Greetings all,

   Fall is just around the corner although you wouldn't know it from the rather warmish temperatures we've been enduring lately. Summer in Memphis hangs around longer than a freeloading cousin at Thanksgiving dinner!

   And with Fall approaching that means our 2005 MOS show is not far away; October 28th - 30th, as a matter of fact. If you haven't yet found a place to volunteer - don't worry we'll find you! We want everyone to feel loved and wanted.

   For those of you who missed our meeting in August, we had a dynamite program presented by our very own version of "Indiana Jones" - Charles Wilson. Charles took us into the deepest, darkest of Africa on a video safari where we viewed a tremendous variety of flora and fauna from the safety and comfort of the MBG theatre. MOS members Marlyna & Hank Rice, Bob Mosher, Jeanne Ecklund and Susan Wilson participated in the African safari and added stories of their own. There was also a wonderful video highlighting our members' orchids in the Nashville Show - what a treat! And we got a bonus glimpse of the orchids of Barbados from another trip by Barbara Baker and Susan Wilson. We were also treated by a visit from Jim Duncan, director extraordinaire of the Botanic Garden. Jim brought us up to date on the tremendous progress being made at one of our fair city's best attractions - a great garden that needs to have you as a member!

   This month make a point to leave your greenhouse for a few minutes and show up at our meeting on Sunday at 2:00 pm. In addition to having the opportunity to hang out with some really cool people and eat some fantastic food you'll have the chance to learn more about our favorite plants and how to grow them. This month's attraction will be "Growing Orchids under Lights" by Bob Webster. During the 45 minute video he'll outline the basic principles of lights-growing, review the equipment currently available, and also visit some successful orchidists who use lights to grow everything from Paphs to Phals. Who could possibly not want to see that?

Well, I'm out of space, time, and ideas to stretch this column - see you Sunday!

Michael Rowland, MOS President