Articles & Trips
The Orlando Area Historical Rose Society's Spring Bus Tour to Tallahassee and Bainbridge, Georgia was great fun. Elaine Ellman and Weej Broderson planned with great care and an eye to time. The itinerary included six gardens but we only had time to visit five. It was so pleasant to leave the driving to Bob, our tour bus driver. We gathered at Larry and Elaine Jimmerson's garden and toured their lovely home and garden, before boarding the bus at 0730 and on our way stopped in Ocala to pick up more members, arriving in Tallahassee at 12:20.
First stop was Weej Broderson's home, a master gardener extraordinaire nearing eighty. She served us lunch, and then delighted us with her four acres of English Gardens, Florida Style. Weej loves herbs too, having done some interesting companion planting. Weej's daughter and neighbor runs a free school for troubled children. "Grass Roots", classes are in the open garden teaching the practical pleasures of growing vegetables, flowers and then marketing them.
Next stop was a surprise rose garden in the most formal style. The garden bounded by decorative fences supported climbing roses of every color. We had a chance to see how some roses grow that we have only seen in pictures. This garden of brick paths and hundreds of roses blooming was an amazing sight. Anna Price though not there in person was everywhere in her garden. Each bush was well marked and neatness a virtue. Beautiful old garden roses were putting on a great show for us.
Stop number three on day one was in Bainbridge, Georgia to the Victorian gardens of Oline Reynolds. Acres of rose bushes, rose trees, trellises, arbors and an enormous fountain and statuary. Old fashion street lights were functional as well as decorative. It was the perfect setting for the beautiful old brick Victorian home. We took notes filled with new ideas for supporting aging rose bushes and climbers.
A tired group settled on the bus again, grateful to Bob the driver. Back in Tallahassee we made a quick stop at the Quality Inn to check in then on to Nino's for dinner. Its a lovely little restaurant serving very good Italian food.
Day two began with an ample continental breakfast, a complimentary one I should add at the Inn. We boarded the bus to Annette Folsom's enchanting gardens. The bus could only go so far so we were "shuttled" in by Goodwood volunteers. Her grounds appeared carved out of the shady woods. The gardens surrounding a charming cottage, a perfect setting. Here roses were important but so were daylilies and so many flowering plants. We had a great time again noting many dfferent and unusual plants. I loved the Martin houses made from gourds hanging high above the gardens. The sky was filled with their song and was great fun to watch their soaring tricks. Then it was time to board the bus for the last stop, Goodwood Plantation built in 1838.
The plantation as well as its gardens are under loving restoration. It was evident that it had been a place to pleasure the eyes. Many out-buildings were also in the midst of restoration. We enjoyed a lovely catered lunch in one of them. The history of Goodwood begins with the original owner, Hardy Crooms, spanning through the Civil War and winding up as the center for Tallahassee society as well as serving as the home for Senator Hodges in the 1920's. It is to the era of the 1920's that the plantation is to be restored. As we toured the gardens we learned the plans for the future uses of the plantation. State grants help with some of the extensive work. Much of the money comes from propagating the roses and selling them to the public. What a great idea and one that has worked very well for the dedicated gardeners volunteering their time and energy. I'd like to come back for a tour when it is finished. It was an amazing time ... where do I sign up for the next OAHRS fieldtrip?
Margie Brown, Carole Scarlett, Jean Webber, and Elaine Ellman traveled to West Palm beach to attend the convention held at the Sheraton Hotel. The afternoon tour began with a parade of rose enthusiasts loaded into white mini-vans through the wealthy residential areas of West Palm Beach. The homes were hidden behind huge hedges. We were shuttled past the stately homes of the Kennedy's, Estee Lauder, John Lennon to name a few.We were however, allowed to tour two gardens of the "rich and famous" but saw only one ore two OGRS. The rest were rows of Hybrid Teas standing at attention like soldiers. The homes and the people were very interesting to say the least!
That evening we attended a Banquet and met rose growers from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The next morning, we had a lovely breakfast at the Breakers. We also discovered a beautiful herb garden on their grounds along with unusual shrubs and plants. We checked out some great consignment shops and found many bargains discarded from the rich and famous. Speaking of discarded items, we rescued some beautiful Bromeliads from a dumpster behind the famous Worth Ave. We went dumpster-diving with the utmost style and class keeping in mind that these prizes were to wind up at our society's raffle!
We then continued to view a beautiful rose show where one of our long distance members, Norma Bean, won a prize for her beautiful old garden roses. We hope to visit Norma's garden this spring.
Next was an excellent speaker on landscaping with roses where many OGRS were spotlighted. Another speaker on old roses was very good but she talked of roses from the north but it was still interesting. All agreed that it was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed the friendship.
By George Williamson
Several members and guests of Orlando Area Historical Rose Society went on a weekend visit with our rosy friends in Tallahassee, FL and Bainbridge, GA on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, 2005.
We met at the home of Larry & Elaine Jimmerson, in Apopka and traveled by bus to Goodwood Plantation in Tallahassee. To break up the monotony of our trip and to inject some humor in the trip, Larry presented us with some of his humor. (It is believed that his wife, Elaine, was involved too by having all his jokes photocopied and distributed to us - since we were trapped on the bus!)
Larry Jimmerson spreading a bit of humor with everyone on bus.
After being greeted by Bill Kerber, Director of the Goodwood Plantation and Museum, we were treated to a box lunch garden party in a shaded area to the rear of the main house. Following the lunch, Bill gave us a tour of the gardens and buildings.
Bill Kerber, Director of Goodwood Museum & Gardens
sharing info with some of “the OAHRS gang.”
Goodwood Plantation is a former cotton and corn plantation, circa 1840, that once encompassed over 2,400 acres. Today the remaining sixteen-acre compound is run by a public charity and affords visitors the opportunity to glimpse into the private past of wealthy Southern aristocracy. The grounds consist of a massive main house, a roller skating rink, a rough house, stables, greenhouse, numerous cottages, formal and informal gardens, and a reflecting pool.
One of "the gang" (Jean Weber??) standing near Red Hatter Elaine Jimmerson,
perhaps wondering … where's the food?
The Honeymooners deciding on where to sit
just in case there is some food served.
Evidently, some of “the gang” found the food!!
"Is this where they filmed the movie, Swamp Thing?"
"Over here, over here!!
We found the path to Lovers Lane!"
"Wheweee … this can be a tiring adventure.
Time out for some cold water, sitting, socializing and rose talk!"
"We're always willing to listen!"
"Who?"
Carolyn, and the honeymooners, Colin and Vivian
Betty, Debra, Tina, and Judy
(Probably wishing they had brought their clippers and some baggies.)
Nancy and her guest
"Smile! We’re being photographed!"
Afterwards we proceeded to the hotel to check in and freshen up before continuing onward for our planned visit to the home of Mary Maude and Bill Sharpe. They have a beautiful home and lots of roses - both modern and heritage varieties. Mary Maude treated us to homemade peach ice cream and icy cold lemonade. We were even entertained by some neighbors flying their remote controlled airplane and helicopter. Simply amazing!
Bill Sharpe – “Welcome to our home!”
Mary Maude & Bill Sharpe’s 4-legged tax deductions.
Karen & Dennis Woodward.
(We wonder what she's hiding behind her back!? – ha-ha)
"Roses everywhere – this is wonderful!"
"I told you we shouldn't have wandered off to take a photo.
Is that our bus going down the road!?"
"They said the restroom was around here somewhere!"
"Okay, I’m ready!!
Bring out the wine and cheese!"
"Umm what’s that over there?"
"Awc’mon now – one of you must know how to do the Macarena!
From there we traveled to the home of Weej Broderson. Weej has played an important role in restoring the Goodwood Plantation garden. (Note of interest: her nickname of WeeJ came from a Scottish nanny who often referred to her as 'wee J' instead of by her given name of Janet.) We also enjoyed the opportunity to meet her daughter, Janet, who operates an alternative community private school called Grassroots. The children who attend the school learn not just their ABC's, along with reading, writing and arithmetic, but also about horticulture and living off the land.
WeeJ Broderson, "Welcome to my home!"
"I know I've been on this path before. I can still see the bread crumbs!"
"Mmm this leaf smells like .. poison ivy .. yikes!"
"Can you see the snake?"
"Quick everyone take a sip from the lemonade bottle,
before that dang photographer shows up!"
"So, Karen, is that lemonade in that bottle?"
WeeJ and her daughter treated us to a nice home-catered buffet dinner. Several of our rose society members brought beverages and desserts to share. Everyone enjoyed the coziness of WeeJ's cottage home and the serene nature setting.
Later that evening, after we returned to the hotel, our day's activities were topped off with wonderful hospitality provided by Larry and Elaine Jimmerson. Several of our fellow travelers joined in for socializing, partaking in refreshments, and sharing fun, laughter, and lots of rose talk.
On Sunday morning, after enjoying a complimentary breakfast at the Quality Inn, we loaded up the bus and continued on our big adventure for a special visit to the home and private gardens of Oline & Reuben Reynolds in Bainbridge, Georgia. Oline is the Director of the American Rose Society's Deep South District. She has a large garden filled with a lovely variety of old garden and hybrid tea roses.
Oline Reynolds wants to know, "How y'all like my garden cart?"
Da Prez says, "We still have some bagels left!"
We had previously been informed that Oline would not be there as she was going to be out of town. But, much to our enjoyment, when our group meandered up the garden path and turned the corner, there sat Oline on her motorized garden cart welcoming us. What a wonderful surprise!
She encouraged everyone to walk throughout her gardens and to enjoy the roses. Oline provided cold drinks and snacks, when our group took advantage of the garden seating to just sit in the shade and admire the gardens. As an added treat, Oline invited the ladies (and men) to a tour inside her home -- now that was southern hospitality at its finest!
After enjoying the Reynolds' gardens and home, we then traveled southward toward home, stopping in Thomasville, Georgia, for a self-tour of a public rose garden. Lot of plants were in bloom, but the lack of signage saying what the plant names were was somewhat of a disappointment to several rosarians in our group.
We arrived back at the Apopka Wildman's home around 7:00 PM on Sunday. All in all, everyone said it was a great weekend filled with good fun, good transportation (thanks to Sam, the bus driver), good food and lots of good company.
Look for news of our next road trip adventure. Do you want to know how to make your OAHRS membership even more fun? Invite a guest (prospective member) and share your love of roses with them.
Thanks to everyone who made this BIG Adventure so enjoyable!
~ May your roses multiply!~
George Williamson
Orlando Area Historical Rose Society
Roses4Friends@aol.com - 407-671-0614
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