Albert Behnke's Roses
Rose Gardens
By Stephanie Fleming
There is something about roses in the garden that brings a smile. I grew up always knowing that when I went to visit my grandparents, Albert and Rose Behnke, that there were going to be flowers in the house. But once the first rose started to bloom, their house would always be filled with roses.
It has been said that this or that was my grandfather’s favorite flower. Each of us that knew him would have a flower that we were certain was his favorite. But truth be told I believe he loved them all. Roses of course were one of his most favorite!
His rose garden in Burtonsville, Maryland was a sight to behold. Anytime you came to visit them or look around the garden you could be assured that you would be going home with a beautiful bouquet of roses that only he would be allowed to cut. Such care went into his roses. It was truly a labor of love.
From early spring till late fall, the roses were a passion. It took me many years once he passed away to look at roses without feeling sad that my grandfather would not be there to give me an armful. Now my own husband has a rose garden in our back yard and brings them to me each morning.
Many of you are familiar with the music of Eva Cassidy, who died of cancer in November of 1996. At the time she died, she was just making a name for herself in the Washington area, having completed a CD with Chuck Brown, and a concert CD, “Live at Blues Alley.” Her music has grown in popularity. Listeners of the BBC included her version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” among the 100 best songs of the 20th century, and Amazon.com recently reported that Eva’s CD’s are their overall number 5 best seller in music for the last 10 years.