Tidewater Orchid Society Newsletter

June 2006

 

Meeting: June 4, 4:00 PM, Annual June Picnic and Member donated Plant Auction, this year at the Kaplan’s home, 6016 South River Road in Norfolk (see directions below)

 

President’s Message

            I think the society had a very successful auction at our May meeting. The growers sent us some lovely orchids, and hopefully everyone went home satisfied. I would like to thank everyone concerned from Arthur Kaplan, who ordered the plants, to the people who wrote the itemized lists of orchids to the two young ladies -Morgana Voytilla and Evalyn Walch's grand daughter Joanna (who had the greatest time bidding on Mexipidium Xerophyticum) - who took the plants to the winning bidders. Thank you all. I want to make a special mention to Dave Bryan and his daughter who did the computer work, the tabulating of the prices and especially the photos of the  orchids they put up on the screen.  This allowed people to see what their plant would look like in flower. Lastly I would like to thank all the people who bid on and bought the orchids. I think you all made it a great success. 

            June is our annual picnic. Phyliss and Arthur Kaplan have graciously offered to be the hosts and have it at their house. This is a time when you will be able to sit around and fellowship with other members before the summer break, so come on out and take full advantage of this time. Don’t forget to bring your deck chairs and some food to share with others; this is a pot luck supper. This is also our Member donated Plant Auction (one of them) and you may see a division or keiki of a plant you liked earlier in the year.  Unfortunately Sarah and I will be on vacation and will miss it. This was arranged last October but Ruta Mah, our Vice President, will be there to run the show. The slate of officers and trustees for the coming year will also be sworn in. We will also vote on the budget (see below).

            At the May meeting I mentioned that we need to get back to having an orchid show. We keep our name in front of the public and gather new members this way. We need someone who will be the chair person and organize this. It may sound like a daunting task but there are plenty of capable people in the society who will step up and help. Please, we need someone to do this and get it going.

            Finally I would like to thank everyone who attended the meetings, worked at the meetings, and helped make the last year a success. I hope you all have an enjoyable summer, plenty of blooms on your orchids and I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting August 27.

                     Dave Wheatley

Future Meetings

Aug/Sept 27 – Ernie Gemeinhart of Enlightened Orchids will speak on Paphs. (Newsletter due Aug 10.)

October 1 – Annual donated plant auction.

November 5 – Rob Griesbach will join us. Topic to be announced.

December 3 – Annual Holiday Party and Awards Presentation.

Directions to the Kaplan’s

We assume everyone knows where DePaul Hospital is located at Granby Street and Kingsley Lane. Turn off Granby Street at the stoplight on to Kingsley Lane [you can turn only one way regardless of whether you come from north or south on Granby]. Go past the hospital. The hospital parking lot will be on your left across from the hospital. At the end of the parking lot make the first left on to Newport Avenue going toward town. Do not turn right onto Newport as soon as you pass the hospital. It is a LEFT turn just a short distance further. At this point you are only 3 /12 blocks from the Kaplan’s. You will cross Ridgeley Road on the other side of the parking lot. The road then makes a very slight s-shaped curve to the right. You will note that Newport Crescent goes off to the left and shortly comes back to Newport Ave. At this point you will note a sign on both sides of the road saying ‘Begin South River Road”. We are the fourth house on the left at 6016. My cell phone is 439-1456 in case you get lost

 

Additional information for those who are not familiar with the DePaul area-

FROM HAMPTON - Stay to the right after coming out of the tunnel. Take Granby Street Exit 276 off 64 EAST and immediately take left ramp to Granby Street. The DePaul turn off is at the 4th stoplight.

FROM CHESAPEAKE AND VIRGINIA BEACH-Take Exit 277-A off 64 West [Tidewater Drive South] Stay right and you will run straight into Thole Street marked by the blue hospital “H”-You must turn right here. Thole dead ends at Granby. Turn left and go the next stoplight which is Kingsley Lane.

FROM PORTSMOUTH, SUFFOLK OR CHESAPEAKE COME THRUGH THE DOWNTOWN TUNNEL. Stay in the left lane. Avoid the exits to the right to Virginia Beach and Waterside Drive. As you get off the bridge you will see the Saint Mary’s Church with the tall white spire. The road here circles to the left. Get into the right lane and turn right at the stoplight onto St. Paul’s Blvd. There are no further turns until you get to Kingsley Lane. Continue on St. Paul’s which falls into Monticello Ave. which falls into one block of Church Street which falls into Granby Street until you cross the bridge at the Lafayette River. Go through the stoplight at the bottom of the bridge and stay on the left until you get to the next light which is Kingsley. Turn left and follow direction above.

The welcome mat will be out for everyone-Come and have a good time. Bring a covered dish and your chairs-The keg of beer will be chilling!

Arthur