October Message from the President

Onc. Wild Cat

Hi all!  Apologies for the lateness of my email.  I was in Scotland and needed to catch up a bit.

If you weren't at our meeting this past Sunday you missed a great presentation on Dendrobiums by Beth Davis.  Lots of great info on the types and the cultural needs of each type (I've already changed a couple things for my own Dendrobiums as a result.)

If you have any orchids still outdoors BRING THEM IN.  Temps are expected to drop into the thirties, and at least for my neck of the woods, a freeze warning has been issued.   Even cold tolerant plants won't do well, especially after the soaking we are getting today.

Two very important items -

1)  The Mass Orchid Society show is coming up at the end of the month.  We will need both plants and volunteers to help with set-up and take down.   We just need helping hands and vehicles.  Barb, who is our away show chair this year, will do the design layout so you only need to assist getting the plants ready (in pots, labeled, etc.) and in getting plants to and/or from the show.  As I said last month, even if you can only help in just one show, that makes a difference.   Please contact Barb Putko (treasurer@nutmegorchids.org) if you can help.   

2)  Fundraiser Table chair - We are still looking for someone, or a couple of people, to take over the Fundraiser Table responsibilities when Jeanne steps down after the Holiday Party.  We are open to ideas people might have to simplify or change the process if it helps us get someone to step up.  The important point is one or a couple of you need to step to help.  Please reach out to anyone on the board if you have questions or thoughts.  

--

Ginna Plude

President - Nutmeg State Orchid Society (NSOS)

More Kudos - Congratulations Ginna

Ornicephalus myrticola 'Jennifer' , CHM

Congratulations to Ginna Plude whose orchid received an AOS award, a 83pt CHM for Ornicephalus myrticola 'Jennifer' (named after her daughter in law) in August.  A CHM is a Certificate of Horticultural Merit.

September Message from the President

Greetings everyone!

If you did not attend this month's meeting you missed a great talk on growing in terrariums, of all shapes and sizes, a terrific fundraiser table, and a special 'bonus' plant table!  

To recap the business/housekeeping portion of the meeting -

* The bylaw proposal to change the election month from December to May passed overwhelmingly 72 to 3.   The documentation will be updated and a link shared for your review (probably after I get back from vacation!)

* New committee chairs!

    1)  Christine Baier is taking over for Lori Macgowan as the membership chair.   Many thanks to both Lori and Alan for all their work over years on membership in general, and the membership table at our annual show.

    2)  Barb Putko is taking over as Away Show chair, assuming the role held by Sandy Myhalik who has also spent many, many years making sure we participated in sister society shows.  Many thanks to Sandy for all the work she's done creating the displays to represent our society at shows.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO STEP UP PLEASE!  

We have two critical needs -

1) Fundraiser Table - Jeanne will be stepping down as the organizer of the fundraiser table at the end of the year, after the holiday party.  The board is looking for someone or someones (it could be a co-leader role) to take this over.   The role is responsible for organizing the donations for each monthly meeting, including solicting donations from members as well as local businesses.  Jeanne currently works with Fresh Market and Trader Joes.   As the new fundraiser chair, like all chairs, you may have the opportunity to put your own thoughts and ideas into play as well.   The goal being to fundraise of course, but to also provide an enjoyable and fun experience to our members who look forward to this every month.  Please reach out to Jeanne and the BOD (boardofdirectors@nutmegorchids.org) for more info.

2)  Away Show volunteers - As I mentioned at the meeting, while the Away Show chair coordinates our participation in sister society shows, it takes a minimum of two people (and vehicles) to do set up and/or take down.  You do not need to volunteer for every show, nor do you have to do both set up and take down in one weekend, but we must have people to help or we cannot participate.  And if we do not participate, we may not get participation from sister societies for our show.  Set up generally occurs on Thursdays, and take down on Sunday afternoon (usually starting around 4pm).  We have the following shows to plan for:

Mass Orchid Society - Set up Oct 30, take down 11/1

Cape & Islands - Set up 1/23, take down 1/25 (NSOS will pay for an overnight due to the distance)  Note: the CAIOS show dates still need to be confirmed)

Amherst - Set up 2/19, take down 2/22 (this is an easy drive from Htfd)

New Hampshire - Set up 3/5, take down 3/8 (NSOS will pay for an overnight due to the distance)

If you volunteer for set up on any of the shows where there is an overnight stay you can also clerk, if interested, for ribbon judging the next morning.....and you get first dibs at vendors!!!   Please contact Barb Putko, Away Show Chair (treasurer@nutmegorchids.org), for more information and to volunteer.

Ginna Plude

President - NSOS

www.nutmegorchids.org