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Monday's Internet Edition, March 15, 2010.
RVGC features talk on roses, poster contest
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Photo by Sheri Barile
Master Gardner Judy Eitzen presents her seminar on David Austin roses to members and guests attending the River Valley Garden Club (RVGC) meeting held on Jan. 26 at the RMA building in Rancho Murieta.
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By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter
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A presentation was given to members of the River Valley Garden Club on Jan. 26 by Master Gardener Judy Eitzen, a rose expert for the Sacramento Historic Cemetery. In addition, winners of the “Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl” poster contest were recognized at the meeting held at the RMA building in Rancho Murieta.
Approximately 35 members and guests listened to the presentation on roses by Eitzen. She shared information about the David Austin rose, a modern hybrid that has been cultivated by cross germinating old garden/antique roses with more modern varieties. Austin began cultivating the hybrid in the 1960’s and was recently inaugurated as a “Great Rosarian of the World” at the World Federation of Roses Societies, which Eitzen attended.
RVGC Publicity Chair Carol Prinzo said she felt that Eitzen’s presentation was very informative. “She had incredible slides of the roses,” Prinzo said. “Her knowledge is extensive. She provided a detailed history about the David Austin rose and explained its virtues and faults, in particular as it pertains to California climate.”
Eitzen broke her presentation down to about 20 David Austin varieties that are hardy for the Sacramento Valley. She included photos of each, along with facts, including traits for suiting each rose to its best planting environment such as climbing vines, shrubs and trees.
In recognizing the poster contest winners, five RM students in first through fifth grade representing local Boy Scout and Girl Scout packs were presented with blue ribbons, first-place certificates and crisp $10 bills for entering posters that judges deemed best in each grade level.
Winning for her Smokey the Bear poster was first-grader Allie Pedego. Representing the second grade was Anna Merten, with her Woodsy the Owl poster. Third-grader Denis Elkins and his fourth-grade brother Alexander Elkins both won for Smokey the Bear posters. Michelle Trapasso represented the fifth grade with her Woodsy the Owl poster.
According to Maureen Gormley who chairs the poster contest committee, RVGC partnered with State and National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service in this inaugural poster contest to promote environmental and safety awareness among children. “The purpose was to give scouts an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic conservation principles,” Gormley said.
RVGC met with the scouts last September to introduce the idea. The poster deadline was in November, and the committee judged the posters in December.
Copies of the winning posters were displayed at the meeting. The originals have been sent to the California State Garden Club to be entered into statewide competition. Each first-place winner at the state level will be awarded four round-trip tickets to Washington D.C. Judging will be completed this spring.
Gormley said the participants in this contest all expressed enthusiasm. “They have all said they want to participate again next year,” she said. “We will be expecting broader participation, definitely.”
In other business, the club’s regular raffle was held with donated prizes from Eitzen and Village Nursery on Bradshaw Road. Eitzen donated a photo calendar won by Cathy Glacken and a book on roses, which was won by Maria Gould. Village Nursery donated a plant, which Maureen Gormley won. Proceeds from the raffle will go into the fund for the upcoming garden project on the new grounds at Cosumnes River Elementary School.
Pam McCabe, photo contest committee chair, announced the theme for the club's annual photo contest. There will be two categories for photos – “My Home,” which includes garden photos taken at or close to home and “My Travels,” to include garden photos taken in more distant places or while on vacation.
Entrants are to submit 8x10 photos by the end of May. Judging will take place in June.
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