Next Meeting April 19, 2026
2pm-4pm features:
Jeff Hackett -
'Potting Media & Pots in our Culture'
I joined the Southern Tier Orchid Society in February 2024, shortly after relocating to the Southern Tier region of New York from Florida, where I was born and raised. My interest in plants began several years ago with citrus and other fruiting trees, and over time expanded into aroids and other foliage houseplants. I began growing orchids in 2020, and they have since become the primary focus of my collection.
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Professionally, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with emphasis in geotechnical, water resources, and environmental engineering. Currently, I work in environmental engineering, specializing in the design and modification of wastewater treatment facilities. This technical background has strongly influenced my approach on orchid cultivation within my own collection and I hope to be able to share this knowledge with everyone in the club.​
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Like many engineers, I tend to approach challenges with a logical and pragmatic mindset, and that perspective carries over into my growing practices. I'm particularly interested in the relationship between water, air, media, and container systems as understanding the water nexus within our culture greatly impacts our ability to grow a wide diversity of plants.​
I've developed a presentation focused on helping growers better understand how media selection, pot type, and media blends influence drying behavior and the overall root environment. My goal is to provide a framework that allows growers to make informed decisions and adapt their culture techniques more effectively, regardless of their prior experience with specific media.
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--Jeff Hackett
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Jeff will also give this presentation at the show.
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​​​We will also have the Raffle and Show and Tell
​Come at 1:30 for Social Time
Meeting location:
Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St. Johnson City, NY 13790
Volunteer Opportunities at the Show
We are looking for volunteers for various roles, including:
Show Setup (Friday, May 1): Help transform the space with table setup, skirting and
assisting vendors with their displays. Need everyone here.
Judging Setup: Help set up area for judges.
Display Setup: We will have 2 or 3 STOS displays with plants and staging props that will need to be arranged for effect. Here is a chance to show your creativity.
Clerking (Early Saturday Morning): Assist the judges during the ribbon competition—it's like a masterclass in orchid quality. We need 10-12 clerks. Guidance for clerking and ribbon placement will be provided.
Hospitality & Greeting: Welcome the public and share our passion for orchids. May include memberships and raffle tickets.
Kids and Educational Table: Help children with activities, share orchid information with visitors. A fun job.
Arrange food service areas: Set up meals and snacks and keep area clean. Clean up at end. This position is more interesting than it may seem. Everyone comes to the food area and it is a chance to talk to judges, vendors, etc. out of the commotion of the show. Takedown (Sunday Afternoon): Help us wrap up a successful weekend. Everyone needed here.
And More!
Sign Up Today!
If you can't make the meeting, or are not ready to commit, here is a signup sheet that you can fill out anytime, but sooner is better!
Whether you can give two hours or the whole weekend, every bit of help makes a difference.
Let’s make our 40th year the best show yet!
Jeff
Show Co-Chair, Southern Tier Orchid Society​
Spring Orchid Show
May 2-3, 2026
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May 1 Setup 2 pm–7 pm
May 2 Judging 8 am–11 am
Public 11 am–5 pm
May 3 Public 11 am–5 pm
Takedown 5 pm–6 pm
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The NEW VENUE, the Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St, Johnson City NY, worked out very well last year. We are excited to build on our success.
Coming Soon:
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Orchid Registration Information​​
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Classification List​​​​
Merchandise sales are officially open!
We’re excited to offer a variety of items for purchase, including engraved wine glasses, tote bags, and two styles of refrigerator magnets. We will also be offering t-shirts this year—these will be available by pre-order only and will be ready for pickup at the show.
All other merchandise will be available for purchase and pickup at the next meeting, as well as during the show and the May meeting.
For convenience, pricing has been structured so that, with sales tax included, totals round to the nearest $0.25—making cash transactions quick and easy. Payment can also be made through our web app via PayPal, using the same system as our membership form.
See merchandise in this following link: STOSMerch
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jeff at stosorchids.shows@gmail.com
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Meetings are on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
​Meeting time is 2-4 pm with 'social time' 1:30-2:00.
Refreshments, Raffle and Show and Tell at most meetings.
Meeting location: Johnson City Senior Center, 30 Brocton St. Johnson City, NY 13790
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Jan 18 General Meeting, Orchid Bingo
Feb 15 General Meeting, Speaker Jason Fisher
Mar 15 General Meeting Spring Auction
April 16 GROS show setup
April 17-19 GROS Orchid Show
Apr 19 General Meeting, Speaker Jeff Hackett on
Potting Media and Pots in our Culture
May 1 STOS Orchid Show
Setup 2 pm–7 pm
May 2 STOS Orchid Show
Judging 8 am–12 am, Public 11 am–5 pm
May 3 STOS Orchid Show
Public 11 am–5 pm, Takedown 5 pm–6 pm
May 17 General Meeting, Repotting Workshop
Mid-May Field Trip to see blooming Lady Slippers in Hammond Hill State Forest
May 31 Zoom with Nicole Deanna (details to come)
Summer Picnic TBD
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Calendar 2026
Our Orchid Family Tree: A Beautiful Discovery
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​At our meeting on January 18th, we had the wonderful opportunity to honor Luis Matienzo and celebrate the 40th anniversary of our society's reorganization. It was a beautiful moment to recognize the dedication that has kept the Southern Tier Orchid Society (STOS) thriving for so many years.
Inspired by that celebration, I spent time researching our deeper roots. As the saying goes, "We study history not to know the future, but to broaden our horizons." I am excited to share a discovery from the American Orchid Society archives that actually makes our celebration even more significant.
While 1986 marks the year the club was reinvigorated, I discovered that the "seeds" of STOS were actually planted much earlier. Our society was originally founded in 1963 and officially recognized as an AOS affiliate in 1964. This means that while we rightfully celebrate 40 years of our current organization, we are also standing on a legacy that is 63 years old.
Organizations, like orchids, have seasons. After our early founders—Howard LeMasurier and our first president, Mrs. William Burke—passed away, the club faced a period where it could have disappeared forever.
This is why the work done in 1986 is so vital. When the society was reinstated, those members didn't just restart a club—they saved a legacy. Without the steady stewardship of Luis and the help of his wife, Paula Matienzo, the story of our 1963 founding would have been lost to time. They are the heroes who preserved our "historical integrity" and gave us the organization we love today.
Finding these older roots doesn’t change our 40th-anniversary milestone; it enhances it. It shows that our club has resilience spanning over six decades. It is a privilege to belong to a club with such deep roots and such dedicated leadership. We have much to be proud of—both the 63 years of our history and the 40 years of hard work that have kept it alive.
Linda
Other Area Orchid Shows 2026
Here are the dates of shows offered by other Orchid Societies in our area. More info will be provided near the dates. If you would like your show listed, please contact us.
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DCOS -- Deep Cut Orchid Society (Holmdel, NJ)
Show Feb. 20-22 www.deepcutorchidscioety.org/show
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NFOS – Niagara Frontier OS (Buffalo)
Spring Orchid Fest March 6-8 www.buffalogardens.com/events/orchid-est/#events
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CPOS – Central PA OS (State College, PA)
Show Mar 21-22 www.aos.org/community-events/calendar/543
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SEPOS – Southern PA Orchid Society (Oaks, PA)
Show March 27-29 www.sepos.org/show
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GROS – Genesee Region OS (Rochester)
Show April 16-19 www.geneseeorchid.org/annual-orchid-show/
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STOS – Show May 2-3
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CNYOS – Central NY Orchid Society (Syracuse)
Albany Orchid Society (Albany, NY)
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Lots of shows this winter to chase away the blues!
In the past STOS has organized trips to Deep Cut and SEPOS, each is easily a one-day trip.
Executive Board
President
Linda Mittel
Vice President
LuAnn Meyers
Treasurer
Mari Stover-Ling
Secretary
Melissa Bennett
AOS Representative
Polly Dillon
Members-At-Large
Jeff Hackett
Gail Gunsalus
Jean Mint
Committee Chairs
Auction Committee Jane Trey, Jean Mint,
Jeff Hackett
IT Specialist Melissa Bennett
Librarian Laurel Shaefer
Marketing TBD
Membership Melissa Bennett, Anitra Murphy
Newsletter Editor Jeff Hackett
Program Coordinator Jean Mint
Social Event Ruth Allen, Jane Trey
Social Media Loi Tran, Renee DePrato,
Jean Mint
Show Chair Sam Hance, Jeff Hackett
Web Master Carol Bayles
Email addresses:
STOSorchids@gmail.com
STOSorchids.auction@gmail.com
STOSorchids.marketing@gmail.com
STOSorchids.membership@gmail.com
STOSorchids.newsletter@gmail.com
STOSorchids.shows@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernTierOrchidSocietyNY
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/SouthernTierOrchidSociety/
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