November 2024 Newsletter

I hope everyone is safe and is making good progress with cleanup and recovery. The effects of Hurricane Helene are widespread, but with all the outpouring of assistance and goodwill, we will make it. And our orchids are as resilient as we are. 

   For two weeks, I had no power, no water and the greenhouse had a large white oak on it. The tree covered the greenhouse completely with shade, so they did not dry out as fast or get too hot. In the end, the orchids were perfectly fine, and the greenhouse as well!

   As we all can see, recovery doesn’t happen quickly. Our new meeting venue, The Ivy Building will be closed until the first of the year. Because of all our individual challenges, we have decided to wait and gather on December 8th for our Holiday Social. Leslie and I enjoyed hosting last year’s party so much, so we are once again inviting you all to our house! As always, everyone can bring a favorite dish or desert to share, and there will be an orchid gift for each member in attendance. Hopefully by then, we can all tell stories of our recovery and how well we and our orchids are doing.

   If you are wondering if Marion Allen will entertain the New Growers Club in November, the answer is YES. If you are a novice orchid grower and would like to attend the meeting at Marion’s house on November 24th, give her a call (828-891-6635).

   November is normally the annual Members Meeting and this year is the society’s election year. We will combine this important process with the Holiday Social. There will be more details to come in the December newsletter.

So, for now, please be safe and do all you can to help yourselves and your neighbors. I very much look forward to seeing everyone in December.