Message from the President – December 2024

Dear Members,

Our general meeting on November 6, 2024, featuring a presentation and lecture by Jason Davids on overwintering bonsai trees, was very well received. I’m confident our members gained valuable insights into protecting our prized trees during Chicago’s harsh winters.

One of the trees styled during the DA Show was raffled off, along with other wonderful items donated by various members. Thank you to all who contributed to making this a fun and engaging event.

Due to firing delays, the pots created during the workshop on September 11, 2024, were not available for distribution last month. However, they are expected to be ready for our next general meeting on February 5, 2024. Thank you for your patience!

At the February meeting, we’ll have an exciting video presentation of Chris Baker and Jennifer Price-Svihla, offering critiques of trees displayed during our DA Show. This session will be an excellent opportunity for our members and artists to refine their skills and improve their bonsai.

We’re also planning an exciting lineup of special events for 2025, including:

1. The Silhouette Show on Saturday and Sunday, February 22 & 23, 2025.
2. The Annual Picnic on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
3. The DA Show in August 2025.
4. A River Walk in Naperville during mid-summer (dates TBD).

To close the year, we’ll celebrate the holiday season at Larry Magee’s home in Wayne, IL, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. We are incredibly grateful to Larry for graciously hosting this festive gathering for the second year in a row.

Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm. Let’s keep nurturing our passion for bonsai and sharing it with others. Your dedication is what makes our events successful and enjoyable!

Best regards,

Badar Zulqarni
President, Prairie State Bonsai Society