Howdy,

   First of all let me wish you and your family a Happy New Year!!! I hope that you can leave behind all your frustrations and disappointments, sometimes orchid related, and I hope New 2006 will bring you joy, happiness, and many blooms to come.
   On behalf of all of us, I would like to express our appreciation to Michael Rowland and acknowledge him for the tremendous job he has done for the past 2 years as the president of MOS. With a new addition to the family he still managed to devote a big chunk of his time to our society, and I will have my hands full trying to fill those "big shoes".
   We are in the middle of Winter, but we’re enjoying quite a few warm 60+ days, which will bring some relief for all the greenhouse owners looking at those heating bills. Also, with spring approaching our 2006 MOS show is not far away. Michael Rowland will be serving as our Chair! This year it will be at our traditional date, the 3rd weekend of May (thank you Memphis Botanic Garden). This time we can expect a reasonably higher number of attendees, both commercial and non-commercial, than last Fall. And speaking of shows, don‘t forget to get your orchids ready for the Gulf Coast Show.
   Many thanks again to our hostesses Peggy and Debra Baker for our Holiday Party. Like many of you, I was able to bid (and outbid Charles) on many orchid and non-orchid related items. And please don’t forget - dues are due!
   Make sure to attend our January 22nd meeting with Marcus Valentine, our own "Phalaenopsis Guru", and his special program, "My Experiences Breeding Orchids".
I personally have learned a great deal from Marcus especially on the subject of "How Not To Kill A Phalaenopsis" – supposedly a "Beginner’s" orchid.

See you soon,

Alex Kumok, MOS President

   It was business before pleasure last month at the Nov. 20th meeting. The Garden Center had misplaced their dvd player so we had to skip the regularly scheduled program.