Royal Rosarians plant 'Double Delight' to honor 2023 Citizen of the Year

The Portland, Oregon, Royal Rosarians arrived at Harvest Days in Battle Ground Saturday morning, July 20, to plant a rose in honor of 2023’s Battle Ground Citizen of the Year, Ken Steinke.

Steinke received the award on March 13 for his contributions to the community, such as driving the truck for North County Community Food Bank, maintaining the benches at Florence Robinson Park, volunteering with the Battle Ground Lions Club for 36 years and more.

Members of the Battle Ground Lions Club, Lewis River Rotary Club, Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy and other residents gathered to watch the ceremonial planting at Central Park, 414 E. Main St., Battle Ground.

“It’s really amazing to be recognized by your peers and community,” Steinke said during the ceremony. “I’ve always thought that if I did little things here and there, that’d be good. I guess if you do enough little things they make a big thing after a while,” Steinke said.

The Royal Rosarians is a non-profit civic organization, formed in 1912, that greets dignitaries arriving in Portland, Oregon, and makes multiple out-of-town visits each year to perform ceremonies, such as the annual planting for Battle Ground’s Citizen of the Year.

“These roses are beautiful, but they represent more than that. They represent the heartbeat of our community. This is what makes Battle Ground special. It’s the people associated with each of these roses,“ McCoy said during the ceremony.

Royal Rosarian Gardener Yushonna Wilson said the “Double Delight” rose, introduced in 1977, planted for Steinke will bloom with large, cream-colored roses with a band of vibrant pink or red around the petal edges.

Steinke stressed the importance of community volunteerism during his ceremony speech and encouraged those in attendance to invite other community members to the service clubs in Battle Ground.

“Think about asking a friend or something to join you in a meeting. There are several service clubs around,” Steinke said.