Mario Bautista
Tribute made to the Late Tony DeRooy, original landscape artist at Rocky Reach Dam
information released
WENATCHEE – Rocky Reach Discovery Center and its grounds crew were honored with a Commemorative Medal Saturday by the American Dahlia Society in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion, growth and expansion of dahlias.
Rocky Reach is known for its 37 acres of gardens and green space, including a dedicated dahlia garden planted by the late Tony DeRooy.
“Rocky Reach has really increased the visibility of dahlias beyond what could have been,” said Linda DeRooy Holmes-Cook, past-president and trustee of the North Central Washington Dahlia Society.
Dahlias grow from tubers that multiply during the growing season. Every autumn, volunteers from the local dahlia society divide and store the tubers from Rocky Reach for winter. In spring, they sell the tubers as a fundraiser and plant any remaining tubers in a public garden at Confluence Health Hospital.
