Social - May 2003

Bright blooms will fill the Senior Center Saturday

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

Vernon and Nancy Rickard believe their Iron Station home is paradise on earth.

The owners of Almost Heaven Antique Roses on Rickard Road plan to share their slice of heaven Saturday during the Cleveland-Lincoln County Rose Show at the Lincoln Senior Center.

The Rickards will be among many to participate in the annual show, now in its 30th year.

Vernon and his wife have been growing and exhibiting roses together nine of their 10 years of marriage.

“It’s one of the reasons we exhibit,” he says. “It’s something we can do together.”

Another reason might be their success: One of their roses won at the national level in Atlanta in 2000.

“That meant the best rose in the United States came from Iron Station,” Vernon says with pride.

Vernon is the president of the local rose society, an organization he and his wife joined years ago.

The group meets monthly to learn about pruning, fertilizing, planting arranging and other aspects of cultivating roses.

“Growing roses is a learning experience,” he says.

Competing this year will be a bit of a challenge, due to all the rain and cooler temperatures, says Vernon Rickard.

“We’ve had crazy weather,” he says. “When you’ve got ups and downs in the weather, it doesn’t allow for consistent blooms.”

The Rickards have taken measures to prepare some roses for the show — protecting blooms with plastic jugs overnight and removing them when –- and if – the sun shines. Bad weather won’t deter determined rose growers, says Vernon.

“We’ll still have a good show,” he says. “Good exhibitors always seem to come through with good roses.”

Many petals lie on the grounds of the Rickards’ business and home, but the bright colors and intoxicating smell remain.

Pink, red, white, lavender, yellow, coral and fuchsia roses can be found all around the property — some climbtrellises, others yield multiple blooms to a branch.

Vernon also has greenhouses where he grows roses for his mail order business.

His local and national sales have become a full-time job. Before becoming a rose grower, Vernon installed swimming pools and fencing. He has enjoyed turning his hobby into a career.

“It’s one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done,” he says. “If it’s something you can make a buck off and enjoy it, why not?”

—————

Want to Go?

What: Cleveland-Lincoln County Rose Show

When: Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: Lincoln County Senior Center, 511 S. Aspen St.

Cost: Free

Details: Call Vernon Rickard, 704-732-4787, or Jack and Becky Champion, 704-739-3079

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions