Redwood Empire Rose Society

Organized 1965
In the early 1960’s Commander Harry E. Stebbings, fresh from sea duty, encountered his first rose bush. Actually, there were 21 bushes and they came with a house he purchased in San Mateo, California. Not having the opportunity to grow roses at sea, he sought the expertise of the San Mateo County Rose Society to educate himself on the care and feeding of roses. After two of the members visited his home and identified the varieties as well as provided advice on nurturing them, he became an active member in the society and an ARS horticulture judge. When he completed his tour of duty at Treasure Island, Captain Stebbings moved to Santa Rosa.

His new home did not come with roses but he was quick to remedy that. Santa Rosa did not have a rose society but with the collaboration of Dr. Dennison Morey, they established the first rose society in Santa Rosa. The first meeting of the Redwood Empire Rose Society was on September 23, 1965 at Harry Stebbings’ home. An ARS officer from San Diego attended. As of March 2004, Dr. Morey is the only surviving member who attended that original meeting. Since that inaugural meeting, RERS has met on the third Thursday of the month. Starting in January of 1966 the meetings have been held at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center.

The RERS has been very active in the Santa Rosa community. Each year the Spring Rose Show is attended by many non-members. The RERS entered in the Hall of Flowers Garden Contest at the Sonoma County Fair up to 2003. We are planning to reestablish this activity as our membership numbers are improved.

Thirty-two rosarians have served as President of RERS. Many are distinguished contributors to ARS and the Sonoma County community. Our first President was Capt. Harry Stebbings.

 

ARS Bronze Medal for Outstanding Service to a Local Society Awards
1993	Rachel Wall*
1994	Margaret Martin*
1995	Sally Joy*
1996	Capt. Harry Stebbings*
1997	Virginia and Eugene Howard*
1998	Inez Smith*
1999	Eleanor Kelling*
2000	James C. King*
2002	Dr. Tom Villa-Lovoz
2005	Phyllis Saccani
2006	Barbara Ellis
2008	Ann Barbaro
2009	Karen Ernsberger
2010	Karl Scheurman & Ruth Browning
2012	Martin Kooi

*deceased

 

History of RERS Rose Annual Spring Shows

 

2016       Golden Anniversary                                       May 21    50^th Annual

2015       Roses Dancing in Our Garden                     May 2   49^th Annual

2014       Rain Drops are Dancing on My Petals       May 17  48^th Annual*

2013       Star Wars (Tours)                                           May 11  47^th Annual

2012       Roses in Wine Country                                  May 5   46^th Annual

2011       Roses on Parade                 May 7   45^th Annual         – Fall NCNH District Show”Last Rose of Summer”

2010      Picture Perfect                                                 May 1    44^th Annual

2009      Simple Pleasures                                            May 2   43^rd Annual

2008      Change is in the Air!                                      May 3   42^nd Annual

2007      Stop and Smell The Roses                            May 5   41^st  Annual

2006      Mardi Gras                                                       May 7   40^th Annual

2005      Fire and Ice                                                      May 7   39^th Annual

2004      Chase The Clouds Away                                May 8    38^th Annual**

2003      Remember The Good Things in Life          May 10   37^th Annual**

2002      The Year of The Rose                                    May 4   36^th Annual

2001      The Rose Our National Flower                    May 5   35^th Annual

2000      A History of the Rose Through the Ages   May 6  34^th Annual         – Fall “It’s a Rose Show” Charlie Brown

1999       Come Rain or Shine                                       May 1    33^rd Annual         – Fall Sonoma County in the 1900’s

1998       Stars: The Roses of the Angels                    May 2   32^nd Annual        – Fall ?

1997       “The Rose in Legend and Lore”                   May 3   31^st  Annual         – Fall “Sonoma County Landmarks II”

1996       California The Golden State                         May4    30^th Annual         – Fall “Sonoma County Landmarks”

1995       Run For The Roses                              May 6    29^th Annual        – Fall NCNH District Show”Circus of Roses”

1994       Wine and Roses                                          May 14-15    28^th Annual**     – Fall “On The Road With Roses”

1993       Tribute to Modern Composer Sammy Cahn           May 1-2   27^th  Annual

1992       Rock “n” Roll “n” Roses                                 May 2    26^th  Annual          – Fall A Centennial Celebration

1991       Happy 25^th Anniversary                                 May 4    25^th  Annual

1990       Days of Wine & Roses                                    May 5    24^th  Annual

1989       Summer Dream                                               May  6     23^rd  Annual          – Fall Symphony of Roses

1985       Land, Near and Far                                         May 11   19^th  Annual**

1984       Olympics                                                           May 12  18^th  Annual**

1983       Let’s go to the Parade of Roses                     May 14  17^th  Annual**

1981       Rose Garden                                                      May 3    15^th  Annual

1966       First Annual Spring Rose Show                    April 30-May 1