The picnic has come and gone and it was a great success. Mary and Joe Kayata did a tremendous job getting it all together. We also celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a great time. A special thanks to Sr Mary DePazzi, John Carroll, Chris Daeger, Doug Hawley, Rick Kandelson and Dave Radlinki for trees and items they donated for the raffle. The raffle winners went away with some great prizes.

The format for this year is different, Three of our experience members Doug Hawley, Tom McCormack and Doris Reasonover will speak on different types of trees. Doug will talk about Conifers, Tom will discuss the care of Azaleas and Doris will speak on Deciduous trees. This is a great opportunity to get questions answered on each tree species. The Morris Midget Boxwood Jim Doyle styled for his demo will be raffled off. It looks like it will be a great specimen for some lucky member.

This is a very important event for the club, it is our primary fund raiser. The national speakers brought to the club, cost on average a thousand dollars each. The society feels exposure to this level of bonsai artist is key to learning about design and gaining first hand information on a variety of trees. For this reason the bigger this event is the better for all of us. So all are encouraged to participate, especially in purchasing the materials available. Trees and other bonsai items can be donated to the club or members can sell their material and donate 10% of the proceeds to the club. There will be a silent auction going on for some of the bigger specimens. Earmark some of your materials for the sale to make this a great time for everyone. The meeting room will be opened at 6:30 to start receiving materials. The room will be available for members to view the material until 7:00. Purchasing will start after a short business meeting is held in the library. Bring that buying attitude and plenty of cash with you.

Dan, formally educated in forestry, is driven and obsessed to create bonsai. He has a paper published challenging the perpetuation of the "One-Two-Three-Triangle" design concept with his "Focal Point Bonsai Design". He has a lot of ideas that will give us all some food for thought. Dan is an advocate of the use of power tools to help create the illusion of age. He is a tremendous talent, don’t miss this opportunity to learn.

Michael is an outstanding talent. He is an extensively published author, appearing in Bonsai Today and numerous international magazines. He has been selected to headline along with Salvatore Liporace and Sandro Segneri (from Italy) at the French Bonsai Congress in Rouen, France in September. He is hoping to have pictures of his demonstration available for our meeting. Michael is the advocate of Superfeeding bonsai and there is an article about his methods in Bonsai Today #71.

The show is held in Glenco, Ill about ten miles north of Chicago at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. There are no registration fees. Workshops are available and there will be a lot of venders also. I am trying to get more details. Several of our members have attended. Jim Amiot and Dan Faught may be able to supply you with more information.

Roxanne O’Bryon is the show co-chairperson. Thanks so much for stepping forth. The show has been extended an extra day this year. Our location may be moved to put us more in the flow of traffic. The Horticultural Society is trying to make this a grand event for the area. Findlay Market has been asked to set up a market place for a day. A local boat dealer is willing to provide boats to be in a dry dock decorated with flowers. As in the past two shows, I am confident of an outstanding display once again. Mark it on your calendars since we will be asking for your help.

October 20 - 21, 2001

This is our annual fall display. It is another opportunity to get the Art of Bonsai out in the public eye, to stimulate interest and attract new members to the society. Reserve these days to help out if possible.