Escondido resident Robert B. Martin Jr. will be installed as president of the American Rose Society next month, becoming the first person from San Diego County to lead the 126-year-old organization.
Martin will begin a three-year term during the society’s national convention and rose show Oct. 26-29 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley.
Highlights of the convention include lectures on all aspects of rose cultivation and preservation, a comprehensive seminar on photography, tours of significant local rose gardens, a rose show and an auction of more than 200 rare and unusual roses. Basic registration is $85, and the public is invited to attend the rose show for $5 and the auction for free.
“Just being in the room surrounded by thousands of exquisite blooms and arrangements of every color and variety is an unforgettable treat,” said Ruth Tiffany, chair of the conference.
Martin has authored more than 600 published articles on roses and served as the editor of the society’s quarterly publication, Rose Exhibitors’ Forum, since 1997. He maintains a website covering U.S. rose shows at www.roseshow.com. His wife, Dona, is president of the San Diego Rose Society.