The speaker for the Sun Lakes Garden Club’s November 20 meeting is Steve Sheard, Master Consulting Rosarian. Steve was born in Zimbabwe of British parents. After he met and married his wife, they left Africa to travel and see the world. During their five-plus years in England, they purchased a home in Biggleswade and planted 20 rose bushes in the front garden. The roses pretty much looked after themselves, and Steve and his wife enjoyed them immensely.

When they purchased a home in Tempe in December, 1980, they planted 20 rose bushes – 18 died! Growing roses in the desert is not the same as in England! Being an engineer, Steve felt failure was not acceptable, so now he is a member of the Mesa East Valley Rose Society and the Arizona Rare Fruit Growers. Steve has about 150 happy rose bushes and 35 fruiting trees – from papaya, guava and bananas, to apples, oranges and pomegranates. Steve is a Master Consulting Rosarian, providing seminars on growing roses, fruit trees and on budding and grafting.

Meetings of the Sun Lakes Garden Club are the third Tuesday of the month, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Sun Lakes Chapel Center. The Chapel Center is located across the street from the Sun Lakes Country Club, next to the All Faiths Chapel.

Visitors are welcome. However, you’ll enjoy yourself so much, you’ll want to become a member! Membership is $20 per year for an individual and $25 per year for couples. For questions, call 480-540-8080 or go to www.sunlakesgc.org.