Ralph DePasquale     Ralph DePasquale got his PhD at age 23 and he has worked as a research scientist and inventor. He and wife Shirley have moved around this continent and Europe and settled into a St Aug beachfront house in the mid 90's. Frequent watering helps overcome the challenges of wind and salt. Besides orchids, Ralph body surfs, plays golf ‘poorly’, ballroom dances and collects hundred year old oriental bag rugs. (Mar 09)

Shirley DePasquale     Shirley DePasquale is originally from New Jersey where she married high school sweetheart Ralph, and the two of them have been on the go ever since. Shirley has been painting since she was 6 and has worked in every medium imaginable. She first became interested in orchids when she bought one for Ralph’s birthday over 30 years ago and incorporates them into many of her watercolors. When she’s not painting, look for her spinning around the dance floor at the St Aug Ballroom Dance Association. (Mar 09)

Patricia Fleming     Pat Flemings is a charter SAOS member who retired to Florida in 1990 after a nursing career in Michigan. She and husband Dave have about 15 orchids in their collection that stay outdoors all year except during the low-temp days. Pat and Dave love to travel, and they've been to Europe, the Med, all over the States, the Panama Canal and S. America (where Pat broke a shoulder in Brazil). Her shoulder mended so she’s ready for more travel, gardening and orchiding, not necessarily in that order! (May 09)

Rita Forte     Another of the 'Coquina Crossing Girls', Rita is originally from Lincoln, Rhode Island, where she was a credit manager. Rita and her husband moved to Elkton in 1996. Rita is a newcomer to orchids having received her first as a gift from a girlfriend. Now Rita has about 25, which she grows in the garden tub in the Master Bath in the winter and out on the lanai on ‘Orchid Trees’ when the weather is warmer. Her favorite orchid is a phalaenopsis that currently has 4 bloom spikes and buds ready to burst. We want to see pictures! (Mar 10)

Bill Gourley     Bill Gourley is the current SAOS Treasurer and former chief financial officer for a private corporation. A St. Aug native, Bill and wife Karen moved around a bit before coming back home to retire. Bill became interested in orchids in 2006 when he won a phalaenopsis. He grows his orchids in an enclosed pool area where plants are grouped by light requirements. He’s a good source of information on how to use the light meter. (Jun 08)

Mark Heilman     Mark Heilman traveled the world during his 36 years as a dentist in the Navy and then became a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and wrote software after which he and wife Sheila retired and settled in Orange Park. He got his first orchid in 2006 and then met Mike Heinz. That was the start of what Mark refers to as “the downfall”. Today he and Sheila have about a hundred orchids that they grow in a pool enclosure covered with shade cloth equipped with automatic sprinklers to handle timed watering.

Sheila Heilman     Sheila Heilman met husband Mark back in 1966 and they were engaged 10 days later. Sheila was a Navy psychologist for 20 years so she recognizes her orchid addiction and has no intention of joining a 12-step Program because this is one addiction she doesn’t want to break. She definitely has a creative tendency and besides orchids as a hobby, Sheila is an avid sewing machine embroiderer and also makes quilts.

Kaycee Heinz     Kaycee Heinz has been an invaluable asset to the SAOS with her experience setting up orchid exhibits. Perhaps we're benefiting from her experience as president of the Jacksonville Orchid Society. She and Mike retired to Glen St Mary in 1996 after Mike spent 30 years in the Navy and Kaycee raised two daughters and worked in a variety of managerial positions. Now she is an Avon rep when not helping Mike in the greenhouse, watching the grandkids or knitting. (May 08)

Mike Heinz     Mike Heinz got hooked on orchids in 1963 and then travelled the world after joining the Navy in 1966, now wishing that he brought back orchids from all the tropical ports of call. Mike and wife Kaycee’s orchid collection totals about 1600 plants, his favorites are his 300 plus bulbophyllums, mainly species; the rest are a mix of the strange and unusual, which Mike thinks complements his personality. (May 08)

Denise Henry     Denise Henry became interested in orchids after receiving one as a gift. Denise grows her orchids on the balcony of her condo on the beach, where she has lived since 1990. Evenings she teaches English to adults at First Coast Technical College. This keeps her from the monthly SAOS meetings, so she enjoys the weekend Keiki Club. She also enjoys ballroom dancing. (May 08)

Jack Higgins     Jack Higgins is a retired US Army artillery officer and Russian specialist that moved to St Augustine from St Louis. New things intrigue him and he enjoys immersing imself in things that interest him. Besides orchids, Jack likes bonsai and is looking for others who share this interest. You will like Jack. He will make you smile. (Apr 08)

Paul Jones     Paul Jones is the founder of SAOS starting the whole thing with a small blurb in the St. Augustine Record. Paul, a native of St Augustine, is a civilian Management Analyst for Uncle Sam, working with intragovernmental contracts. Paul and wife Teddie have formed their own company, Orchidea, which they plan to further develop after retirement. (Apr 08)