October 2026 Newsletter

Winchester, Virginia — October, 2026

For our next meeting we are planning a combined In-Person and Zoom meeting simultaneously !

Beth Davis from Waldor Orchids is giving us a presentation about ‘Orchids are different but not difficult’
Beth was one of the vendors at our MSV show in April
Don’t miss out on this excellent presentation!

September 2026 Show Table Result

Judges: Harmon Byrd, Wayloon Chuang, Lucia Pull, Debby Hammerl

BEST IN SHOW

Cattleya Aurora
Robin Collins

CATTLEYA

1. C. Aurora
   Robin Collins
2. Ctt. Bactia 'Grape Wax'
   Robin Collins
3. Blc. Patricia Phelps 'Magenta Maiden'
   Lynn Miller

SPECIES

1. Habenaria Medusa 'Owen'
   Robin Collins
2. Epi. porpax
   Debby Hammerl
3. Brassavola cucullata
   Robin Collins

VANDA

1. Vanda Majik Fancy
   Lynn Miller
2. Rnta. Sunrise 'Prasong's'
   Debby Hammerl
3. Vandachostylis Lou Sneary 'Bluebird'
   Debby Hammerl

MINIATURE

1. Masdevallia Imposter x tonduzii
   Debby Hammerl
2. Schoenorchis gemmata
   Debby Hammerl
3. Gastrochilus retrocalla
   Debby Hammerl

PHALAENOPSIS

1. Phal. NOID pink
   Maria Strickland
2. Phal. NOID purple
   Maria Strickland

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Paph. Nightsong
   Robin Collins
2. Coel. wenzelii 'Fishing Creek'
   Debby Hammerl
3. Den. Enobi Purple 'Splash'
   Lynn Miller

Minutes from October 10, 2026

Robin opened our meeting at 7:00 p.m. by welcoming everyone and introducing the members of the board. Zita was out of town and unable to attend. Lucia was thanked for bringing chicken salad for tonight’s refreshments. A nice dinner was enjoyed by all.

• Robin reminded us that tonight Heidi was collecting the dues for 2026/2027. A reminder that dues must be paid by the November meeting in order to attend the December Christmas Party.
• Harmon advised that December 10 is the date for our Christmas Party at Picadilly Pub. Also, he reminded us that gifts brought to party must be orchid related.
• We were saddened to hear of the passing last week of beloved Joe Francis. Joe was a forced of nature in the Orchid world and a longtime friend of our club. A service is scheduled for Monday, September 14 in Herndon. Robin passed around a sympathy card for wishes and signatures to be mailed Joe’s wife.
• The Northern Capital Orchid Society Show and Sale is September 18. 19 and 20 with 21 Orchid Vendors; admission is $10. Our club will have a display. Any orchids need to be to Robin by Tuesday. Also, let Robin know if you would like to go Sunday 10;30, home 6:00 pm.
• A new shipment of bark has been received. Cost for members for a 2 cu. bag is $45 and $60 for non-members. Smaller bags at $9 or $16 are available.
• Zoom meetings are very demanding and have only a few attendees. Therefore, zoom meetings will be discontinued unless there is a speaker that needs zooming.
• Caleb gave a Treasurer’s Report : Balance is bank account is currently $11,843.01 less the pallet of bark $2,167, leaving a balance of $9,676.01.
• Tonight’s Program was a most informative Q and A session by three of our expert orchid growers, Robin, Caleb and Scott. The main topic was the care of Dendrobiums and various orchids.
• Barbara Lewis donated orchids to be auctioned at tonight’s meeting. Our auctioneer, Tom, succeeded in getting good prices for these gems.
• Robin and Debbie reviewed the beautiful orchids brought in for judging. Robin’s orchid received Best in Show.
• The meeting was adjourned after the door prize was given.

Respectfully Submitted by June Thompson 9/15/26

LFOS Orchid Exhibit at the NCOS Show

September 2026

MEMBERSHIP

$20 for a Annual Family Membership
$15 for a Annual Single Membership

Please send your dues directly to the following address:

Heather Walsh
398 Appelveldt Ln
Charles Town, WV 25414

Membership will be due at the September meeting, except for our new members who joined at the orchid show at the museum!

Join us on Facebook
LFOS Members
& Lord Fairfax Orchid Society

All our meetings are at
Tom&Lynn’s garage at
3690 Old Charlestown Road
Berryville, VA 22611

Joe passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Aggie, his son and daughter-in-law, John and Megan Francis of Manassas, VA and his sister-in-law Lucinda Rohrer of Chicago, IL.

Joe grew up in Lackawanna County, PA. After graduating from high school, Joe joined the Army and left Pennsylvania. During this time he met and married his wife, Aggie, and they had a son, John. While their son was still an infant, Joe was sent to serve in the Vietnam War. When he returned to the states, he was stationed at the Pentagon. They bought a home in Herndon, with 3 acres of land – plenty of space to encourage their love of gardening. When Joe retired from the Army, he embarked on a second career at a non-profit providing military personnel with financing and estate planning assistance. In 2001, after 23 years at the non-profit, Joe retired for good.

When Aggie gave him his first orchid, his interest in orchids was sparked and over the years Joe developed a passion for orchids and joined the National Capital Orchid Society. He has been a member of the American Orchid Society for over 30 years, serving in both elected and appointed roles with the Society. His achievements as a grower have resulted in over 55 AOS awards with an equal mix of quality and culture awards, as well as countless show certificates and trophies. He was known nationally for his meticulous, virus-free cultivation practices. He provided lectures and workshops over the years throughout the Mid-Atlantic region on virus-testing protocols. Because of this, orchid virus testing is now standard practice for individuals, as well as commercial orchid houses. In April of this year, Joe was awarded AOS’ national Certificate of Meritorious Achievement in Orchid Education, which is presented to an individual or individuals for long-standing endeavors in the field of orchid education.

He has been a collector of major cattleya hybrids and species, particularly those used in early 20th-century breeding. In 2009, the British Ambassador asked him to help establish a world-class cattleya collection focusing on the bet of the British and American growers. Through his mentorship of the staff and over 15 years of effort, the collection is now considered one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic region. This included generous donations of many of his own plants from his outstanding collection, including his first orchid he received from Aggie. He was honored to receive the British Empire Medal from the Queen in her Birthday Honors in 2019. The remainder of his collection, over 600 plants, was then donated to the United States Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C., ensuring his orchids would be enjoyed by future generations. His entire personal orchid library was recently donated to the National Capital Judging Center.

In 2001, Joe joined Fairfax County’s Master Gardener Program. During his many years with Fairfax County’s Master Gardeners Association, Joe has held many leadership roles and played a key part in shaping the organization, including serving as the primary architect of its bylaws. He was President from 2013 to 2014 and held nearly every board position at some point in his tenure.

In 2021, Joe earned the title of Emeritus Extension Master Gardener. Throughout the last 25 years, he became a beloved figure among the Virginia Cooperative Extension staff. Beyond his expertise and the many contributions he made to strengthening the FCMGA, Joe was known for warmly welcoming new members and helping each person find a place in the organization where they could get involved, contribute and thrive.

In addition to serving as a Master Gardener, Joe has found many other ways to give back to his community. For 37 years, Joe donated plants to the Town of Herndon for the landscaping of public spaces. Over the past few years, Joe has also grown tomato seedlings in his greenhouse and donated them to community gardens. He chooses varieties that produce smaller plant sizes and have high nutritional value. He was a lover of the arts, particularly opera, and took pride in Herndon’s connection to the Virginia Opera’s Emerging Artists Program, which helps launch the careers of rising operatic talent.

Known for his generosity, curiosity, and gentle spirit, Joe enriched every community he touched.

2026-2027 LFOS Officers

2025-2026 LFOS Chairpersons

The club purchased a pallet of medium size orchid bark from Rexius. It is available in 2 cu. ft bags, $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Pick up is available at our in person meetings or at other times, contact Tom Miller to pick up at his house. (540)664-3200

We also have 1 gallon ($9) or 2 gallon ($16) medium or small orchid bark available and 2 gallon Cymbidium mix

Please contact Zita Winzer 540-247-2180 for the smaller sized bags

Directions to the Miller’s house

3690 Old Charlestown Rd, Berryville, VA 22611

From Winchester

• START: From I81 exit 317 –Rt 11N & Rt 37 - McDonald’s – Sheetz, etc.
• Go North on 11 a couple of miles, just past the Hyatt Run townhomes.
• Turn right on Rt 761 – Old Charlestown Rd – Summit Point - & go a couple of miles
• At the fork in the road –Jordan Springs Market is in the fork – bear left. Go a couple of miles
• Watch out for deer
• Cross the low water bridge – you will know it when you cross it!
• The 3rd house on the left is it – a white farm house & greenhouse.

From Berryville-

• Go West on Rt 7/Business 7, past the fairgrounds about a mile to the light where the 7-11 is on the LEFT.
• Turn right onto Crums Chruch Rd and go several miles to the end.
• At the end turn left onto Old Charlestown Rd.
• Go 1.9 miles to 3690 on the mail box - a farm house with a big stone chimney, and greenhouse.

From West Virginia, Maryland & the North Pole

• Take I81 to exit 321 – Clearbrook in Virginia
• At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go about 100 yds to Rt 11.
• Turn right and go south on Rt 11 a couple of miles to the Old Charlestown Rd
• Turn left and follow the directions from the third bullet from the top.

If you get lost, call Tom Miller 540-664-3200