Spring has burst loose and look at the beauty of our world. Our winter was harsh and we are having one of the best displays of leafing out and flowers I have seen in years. My bonsai are looking excellent and appear healthier than I have seen them in some time. I, like everyone else have lost plants, but I hope none of your good bonsai met this end. Now is the time to turn up your efforts and do the necessary tasks that will enhance your bonsai. The last two programs at our meetings should provide information that can assist you in the process of producing an excellent bonsai. Now speaking of excellent bonsai, our show is nearing and I request that each of you provide one tree to the show display. Please complete the entry information before the next meeting and get it to James Baker or Marty Bostick. The reason for this request is to allow them time to make the display cards for your trees in the show. Remember this is our society’s Bonsai Show; Not any one person, everyone is requested to participate. When you are asked by Brian or Marge to help please step up and help.
I wish to thank all the volunteers that assisted at the BBG Spring plant sale, everyone worked hard but a special thanks to Jane and Charlotte for their efforts. The BBG has posted a $250,000.00 profit that supports the Gardens. Another important fact is our Bonsai society provided 224 volunteer hours this month that can be used in seeking grants by the gardens.
I am requesting your input on the programs using the Audio/Video equipment. How do you see this working better? If you wish to present a program, let Jack Pierce know so he can schedule your program. The best way to learn is to teach, because in the preparation for the program you also are exposed to new knowledge that you can now share with us. The more we share our knowledge the better our bonsai become. I am challenging each of you to provide a program for our society.
The workshop with Joe Day was well received by those who choose to participate. The best thing to come out of the workshop was the potential excellent bonsai that will be developed by our members. I am of the opinion that the workshops should be self sustaining. In the future when you sign up for a workshop be prepared to pay for the workshop at that time. The workshops are financed from the funds received from attendees. We depend on the received attendee funds to cover all the cost in having a workshop. I would like to add that Patty Melton, who usually has a stump after a workshop, had a well designed forest of shimpaku after her workshop. I hope more of our members will participate in the future. This is the board provided service for our members, but if we can not get enough participants, then the entire club bears the cost for the workshop. When we have another workshop show your pride in our society and please participate.
The Rendezvous at Brussels’ is coming up, I hope everyone has considered going to this event. I have planned to attend this year and I hope you have to.
Please bring a tree in development phase to the Bonsai meeting and be prepared to discuss what steps you plan to make in order to get the tree to the next level. This process helps everyone better understand our art form and if you are making a miss-step, the members can help you to get back on track. This is an excellent opportunity to share your knowledge about Bonsai. I enjoy hearing different approaches to a problem. I hope you will enjoy this information to.
See you at the meeting,
Oscar
