We went through the 501c3 stuff when the center opened 3 yrs ago. It
still turns my head. Right now I'm going around with whether center
personnel traveling to the Trustees meeting get business mileage or
charity mileage. I used to ask my accountant that sort of question but
he hasn't been returning my emails, so I guess I'm persona non-grata.
Guess I'll be looking for a new accountant, too. [sigh] Too many
decisions to make. Some people put life affirmations on their checks or
chant. My mantra is 'Don't make me think.'

Which is when I go into the GH and - [gasp] - water. (You should all be
picking yourselves up off the floor.) Heck I even got a bulbophyllum to
bloom! two spikes! One of those umbel types - the dead common one I can
never remember the name of.

I may even feed next weekend.

K

Diana Kulaga wrote:
"What I Did Last Summer"

By
Diana

We usually get a break in July and August (the society doesn't meet in
summer), but not so much this year. We're going through the process of
obtaining federal 501c3 status. We hired an accountant to do it; it's just
too complicated for a lay person. You could fill out all the paperwork, but
it's the little naggy details that only a pro understands that get the app
sent back by return mail.

So I just finished a narrative about our activities; it's amazing to read it
with everything laid out. We do an awful lot for the community at large,
neverminding the members. Next is a rewrite of the bylaws, but I'm waiting
until after another meeting with the CPA. Suffice to say that the new ones
will be a hell of a lot more complicated than the current set. Newsletter
needs to go out this week, too. At least I broke my writer's block. That
doesn't happen to me often. Usually I can knock off stuff like this without
even thinking twice about it.

Repotting fell by the wayside this year. We did manage to top the Vandas,
which have been blooming their heads off all year. There are some Phals
which *must* be done, and soon. Like next week. Things are still growing, so
I can do a few more.

Frank is way better. That's more important than anything else.

Orchids as a life style - I have thought about that often. I do know folks
who gave up on them, keeping a couple of plants, perhaps, but did not drink
the Kool Ade. (Aid?) Frank and I are drunk on the stuff, just like most
people on this board. Where to go for a night or two, once in a while?
First, look at where the shows and growers are. After you get to a certain
number of plants (I don't know what that number is), much of what you do
revolves around them

And I don't regret it one bit.

Diana


"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
Replying so I can mark the thread, but no time to give a good response
tonight. Tomorrow I'll fill in my own blanks.

Diana

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
Hi all. I've been busy working, figured I'd report in before y'all
thought I'd died or something. We held a Speaker's Day in Sacramento
featuring Roy Tokunaga, Ron McHatton and Carlos Fighetti as well as short
culture sessions with Alan Koch and Dennis Olivas as well as the above.
Had a great time, learned a lot, great public support even from the
newbies. I think people thirst for knowledge at a higher level than we
give them credit for. The center didn't lose too much money as a group
and I bought some decent orchids (kovachii hybrid seedlings and a blue
phal). Since then I've been repotting (yes, stuff is still rooting) and
generally taking care of my orchids. Haven't had time to take pictures.
Or maybe its I haven't had the inclination to take pictures, LOL! Been
musing on orchids as a way of life. Not a hobby for those who like to
travel. Or otherwise get sidetracked. Hence they become the end itself, I
suppose. You gotta like them and the people who grow them. The club
held a greenhouse tour, was impressed that Fordyce is still making
standard catt crosses. He's the one that got me started thinking about
orchids as a lifestyle. Some folks ride Harleys. Some boat. I grow
orchids. Wish we'd stop thinking we're failures if people don't get as
enthused as we do and drop out. Its not a reflection on us. Orchids
ain't for everyone. The club's BBQ was yesterday, fewer people but I'm
betting we still made the same amount of money. I know I repotted with
an eye to giving away divisions at the BBQ, so had 20-25 to bring to the
table this year. Many sold well. Lord knows I need the bench space.
This year the 2.5 in pots are all moved up to 4". Temps in the GH have
been all over the map - Highs over 95F, lows to 62F. Fewer sheathes and
spikes.... I think the GH needs to cool off more at night. we'll see.
But I did get a ascda to bloom so that's something, LOL! The Vandas like
the temps. I will say since repotting new roots are popping out all
over. Amazing the way that works... I want to go to the Trustees
meeting in LA in Oct, but have once again over-committed myself.
There'll be a show in Fresno, our show and the Trustee's meeting all in
the same 10 day period. Plus employment...so no Trustees. Well, there.
That's it. SOSDD.

You?

K Barrett