Rockville Rotary’s 40th annual rose sale in full swing

Vernon — The Rotary Club of Rockville’s 40th annual rose sale is in full swing, and the members are hoping it will be the biggest year yet.

For 40 years, the club’s sale has benefited scholarships for graduating seniors from Rockville, Ellington, and Tolland, and has totaled more than $100,000 to date.

Rotarian Frank Borysevicz, who has chaired the sale for most of those years, said the network of Rotary members and their friends and coworkers has expanded over the years, and the word-of-mouth has kept the tradition of the sale alive and kicking.

“After 40 years, we have a little following. It’s contact,” Borysevicz said. “I think there’s a lot to be said for personal contact.”

In 2020, the rose sale was virtual due to the pandemic, and a virtual sale took place online, still netting scholarship funds via donations. The real-life sale resumed in 2021. Typically, approximately 700 dozen roses are sold at each year’s sale.

The 14-to-16 inch roses are just $15 per dozen, and can be pre-ordered via any Rotarian, by e-mailing rockvillerotaryct@gmail.com, or via the Rotary’s website, rotaryrockvillect.gmail.com.

“For 15 bucks, you’re getting the dozen roses, plus you’re making a donation to scholarships. It’s a home run,” Borysevicz said.

People who purchase the roses have a choice of red roses or a multi-colored bouquet. Bouquets can be picked up at the plaza at the corner of Routes 30 and 83 in Vernon, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 3. As supply allows, walk-up sales will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students interested in the scholarships can contact their school’s guidance departments.