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Fall Nursery Tour.  This is a busload of happy orchid growers at the end of our nursery tour on Oct. 13, 2019.  We visited Kalapana Tropicals, Newman's Nursery, and Carmela Orchids.  Thanks to Jerome Siebenrock, front left, for organizing the tour.  Thanks to Janice Williams, front right, for this photo.
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Scholarship Winners.  Each year we give scholarships to students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  This year's recipients were introduced at the September 2019 meeting.  They are Aaron Shipman, left, and Lael Bukoski, right.
2019 Hilo Orchid Show – show art and show theme.  The painting above, by local artist Esther Szegedy, is the official art for the 2019 Hilo Orchid Show, being held June 28-30. the artwork represents this year's show theme "Orchid Odyssey".  The art will appear on show posters, T-shirts sold at the show, and other items.
2019 Officers and Trustees.  The officers and trustees for 2019 were sworn in at the holiday party on Dec. 9 by past president Julie Goettsch (right).  From left: Dorothy Imagire, Lillian Paiva, Joe Bush, Nathan Sherwood, Dana Culleney, Rick Kelley, Ben Oliveros, Lise Dowd, Larry Kuekes, Tom Mirenda.  Not pictured: Ken Armour.

Photo Contest Winner.  Members chose Shelby Smith's stunning photo of Cattleya schilleriana var. semi-alba as the winner of the 2018 photo contest.  Shelby won 2 free tickets to the holiday party.

Logo Contest Winner.  After 80 years, HOS finally has an official logo.  Members chose Larry Kuekes' design, featuring Vanda Miss Joaquim, the orchid responsible for our island being nicknamed the Orchid Isle after it was grown here by the millions.  Larry won 2 free tickets to the holiday party.
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Show Table Contest Winner.  Glen Barfield won the contest for the person bringing the most plants to the show table at meetings in 2018.  Pictured is Calanthe vestita 'Glenn Gardner', one of the orchids that Glen brought to the November meeting.  Glen won 2 free tickets to the holiday party.
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Fall Nursery Tour.  On Sept. 30, 2019, a busload of HOS members visited three local orchid nurseries.  Thanks to Jerome Siebenrock, left front, who organized the tour.  To see more pictures from the tour, click the photo above.
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Upcoming Events

The following events are at the Kamana Senior Center, Hilo, unless indicated otherwise:
Oct. 25 6:00 pm – AOS judging, 875 Komohana St
Nov. 9 1:30-4:00 – Hilo Orchid Society meeting
Nov. 9 4:00 – AOS judging
Nov. 22 6:00 pm – AOS judging, 875 Komohana St
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The following events require advance signup and payment:
​Dec. 15 – HOS Holiday Party & Luncheon

$8000 Donated to Volcano Relief

Many orchid growers and many of our friends were affected by the lava flows in Puna.  Our Board of Trustees voted to donate the proceeds of the Silent Auction at the 2018 orchid show to volcano disaster relief.  We raised $8000, which was donated as follows:
  • $3000 was given to Hope Services, which has provided housing assistance for those displaced by the eruption.
  • $3000 was given to Food Basket, Inc., which has provided food, water, and other emergency supplies.
  • $2000 was given to Hawaii Island Humane Society, which has rescued pets from the lava zone and provided shelter for them until they can be reunited with owners or adopted.  
See our Community page here for a list of Silent Auction donors who made this possible.
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Mini Displays Make a Big Hit

Karen Kimmerle's mini-display made such a hit at our 2016 show that it was featured on the cover of Orchids magazine.  You can create your own great mini-display for the next orchid show with just a few orchids.  Your space is limited to 16 inches, but results are limited only by your imagination.