​Thank You, Committee Chairs - Those who led at the show

To all our members who graciously helped in so many capacities for the Spring Orchid Show, thank you very much for your time, efforts, and good spirits! As new co-chairs, we needed a great deal of assistance, and you were always willing to provide it.

 

Co-Presidents Demetria Marsh and Gary VanGelder and Past Co-Chairs Janet Greenberg, Sheila Nathanson, and Norma Raiff shared their experience and expertise and were invaluable as mentors. Their guidance was the blueprint for a successful show. We are grateful for their advice and accessibility.

 

The members who willingly accepted the position of Committee Chair or Co-Chair spent months preparing for the show, recruiting helpers, and manning their tables throughout the weekend. Some shared our first-year status in offering to be in charge. Kaoru Kawasaki did an outstanding job as Committee Chair of Vendors. She effectively communicated with an international array of sellers and ensured that the plants were delivered safely to the show, along with Sheila Nathanson and Bob Lusnak's help. Jim Morrison took on the important job of security. Our youngest member, Zander Morrison, offered to Co-Chair Repotting with Katie Schuller at this popular area.

 

We also had experienced Co-Chairs who offered once again to run a successful committee. Holly Schrum and Leslie Kaplan organized and sold many plants, pots, and shirts at Society Sales. Charlotte Momich cheerfully greeted guests at the Welcome Table and guided interested persons to Kathy Collins at Membership, where she encouraged them to join the OSWP and presented them with a beautiful orchid. The Just Add Ice Orchids were donated by Green Circle Growers.

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Once again, Sheila Nathanson was able to obtain their generous gift. Not only did Michelle, Rosalie and Dave Panasiuk collect and display artwork and gift baskets for the Silent Auction and Raffle, but Dave also announced the day's events to inform our guests. Michele Burton procured a stellar list of Education speakers who presented a wide variety of fascinating topics. While members and guests enjoyed the speakers, exhibits, and sales, they were able to safely store their purchases at Plant Parking, where Susan Levish and Cindy Weiland efficiently tagged them for safekeeping. Brian Powell secured Arts and Crafts vendors, who displayed unique handmade items for sale.

 

Besides the Lobby and Vendor Room, a great deal of effort was required to set up the entire venue and to establish the Exhibit Room for viewing and judging the exquisite displays. Bob Lusnak and Gary VanGelder worked diligently to provide layouts for the rooms, revising and redesigning them when necessary. They were also instrumental in hauling displays and assembling the three rooms, along with many members' assistance. Carolyn Bolton and Carol Panza were responsible for the beautiful Society Exhibit, and Carol also headed the important committee for Judging Clerks. Both Gary VanGelder and Mona Rice registered all the orchids to be judged in the lovely displays. Lori Beth Bloom provided Trophy Awards and Judge Appreciation.

 

Behind the scenes, Demetria Marsh and Mike Lysy organized a delicious spread of many homemade dishes for breakfast and lunch, supplemented by Louise Predis' wizardry in the kitchen. They and our members brought a tempting array of food to nourish our helpers, vendors and judges. General Photographer John Jennings and AOS photographer Kim Frankenfield recorded the weekend's memories for us to enjoy for years to come. We are also thankful for the efforts of Beverly Dodson and Lori Beth Bloom, who gathered a large group of General Helpers who assisted wherever they were needed.

 

Our public and media presence was invaluable for promoting the show. Jinghua Ou developed our website, which has been important in providing current Society information. A number of our active members spoke at libraries, garden club meetings, on television, and to newspaper reporters--Demetria Marsh, Gary VanGelder, Chuck Oldenburg, Zander Morrison, Sheila Nathanson, Katie Schuller, Carolyn Bolton, Lori McDermott, Kathy Arria, and Natalie Turicik. Lance Cheuvrant maintained our Facebook presence while Zander Morrison expanded our online presence with Instagram postings. We also applaud Jim Yamber's eblasts, which kept our members informed about every aspect of show preparation.

 

We had excellent support from local businesses. Our members once again asked for and got sponsorships from Platinum sponsor Sarris Candies, Gold sponsor Fort Pitt Capital Group, Silver sponsors Washington Auto Mall and Houston Harbaugh Attorneys and, new this year, Bronze sponsor Wyatt Incorporated. We also asked for and received donations of food for hospitality and/or items for our auction from Pizzaz Italian Restaurant, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Bonefish Grill, Sarris Candies, and Crowne Plaza Suites Pittsburgh South. Our show is very appreciative of the generosity of our local businesses.

 

It was a wonderful, well-attended Spring Show that only succeeded due to the efforts of you, our members. Thank you to those who took on leadership roles and to the members who helped in any way they could; the gift of your presence, efforts, food, and good cheer was greatly appreciated. We are especially grateful for the newer members who stepped up this year to contribute--this is how our organization will continue to grow. To our mentors, we could not have done it without your continued support. We look forward to your ongoing assistance and involvement as the Society plans the Spring Orchid Show for 2026! With Gratitude, Kathy McCafferty Lawrene Neel Mary Ann Pike​

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2025 OSWP Show Trophy Winners​

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• AOS Show Trophy…OSWP…Carolyn Bolton, Carol Panza, Brandon Williams & Crew

• Orchid Digest Trophy…CPOS…Valdimir Dmitriyev, John Whitting

• People’s Choice Award…CPOS…Chuck Oldenburg

• Best 25 Sq. Ft. Open Exhibit…Windswept in Time Orchids…Edgar Stehli

• Best 25 Sq. Ft. Amateur Exhibit…Don Ammon, Kathy Arria

• Best 50 Sq. Ft. Open Exhibit…Phipps Conservatory…Giovanny Giraldo, Thathmini Kularatna

• Best Society Exhibit…OSWP…Carolyn Bolton, Carol Panza, Brandon Williams & Crew

• Best Cattleya & Related Genera…Epi. secundum ‘Pretty Lady’…Carolyn Bolton

• Best Cattleya & Guarianthe…Blc. Pamela Hetherton ‘Coronation’ FCC/AOS…Chuck Oldenburg The Richard Sipko

• Best Amateur Cattleya & Related Genera…Chuck Oldenburg

• Best Paphiopedilum…Paph. Phillip’s Lady…Wade’s Orchids…Wade Hollenbach

• Best Phragmipedium & Related Genera…Phrag. Sorcerer’s Apprentice ‘Gypsy’ AM/AOS…Valdimir Dmitriyev

• The Charles Van Dyke Best Amateur Phragmipedium…Phrag. Sorcerer’s Apprentice ‘Gypsy’ AM/AOS…Valdimir Dmitriyev Best Phalaenopsis & Related Genera…Phal. Bronze Maiden…Valdimir Dmitriyev

• Best Vanda Alliance…Vanda divas…Windswept in Time Orchids…Edgar Stehli

• Best Oncidium & Related Genera…Bllra Marfitch ‘Howard’s Dream’ AM/AOS…Chuck Oldenburg

• Best Cymbidium & Related Genera…Cym. LaDonna Tabytite Harris…Phipps Conservatory…Giovanny Giraldo, Thathmini Kularatna

• Best Dendrobium Alliance…Den. specio-kingianum…Phipps Conservatory…Giovanny Giraldo, Thathmini Kularatna

• Best Pleurothallid…Pths. angustipetala…Carolyn Bolton

• Best Miscellaneous Genera…Lyc. Spring Present…Carol Panza

• Best Specimen Plant…Den. specio-kingiianum…Phipps Conservatory…Giovanny Giraldo, Thathmini Kularatna

• Best in Show…Den. specio-kingianum…Phipps Conservatory…Giovanny Giraldo, Thathmini Kularatna

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