Last month's Spring Weekend was once again a great success. The display was very well done and had a wonderful selection of member trees. Everyone who helped should be commended for a their efforts. The final figures are not in yet, but it looks like the club will realize a profit of over $1,000, and we signed up about 20 new members. Many thanks to all of you who gave up a gorgeous weekend to help make it a success.
THIS MONTH'S MEETING:The July meeting will be held on Monday, July 21 at 7pm at the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center. (Please note the Monday meeting date.) Unfortunately, our scheduled speaker, Dave DeGroot, had to cancel and will not be able to join us for the July meeting. Instead, we will have another opportunity to work on the member trees. That's right folks, it's time for the ever popular "bonsai by committee" workshop. It's a good opportunity for the new members to get their hands dirty and meet some of the older members in an informal venue and to begin to experience first hand some of the techniques used to style and train bonsai. We hope to see you there.
NEXT MONTH'S PICNIC:It's that time of the year again, when the planning committee gets to take a month off and not have to schedule a program. Instead, we will be getting together on Sunday, August 3 at the David L. Lawrence pavilion in Schenley Park for the annual picnic. The picnic will start at 4pm and continue till dusk or until everyone leaves, whichever comes first. As usual, the Society will provide the main course and soft drinks (although we do have a liquor permit, so if you'd like to bring alcoholic beverages, feel free), while each member is asked to bring something to add to the table. This year, members whose last names begin with A-I are to bring a dessert, J-Q a starch (potato salad, pasta salad, rice dish, etc), and P-Z a veggie of some sort (casserole, salad, etc).
To get to the pavilion from the Phipps, take the Panther Hollow Bridge into Schenley Park (near the Botany Hall side of the Conservatory). Follow the signs to the Skating Rink and Schenley Oval. You will pass the Viet Nam Veterans pavilion, and just after the road makes a loop, the David L. Lawrence pavilion will be on the left, behind the Log Cabin. There are steps up to the pavilion in front of the cabin. Parking is on the road (it is one-way, so you may park on either side). Bring a lawn chair if you have one since the only seating is at the picnic tables. If you would like to volunteer to help with the preparations for the picnic, please call Rose Grealish at 782-4919. We will need several people to be there at about 2 to begin setting up.
There are many recreational opportunities within Schenley Park itself, including tennis courts and a swimming pool as well as several hiking trails. You may also want to come early and see the Bonsai Courtyard at the Phipps if you haven't been there lately. Family members and friends are welcome, so come and plan to make a day of it.
Recently, Carl Snyder, a long-time member of the club and husband of the late Ann Snyder donated over 100 of Ann's bonsai pots to the Society. The better pots will be auctioned at our annual auction, while the remainder will be used for workshops. We would like to thank Carl for his generous contribution to the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society