Dear Members,
The club picnic held on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Cantigny Park was a delightful event attended by many of our members. We enjoyed excellent weather, delicious grilled food, and the company of fellow bonsai enthusiasts. Our guest artist, Chris Baker, the Bonsai Curator at the Chicago Botanic Garden, styled a Black Pine which was raffled off. Chris also generously shared his expertise with members, offering valuable advice on their trees.
The general meeting on July 10, 2024, was highly informative. It focused on preparing our trees for the Destination Asia Show, scheduled for August 2-4, 2024, at Morton Arboretum. Phil Malhoit demonstrated the intricacies of pairing trees with stands and accent plants, providing members with insightful tips. The meeting saw a commendable turnout from PSBS members. Special acknowledgments go to Phil Malhoit for his insightful demonstration on the details of showing trees.
We held three raffles during the meeting. The first was a continuation of the Black Pine styled by Chris Baker at the picnic. The second raffle featured a spruce tree styled by Mauro Stemberger, wired by Larry Magee and Mark Karczewski. This tree was originally won by Larry Magee during the June General Meeting on June 5, 2024, and he generously donated it back to the club. The third raffle included a Ficus tree, a Yew tree in a training pot, books, and magazines.
The Destination Asia Show at Morton Arboretum is scheduled for Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All members are encouraged to attend the show and participate in the workshops. We need volunteers to guide visitors and answer general questions during the show. Details about the show and related workshops are being sent by Craig Cronquist.
Thank you all for your continued support and involvement. Let’s keep nurturing our passion for bonsai and sharing it with the world. Your enthusiasm and dedication make our events successful and enjoyable.
Best Regards,
Badar Zulqarni
President, Prairie State Bonsai Society
