The curling and distortion shown in your photos is due to cold damage.  It is not uncommon for a shrub to have cold damage on one part of the shrub and not on another.  Similarly shrubs that are planted next to each other can have one shrub with damage and others not have damage.  The photo of the white specks is not clear enough for identification.  It does not look like any common rhododendron insect or disease.  Try washing it off with a hose.  if it develops other symptoms, let us know.  It does look like the rhododendron on the right has too much mulch piled around it.  Mulch should never touch the base of any plant and should be less than three inches deep.  It is also possible that the bush on the right is planted too deeply.  vw

Interesting.  I never thought of that.  Is there a way to prevent similar cold damage in the future.  Also, thanks for the advice on the  mulch.

You can erect a frame and surround the shrub with burlap in the fall and remove it in the spring.  This can reduce cold damage. vw

VW,

Okay, thanks.  Would the burlap just be around the sides and leave the top open?  Figure it needs some sun.

Tks again,

Bill

Yes the burlap just wraps around the frame and the top is left open.

dr

Great.  The info is much appreciated.  Bill