Nineteen members enjoyed a presentation on vanilla at last meeting on Sunday, January 11, at the Columbia Public Library.

In addition to the vanilla presentation, members sampled Vanilla Pepsi, vanilla sugar cookies, vanilla cheese cake and, of course, vanilla bundt cake (many thanks to Hal & Melba Shaffer, Nancy Brakhage, and Laura Eggeman for the yummy treats!). Vanilla plants were purchased (many thanks to Barbara Giles for providing the plants). Barbara Giles also provided some vanilla samples--members were able to smell the difference between vanillas. Nicholas Krekeler, Hal & Melba Shaffer, Howard Wilson, Anita Sanderson, and L. Scott Samuels all brought plants for show-and-tell. (Special thanks to Nick for providing photos for this newsletter!)

On Saturday, February 7th we will meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch in the "Garden Cafe" at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. Barbara (474-9337) and Laura (449-7942) both need company for the drive!

Nick has arranged for CMOS to have a table at the Missouri Orchid Society's annual orchid show (Feb. 7 & 8). Nick and Howard will transport plants to and from the show. Please help fill our table with plants! Drop your plants off at Laura Eggeman's place anytime between Feb 3-5. You may want to call first (449-7942). Howard and Nick will pick them up early Friday morning and will bring them back to Laura's on Sunday, Feb. 8. You'll have until Feb. 12 to pick them up. Laura, Nick, and Howard all promise to take good care of your plants! Plants should be labeled with your name and the genus and name of hybrid/or two parent names or you can e-mail the information to Laura (LauraE@EandEEnterprises.com), which will make it easier to make pretty labels.

Directions to Laura's (from College Ave.): Take College south to Stadium. Turn left (east) on Stadium, then turn right (south) at the next light (Ashland Gravel). Go past Ashland Manor Apartments, go past three colored houses on the left (one blue, one green and one gold, not necessarily in that order), past a white house on the left, then you should see a small building with scaffolding also on the left. Turn right into last parking lot on the right (Mizzou Place, but sign gets stolen frequently). There is a rather faded sign that says "Dalclifton Terrace Apartments." Park anywhere, go to second building on the left. Laura lives at 1712 Mizzou Pl., bottom apartment on the left. Call if you have any questions! 449-7942

The Missouri Botanical Garden's annual orchid show, An Orchid Romance opens on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004 and continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, March 14 inside the Garden’s Ridgway Center. The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors, in addition to regular admission ($7 adults, $5 seniors; St. Louis city and county residents, $3 adults, $1.50 seniors). Members and children 12 and under are admitted free to both the Garden and orchid show.

Our friends in the Missouri Orchid Society will be hosting their annual orchid show February 7 & 8 at the Missouri Botanical Garden.