website at www . orchids . com . We ’ re looking forward to seeing many of our IPA friends there !
Region 2 – Central Pacific-Sierra - Central and Northern California & Northern Nevada – Vivian Sellers
Region 3 – Northwest Tier - Alaska , Washington , Oregon , Idaho , Western Montana & Western Canada – Joan Bateman
Region 4 – Mountain West - Arizona , New Mexico , Utah & Colorado - Wes Addison This region will have their annual meeting the weekend of April 6-7 at Bakers Nursery ( 3414 N . 40th St ., Phoenix , AZ ) during the Desert Valley Orchid Society Show and Sale . Contact Bev Tall by phone at 480-816-4722 , email at bevtall @ talco . com or check the IPA website for details .
Region 5 - Great Plains - Eastern Montana , Wyoming , the Dakotas & Nebraska – Joe Lankton
Region 6 - Texas & Louisiana - Olie Garrison Watch for exciting news about IPA coverage in this large region .
Region 7 - Mid-America - Kansas , Oklahoma , Missouri & Arkansas
– Interested in representing IPA ? Please contact us .
Region 8 – Heartland - Iowa & Illinois – Doc Bannister
Region 9 – Lakeland - Minnesota & Wisconsin – Bil Nelson Doc Bannister will work together with Bil on some events .
Region 10 - Eastern Great Lakes - Michigan , Indiana & Ohio – Dick Wells
The “ Wine , Cheese , & Orchids ” Christmas Open House was held at Hilltop Orchids from December 8th through December 16th . IPA literature was displayed , and discussions were held promoting the IPA . We also had many guests who are already members of the IPA . During the open house , several workshop demonstrations were conducted on potting , dividing and general care for orchid plants . Additional spontaneous workshop sessions were held upon request .
Region 11 - Southeast – Kentucky , Tennessee , Alabama ,
Mississippi , Georgia - Tom Harper Harper Does the Best Diners , Drive-Ins and Dives Etc . - Portland and Beyond When I arrived in Portland on the early flight from Nashville via Denver , I took the light rail system directly to the hotel . I had done my online homework and found this to be the best ( and cheapest ) route – terminal to hotel in about 20 minutes . Cost was only $ 2 ( for seniors ), and that sure beat a cab fare of many dollars ! The city certainly has its act together when it comes to quality of life and their mass transit system . Too bad our southern counterparts haven ’ t become organized enough to follow their lead . Perhaps they never will , at least in my lifetime . Sure Portland spent a few dollars to develop and implement their system , but it works , and , after all , all this is designed for the common good . The light rail system was indeed a treat . As someone who had a father who grew up with , and was intrigued by steam locomotives , riding the rail system was indeed a fun experience . My “ train ” dropped me directly in front of our host hotel . For my $ 2 ride , I had surprise company from my Atlanta friend Fred Missbach who hopped on board at the airport terminal then briefed me on the show site in particular and Portland in general . We arrived “ spot on ” at our destination , the host hotel . The show was conveniently located across from the hotel entrance and was neatly tucked on the first floor of the parking garage . Access was easy for everyone and the natural lighting illuminated the show areas nicely . As I expected , the show itself was small with few exhibits , but many featured plants that were spectacular and readily recognized earlier in the day with AOS awards . I did not arrive in time for judging though working with judges outside my region would have been a plus experience . Maybe next time . Our IPA board meeting went quickly . The luncheon had about 27 folks in attendance which is a good number for us considering the Pacific Northwest is not known for its Phalaenopsis growers . There was a good selection of auction items with Norman Fang ( Norman ’ s Orchids ) and Mark Srull ( Orchidaceae ) providing a number of excellent plants to bid on . I had brought some compots and some individual plants provided by the Atlanta Botanical Gardens from their Phalaenopsis species sibbings and selfings and was extremely pleased when they received numerous bids and sold for excellent prices . James Rider and Russ Vernon helped me with the auction . We moved the plant material quickly and had lots of fun with lots of laughs in the process . We raised over $ 1300 for our efforts . Following the auction , Joan Bateman , of Orchidaceae , and I packed our bags to begin the four hour trek to Walla Walla . Our drive would take us eastbound along the Columbia River and into the Columbia River Gorge , a scenic trip that I anxiously anticipated . Too bad the weather failed to cooperate as a steady rain fell as we left the hotel . I expected the entire trip to be more of the same . But first a detour ( a minor one ) was in order . As a fan of the Food Channel program , “ Diners , Drive-Ins and Dives ,” I asked Joan if we could stop at Otto ’ s Sausage House in Portland on our way out of town . I had seen the store / restaurant featured on a segment of Triple D , so I figured a visit was in order since we were near their neighborhood . My preprinted MapQuest directions failed us , but Joan ’ s keen sense of direction , and her past experience with the city , saved the day ! The place was great — fresh-made sausages , many from oldstyle recipes with natural ingredients . Plus , they were cooking three different kinds out front of the store on the grill . With the smoke billowing and the rain continuing , I treated Joan and myself to lunch . Yum !! Of course , they packed a nice selection for us to deliver to Mark , awaiting us at home in Walla Walla .
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