Bustin' out the buds
LOREN BENOIT/Press Past Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club President Matt Lyman, in his “Billy Bob” persona, speaks at the club’s annual Rose Sale at The Coeur d’Alene Resort on Friday.
COEUR d’ALENE — A shifty-looking man in a striped inmate jumpsuit approached the podium as giggles escaped from people seated around tables.
He claimed to be the twin brother of Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club President Bob Burton.
“Hey guys, I’m Billy Bob Burton. Thanks for getting me out for an hour," the man said in a rough voice, a grin creeping up his face. “I’m here to share my great ideas today, and I think I finally have a good one."
Under the disheveled wig and dark sunglasses, that man was past Rotary president Matt Lyman, and his "Billy Bob" persona had a new approach for this year's annual Rose Sale.
"When I heard the Rotary Club sells thousands of roses in the community each year, I thought, ‘That sounds expensive. Where do they get them? What do they cost?’
"Then it hit me one day when I was walking in the yard, like we do every day from 12:45 to 1:15, there were these pretty little yellow flowers that grow in the grass... They’re free, and I bet the cell block would come out there and pick them all for a couple cartons of smokes. Imagine the profit margins. Anyway, that’s my great idea. What do you think, Lucinda?”
Rotary Rose Sale chair Lucinda Ade raised her arm into the air, signaling a thumbs down.
“Um, dandelions?” she said. "I think we’ll stick to roses."
And stick to roses they shall.
The Friday meeting in the Shore Room of The Coeur d'Alene Resort marked the official start of the 28th annual Coeur d'Alene Rotary Rose Sale, which closes Sept. 29.
The Rose Sale serves as one of two major fundraisers for the club. Last year, the sale brought in more than $40,000, and to date it has raised nearly $770,000. All of the proceeds go back into the community to support organizations and causes such as college scholarships, the Boys and Girls Club, food banks and others.
“Not only do I hope we sell more roses than ever,” said sale co-chair Kimber Gates, “but I am hoping the community is impacted positively by our colorful and fragrant fundraiser."
The delivery date is set for Oct. 20. On that day, friendly Rotarians will hand-deliver bouquets of long-stem red, orange, yellow and pink roses to loved ones, friends and community members, including clients of nonprofits and women in homeless shelters, to remind them that they're cared about.
“At Rotary, our motto is 'Service above Self,'” said President Burton. “Our members come together to strengthen connections with friends and their commitment to improving lives.”
The roses are $28 a dozen and can be ordered by contacting Ade, 651-6164, or Gates, 691-5850, or by emailing coeurdalenerotary@gmail.com.