PITTSBURGH BONSAI SOCIETY ...to disseminate knowledge, encourage others, and create interest in the art of bonsai ============================================================================= HOVEMBER 2002 NEWSLETTER Donna Ramsey, Editor ============================================================================= As the Native Americans say, "Tor-Cheney-Nahana" when (loosely) translated it means "Prepare, for winter is coming". So we hope you will join us... "Winter Care for Bonsai", as Keith Scott would say! Wednesday, November 20th at 7 p.m. Phipps Garden Center Shady Avenue near Fifth Avenue Types of housing? timing? spraying? plant identification? (if you are not sure about some of the plants you have in your collection you are encouraged to bring them or maybe a leaf from each one), watering? take wire off or leave it on? What should I do with all my free time? We will discuss many aspects of winter care. Bring your questions.... and then let it snow! __________________________________________________________________ In this issue PBS Election Night.........November 20th...details on page 2 Christmas Dinner...........Mark your calendars for Dec. 18th, page 2 You don't know what you've got til it's gone.........details on page 2 (Hint: Pittsburgh was the only one doing it!) Do You Know Me?........Profiles of our Nominees.......... page 3 __________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome new members! Colleen Scanlon and Louise Means Weekly Bonsai Classes in Swissvale will end with the November 19th class. We are not aware of any other Bonsai Club in the United States that offers a free weekly class that assists members with their own trees on an individual basis. What the Pittsburgh Club offered was unique. These classes were well received by our members and were considered a valuable component of our Education Committee. They would not have been possible without Keith Scott conducting the classes and Anna Clark arranging for the free utilization of our room at the library. It is said that one of the most valuable things one can give is the gift of time... well, Keith and Anna, please accept our sincere thanks for all the time and effort you two put into providing these classes for us...thank you! Election Night November 20th for Officers We will hold our annual election for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary. If you are interested in serving as an officer, or would like to know about the duties please call or e-mail Donna Ramsey 412-967-0235 ramseydo@attbi.com (You may also call to inquire about the Standing Committees for next year... Spring Show Chairman, Publicity Chairman, and Education Chairman.) Christmas Dinner December 18th From Claudia Shields: "A totally new concept for our annual Christmas Dinner. This year we will be gathered at Del's Restaurant at 4428 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield on Wednesday December 18th at 7 p.m. The restaurant is located one block from the Bloomfield Bridge. The cost per person is $16 including tip and gratuity. The dinner will begin with hors d'oeuvres and be accompanied by a side dish, bread, salad, coffee or iced tea. A delicious dessert will top off the evening. (Other beverages can be paid for in cash.) I will need a reply with your check and food selection by December 10th. Please make checks payable to the "Pittsburgh Bonsai Society". A reminder will be sent the first of December. Sorry, there can be no refunds after December 14th. We hope you will put this on your calendar and join the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society for a holiday celebration. Any questions call 412-793-8047." Claudia Shields 1560 Loretta Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: _____ Lasagna Address: _____ Angel Hair with Marinara Phone: _____ Egg Plant Parmigiana _____ Chicken Parmigiana _____ Fish (Fried or Broiled) Amount$________ __________________________________________________________________ Do you Know Me? Tom Weigold "After raising and hybrydizing Phalaenopsis Orchids for 10-12 years, I became interested in doing some experimental growing of trees. This included special growing systems, growing media and the innoculation with mycorrhizae fungus. My desire for bonsai was kind of a side effect of the tree growing and a continuation of the growing of trees in the opposite extreme. I also enjoy learning all the techniques of bonsai presented at our meetings. Wish I had the time to pursue it more deeply, but then I would become a fanatic." Jay Miller watched a May Market bonsai demonstration 11 years ago, concluding he would never have the patience for this hobby. Phipps referred him to the Society's classes in 1999. Three years and 22 trees later, he finds that bonsai breeds patience! Michelle Matic has been a member for about six years. She joined to find out why her Valentine's Day bonsai gift was dying. Now she and Michael have 262 trees! [Editor's note: Does anyone share my amazement at how one incident can have such an impact on one's life journey...what if Michael had, instead, purchased the usual chocolates or roses for Michelle?] Michell's favorite trees are the Japanese Maple and Larch. Besides her interest in bonsai, she is an excellent cook, a student, and student computer instructor. Bob Dietz joined the Society in 2000. "I've always like the outdoors...the plants' and trees' shapes and structures...that is why I am interested in bonsai. My favorite tree is the False Cypress I worked on at the Swissvale classes." Norbert Pietrzak became interested in bonsai in 1963. "I was looking through some Japanese books and became interested in the trees." Norbert was one of the members in the early years of the Society, as it was founded in 1957. He has served as President of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society 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. Okamura in the early years of PBS. He participates in every Spring Show. He has about 75 trees, the Zelkova is his favorite. He got it in Japan back in 1963. Norbert's advice: "Have patience; don't be discouraged. I've had trees die and I still don't know why!" ___________________________________________ As this is my last full-length newsletter to you, may I take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed being your newsletter lady...I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! ...see you at the meeting! "Luo Ye Gui Gen" (falling leaves return to their roots) ------ Chinese