HOBBY BLOSSOMS INTO NEW ROLE.

Byline: SHARON COTAL  Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- Steve Jones planted his first rosebush in 1985, and his passion for the hobby just blossomed from that moment.

Jones, who admits that he tends to be compulsive at times, immediately began researching roses and bought every book on roses he could find.

He joined the American Rose Society, and when he discovered there was a local chapter, he joined it, too. He planted more roses -- lots of them.

On Oct. 16 in Dallas, Jones, 52, who has about 400 roses of all varieties planted in his yard in Valencia, will take office as president of the American Rose Society. ``I am excited and nervous. All I can do is do my best,'' he said. ``I have some ideas to bring more life into the organization.''

During his three-year term, Jones said he hopes to increase membership, make the organization more educational, bring awareness to the preservation of older rose varieties and bring the organization into the 21st century by focusing more on electronic communication.

``That's what I'm trying to move the organization toward,'' he said. ``I want to bring fun back to the hobby and get some enthusiasm going.''

Jones encourages locals who are interested in growing roses to attend the SCV Rose Society's annual Rose Show on Oct. 14 in Valencia. Unfortunately, he won't be able to attend himself, since that is the weekend of his inauguration.

``If people are interested at all in growing roses, they're not that hard to take care of. Everyone thinks roses are difficult, but they're not, and some will bloom all year round,'' he said. ``Roses are very versatile. If you have a spot, we can find a rose for it.''

Membership in the SCV Rose Society is $15 per year for an entire family. The fee has not increased since the organization formed in 1992.``It's a lot of fun -- we have a good time,'' Jones said. ``Rose people are fun people.''

sharon.cotal(at)dailynews.com

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