Carolina District Winter Meeting Rescheduled

Last Updated: March 4, 2026

We’re pleased to announce that Carrie Bergs, ARS Vice President has been added to the lineup of speakers for our Mid-Winter Meeting

HOTEL LINK IS UPDATED - PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS

👉 VIEW AUCTION ROSES (March 4, 2026)

Mid-Winter Meeting Rescheduled - March 13–14, 2026

Important Update

The Mid-Winter Meeting has been rescheduled for March 13–14, 2026. The Brookstown Inn has been wonderful in helping us accommodate this change.

  • If you have already registered, no action is needed and you do not need to re-register.

  • If you are now able to attend and have not yet registered, this is a great time to register.

👉 Click here to download the registration form.
Please note: the form must be completed and mailed with a check.

Hotel Reservations

All attendees will need to re-book their rooms for the new March dates.

  • Call the Brookstown Inn at 336-725-1120

  • Or use the hotel booking link
    (If the link shows no rooms available, please wait until next week and try again.)

What to Expect

We’re looking forward to a wonderful March meeting, including:

  • A lively rose auction

  • An outstanding silent auction

  • An engaging speaker program

Please note that Craig Dorschel (ARS President) and Drs. Gary Rankin and Monica Valentovic will not be able to attend due to another commitment. We are securing excellent speakers to complete the program.

We hope to see you in March and welcome those who are now able to attend.

Frank & Rita Van Lenten
Kim Austin
co-chairs CDWM2026

Growing Roses in the Carolinas

photo by Satish Prabhu

The Greater Greenville Rose Society
Welcomes you to the

Carolina District 2026 Mid Winter Meeting

March 13 & 14, 2026

Click Here to Download Registration Form

The 2026 Carolina District Mid-Winter Meeting will be held Friday, March 13, 2026 – Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the beautiful historic Brookstown Inn in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

See speaker lineup below

As always, you can look forward to wonderful speakers, great vendors, and delicious food. This is a weekend you won’t want to miss!

For more information or to be added to the official mailing list, please contact:

View Auction Roses

🌹 Review the roses in advance and be ready to bid. 🌹

Note: Societies are asked to provide a gift basket or another item for the auction.

Venue:
Brookstown Inn
200 Brookstown Avenue
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
www.brookstowninn.com

Group Name: Rose Society Mid-Winter Meeting 2026
Arrival Date: Friday,
Departure Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Group Rate: $130 + 13% tax per night
Last Day to Book to receive Group Rate: February 21, 2026

To Reserve:
Call the Front Desk at 336-725-1120

👉 Click here to book hotel online

Amenities:

  • Complimentary Hot Breakfast (Mon-Fri: 7-9am | Sat-Sun: 8-10am)

  • Daily Manager’s Reception with Wine & Cheese (5-7pm)

  • Cookies & Milk at Bedtime (8-9pm)

  • Free On-Site Parking

  • Complimentary Hi Speed WiFi

The Carolina District 2026
Mid-Winter Meeting Speakers

Bruce is a recently retired transplant to the Charlotte area. His presentation tells the story of an enthusiastic—but initially quite uninformed—newcomer to the world of rose

Bruce Ching- Charlotte Rose Society
Advice for Rookie Rosarians

  • cultivation. He will share the misconceptions, mistakes, frustrations, sources of encouragement, and unexpected successes that have shaped his journey.

    Bruce states: “I am still developing my ‘tastes’ in roses. I find all kinds of roses attractive, but I am most drawn to delicate Minifloras with multiple colors. I am also very interested in understanding the scientific basis of growing roses, including disease management, pest control, and fertilization.”

Cindy Dale - South Metro Rose Society
Basic and Advanced Rose Exhibiting

Cindy is a Master Rosarian and successful Deep South and national exhibitor, having won the National Queen of Show a few years ago. This program covers all aspects of rose exhibiting in

  • the horticulture division of most shows for the newer exhibitor, such as selecting roses that have the best chance of winning, growing award-winning roses, harvesting for the show, putting together a prep kit, transporting blooms, grooming the blooms in the prep area, and how the judges choose the winners. It also includes information for the more advanced exhibitor on collections and national and district challenge classes and how to enter them, as well as a short segment on exhibiting arrangements.

Stephen & Nicholas Fritz -The Rose
in History - Yesterday and Today     

Stephen and his son Nicholas will share a fascinating presentation on the history of the rose in Western culture, along with their own journey to develop beautiful, fragrant,

  • and disease-resistant varieties. What began more than 30 years ago as Stephen worked in his backyard in a rather vagrant and nonchalant fashion toward this goal. In recent years, Nicholas has joined the project, bringing expansion and a more focused direction. Together, they have made meaningful progress and believe several of their rose varieties show strong commercial promise.

Nar Ranabhat - University of Tenn.
Updates on Rose Rosette Disease

Dr. Ranabhat will present an overview of Rose Rosette Disease (RRD), covering its symptoms, how it spreads, and its impact on roses. For attendees already familiar with the disease

  • he will also share updates from the Sustainable Landscape Rose Project and discuss current research efforts. The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A tailored to participants’ questions and expertise.

    Dr. Ranabhat leads a research and extension program at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville focused on applied solutions for managing major diseases in landscape plants. With more than a decade of experience working with mite-transmitted viruses, he is part of a multi-state collaborative project aimed at developing sustainable rose cultivars capable of combating rose rosette disease.

Carrie Bergs - ARS Vice President
The Inspirational Power of Roses

Carrie and her husband, Joe, have been members of the American Rose Society since 2012 after winning best novice at their local rose show. Today they grow more than 300 roses of all varieties and tend numerous

  • perennial beds on their 15-acre historic farmstead in Southeastern Wisconsin. Carrie and Joe have been co-presidents of the Greater Milwaukee Rose Society, have served in various capacities for the North Central District and are keen exhibitors at the local, district and national level. Carrie is currently Vice-President of the American Rose Society and will be installed as the 59th President in 2027.

Friday, March 13

  • 3:00 pm - Registration opens - Lobby

  • 4:00 - 7:00 pm - Vendors open

  • 7:00 pm - Presidents’ Meeting of local societies

  • 6:00-9:00 pm - Hospitality Suite Room 430

Preliminary Schedule

Saturday, March 14

  • 8:00 - 8:30 am - Vendors opening

  • 8:30 - 8:45 am - Opening Remarks

  • 8:45 - 9:30 am - Bruce Ching - Rookie Rosarian Adventures

  • 9:30 - 10:15 am - Dr. Nar Ranabhat - Latest RRD research & information

  • 10:15 - 10:30 am - Break

  • 10:30 - 11:15 am - Cindy Dale - Basic and Advanced Rose Exhibiting

  • 11:15 - 12:00 pm - District Member’s Meeting

  • 11:30 - 1:30 pm - Hospitality Suite Room 430

  • 12:00 - 1:45 pm - LUNCH BREAK - VENDOR TIME

  • 1:45 - 2:30 pm - TBD

  • 2:30 - 3:15 pm - Stephen and Nicholas Fritz - History of the Rose & Hybridizing Disease Resistant Varieties

  • 3:15 - 3:30 pm - Break

  • 3:30 - 4:15 pm - TBD

  • 6:00 -7:00 pm - Social Hour - Atrium - Cash Bar

  • 7:00 pm - Banquet and District Awards / Live Auction

Vendors

Daniel Trogdon - Woodcliff Woodwork - Birdhouses

Jerry Ostrander - Homemade Wood Carved Objects

Richie Senn - Senn’s Sensational Seaumic

Jian Shen - My Blackthumb Roses

Becca Irvin - Mt. Pisgah Pottery

Witherspoon Rose Culture

Find a Local Rose Society

North Carolina

photo by Satish Prabhu

South Carolina

photo by Satish Prabhu

At the Carolina District of the American Rose Society, we are dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to grow exquisite roses. Our journey began with a passion for this timeless flower, and we invite you to explore the elegance and joy that comes from nurturing roses in your garden.

Discover the joy of growing
roses

Learn more

Contact Us

Are you passionate about roses? Do you have questions about how to grow roses or need assistance? Our experts are here to provide you step by step guidance on how to grow roses in the Carolinas. We encourage you to reach out for any inquiries regarding rose care, membership, or events. We are excited to join you on your journey to grow beautiful roses!

photo by Satish Prabhu