Phalling for Phals in the Northeast
T his September 10th and 11th , 2011 marked an auspicious start to what is now known as the First Annual
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IPA Northeast Region Back-to-Back Focus on Phals Speakers ’ Day . Due to major changes occurring at the nurseries where we traditionally held our meetings , it became necessary to think “ outside of the box ” for the 2011 events . If we could not go to the greenhouses , then we needed to attract the growers and experts to our new meeting venues in addition to all those growers in the region who are interested in Phalaenopsis . In the last issue ( Third Quarter , Vol . 21 ( 1 ) 2011 ) of Phalaenopsis , we shared our new meeting approach with both our fellow IPA Regional Directors and our entire membership . To achieve this goal , we needed two very energetic and involved orchid societies in our regions that hold their meetings on weekends . The two selected societies , New Hampshire ( NHOS – New Hampshire Orchid society ) and Northeastern New York ( NENYOS – Northeastern New York Orchid Society ), both do so on the second Saturday of each month . With one society changing its regular day to Sunday , we had the ideal
In front of Harmony Hall Community Center in Ballston Spa , NY , site of September 11th Focus on Phals Meeting NY , Marilyn Shapiro , IPA Region 17 Director chats with Glen Decker , Ballston Event Facilitator and Patti Lee , Speaker .
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situation . In cooperating on these meeting days and venues , we could provide each society with a mini speakers ’ day ( 8:30am- 3pm ) at no extra cost to the society , with our regions selecting the speakers and covering the speakers ’ expenses . Both society members and non-members , in addition to IPA members , could attend after registering and paying a minimal fee to just cover the cost of a continental breakfast and light lunch .
Marilyn Shapiro and Carri Raven-Riemann
were fortunate to have two very special venues for the meetings : on September 10th , 2011 , the Bedford Town Hall in Bedford , NH ( built in the 1800s and located near Manchester , NH ) provided a wonderful venue . The agenda included breakfast and lunch , our speaker ’ s program , a mini-auction ( fundraising for future programs ), a show table complete with American Orchid Society judging and a roundtable discussion . Our fantastic vendors were OrchidPhile ( Carri Raven- Riemann ), Norman ’ s Orchids ( Norman Fang ) and Kelley ’ s Korner Orchid Supplies ( Darryl Yarden & Carl Doremus ). On September 11th , 2011 , the Harmony Hall Community Center in Ballston Spa ( built as a single-room schoolhouse around 1755 ) served as our location for a similar event in the Albany area . In lieu of AOS judging , everyone was invited to an open house at Piping Rock Orchids . Special thanks to Glen Decker , owner of Piping Rock , who worked closely with the NENYOS , arranged for this unique event location and made all the breakfast and lunch arrangements . Glen ’ s goal was to get more people interested in growing orchids .
The Program Since one of our co-hosting orchid societies goes on hiatus for the summer , we began the planning process seven months in advance and were most gratified by their encouragement and support . To NHOS President , Steve Tacopina , NHOS Treasurer , Chuck Crisler , NHOS Hospitality Chair , Laurie Savoy , NENYOS President , Stan Lee , and NENYOS Treasurer , Janet Vinland , we are most grateful for all their efforts in supporting this endeavor and working with us to see it to fruition . In addition to those mentioned , each society had many volunteers , too numerous to mention , who helped with set-up and clean-up and whatever else needed to be done . We are most appreciative of Adrienne Giovino , for her gracious assistance and her diligence in obtaining the names of all the various newsletter editors in our two regions and providing them with our publicity for both their newsletters and websites . In addition , the IPA website and Journal carried the information to the membership as did Marilyn Shapiro ’ s e- mail campaign to our individual members in the Northeast . Norman Fang , our keynote speaker , spoke on “ The Changing Face of Moss Culture : Tips for Success .” This provided an opportunity for the attendees to learn about this newer method of growing Phals ; in addition , Norman waived his
22 Fourth Quarter , Vol . 21 ( 2 ) 2011 - Phalaenopsis