The Village of Roses, a.k.a. La Grange Park, proudly took claim to its name at the 49th annual Rose Show, June 14. Despite the cool and wet spring we had, there were approximately 180 entries.

It is always a lovely sight to see roses that have been gathered from neighbors’ gardens the morning of the show and displayed. The colors are so vivid and varied that it is almost unbelievable that so many different species of roses are in the world. Also, this year, there were many entries by young people here in our village.

Additionally, Dole Hall at Plymouth Place provided a perfect venue for the show; there was plenty of room to roam among the tables. Also, the table settings and artistic arrangements were unique in their individual spots. For the third year, Ray Erbes, a resident at Plymouth Place, played the piano and as Andrea Bagley, coordinator of the show said, “Those who attended were able to enjoy the beautiful piano playing of Ray … it adds so much!”

Bagley also compliments the staff at Plymouth Place.

“They couldn’t have been more gracious, helping out in any way to ensure a successful event — even down to serving water to the attendees.”

There already are plans in the works for next year’s Rose Show, with Bagley gathering new ideas that will make the show more exciting and with a broader appeal.

As Bagley sums it up, “The show is definitely a huge team effort, and that is what makes it so special.”

Horticulture Division I

Queen of Show: Queen Elizabeth, grown by Sandy Gregg & Tim Gaten (first time entry); King of Show: St. Patrick’s, grown by Tina Bink; Princess of Show: Black Magic, grown by Carol Kraiss; Best Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora Spray Rose: Danity Bess, grown by Tina Bink; Best Floribunda: Happy, grown by Janet Montgomery; Best Climber: Fourth of July, grown by Jane Calezone; Best Miniatures & Mini Flora (single bloom): Magic Carousel, grown by Diana Sunyog; Best Miniatures & Mini Flora (spray): Green Ice, grown by Ms. Temmer; Best Full Blown Hybrid Tea & Grandifloras: Olympiad, grown by Tina Bink; Best Full Blown Mini & Mini Flora: Harm Saville, grown by Marie Starsiak; Best Shrub (modern): Graham Stuart Thomas, grown by Janet Montgomery; Best Shrub (classic): Flower Girl, grown by Janet Montgomery; Best Old Rose: Belle de Creay, grown by Janet Montgomery; Best Rose Floating in a Bowl: Teasing Georgia, grown by Anita Menendez (grade school age); Best Entry Grade School Age (two winners): Teasing Georgia, grown by Richard Menendez, and Floating Rose, grown by Zachary Temmer.

Artistic Division II

Best Artistic Arrangement: Betsy Grimm; Best Table Arrangement: Marilyn Pulaski; Best of Class Miniature Arrangements: Best of class 6a, Marie Starsiak; Best of class 6b, Betsy Grimm; Best of class 6c, Betsy Grimm.

Coloring Contest Winners

Ages 5 to 7: Jackson Beyer (age 5)
Ages 8 to 11: Claire Swiatek (age 8)
Ages 12 and older: Emily Ellis & Alison Crook (age 13). The picture by Emily and Alison will be used for the village’s 2009 vehicle sticker.