Rhode Island Rose Society Invites you to Celebrate the Year of the Rose at the

Yankee District Convention

March 22, 23, 24, 2002 at the Providence Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island

Start the weekend on Friday evening by dining in the hotel’s award-winning Bluefin Grille Restaurant. If you decide to experience a “Taste of Providence,” try dining at one of the many fine restaurants in the downtown area or on historic Federal Hill. Arriving early? Visit the new Providence Place Mall, stroll around Waterplace Park or take a 10 minute drive to Roger Williams Park, conveniently located off Rt. 95, Exit 17 and walk through the Victorian Rose Garden, maintained by the RI Rose Society, or visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo. You may also want to take advantage of the Marriott’s heated indoor pool and Fitness Center. After dinner, gather in the hospitality suite, the social center of the convention, with other convention-goers from all over New England, New York and Canada.

Saturday is chock-filled with programs. (See the other side of this flyer for topics and schedule.)  At 12 noon, meet ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and enjoy a Rhode Island-style “Taste of Italy” luncheon featuring the Marriott’s popular roasted vegetable lasagna prepared with spinach and white noodles layered with vegetables and cheese, served with marinara sauce and hot garlic bread. Frangelico chocolate mousse with a white chocolate cream and praline topping will be served as dessert. Then sit back with your coffee or tea while Jerry Amoroso of Week’s Roses provides a brief behind the scenes peek at the fascinating development of Week’s hottest new rose, ‘Marilyn Monroe,’ available in the spring of 2002.  A chance to win an extra special door prize is included with your ticket!

At 6pm in the Marquis Ballroom our Awards Dinner begins with a social hour with a cash bar and complimentary hors d’ouevres.  Dinner includes fresh garden salad, Piccata of Chicken topped with lemon caper butter sauce, garlic mashed potato and julienne vegetables.  Dessert is vanilla ice cream rolled in toasted almonds, chocolate chips with a chocolate sauce.  Our after dinner guest speaker is Robbie Tucker from Nashville, Tennessee. He is an award winning exhibitor and hybridizer of such champion miniature roses such as ‘Miss Flippins,’ ‘Cachet,’ ‘Amy Grant’ and a host of others. Robbie, an outstanding public speaker, presents a very entertaining and unique rose program that you will never see anywhere else! He is also the owner and operator of Rosemania, the popular online rose and garden website.

 The Yankee District awards presentation and the traditional rose auction will conclude the evening.

On Sunday morning, from 8 to 9 am, enjoy an All American Breakfast, consisting of chilled juice, assorted breakfast bakeries, fresh scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, breakfast potatoes, coffee and teas. The annual meeting of the Yankee District Convention will follow and bring to a close the 2002 Yankee District Convention. 

Now is the time to call and reserve your room at the Providence Marriott (1-800-937-7768) and receive the special room rate of $119. plus tax.) Reference the Yankee District Rhode Island Rose Convention when you call for reservations.  (Cancellations must be made at least 72 hours prior to arrival.)  Only a limited number of rooms are available at this special price. Prices for the meals noted above are listed on the registration form below.  See you in Providence!

Our website (RIRS.org) provides convention information and provides links to Providence attractions.  If you have any questions regarding the convention, call co-chairs Mike and Angie Chute, 401-433-3270 (mikechute@aol.com or mailto:apc1090@aol.com).

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Convention Registration Form

Deadline: March 15, 2002

Send Convention Form to:  RIRS Yankee District Convention, Angie Chute, 64 Forbes St. East Providence, RI 02915.  Make checks payable to RIRS Yankee District Convention

Name __________________________________________________Phone ______________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

Registration Fee for Sat. Programs (Prior to 3/15/02)         ________  person(s) x $25.     =       $__________

Registration Fee For Sat. Programs (After 3/15/02)           ________  person(s) x $30.     =       $__________

Luncheon                                                                         ________  person(s) x $18.     =       $__________

Saturday Awards Dinner                                                  ________  person(s) x $30.     =       $__________

Sunday Plated Breakfast                                                   ________  person(s) x $15.     =       $__________

                           TOTAL (meal prices include tax and gratuity)                 $__________

Refund Policy:  No refunds after March 15, 2002.

2002 Yankee District Convention Schedule

Providence Marriott, Orms St. Providence, RI (1-800-937-7768)

Exit 23 off I-95

Friday, March 22: Hospitality Suite

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm     Registration

6:00 pm - midnight    Hospitality Suite Open

Saturday, March 23: Marquis Ballroom (off main lobby)

8:30 - 9:00 am              Registration

9:00 am                        Welcome

9:15 am - 10:15 am        Kristine Struminsky – Rose Photography

10:15 am – 10:30 am      Coffee Break (Complimentary freshly brewed coffee plus assorted     international teas, juices and water)

10:30 am – 11:30 am      Jerry Amoroso – Week’s 2002 Rose Introductions

12:00 noon – 1:30 pm     Meet ‘Marilyn Monroe’ Luncheon 

                                   Grand Ballroom – lower level

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm        John Mattia – Advance Rose Gardening 202

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm        Art Emmons - Hot New Varieties

4:00 pm                         Super Rose and Garden Raffle

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm        Social hour – Cash bar and complimentary hors d’ouevres

7:00 pm – 10:30pm       Awards Dinner 

                                   Speaker: Hybridizer Robbie Tucker, owner of Rosemania

                                   Yankee District Awards

                                   Rose Auction

10:30 pm – midnight  Hospitality Suite Open

Sunday, March 24: Marquis Ballroom (off main lobby)

         8:00 am – 9:00 am     Breakfast

         9:00 am – 11:30 am    Annual Yankee District Meeting

         12 noon                 Check out time        

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

John Mattia:  Well regarded rosarian and nationally recognized exhibitor and lecturer, will present a new slide program on advanced rose gardening for those who are ready to go to the next level.

Kristine Struminsky:  RIRS member and professional photographer will deliver a program on floral photography highlighting good photographic practices with plenty of tips to improve your rose photos.

Jerry Amoroso: The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic representative of Weeks Roses joins us with an update on the 2002 rose introductions and a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2003!

Claire Laberge: Cancelled 

Robbie Tucker: Robbie Tucker is from Nashville, Tennessee. He is an award winning exhibitor and hybridizer of such champion miniature roses such as ‘Miss Flippins,’ ‘Cachet,’ ‘Amy Grant’ and a host of others.  Robbie, an outstanding public speaker, presents a very entertaining and unique rose program that you will never see anywhere else!   He is also the owner and operator of Rosemania, the popular online rose and garden website.

Art Emmons: A seasoned exhibitor and Yankee District Director

Rose Window January 2002 Table of Contents

Rose Window Main page

ARS Yankee District Homepage