The Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society was Organized in June 1951 with about twelve members. After several meetings in private homes, the Society needed larger space as it grew and held its meeting in the Birch State Park Garden Center. Later, it moved to quarters in the recreation hall of First Congregational Church, and then to St. Anthony’s School. Meetings are now held at Christ Lutheran Church, address 1955 East Oakland Park Blvd. During the early years, the group entered orchid displays in the Federated Garden Club Shows.
Our first show was held in February 1957 in the Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan Building with only members participating. Since that time, shows have been held in various locations in which members, commercial growers and the general public are invited to participate. Individual plants and exhibits are judged by the American Orchid Society judges with awards and trophies offered.
Our Society was a co-host to the 19th World Orchid Conference held in Miami in 2008.
Past Presidents
1951-52 Dr. Willard Machle
1952-53 Frank L. Adams
1953-54 J. Morgan McJunkin
1954-55 W.J. Dixon
1955-56 John Edwards
1956-57 Primo Busa
1957-58 Dr. Harry C. Roebelen
1958-59 John H. Godfrey
1959-60 Resie Toy
1960-61 Ted. E. Dixon
1961-62 E.S. Montgomery
1962-63 E.J. Kraft
1963-64 Richard Roth
1964-65 John J. Hackett
1965-66 Theodore W. Nulden, Jr.
1966-67 John J. Hackett
1967-68 John W. Shirah, Jr
1968-69 Irene Van Alstyne
1969-70 James Smith
1970-71 Durwood B. White
1971-72 Edmund H. Olges
1972-73 Mrs. Robert Savage
1973-74 John K. Meiners
1974-75 Mrs. Robert Savage
1975-76 James LaBarge
1976-77 Tony Vigliotto
1977-78 Robert Savage
1978-79 Col. Kenneth Kone
1979-80 Larry Hill
1980-81 Guy Ramsey (June – Oct.)
1980-81 Dottie Kone (Nov. – May)
1981-82 Dottie Kone
1982-83 Larry Hill
1983-84 Joseph Perrone
1984-85 Col. Kenneth Kone
1985-86 Jeffrey S. Adkins
1986-87 Barbara Ansley
1987-88 Sylvia Hill
1988-89 James Steele
1989-90 Robert Henley
1990-91 Robert Henley
1991-92 Sylvia Hill
1992-93 Colin Cage
1993-94 Colin Cage
1994-95 Nora Dyke
1995-96 Nora Dyke
1996-97 Janett McMillan
1997-98 Janett McMillan
1998-99 Janett McMillan
1999-00 Chris Crepage
2000-01 Chris Crepage
2001-02 Janett McMillan
2002-03 Nora Dyke
2003-04 Sylvia Hill
2004-05 Tom Blanc
2005-06 Larry Hill
2006-07 Nora Dyke
2007-08 Mac Rivenbark
2008 Mac Rivenbark (June – Sept.)
2008-09 Joan Connors (Oct. – May)
2009-10 Joan Connors
2010-11 Joan Connors
2011-12 Allen Cogar
2012-13 Allen Cogar
2013-14 Michael Schaberl
2014-15 Michael Schaberl
2015-16 Joan Connors
2016-17 Joan Connors
2017-18 Gigi Granger
2018-19 Gigi Granger
2019-20 Rich Ackerman
2020-21 Rich Ackerman
2021-22 Joan Connors
2022-23 Vicki Hallock
2023-24 Vicki Hallock
2024-25 Luanne Betz
2025-26 Luanne Betz
LIFE MEMBERS
The Board of Trustees recognizes outstanding service to the Society by naming individuals as “Life Members.” The following have been so honored. We thank them for their many contributions.
- Jeff Adkins
- Allen Cogar
- Joan Connors
- Chris Crepage
- Nora Dyke
- Dot Henley
- Michael Schaberl
- Suzanne Williams
- Rich Ackerman
- Brian Boyle
- Dr. Ginny Salus
- Craig Barry
- Jill Smith
- Vicki Hallock
- Luanne Betz
HONORARY MEMBERS
The Board of Trustees recognizes persons distinguished in the orchid world by naming individuals as “Honorary Members.” The following have been so honored. We thank them for their many contributions.
- Robert Fuchs
- Michael Coronado