SUISEKI- The Oriental Art of Stone Appreciation!

involves the collection, preparation and appreciation of certain unaltered naturally formed stones -found in streams, deserts, beaches-anywhere the forces of time and nature may have temporarily deposited them.

Today stones of great beauty are set on stands to suggest objects closely associated with nature, such as distant mountains, soaring cliffs, islands and caves. Our presentation will include stones from the collections of some of our members...

We hope you can join us!

We greatly appreciate your donated bonsai items for our monthly meeting raffle! Please call Mark Wazenegger if you would like to donate items you no longer want.

Bring a tree to a meeting and receive an extra door prize ticket; and if you bring the type of tree being discussed you'll receive two tickets...wow!

To join, send your dues to: Pittsburgh BONSAI Society

c/o D.G. Ramsey 103 Dogwood Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Orphan Trees: A tree (or two) was left behind after the Spring Show in June and we understand some kind soul has been caring for them and waiting for someone to claim them. The owner is Barbara Hammond, but since we have no phone number for her please contact Donna Ramsey to arrange for the return of the trees. (Thanks for retrieving and watering them whoever you are!)

Swissvale Classes-The best things in life are free! And that means the Swissvale classes. These Tuesday evening classes begin on September 11th and run until November 13th. As you may know, these free classes are conducted by Keith Scott and arranged by Anna Clark every week from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Swissvale Library located at Monongahela & 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.

Election of Officers: If you are interested in serving as an officer of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society, or would like to find out more about the opportunities, please contact Bob Grealish at 412-782-4919 or grealish@attbi.com

Do you know me?

Bob Grealish has been a Pittsburgh Bonsai Society member for 15 years.
"As a kid I remember being interested in bonsai trees; and then the interest resurfaced when Rose bought a set of bonsai tools for me one Father's Day! I got a few plants to tinker with at a nursery...then bought a tree while at a conference in California and finally joined PBS because I was very interested in the art of bonsai at that point."

"I've traveled to China and Japan purely for bonsai, also Italy, and I've gone to bonsai shops in ten different states in this country; also collected trees in the Rockies, up and down the Eastern Seaboard, Louisiana and all over Pennsylvania. I think that's it." [Editor's note: That old saying, I'd walk a mile for a bonsai tree does not do justice in Bob's case!] Bob has about 90 to 100 trees in pots and a bunch of things in the ground. His favorite species is the Korean Hornbeam.

Bob's advice to beginners: "Sign up to be an officer of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society" [Just kidding, that was really an Editor's note!] Bob advises, "To avoid boredom have at least 12 trees. And have one really good tree, maybe one you've purchased that someone more knowledgeable has worked on. This one will keep you inspired." Bob adds, "For seasoned bonsai enthusiasts- stop and look at the tree without thinking of the rules you've learned. Let the tree and the visual impact come through without analyzing it too much." What has bonsai taught you, Bob? "Appreciation of beauty and aesthetics. I see things from different perspectives. Practicing bonsai has helped me to better understand how people think, and more importantly, how I think."

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

see you at the meeting!