Odinthor, I think it may have been last summer or perhaps a little earlier that there was either an email from Vintage or discussion on one of the rose email lists, that Vintage had someone helping out/volunteering in their gardens and that this individual was doing some propagating, particularly of roses they favored, which was I think hybrid teas and/or floribundas. After that I wondered if that was why Vintage had so many hybrid teas and floribundas in stock (and seemed to stay in stock, as in they didn't appear to be selling all that well). So with this sale I thought maybe *some* of these small quantity roses were ones the helper chose to propagate. As to lack of special requests indicating the old roses are not being supported, I don't think that is necessarily the case. Perhaps it is more that people are unwilling to pay Vintage's exorbitant price for custom propagation--$45 per plant is mighty steep in this economy and is also out of line with prices charged by other heirloom rose growers. For example, Angel Gardens in Florida charges $15 extra for a custom root order, and with their quart price at $12 and gallons at $15, the total is significantly less than at Vintage. Rogue Valley in Oregon charges $6 to be placed on a waiting list for a rose, and when that rose is ready, only $6 additional is added to the price. Greenmantle in California doesn't even charge a premium. Instead they ask for a $5 deposit to be placed on a waiting list for a rose, and when the rose is ready, the $5 is applied to the regular price of $18 for a one-year-old plant, 2 gallon size. If Vintage intends to stay in business it is going to have to change its practices. Melissa

Yes Lois.... I am bus captain for Friday's Bus #9. I am the FIRST BUS TO LEAVE on FRIDAY. So, whoever wants to ride on my bus needs to either be among the first in line, or FIND ME!!!! The bus leaves at 6:45 on both Friday and Saturday and you must ride the same bus both days. Jim (and Sheila) knows what I look like and I know a lot of you know Jim. So, without volunteering him, necesarily, perhaps you could find him. Paul also knows me, so if you find those two guys, then we ought to be able to hook up. If someone wants my cell number, then send me an email at ThisIsMelissa@hotmail.com. I do not know if my cell phone will work inside the hotel or not. I should be at the hotel by 6:15. I do hope everyone can meet up. I think this would be a great time for us to all get together and meet face to face!

My thanks, too, to loves2cook and to all the other Kitchen Forum citizens who so freely share all they have learned and continue to learn about the art and science of creating wonderful kitchens. I have gleaned so much from all of your experiences, and this year I will be able to put this knowledge to work. With luck our contract with our builder will be signed by the end of this week, and we will then be able to start putting all the rest of our ducks in their respective rows--or, rather, their full-extension Blumotion soft-closing drawers!

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this post. We were out of town getting repairs on the motor home and did not have internet access. Patti, I wasn't aware that there had been a vote last year, but I did have a couple of people privately question me on how I was going to handle it this year. I just did like I have when I did the exchange in the past. If there is anyone new who wants to sign up, I will be happy to share with you the addresses of those who have indicated they are willing. For socks and mimi_boo, email me with your KT name, real name, address. I will add you to the list. Approximately Thanksgiving weekend, I will divide everyone into groups. The size of the groups will depend on how many sign up. Usually between ten to fifteen. I will email the list to those who have signed up ONLY. I will not share your names and addresses with anyone else. Please send cards to those in the group your name is included in, then, if you choose to do so, you may send to as many others as you wish to. You must send to those in your group first. Many wish to decorate their homes with the cards, so we try to set a deadline of, say, maybe the end of the first week of Dec. That should give you about two weeks (with out me looking at a calander at 11:20pm!) to get the cards in the mail. Please remember that cards from the US to Canada take at least a week to arrive, and cards to Europe and Austrailia take up to two weeks to arrive. In one of my other posts on the exchange, I have postage listed from the US to Canada and Europe/Austrailia. Ont_gal kindly posted what postage is from Canada to the states. If it is needed, I can look it up tomorrow. At this point, after being on the road all day, I'm not even sure what I am typ8ing!! LOL So, please forgive any typos, ect. Beth, welcome to the table. I'm not sure I have seen you here yet, but internet has been very hit and miss on the road the last two weeks. If you would like to participate with some of us, please email me thru my page. As you can see, there are several of us who would be happy to do exchange cards with you. Did I miss anything? If so, add you comments or questions and I will get caught up ASAP! We are home again for a few weeks at least. Tami