Minutes of the Meeting: February 2009
March 2, 2009
Minutes of the February 9, 2009, Meeting:
President Bob Cleveland called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported $2,576.01 currently in our bank account.
Old Business
New Hampshire Orchid Show This year we will be participating in the New Hampshire Orchid Show, which is run by the New Hampshire Orchid Society. The show is scheduled for February 13, 14, and 15th in Nashua, New Hampshire, and will be an AOS judged show. A sign up list is going around for those who would like to carpool to the show. Bob Cleveland reported that he has used his carpentry skills with the help of Craig Hebert to build a series of tiers in the shape of hearts to make our tabletop display. We will have a 5 x 5 table with the tiers and some fabric draped on top to make the display. Our exhibit will be located in the main display area of the show and will not be in the lobby. We will enter it in the competition and will hope that the judges like what they see. Bob noted that he is in need of blooming plants for the display and will also need some volunteers to help set up on Thursday morning and tear down on Sunday afternoon. Please drop off your display plants at Richard Morin’s (Woodsprite Orchids) or at Bob Cleveland’s by 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning. The plants will be returned to their owners after the show.
New Business
Skillin’s Annual Spring Open House It was announced that Skillin’s has moved their annual open house to March 21st and 22nd this year. It is a bit later than last year and falls after the Portland Flower Show, which is a good thing because we should all have more blooming plants around that time. We are welcome to have our usual big display table again this year.
Banner Sue Hamilton reported that she obtained pricing and information on the production of a new banner for the Society. It was noted that we could really use one for the shows. We can have any color we want and can use full color photographs of orchids on the banner if we desire. There is no extra charge for this and no set up fee. After some discussion, it was decided that we would use photographs and the Society Voted and Approved to authorize the expenditure of $103.91 to FastSigns in South Portland to make the banner.
Internet Discussion Group If you receive an e-mail from oiseau(AT)maine.rr.com please don’t delete it. It isn’t junk e-mail. It is Suzie Massey inviting you to join the on-line discussion group she has set up for the society through Yahoo. There is also a sign-up sheet going around for this purpose. Everyone is encouraged to sign up and give it a try.
AOS Book Marie Peck reported that the American Orchid Society is publishing a book of all members. They will charge $85 for the book (or $65 for the paperback version). They have asked her to provide a photograph of a group of orchids from the society rather than a photo of the people in the society. She will work on this and send it in.
Reney’s For anyone interested, this store is reported to have a supply of real cheap ceramic orchid pots at the moment. The saucers have been glazed onto the pots, however, it might be worth while to check it out anyway.
Show Table Bob Cleveland reviewed the show table, which held an outstanding display of blooms. There were orchids from Mexico, Australia, South America and many other places. There was even one dendrobium which had no leaves at all, but had managed to produce a beautiful inflorescense. It was noted that one member’s plant had been grown in straight charcoal.
Tonight’s Program Unfortunately, the American Orchid Society slide show which was scheduled to be presented did not arrive in time for the meeting. Undaunted by this, President Bob Cleveland brought in his own beautifully photographed slide show featuring Paphiopedilum species from his own collection. This slide show turned out to be a real crowd pleaser.
Silent Auction/Raffle A silent auction also took place during the meeting as well as the usual raffle drawing which yielded several happy winners.
Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Hamilton