President: Norm Summers
Vice President: Steve Sanders
Secretary: Lisa Martin
Treasurer: Mike Blake
C.K. Carlson (3 years)
George Gray (2 years)
Tom Howard (1 year)
Frank Kohn (1 year)
Bill Watkins (Affliate 1 year)
| Officers: President: Norm Summers Vice President: Steve Sanders Secretary: Lisa Martin Treasurer: Mike Blake | Board Members: C.K. Carlson (3 years) George Gray (2 years) Tom Howard (1 year) Frank Kohn (1 year) Bill Watkins (Affliate 1 year) |
| Next Meeting: Monday, September 13, 2004 7:00pm at the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave. Program: Swap Meet. New Members and Guests Wanda Sterling re-joined Green Country Bonsai. Wanda was a member several years ago, but took a break from Bonsai'ing. Welcome back, Wanda. Justin Beckwith joined us as a guest, but indicated his intention of joining at the next meeting. As usual with guests, Justin tried to sit back and observe, but we didn't let him. He got his hands dirty making pots, just like the rest of us. Hope you enjoyed your visit, Justin! We look forward to seeing you at the September meeting. Member's Workshop (This month's Guest Newsletter Editor wasn't able to attend the workshop, so he's solicited information from some of the other members. Hopefully credit cited for members is correct.) New member Andre Chenault brought a promising Dwarf Yaupon Holly that he worked on with member's input and suggestions. He also brought an interesting succulent from which he shared cuttings with the some of the members. Another new member, Brent Phillippe worked on air-layering a Brush Cherry. Might have been the same one he brought to August's meeting. If so, it looked very professional. What else would you expect from a school teacher? Brent also worked on a Fukion Tea. Good luck, Brent - - Maybe you'll join that group of Bonsai enthusiasts that can keep Fukion Tea's alive. They look at me and start dieing. Bill Watkins worked on his Buttonwood. That doesn't sound quite right. Maybe I should have said he was working on his Buttonwood Tree. Whatever the case, it was well groomed at the end of the day. Showmaster Dan Bonnett demonstrated his talent on a miniature Pine. This gives me a perfect opportunity to make a shameless plug to remind everybody to start planning their exhibitions for the upcoming Fall Bonsai Show. Please see further information later in this newsletter. As usual, Charles Sitter was generous in helping the newer members. In fact, Charles didn't even bring anything to work on, but used his time helping others. It's because of the generosity of members like Charles and Mike Flanagan that our Member's Workshop's are successful. Member's News Chuck Cockman was in the hospital for bypass surgery on his left side. Talked to Chuck today, He advises he's up and hobbling around. Has a great scar to show from his knee to his bellybutton. He advises the girls he'll show you his, if the girls will show him theirs. Chuck will go back in next week to be scheduled for a second round. He expects it will be the same type and complexity but on his right side. Did they do his left side first because he's such a left winger? Word is that Pat had to go back to work to get away from Chuck's sunny disposition. Last month Norm Summers offered his condolences to the nursing staff that would have to take care of Chuck. After some prodding, Chuck agreed to thank members for their well wishes. On a more serious note, many of you may not realize that Chuck Cockman is the donor of many of the plants that are raffled off each month. He says, it's because he has too many to take care of, but some of us suspect he's just a good guy that wants to share his love of Bonsai. I think I speak for all our members when I say we hope you're able to be at the September meeting. Blaine Imel announces he wishes to sell most of his Bonsai Trees and the decorative rocks he used so effectively to highlight his collection. Many of you will recall touring Blaine's gardens when he opened them to the public on his annual garden railroad tour. You may visit Blaine's gardens on Sunday afternoons, starting this Sunday, August 22nd to shop but the trees and rocks can't be removed until the fall, (probably after the first freeze). The little forests are made up of Alberta Spruce. There are Maples that are approximately two to three feet in height, as well as Mugo Pines. All of the trees are planted in the ground and as such can't be removed until after the first freeze. Rocks range in size from 50 pounds, up to a ton, both sandstone and limestone. Since the trees can't be disturbed, Blaine asks buyers of rock to also wait until after the first freeze before collecting any rocks they purchase. Blaine intends to limit the number of trees or rocks purchased by any one individual to three, to insure Green Country Bonsai Members and The Garden Railroaders have a good selection to chose from. Blaine will hold Open House every Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm. Blaine's garden is located at 6802 So. Florence Avenue; Tulsa. Call (918) 492-4156 for further information. You may enter the gardens from either side of the house. It is not necessary to call first, however he asks that your visit be limited to the 2 to 4 pm timeframe. |
5th World Bonsai Convention Norm reminded everyone that the 5th World Bonsai Convention will be held in Washington, D.C. May 28-31, 2005. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of us, who might not be able to attend this convention in Europe or Asia. This will also be a great opportunity to visit the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum maintained at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. This editor has visited the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum and found it very exciting and inspirational. C.K. Carlson has already made his reservations and has requested additional information packets that he hopes to have available at the September meeting. Apparently the hotel rooms are going quick. C.K. has agreed to act as our information source for those interested in attending this convention. You may also visit their website @ www.bonsaiwbff.org/wbc5/main.htm. August Meeting Program The August program was advertised as pot making. After participating and watching the other members, I think it might have been entitled "reliving our happy childhood memories". Turn 50 adults loose with lumps of clay and get out of the way. Mike Flanagan did his best to keep us focused on the serious job of molding Bonsai Pots, but creativity and child-like or childish behavior took over. You could see the wistful and far-away looks in everyone's eyes as the assembled 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 year olds started remembering their kindergarten and pre-school days of playing with modeling clay. All the things you learned that you couldn't do as an adult suddenly disappeared and our creativity took over. I don't think anyone was caught eating the clay, but just about everything else that could be done with it, was. Not only were unusual and attractive pots created, but there was even a mudman and turtles molded, similar to some of the pre-historic Mexican statues. Mike Flanagan is taking all our clay creations to be fired. They should be available for pick-up at the September meeting. Fall Bonsai Show Mark your calendars for the Fall Bonsai Show November 6th and 7th. Dan Bonnett staged a great show for us in the Spring, so let's help him make the upcoming show, even better. Don't know what type of help Dan's needing for the Fall Show, but expect that he'll be covering it at the September 13th meeting. Last fall's show was a little sparse in trees, even though the public participation was good. The number and variety of trees exhibited is critical to the success of the show. The new members are particularly encouraged to exhibit something. It may not be the best example of a Bonsai, but it takes all kinds of Bonsai to make a show. If the only trees the public ever sees are masterpieces, it may well discourage would-be Bonsai'ers. While many of us will never have trees intrinsically as good as Peter Aradi's, Chuck Cockman's or Roy Hayes'. We still can take pride in our grooming skills and maintenance of our trees. Dan had it way too easy at the Spring Show, Let's make him really work to properly display the abundance of trees we bring him to exhibit at the Fall Show. Roy Nagatoshi Workshop Sign-up Sheets will be available at the September meeting for the Roy Nagatoshi workshops, October 30th and 31st. As usual there will sessions on both the morning and afternoon of each day. Each session will be limited to 8 participants. The fee will again be $50.00 per session. You may sign-up for consecutive sessions if you want to participate in a full day's workshop. Participants will bring their own trees and tools. Remember that Roy Nagatoshi is a great evangelist for sanitation. He recommends you dip all your tools in a Lysol solution BEFORE working on your trees. Jars of Lysol solution will be provided, but you may want to bring cleaning and oiling supplies for your tools when you finish. Please visit "http://greencountrybonsai.org/nagatoshi.html" for further information and Roy's biography. Members are asked to pay for their workshop participation at the October meeting. At the Ben Oki Workshop, we denied space to several potential participants because members had reserved space, but didn't attend. If in doubt, reserve a spot but indicate that it is tentative. If the session fills up, we'll check with you to confirm you're attending. Non-members will be allowed to participate in this workshop, AFTER members are accommodated. Upcoming Events October 4th --Program To Be Announced October 30th & 31st--Roy Nagatoshi Workshop November 1st--Regular meeting: Bonsai Styling by Roy Nagatoshi November 6th & 7th--Fall Bonsai Show December 6th--Annual Christmas Dinner |