The Gulf Coast Orchid Society, which includes members from Pearl River County, will be holding its Thirty-Second Annual Orchid Show from Friday, January 27th through Sunday the 29th at the Singing River Mall in Gautier, Miss.

Exhibits will be open to the public from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and from mall opening time until 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 29. Admission is free.

President Becky Jolly-Wood, says, “Some of our most talented growers are members who come from Pearl River County: John and Janet Bridges, as well as Joy Lorens, are from Pearl River County. They travel with me to do exhibits for the society— they are of that high caliber.

“We have lots of people who enjoy the orchids for many reasons. I just love the flowers; others do it because they love the research and heritage of the plant. John Bridges is from Pearl River County is one of the best growers we have– he named a plant after his aunt, it is named ‘Aunt Alma.’

 I know quite a few people come to our show from Pearl River County and I have been introduced to them through our current members. We would love to see the Pearl River County area be represented by larger numbers,” she continues.

The Gulf Coast Orchid Society was founded in 1980 by a group of Orchid lovers that grew tired of traveling to Hattiesburg on a monthly basis to learn about orchids. They held their first show in 1981 at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. The show is always the first weekend of February.

Jolly-Wood says, “The Society meets monthly, on the Second Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Jeff Davis Campus off Debuys and Switzer Road in Gulfport. Glenn Ladner, does a talk at 1:30 p.m. prior to the regular meetings for new enthusiasts / growers. However, we all usually come to this because it is so informative.”

For more information on the society contact Becky Jolly-Wood at 228-474-2500. Readers can also view their website at gcorchids.org.