Stop and buy the roses

COEUR d'ALENE — For the next few weeks, everything will be coming up roses for the Rotary Club of Coeur d'Alene.

"This is my favorite time of the year," said Kim Edmondson, chair of the club's annual rose sale that kicked off Friday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Now in its 33rd year, the fundraiser goes toward scholarships and grants for students, youth groups and community projects.

Since inception, the rose sale has raised just over $1 million and is expected to generate at least another $50,000 this year. Proceeds stay in the community, Edmondson said.

She expects to sell out the first shipment of 1,400 bouquets of red, yellow, pink and orange roses that come from Ecuador, and plans to order more.

"They are beautiful roses," she said.

A dozen roses go for $30. The deadline to order is Oct. 3 with a delivery date of Oct. 20.

Edmondson said bouquets are delivered to homes and businesses throughout the county. She said some buyers give them out as gifts, even walking along Sherman Avenue and handing them out.

Delivery day is a blast, she said.

"It's a long day but we have so much fun," Edmondson said.

Nine teams with the Rotary Club of Coeur d'Alene will compete for the top honor, the Rose Bowl trophy. The team with the lowest sales will receive the Toilet Bowl.

It's a spirited team effort, all to benefit local youth and organizations.

Club President Doug Rupiper dressed as the Monopoly man with a money gun shooting out fake $100 bills during Friday's fundraiser launch. Those that don't sell roses donate $220 toward the effort.

"All Rotarians participate," Edmonson said.

To order, contact Edmondson at 208-691-7365 or cowboyupae@gmail.com.