EVENTS

The Yankee District Convention, hosted by the New England Rose Society and chaired by Audrey Osborn, will be held at the Publick House ( 277 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566. 508-347-3313 • 800-PUBLICK) March 6 – 8.

Full program in PDF with presenter bios and convention schedule

There will be a Friday afternoon judging school for new and recertifying horticultural judges and for observing/auditing

List of probable roses for auction

*Our keynote speaker will be the renowned Ping Lim.
*Der Rosenmeister expert Leon Ginenthal will speak on all aspects of growing ramblers
*Kevin Richardson will speak on “Organic Plant Magic”
*We will have an interactive panel “From Auction Table to Show Table” discussion by rosarians Jason Capote, Irwin Ehrenreich, and Regan Duffee moderated by Lauren Duffee

The very low registration fee of $80 is all inclusive of a Friday evening meal, Saturday lunch and Saturday night banquet!

We want it to be affordable for as many people as possible , especially since we have at least 200 roses in our Saturday night auction!

Thank You to Bakker Nurseries for sponsoring our 2026 Yankee District Convention banquet!

CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Meal descriptions included after schedule

Friday   March 6

Room Check-in: 3:00 pm

Registration Check-in:  4:00 – 6:30 pm

12:00 pm – 5:30 pm        ARS Horticultural Judging School

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm          Friday night dinner buffet

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm        Hospitality Suite open

Saturday   March 7

8:00 am – 9:00 am           Registration

9:15 am                            Convention begins with a welcome

9:30 am                            Leon Ginenthal “Landscaping with Old Garden Roses”

10:25 am – 10:50 am      Break (raffle tickets and vendors)

10:50 am                          Keynote speaker:  Ping Lim

11:50 am – 12:00 pm      Break (raffle tickets and vendors)

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm         Luncheon buffet

1:30 pm                            Kevin Richardson “Organic Plant Magic”

2:25 pm – 2:45 pm          Break (vendors and LAST CALL FOR RAFFLE TICKETS)

2:45 pm                            “Auction Table to Show Table” – an interactive panel

                                           discussion by rosarians Jason Capote, Irwin Ehrenreich, and Regan Duffee moderated by Lauren Duffee

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm          RAFFLE DRAWING

6:00 pm cash bar/reception
7:00 pm  Plated dinner in banquet room followed by:

HOSPITALITY SUITE is open following the Rose Auction
Please bring a snack and BYOB

Sunday March 8

10:00 am – 12:00 pm      Yankee District Meeting

11:00 pm                          Room Check out time

Meal Descriptions
(please indicate gluten allergy, vegetarian or other allergies on registration form)

Friday
Little Italy Buffet Dinner
6:00 PM Arrival – Full bar available
6:30 Dinner – COFFEE, TEA & SOFT DRINKS INCLUDED WITH DINNER BUFFET
*Minestrone Soup
*Caesar Salad with Parmesan Cheese, Garlic-Herb Croutons & Caesar Dressing
*Tortellini Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
*Pasta with Bolognese Sauce & Alfredo on the side
*Chicken Piccata
*Chef Choice Fish entree

Saturday
10:30 AM MORNING BREAK : Coffee, danish and muffins

12:00 PM LUNCHEON SANDWICH WRAP BUFFET
( BUFFET AVAILABLE FOR (90) MINUTES ONLY)
*Soup of the Day
*Caesar Salad with Parmesan Cheese, Garlic-Herb Croutons & Caesar Dressing *Turkey Breast with Cheddar Cheese & Mayonnaise
*Ham with Swiss Cheese & Dijon Mustard
*Roast Beef with Provolone Cheese & Horseradish Sauce
*Tuna Salad
*Cookies & Brownies
*Regular & Decaffeinated Coffee & Assorted Hot Teas Bottled Soft Drinks

6:00PM cash bar/Cocktail hour
7:00 PM Dinner THREE COURSE PLATED DINNER
* “PUBLICK HOUSE” BAKERY BASKET House-Made Pecan Sweet Rolls & Dinner Rolls with Butter
“PUBLICK HOUSE” SALAD Mixed Greens, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots & Red Onion Drizzled with House Maple Vinaigrette
CHOICE OF ENTREES
* Roasted Native Turkey, Cornbread-Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce & Gravy *Buttercrumb Scrod with Lemon-Dill Sauce
*Yankee Pot Roast with Pan Gravy
*Chef’s Choice of Vegetarian Entree – UPON REQUEST ONLY
*Chef’s Choice of Potato & Fresh Vegetable
*Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Filling & Frosting
*Regular & Decaffeinated Coffee & Assorted Hot Teas

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