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Welcome to the Rhode Island Dahlia Society (RIDS) |
Established in 1964 in North Kingston, the Rhode Island Dahlia Society (RIDS) was initially comprised of 12 members who enjoyed growing dahlias and wished to spread the word about the beautiful dahlia. The first RIDS dahlia show was held at the University of Rhode Island greenhouses in Kingston. Approximately 50 blooms were entered. A dahlia show has been held every year since, except in 1991 when hurricane "Bob" caused the cancellation of the show with its 105 mph winds. By 2005 -- forty years after its inception -- the Rhode Island Dahlia Society had grown to 180 members. Over 700 blooms were entered at the 40th annual show, held in the North Kingstown Community center. In 2006, RIDS members began working with the Newport County's Green Animals Topiary Gardens, donating and planting tubers for a dahlia garden on their site. Today, the Rhode Island Dahlia Society continues to promote dahlia cultivation through public seminars and shows, informational meetings, tuber sales, and presentations by its members to garden clubs and other organizations. Members benefit from the collective experiences of the group, as well as through other educational opportunities, including workshops on such topics as tuber division, waxing tubers for winter storage, drying dahlia blooms, tips on entering and staging blooms for shows, becoming a dahlia judge, and identifying new dahlia introductions. Members are also notified of other related opportunities like garden tours, flower arranging classes, and more. The Rhode Island Dahlia Society is a member of the American Dahlia Society
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{ Rhode Island Dahlia Society (RIDS) { {{{ Last updated: January 09, 2008 {{{ Note: This website is still a work in progress. Please forward submissions or bring any necessary corrections to our attention by sending an email to webmaster@RhodeIslandDahliaSociety.org - thanks! |