October 2019

Hoping this finds everyone doing well! Fall is upon us and we’ve got some exciting news to share with everyone. The SMOS had their annual orchid show this past weekend, and as we had discussed with you, the WNCOS always installs an exhibit in their show. A huge thank you and congratulations go out to Paul and Joanne for taking care of business! Please thank and congratulate them when you see them this month at the auction. Paul and Joanne traveled to Knoxville, did their first installation on their own, spent the weekend in Knoxville and then handled the take out of our exhibit Sunday afternoon. It was all done very successfully as we had several ribbons within the exhibit on some fine plants exhibited by a few of our wonderful members, along with winning the blue ribbon for the best exhibit! That is always wonderful, but doing it on your first attempt is even more special! We even had an AOS award given to one of the plants in our exhibit. Congratulations to Graham Ramsey for earning an AM on his Phragmipedium schlimii var. manzurii ‘Gabi’ AM/AOS, which earned a strong score of 84 points. Overall, we have once again done a wonderful job. 

We do have another show in Durham to exhibit in next month. The Triangle OS has their annual ‘Fall for Orchids’ show coming in early November. Please let us know if you have a special plant you would like to exhibit in that show as part of our WNCOS exhibit. We want to get everyone involved in these important shows and opportunities. 

Last month we had Keith Davis visiting, sharing with us his tips and tricks. I, unfortunately, had something come up and could not be there for his program, but I hope those of you who attended enjoyed it. I was there that day, but simply had to leave early. Somebody must have taken home a really nice novelty Phalaenopsis that Keith had provided to us for our raffle table. I hope to see that plant again here in the future, so please take note to whoever that lucky winner was.

Finishing out 2019 we have some great events lined up. Below here you will find a note from our October auctioneer, Randy Latta. Please check out what Randy wants you all to know, and just make plans to attend on Sunday, October 13th. I promise you that you won’t want to miss it. Another reminder that for October we are meeting at our same location, but our “viewing” of the auction plants will begin about 1pm. We hope to start the auction shortly after some announcements about 2pm.  Now, as we look toward November we have another incredible program lined up. WNCOS friend, Scott Dean, will be here giving a program about our native orchids and flowers of Western North Carolina. Scott gave us a program at our 2019 Asheville Orchid Festival. If you did not attend that program, I am certain you heard how awesome it was and how crowded the library was. This is your second chance, one not to be missed, to meet and speak with Scott Dean. Consider him our local expert and just a wonderful, wonderful guy. 

And now a message from Randy Latta, our auctioneer:

Hey Hey Whaddamabid?!

Dear Fellow Society Members- it's that time again to hold our infamous now-and-then Orchid Auction. To heck with hoping your raffle ticket will give you that first pick of the best orchid on the table. Now you can own it fer sure by just being the top bidder at our Orchid Auction Sunday, October 13th at 2pm at our regular meeting venue, The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave.

This is not your Momma's auction after the quilting bee or your Diddy's farm implements by the barn. This Auction is hilarious high class entertainment and an opportunity to score the orchids of your dreams. Jokes, hi-jinks and neat free stuff. Clean up your credit card or rob the ATM but come for a rollicking good time and for a great cause- us!

One last note- bring a friend! Show them WNCOS is a fun-loving and fact-filled adventure for everybody.

Disclaimer- due to our Terms of Service, nobody is allowed to leave this function empty-handed.