.m.

EXHIBITORS:   The 2023 Rose Show Book will be in development immediately after the show theme is determined early in 2023.  In the interim, the 2022 Rose Show Book arrangement section (Artistic Design) is attached to show you the arrangements general instructions provided in 2022.  Similar instructions should be expected in the 2023 Rose Show Book.  When finalized and published in 2023, the 2023 Rose Show Book will provide full information on show rules and categories.  Please be aware that if there are any differences between the FVRS 2023 Rose Show Book PDF file web copy and the hard copy distributed at the show, the hard copy will be the official book.

DIRECTIONS TO First Evangelical Church (presumptive venue for the 2023 show):

First Evangelical Church

4120 NE St. Johns Road

Vancouver, WA 98611

Directions to Rose Show from I-5 Southbound

At Exit 2, take ramp right for WA-500 East toward Orchards; Take ramp right and follow signs for St. Johns Blvd; Turn left onto St. Johns Blvd; Road name changes to St. Johns Rd; Go to First Evangelical Church, 4120 NE St. Johns Rd, Vancouver, Washington.

Directions to Rose Show from I-5 Northbound

At Exit 2, take ramp right and follow signs for E 39th St; Take ramp left for WA-500 East toward Orchards; Take ramp right and follow signs for St. Johns Blvd; Turn left onto St. Johns Blvd; Road name changes to St. Johns Rd; Go to First Evangelical Church, 4120 NE St. Johns Rd, Vancouver, Washington.

Directions to Rose Show from I-205 North or South

At Exit 30, take ramp right for WA-500 West toward Vancouver; Take ramp right and follow signs for St. Johns Blvd; Turn right onto NE St. Johns Rd; Go to First Evangelical Church, 4120 NE St. Johns Rd, Vancouver, Washington.

IMPORTANT:  AFTER GROOMING AND ENTERING ROSES, EXHIBITORS ARE ASKED TO PLEASE MOVE THEIR VEHICLES TO THE UPPER LEVEL PARKING LOT.