Why the Royal Rosarians ceremonially plant another bush between PCC and Bank of the West
With the aid of the Royal Rosarians, David Goldberg, Portland Community College District Director, Institutional Advancement and Paul Ellison, manager, Bank of the West, plant yet another rose bush as 82nd Ave. gets even rosier. David F. Ashton photo
By David F. Ashton
Looking dapper in their traditional white suits, the Royal Rosarians oversaw another rose planting ceremony on the misty morning of April 7 at SE 82nd Ave. of Roses and Division St.
Why plant a rose today? “Why not? Any day is a good day to plant roses – especially on the Avenue of Roses!” was the answer given, almost in unison, by several Rosarians.
Paul Ellison, Bank of the West’s branch manager told us, “Planting roses signifies the ‘rebirth’ of 82nd Ave. into the Avenue of Roses. We’re working to make this street a great place to live, work, shop and go to school.”
Why here? Why not!
“Why here?” we asked him, looking at the newly-turned plot of earth in the area the separates the bank from Portland Community College SE Center.
“Why not,” Ellison said with a big grin. “We worked together with the college to show how both business and education can uplift SE Portland. I’ve been working on the project for a while – hopefully, this rose bush planting will be a visible stimulus for others along the Avenue to do so, also.”
David Goldberg, PCC’s District Director, Institutional Advancement, added, “We have a significant investment here; we’re here to stay. We plan to expand this campus to be an even more comprehensive campus. We’re proud to be part of improving this key transportation corridor.
Asked about his connection to the event, Robert Liberty, METRO Counselor told us, “82nd Ave. of Roses is regionally, a very important place. It is a place where we will accommodate more jobs, services, shopping and housing. This avenue is as significant to the development to the region as the Silicon Forest. I’m delighted by the leadership by Ken Turner, president of the 82nd Avenue Business Association in this project. And, by this rose planting today, both PCC and Bank of the West are demonstrating that things are changing here. Soon, 82nd will be a place where people are coming to – not just traveling through.”
Kicking off the ceremony, Ken Turner told gathering of nearly 100 people, “Planting roses along the six miles of 82nd Avenue is part of our Avenue of Roses project. With the help of homeowners, business people – and Portland’s great community college, we’re starting to change the perception of the Avenue in a positive way. We appreciate the Royal Rosarians for this official ceremony.”
And now, another rose, on the avenue grows.
?ì 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
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