December Newsletter
Happy Holidays, WNCOS members and friends! It’s been a busy year, especially considering our return to meeting in person as much as we have tried to leave this pandemic behind. It’s been a long few years but we seem to be in a much better time and atmosphere, and are looking forward to the return of our famous Asheville Orchid Festival, our signature event! We’re still working through the kinks and adjusting to some change and our festival is slated for March 31-April 2, 2023. We expect to have much more news regarding the 2023 Asheville Orchid Festival to share with everyone after the new year. For now, please clear your schedule for the last few days of this upcoming March as we are counting on all of you to assist us with putting together the big event.
I’d like to thank our members for their patience and understanding regarding how we’ve had to operate over the past 3 years. It’s been a challenge, but I feel we’ve managed as best we could all while orchid societies around the country have really struggled. The WNCOS remains in a strong financial position, and as my 3rd term as president is expiring, we’ll remain in good hands with your new president, Graham Ramsey. All of you know Graham, and many of you were around years back when he served our society well as a past president. Graham is a seasoned pro and now retired and will have much more time than I have had as we focus on moving in to 2023 and trying to grow our membership base once again. Many years back I found myself excited and ready to become WNCOS president. I’d like to thank all of you for your years of support. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving and have learned a lot along the way. Your newly elected officers for 2023-24 are all set, and we’re primed for continued success. I’ve chosen to remain on the board for another two-year term. However, we will continue to remind you all just how important it is for the rotation of board members and officers. We need your help and will continue to seek additional members to become more active with our group. Please give this your consideration and understand that our beloved WNCOS is only as strong as its active members. Again, thank you, it’s been a lot of fun serving as president. You need not to worry, I am going nowhere and will continue to be very active with our orchid society. Perhaps I will have a bit more time now to focus on bringing more of my phalaenopsis orchids to monthly meetings and working on giving programs and lectures around the country. I am in love with Phalaenopsis breeding and am doing more now than ever before and will try and have more information and experiences to share.
This Sunday, December 11th 1:00pm – 3:00pm, is our 2022 Holiday Party! Once again, Kathryn Long and Axel Graumann will open their beautiful home to us for this special event. Their address is 817 Quill Gordon Court, Biltmore Lake 28715. GPS will get you there, but you can call Axel (828-337-0035) if you have any problems. There is plenty of parking in Axel’s driveway and on the street. Axel asks everyone to please park on only one side of the street and be mindful not to block any driveways. This is a cover dish party so bring your favorite goodies to share with everyone! Feel free to bring your favorite spirits as well.
Please don’t miss this event. It’s always an incredible time and a unique opportunity to celebrate the holidays and orchids with all our friends! We have historically had a tremendous spread of delicious food and wonderful fellowship at our holiday party. We’ve secured some beautiful orchids for holiday gifts for members in good standing, another good reason to be sure to attend. We look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday afternoon.
Cheers!
Mike Mims