President's Letter
January 2020
Happy 2020!!!!
First, a big thank you to Carolyn Bolton, who once again, made our Holiday Party happen. Carolyn does the planning, the buying, the transport, the decorating and the clean-up. And she does it with wonderful holiday spirit and grace. Thanks, too, to Dave Miller who presented his program on “Orchid Labels and How to Read Them.” To all of those who helped with setting up the party and then cleaning up too, a big thank you! It was a wonderful afternoon of orchids, fun, food and friendship!
HELP WANTED: The Akron Orchid Society, one of the many societies Dave and Mary Jo Miller support, is having its Orchid Show the weekend before ours, 3/6 – 3/8/20. Carolyn Bolton, Carol Panza and Val Robey have volunteered to lead a team to set up and break down an exhibit at Akron from our society. Please let them know if you would be willing to help. The more the merrier.
Speaking of shows . . . our own show is coming up mid-March, 3/13 – 3/15/20, at the Crown Plaza Hotel by South Hills Village. Please be sure to volunteer to help make our show a success all around!
A quick review of some of the events of the past year besides our wonderful mini-classes and speakers: several members represented the OSWP, Phipps and the BTSOC at the Paph Forum in DC; our wonderful March Orchid Show at Artsmiths; May new members reception; OSWP Pic-A-Nic; another new location found for our orchid show: Crowne Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Road across from South Hills Village; Highmark Living Expo and our Holiday Party. As always, Pfun and P-OSI at Phipps continue to do their great work. Several members implemented new ideas: Culture Corner to answer members questions at each meeting, Garden Club and Library Liaison, to reach out to let interested organizations learn about orchids, our orchid show and the OSWP, and our Monthly Raffle to help raise money as our show moves to another new location. Lots of wonderful orchid events and members helping us learn more about orchids and help others learn as well.
It is also a time to pause and remember in our hearts members who have passed this year. Most recently, David Curtis, who joined a few years ago. Our sympathy goes to his husband, Scott Jones. Others we remember: Bill Kalupanov, Autumn Colby, Georgene Albrecht and Chris Moore. We hold them and their families in our hearts. Celebrate every precious day.
And now, a idea for a new year’s resolution: volunteer to help with the society, Pfun or P-OSI, and/or our show or other tasks. We need your ideas, your energy, your work. It takes all of us to continue to grow strong.
Sending good wishes for a happy, healthy new year filled with good growth.
Demetria
Demetria Marsh
OSWP President
demetria117@gmail.com