President's Letter

December 2025

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The holidays are almost upon us. Looking forward to learning about multi-floral paphs from Dave Sorokowsky of Paph Paradise at our Holiday Party on December 7th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. More details are in the newsletter and website. We hope to see you there.

 

Our November meeting was great with a mini-class by Gary on Winter Orchid Care and a beautiful show and tell table. Kim Feddersen from New Jersey shared his incredible knowledge of the vanda family. We learned a lot plus got to buy some of his wonderful orchids and talk to our orchid friends in person.

 

More thanks to Kim O’Toole and Mona Rice for selling the raffle tickets at the meeting and Mary Lou Kosis, Dan Thompson, Carolyn Bolton and others for their raffle donations. There were many happy raffle winners! And more thanks to Carol Panza for selling the OSWP bags. As always, thanks to our members for bringing such great treats for us to snack on, overseen by Lawrene Neel. It truly takes a village.

 

Very special thanks to our members who have agreed to take on some responsibilities: John Fagan has agreed to be our Eblast person. He took it on shortly after Jim Yamber passed away in late October and has done a great job. Thank you, John! Also, thanks to Kim O’Toole and Mona Rice for agreeing to take over our monthly meeting raffle. Their work and willingness to become more involved with the OSWP is much appreciated.  

 

And a special shout-out to Natalie Turicik! Natalie came up with the idea of a raffle at our monthly meetings in October, 2019. She also volunteered to be in charge of it and has done that for the past 6 years. Thank you very, very much, Natalie. Your ideas and work for the OSWP has been phenomenal. With growing responsibilities of motherhood and work and many other things, Natalie has had to step back a bit. Thank you again, Natalie, for helping us develop in new ways.

 

Get involved! Now is the time to see how you can help with our 2026 Orchid Show in the South Hills at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The show will be in April, because of a hotel booking issue. Our show will be 4/9–4/12, open to the public 4/11–4/12. Let our show co-chairs, Kathy McCafferty, Lawrene Neel and Mary Ann Pike know you would like to get involved.

 

Happy Holidays and Happy Growing and remember to Think Orchids!

Gary VanGelder and Demetria Marsh