Consulting Rosarians are persons who have demonstrated a real love for the rose.  They must maintain membership in the American Rose Society, attend a school and pass a written exam.  Their goal is to promote the rose.  They willingly work with all aspiring rosarians to help foster interest in our great hobby of growing roses.

In 2003, we introduced a new award to honor one of our Outstanding Consulting Rosarians.  The award is appropriately called the Tri-State Rose Society’s Outstanding Consulting Rosarian award.  The CR Chairperson (Jim Bennett) and the President of the Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga select the honoree based upon the following criteria:

o     Each certified Consulting Rosarian is eligible on a year to year basis.  There is no limit as to how many times a person can receive this award.

o     To be eligible, the CR must have participated in the Roses In Review program and completed the Annual Consulting Rosarian report.

o     Selection will be based upon overall performance in carrying out the duties of a Consulting Rosarian as described in the Consulting Rosarian Manual.  These include service to the society, service to the local community, and participation in local and ARS events. 

o     If no CR is deemed deserving, then no award will be made for that year.  

Our honorees for 2008 are Jeff and Cindy Garrett.

For many years Jeff & Cindy have generously given their time and talents to our society in so many ways that it is a real challenge to keep an accurate record of all that they have done to help our society grow and prosper. 

·        Jeff & Cindy have presented interesting programs at our meetings, as well as giving presentations to other societies in the community that request a program about roses. 

·        They have both served our society faithfully as officers and both have served on the Board of Directors. 

·        They have graciously opened their outstanding rose garden for various Rose Tours, and they have spent many hours working in the Mills Rose Garden at Veteran’s Park in Soddy Daisy. 

·        Jeff & Cindy have always been willing to help other club members with good practical advice on growing better roses.

·        Even though they are award winning rose exhibitors, Cindy & Jeff are always sharing tips for success and encouraging novice rose lovers to take those first scary steps to showing roses and they are often the first to offer congratulations when that member wins a ribbon.  

Cindy and Jeff were the driving force with organizing our Tenarky District Convention and Rose Show last September as the Chairpersons in charge (and that is only one of many rose shows that they have successfully put together).  

Our newsletter, Basal Breaks is a wonderful publication due to their contributions as the editors.   

Congratulations Jeff & Cindy and thank you for all that you do to promote our society as Outstanding Consulting Rosarians!

Photo courtesy of Barbara Brickman