Phalaenopsis Journal First Quarter Vol. 21(3) 2012 | Page 7

IPA Regional Reports Barbara Noe C ontinuing our occasional focus on izes in Vandaceous orchids including Pha- specific Regional Directors who laenopsis species and hybrids, Cattleyas are aggressively and selflessly work to a close second for the quantity of orchids improve the lifeline between our produced from seed and hybridized. Since valued membership and IPA leadership, the North Carolina move, Seagrove Or- this quarter we are giving you a bit of up chids has received over 100 AOS awards, close and personal information about Lin- many are in recognition of excellent cul- da Thorne, Regional Director of Region 13 ture. – Piedmont. Linda acquired the nickname “Sunshine” Linda Thorne is an American Orchid So- as a kid … now she is a big kid with an ciety Judge at the Greensboro, NC judg- amazing love and knowledge of orchids ing center where she holds the position of and the moniker still fits. Thank you, Sun- Linda Thorne chairperson. She is the past training coor- shine, for all you do for Orchidom. Visit dinator for this judging center. She is also Treasurer for the Seagroveorchids.com Slipper Orchid Alliance and very involved in numerous community activities in her area. Region 1: Southern California - Norman Fang Linda’s passion for orchids led her to leave a secure ca- Norman’s Orchids and Joan Bailey will design and place reer in Washington DC eleven years ago to start an orchid a beautiful orchid display for the IPA in the 67th Annual nursery in Seagrove, NC. One would think that Seagrove is Santa Barbara International Orchid Show on March 16-18, a coastal city in North Carolina, but it is actually one mile 2012 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. On March 24th, an from the geographic center of the state … a notable pot- IPA Region 1 Meeting will take place at Norman’s Orchids tery village whose wares are a perfect complement to her in Ontario, CA as a part of the annual Spring Open House. beautiful orchids. Norman Fang will speak to the group on an exciting new Because the dining room of her Maryland home was the Phal. growing technique and will be giving each IPA mem- nursery of hundreds of orchid flasks (bottles of baby or- ber in attendance a 32 oz. bottle of Turbo Thrive. Check chids) and nearly every window of the home was lined www.orchids.com for additional details. with plants, it was time for her to turn her hobby into a working dream. She has done just that in Seagrove. Linda says, “Now I never feel that I am going to work when I en- Region 6, 7 and 8: Texas, Oklahoma, ter my greenhouse. I feel like I am going to the most relax- Arkansas, Louisiana - Olie Garrison ing place on earth.” As a close friend, I believe I am allowed On March 24th the SOS/IPA Region 6 will hold the sec- to say that i t is not always that serene since Linda works ond Annual Tabletop Show and Symposium featuring feverishly preparing for trips to shows where she makes an AOS Judging. Please come to this event and display your extra effort to put in a quality commercial exhibit as well orchids. Both speakers will be selling plants and there will as a first-rate sales area chock-full of desirable plants. She be an auction to benefit IPA journal color fund. Location: rarely comes home with little more than her exhibit plants Barnwell Center, Shreveport, LA. Speakers: Tom Harper and props. When she is on location at an event, she is a and Peter Lin. real ambassador for the AOS, the IPA as well as the orchid There is no host hotel; however, there are several very hobby in general. She dispenses excellent cultural advice to close including El Dorado and Sam’s Town. Contact Olie all who ask for the assistance – and always with a beaming Garrison, IPA treasurer, at [email protected] or Lena Parker at [email protected] for further details. smile on her face. Her first orchid hybrid was made in 1996 and many of her Registration of $20 includes a catered lunch. babies have flowered since then. Seagrove Orchids special- Download the registration form and event schedule Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 7