January 12, 2009
Rachel Nesteruk will present her research on Orchids at the Estación Biológica Monteverde in Costa Rica.

February 9, 2009
Jim Rose from Cal Orchids will be here.

March 9, 2008
Dennis D'Alessandro will give a program on the Orchids of Ecuador.

April 13, 2009
Gene Crocker from Carter and Holmes Orchids will be here.

May 11, 2009
Annual Orchid Auction

June 8, 2009
The Annual Potluck, new officers and the Gary Baker Service Award

We won't have a final tally until we know the costs associated with credit card sales; however, it looks like the Society will clear more than $2,000. As I mentioned at the November meeting, our dues cover just a fraction of our costs (primarily the meeting hall rental). So, income from sales enables us to have out-of-area speakers, to publish a directory, to purchase new books for the library, to provide food and beverages at various events, and to purchase orchids for all who attend the annual December holiday party.

Speaking of which ... You must come to the December meeting get your orchid (one per membership). Bring a dish or dessert to share too and your most spectacular orchids for our annual contests: The Rebecca T. Northen Trophy for best miniature orchid and the Schoenfeld Trophy for impressive larger plant. You, the members, are the judges.

In addition to the holiday party, we have one more special event in December. On Saturday, December 13, from 10 to 4 we will be helping a former NWOS member liquidate his orchid collection at his greenhouse. This event will be open to NWOS members from 10 until noon and to the public from noon on. This is a cash and check only sale and no sales tax will be charged. The Society will receive a percentage of the proceeds. George and Cylvia Grantham are coordinating this event. Please see information elsewhere in this newsletter for specific details (location).

The Granthams were also instrumental in the success of the Swanson's Sale - designing and setting up the display on Friday and working all day both Saturday and Sunday. Others who deserve special thanks are Peter Maunsell for his help (especially setting up and taking down) and for his computer sketches of the layout for future use; Pat Gossler for banking, credit card reconciliation, and for prompt payment to vendors; and Dennis and Jamie Notman for getting the cash registers and the like to and from storage and for their work at the sale.

Our last display was at the Fall Orchid Sale at Swanson’s Nursery Nov. 8-9. We had a good display with a wide variety of plants again this year thanks to all members who brought orchids for the display and vendors who loaned plants. The display provided graphic evidence to visitors of the great variety of orchids that nature serves up.

Tacoma Orchid Society will have their annual show and sale again this year at Windmill Gardens Nursery in Sumner Jan. 17-18. It will be an AOS judged show. We expect to be collecting plants for the show the week prior (Jan. 14 or 15). Since this show is within easy driving distance from Seattle, some members may wish to bring plants directly to the set-up on Friday afternoon.

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show will be Feb. 18-22 and NWOS will have a major display again this year. We hope to get an even better turnout of plants this year and we will need volunteers to help set up and take down the display. We will have a naturalist, jungle-like display and our display will include the Costa Rican mask carvers again this year. If you wish to volunteer to assist with the display please inform Joff Morgan or me.