2019 NCD Convention & Rose Show was FanTastic!

It was a FanTastic rose show and convention weekend! Dear friends gathered; new friendships were created; and beauty and information were shared, all thanks to the rose.  The weekend started out on Friday night with the best hospitality suite ever, thanks to Susan Konkol and Laura Beattie who took the sports theme, FanTastic Roses, and ran with it. Our "referees" for the weekend, they worked hard to keep us in line. Pick-a-Pair returned with six competive teams. Our four out-of-town arrangement judges had fun evaluating the entries, noting with special pleasure Ruth and Diane Rutkowski's entry of a matched pair of 'Megan Dawn' that was themed the Kentucky Derby, complete with an empty bottle of bourbon. Pick-a-Pair  winners  were Carrie Bergs and Karen Franco, whose entry of a matched pair of 'Sandy's Pick' was themed Powder Puff Football.

(Left) Our referee's and hosts, Susan Konkol & Laura Beattie.

(Right) Powder Puff Rose Buds Karen Franco & Carrie Bergs win Pick-a-Pair with Sandy's Pick.

     Exhibitors entered beautiful specimens, challenge classes, photographs and arrangements. In total, there were 285 entries; 222 horticulture, 13 photographs, and 50 designs. The American Box class, consisting of nine blooms arranged in a quilt-like pattern, was new to the show this year. Congratulations to Joe and Carrie Bergs for a beautiful entry. Bruce Barr's arrangement in the class, Off the Glass,  was judged 'Best in Show'. It is very unusual that an arrangement is given such an honor. Congratulations to all the winners! NCD Rose Show Results

(Left) Bruce Barr's stunning arrangement  won Best in Show. 

(Right) Barb Sylvester won gold with her photo of Night Owl.

     Two presentations were given Saturday afternoon. First, Dr. Vera Krischik, professor of entomology from the University of Minnesota, spoke on insect pests and diseases that affect our roses. The information was very thorough. Recommendations of best preventative practices were given as well as the best choices for control should the problems get out of hand. Bruce Barr gave a presentation on Gene Boerner, affectionately known as Papa Floribunda. Boerner was intrumental in the passage of U.S. plant patent law, introducing the floribunda rose class to America, and for saving the best-of-the-best of Europe's new rose seedlings at the start of World War II. 

(Left) Karen Franco shows off her winning Floribunda entry "Oh My" to Christian Bedard who hybridized it. 

(Right) John Turek was awarded the NCD Silver Medal.

     The evening banquet speaker was Christian Bedard, head hybridizer of Weeks Roses. Christian reviewed his career in hybridization and introduced us to  the newest roses that will be hitting the market in 2020 and 2021. Be on the lookout for more beautiful roses for your gardens! To conclude the evening, NCD Director Lois Ann Helegson presented the Silver Medal to John Turek for his outstanding servcice to our district and the ARS and awarded the year's outstanding consulting rosarian honor to Don Zoromski and the outstanding judge honor to Jim Beardsley. Congratulations to our distinguised award winners! The weekend culminated with a garden tour and brunch hosted by Gregg and Diane Sommers. It was a wonderful chance to catch up with rose friends and to view beautiful roses in a beautiful setting. Thank you, Diane and Gregg, for opening your home and gardens!

     And thank you to all who helped make this a very special, successful rose show and nconvention. Your hard work, creativity and commitment to the society are greatly appreciated. The 2020 NCD Convention and Rose Show will be held August 28-30 in Bloomington, Minn. Mark your calenders now. It is sure to be another fun, rose-filled weekend. (by Maggie Barr & Carrie Bergs)