Sweepstakes Award:
Reminiscing, from the 2007 Rose Show
By Janice McLain
When I spotted “1947” on the Sweepstakes Award, I knew that
there must be a story behind it. Everyone I had asked said that
Jean Cartwright was the person to talk to so I called her.
The brass plaque on the award read:
George M. Taylor
TROPHY
Presented by
Colorado Springs Branch of
American Rose Society
SWEEPSTAKES AWARD
1947
First Winner: Mrs. Russell D. Law
Jean remembered the bustling, early days with the Colorado Springs Rose Society, which held big,
big shows at the City Auditorium downtown. Accredited judges were there, even “from as far away
as Denver.”
A group of friends, all interested in roses and gardening, got together to start the original society.
Jean’s parents were among this group. The society was probably through the Garden Clubs of America
“or something” and only met once a year for the shows. Jean's brother, Bill Campbell, also founded
High Country Rosarium and was a rose horticulture judge.
They did a lot but, toward the late 80’s and early 90’s, the members all got a bit older. Efforts to get
younger members were not made and, eventually, it became no more than a social club, gathering
at each other’s gardens now and then. The wonderful scrapbooks from those days are no longer
to be found.
Tom Reuschlien and the Macons were among the last the society took in as members. According to
Jean, the driving forces behind the creation of the Pikes Peak Rose Society were the Macons; the
Kirkleys, Dr. Warren and his wife Betty; Tom; and herself.
An outgrowth of the Colorado Springs Rose Society, the PPRS was begun, in part, to have an affiliation
with the American Rose Society. They put something in the paper to announce a formation meeting
then got together in a coffee shop. The formation meeting was held in Dr. Kirkley’s vet office. He
became the Vice President with Carol Macon as the Second Vice President - Programs. Dennis and
Sharlene Hunter were there with Dennis becoming the first president and Sharlene the first Treasurer.
Jim and Pat Wood were also at the first meeting. Pat became the first Secretary but they moved soon
after and Shirley Stilley took the position. Dennis Hunter was also the first Bronze Medal Winner.
Dennis printed out our first Pikes Peak Rose Society membership cards. Membership card number
“1” was issued to Carol Macon, who says she still has that card and treasures it. We now have
nametags, not cards. Kaye Rowan was an early member, as was Jean Foran, who served as
treasurer for four years.
The ARS lists our PPRS as being formed in 1996. Our first Rose Show was July 7th, 1996 and was
chaired by Dr. Warren Kirkley. The theme of the show was “Pikes Peak Beginnings” and was held at
the Senior Center on North Hancock Avenue. Several out-of-town people helped with that show but
Jean Cartwright was in charge of the Clerks, Betty Kirkley did Tabulation, Sharlene did Placement,
Sheila Ladd and Carol Macon did Trophies, Tom Reuschlein did Staging, Dennis Hunter did Publicity,
and Betty Kirkley handled the Judges Lunch.
Who would have thought all of this would come from a date on a trophy? The 2007 Rose Show was
dedicated to the late Dr. Warren Kirkley.
Jean Cartwright’s favorite rose is “The last one I saw” but she also loves old, antique roses, including
Linda Campbell, hybridized by a good friend, Harm Seville, named after the lady her brother,
Dr. Bill Campbell, married.
The 14th Annual Pikes Peak Rose Society Rose Show will be on June 26th, 2010, at the
PPCC North Campus, and is dedicated to our friend, the late Jean Cartwright.
The Pikes Peak Rose Society is an affiliate of the American Rose Society (www.ARS.org).
Copyright ©2004-2010 - Pikes Peak Rose Society
