PITTSBURGH BONSAI SOCIETY

 

...to disseminate knowledge, encourage others, and create interest in the art of bonsai

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MARCH 2001 NEWSLETTER

Donna Ramsey, Editor ramseydo@home.com

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Notice of regular monthly meeting:

March 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Phipps Garden Center
1059 Shady Avenue, Mellon Park

Tree Workshop!

B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Tree)

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to bring a tree from your collection that could benefit from some professional guidance. Or you're welcome to come and merely observe. This meeting will also give you a taste of what can be accomplished at the Swissvale classes. (Refer to the ANNOUNCEMENTS section on page 3 for details) Bonsai supplies will be available for sale (soil, wire, tools and a variety of pots).

We hope you can join us.

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Meeting Dates for 2001

Mark your calendars:

January 17

Photographs of Trip to Japan

February 21

Bonsai Video

March 28

Tree Workshop

April 20, 21

Lecture and Workshop

May 23

The Zen of Seeing Trees

June 1,2,3

Spring Bonsai Show

July 18

Ikebana demonstration

August 18

Bonsai Flea Market & Picnic

Sept. 19

Speaker from Japan

Oct. 12,13

Stone Appreciation & CollectingTrip

Nov. 15

Don Gould-Bonsai Pots & More

Dec.13

Christmas Party

Please send your renewal dues now for the new year 2001!

To join or renew your membership, send your dues to: Pittsburgh BONSAI Society c/o Michael Matic, Treasurer, 3264 Langfitt Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

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Pittsburgh BONSAI Society Membership Application

Please make checks payable to: Pittsburgh BONSAI Society

Name:_______________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________

City and State:_______________________________ Zip:______________

Phone: Home______________________Work_______________________

Individual $18.00 _____ *New Member _____

Family $32.00 _____ Renewing Member _____

*How did you hear about us?______________________________________

Memberships make great gifts for someone special!

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Have you visited our award-winning website?

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Thanks to Tim Ryan and Bob Grealish our site is brimming with information on bonsai...for example...Species specific care guidelines for our growing area by Keith Scott, sources of supplies in the Tri-state area, and links to other bonsai sites!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Newsletter Information and Copies

To make an announcement or contribution, or request that a newsletter copy be sent to someone interested in learning about the society, please contact Donna Ramsey at ramseydo@home.com.

From Bob Grealish: Japan 2000 CDROM

Bob Grealish is making available a CDROM with about 800 pictures from Japan. These are mostly pictures of bonsai but also include pots, stones, Zen gardens and other objects of interest to PBS members. The pictures are high resolution (2048 X 1536 X 24 bit) files. The disk includes a free picture viewing program Bob wrote which can be used for sorting your digital pictures as well, a freeware screen saver program that can turn pictures into a screen saver, and other goodies on the disk. The cost is $20 to members. If you would like a disk, please email Bob at grealish@attbi.com and he will bring your disk to the next meeting.

Spring Bonsai Show What tree (or trees) will you bring to the show? Start thinking about it now...maybe even bring it to the March meeting if you could use some help in preparing it for the show. What a great idea!

 

 

Swissvale Classes The best things in life are free! And that means the Swissvale classes! As you may know, these free classes are conducted by Keith Scott and arranged by Anna Clark every week at the Swissvale Library located at Monogahela & McClure Avenues. Seeking bonsai guidance? Bring a tree you need help with, or learn by simply watching someone else being helped with their tree...everyone is welcome, experienced or novice. Classes begin again on Tuesday, March 20th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bonsai Reference Material is available to you at every monthly meeting. Members, old and new, please take advantage of this opportunity to use valuable resources that are included with your membership!

PITTSBURGH BONSAI SOCIETY

OFFICERS for 2001:

President

Bob Grealish

 

Vice President

Mark Wazenegger

MWazenegger@aol.com

Recording Secretary

Ed Kale

 

Corresponding Sec.

Donna Ramsey

ramseydo@home.com

Treasurer

Michael Matic

 

BOARD MEMBERS for 2001:

Spring Show Chair.

George Herbel

Publicity Chairman

Ralph Dukstein

Education Chairman

Keith Scott

Past President

Mark Wazenegger

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATORS:

Webmaster

Tim Ryan

tlryan@ccia.com

Website Content

Bob Grealish

grealish@attbi.com

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Do you know me?

Norbert Pietrzak became interested in bonsai in 1963. "I was looking through some Japanese books and became interested in the trees." In the early years of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society (PBS) Norbert's interest was fueled primarily by Mrs. Berryman, an active member. "There were only about 25 members back then." Lynn R.Perry from Erie ,who learned from Mr. Murata, also had a big influence.

Norb has served as President of PBS and also served on the Board of Directors of the American Bonsai Society. He has conducted workshops and was instrumental in bringing to Pittsburgh some well-known bonsai artists such as Mr. Naka and Mr.Yokamura in the early years of PBS.

He participates in every Spring Show. "I have about 75 trees now. Of course, my favorite is the Zelkova--the Japanese Elm. I got it in Japan back in 1963."

Best Advice: "Have patience; don't be discouraged. I've had trees die and I still don't know why!"

Learn more about other members in the next newsletter...

see you at the meeting!

It is the first mild day of March.
Each minute sweeter than before...
There is a blessing in the air...
William Wordsworth