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World Federation of Rose Societies
Founded in 1968, the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) is the world’s largest international organization of rose enthusiasts representing more than 100,000 rose lovers in 38 member countries. The WFRS strives to increase the knowledge of the rose and expand communication between the member national societies.
Canadian Rose Society and the Vancouver Rose Society
Founded in 1949 and 1954 respectively, the Canadian Rose Society (CRS) and the Vancouver Rose Society (VRS) serve over 800 members and are educational, non-profit organizations dedicated exclusively to the cultivation and enjoyment of roses throughout the province of British Columbia and Canada. The CRS is a registered charity (tax number 89156-3173).
American Rose Society
Founded in 1892, the American Rose Society (ARS) has over 15,000 members dedicated to the enjoyment, enhancement, and promotion of America’s Floral Emblem. This national organization, with almost 400 local chapters and affiliates throughout the United States, offers rose-related activities and information.
World Rose Festival Committee
Local Host Committee – Vancouver Rose Society (VRS)
An established group of rose enthusiasts in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, the VRS is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the cultivation and enjoyment of roses throughout the province of British Columbia. For more information on the local rose society, visit www.vancouverrosesociety.org.
The Co-Chairs for the World Rose Festival 2009 are Darlene Sanders and Brenda Viney. They are working closely with a well organized planning committee to ensure that Vancouver’s event is an extraordinary success.
Darlene Sanders
Darlene Sanders has been an active member of the Vancouver Rose Society since 1980. She has attended five world rose conventions as well as traveled extensively with the English Historic Roses Group, the latest being June 2006’s exploration of the rose gardens of Denmark.
A passionate hands-on gardener, Darlene has created a cottage garden in West Vancouver where she tends 175 roses, mainly Old Garden Roses but with a liberal sprinkling of modern and mini varieties. A 100 year old Western Red Cedar on her property plays host to a cascading Kiftsgate rose, while old roses planted outside the fence along the adjoining lane delight passers-by with their heady fragrance.
Darlene opens her garden to visitors in June, and at Vancouver’s annual Rose Show she can be counted on to participate both as an exhibitor and as a judge. Since 1988 she has owned and operated a successful retail garden/home décor store called The Avant Gardener.
Brenda Viney
Brenda Viney has been an active member of the Vancouver Rose Society since 1989. In 1990, she joined the Board of Directors as Secretary and subsequently became President for 1999 and 2000. Today, she is the Membership Chair and writes a monthly “To Do” column in the Society’s newsletter. Over the years she has participated in yearly pruning demonstrations, run five consecutive Rose Shows as the Chair, including the Canadian National Show, opened her garden to member visits every year, become a major exhibitor in the VRS yearly rose show, and volunteered in most activities in which the Society has engaged.
Brenda and her husband Al have created a charming mixed garden at their home just outside Vancouver. Starting with a house surrounded by grass on a 66’ x 120’ lot, over the past 15 years they have reduced the grassy surround substantially creating meandering garden beds front and back. Five years ago they delighted neighbours by creating a 10’ x 50’ fragrant rose garden on the front boulevard and added a small water feature to the back yard. The garden now holds a collection of 200 roses, including a good selection of modern and old roses, along with a mélange of perennials, shrubs and herbs.
Festival Organizing Committee
Please remove the space before and after the "@" symbol before using these email addresses.
| Co-chairs | |||
| Darlene Sanders, VRS & Avant Gardener | avantgardener @ telus.net |
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| Brenda Viney, VRS & JMP Marketing | brendaviney @ telus.net | ||
| Rose Show | |||
| Lesley Finlay, VRS | kfinlay @ telus.net | ||
| Elaine Raine, VRS | eraine @ btmlaywers.com | ||
| Marketing & Publicity | |||
| Dale Akerstrom, VRS | adalex @ telus.net | ||
| Special Events Entertainment | |||
| Marjorie Cullerne, VRS & Musician | marjorie @ marjoriecullerne.com | ||
| Fundraising & Sponsorship | |||
| Sarah Lowis, Sea to Sky Meeting Management Inc. | sarah @ seatoskymeetings.com www.seatoskymeetings.com |
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| Educational Exhibits & Programs | |||
| Alec Globe, VRS & UBC Professor | globe @ interchange.ubc.ca | ||
| Art & Photo Exhibits | |||
| Bobbie Merilees, VRS | bobbiemerilees @ hotmail.com | ||
| Agriculture & Customs | |||
| Bob Meighen, VRS | rmeighen @ shaw.ca | ||
| Florist Design Exhibit | |||
| Gail Robertson, VRS | gnrobertson @ live.ca | ||
| Donna Hutton, Donna Hutton Flowers | donnahuttonflowers @ shaw.ca | ||
| Hilary Miles, Hilary Miles Flowers Ltd. | info @ hilarymiles.com www.hilarymiles.com |
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| Maureen Sullivan, Thomas Hobbs Florist by Maureen Sullivan | info @ thflorist.com www.thomashobbsflorist.com |
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| Khim Mah | meowham @ yahoo.com | ||
| Lectures & Workshops | |||
| Brad Jalbert, VRS & Select Roses | selectroses @ shaw.ca
www.selectroses.ca |
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| Patrick White, VRS | patrickwhite @ shaw.ca | ||
| Janet Wood, VRS | janetwood @ shaw.ca | ||
| Advisory | |||
| Pamela Erikson, VRS & Erikson's Daylily Gardens | pamela1 @ istar.ca www.plantlovers.com/erikson |
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| Festival Manager | |||
| Sarah Lowis, Sea to Sky Meeting Management Inc. | sarah @ seatoskymeetings.com www.seatoskymeetings.com |
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