Debbie Puerini (unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Debbie Puerini)

One of the society’s Massachusetts residents, Debbie first heard about the RIDS tuber auction from a local newspaper in May of 2007. She credits member Gayle Wentworth with helping her at the auction with dahlia names, forms and colors, and says Gayle has been sharing her knowledge and tubers ever since. Debbie became a member of RIDS, the Connecticut Dahlia Society and ADS in 2007. She was very ambitious and grew about 100 dahlias in her first year.  In 2008 she hopes to triple that number and grow 300 varieties.

Debbie especially loves the laciniated form and says her favorite is Papa’s Benji. She also likes Spartacus, Ms. Julie, Jax and Badger Twinkle and hopes to show all of them at the RIDS 2008 Dahlia Show. Debbie plunged right in to exhibit in the 2007 show winning several blue ribbons as a novice grower, as well as the coveted Tri-color award. She’s looking forward to competing with “the pros” but says she has a lot to learn about growing and showing and is looking forward to learning from other members of the society.  

Debbie’s enthusiasm for growing dahlias and for participating in RIDS activities is infectious. She is a welcome addition to the society and will be a force to be reckoned with on the head table at any dahlia show where she exhibits blooms in the future.

Debbie with dahlias at the 2007 Washington County Fair. (photo courtesy of Abbie Barber)

Papa's Benji - Debbie's favorite! (photo courtesy of Gayle Wentworth)

Scarecrow arrangement

Caproz Raspberry Twinkle

Debbie also raises English Bulldogs, and is a member of the Bulldog Club of New England and the Bulldog Club of America. With her in the photo above are two of her favorites, Snickers and Pearl.

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