Spokane Rose Society Celebrating 50th Year

Fri., June 20, 1997

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

What began with a conversation 50 years ago has bloomed into one of Spokane’s gardening institutions. The Spokane Rose Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary this summer and activities include the annual Rose Show this weekend.

Forty-eight people signed the charter forming the Rose Society Sept. 22, 1947, in a meeting called by Mrs. Reese Ivie and Frank Stanek. The two had talked in the spring, noting the need for a regular gathering of those interested in growing roses.

Within a year, plans were made for creating a rose garden at Manito Park and by 1949, the group planted the first of the hundreds of rose bushes on Rose Hill.

Members of the group continue to help maintain the Manito Park rose garden.

The annual Rose Show raises awareness of the Spokane Rose Society. Show hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Valley Doubletree Inn (formerly the Red Lion). Admission is free and there will be workshops on the care of roses during the afternoon. The judging of the roses (which is not open to the public) begins at 10 a.m.

Planning ahead

It’s not too early to mark your 1998 calendars and get lodging reservations for the 10th Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, Feb. 4-8.

The annual event - workshops, booths and show gardens - draws thousands of visitors to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. For information call (800) 229-6311.

Check your furnace

Those with a Lennox Pulse furnace installed from 1982 to 1989 should read on: Increased instances of corrosion have been reported in some Pulse furnace heat exchangers. Lennox is offering an inspection program that includes carbon monoxide detection. To determine if your furnace needs inspecting, call (800) 537-4341.

What does this say about us?

Those tracking home trends say new homes include more bedrooms (despite the fact they are used for storage rather than sleeping), bigger kitchens and much bigger living rooms that apparently go virtually unused.

Extension-cord recall

Outdoor extension cords sold under the brand names Carol and Ace are being recalled because of a potential shock hazard from an exposed wire. Return the cords to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. You can also get a refund by calling General Cable Corp. at (888) 594-2600.

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