Dear Members,
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the beauty of the season with your trees.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, we were invited by the Village of Downers Grove to participate in their first-ever Tapestry Multicultural Festival at Fishel Park. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to introduce the art of bonsai and our club to the general public and share our passion with new audiences. We were able to attract five (5) trial members.
At our September 10, 2025 general meeting, members brought in their challenging trees for guidance from more experienced members. The exchange of ideas, hands-on help, and shared learning made it an inspiring and memorable evening.
Our October 1, 2025 meeting featured the Iron Bonsai Competition between three talented artists — Linda Camp, Matt Mazza, and Jason Davids — and it was a tremendous success. Each artist styled a raw Shimpaku Juniper in under two hours, producing three unique and beautiful results. Members voted for their favorite, with one tree receiving 14 votes and the other two tying for second place with 11 votes each. All three trees, along with other items, were raffled off, and we saw great participation in the raffle!
Looking ahead, we have one more special event this year:
Holiday Party – Friday, December 5, 2025
Hosted by Larry Magee, at his home in Wayne, IL
These gatherings are a wonderful way to share our love of bonsai, celebrate the year’s accomplishments, and strengthen our community. I encourage everyone to join in and help make this event special.
Thank you, as always, for your enthusiasm and continued support. It’s your passion that keeps the Prairie State Bonsai Society vibrant and welcoming. Let’s finish 2025 by continuing to learn, grow, and share the beauty of bonsai together.
Warm regards,
Badar Zulqarni
President, Prairie State Bonsai Society
