Dear Members,
As we look back on 2025, we closed the year with a wonderful holiday celebration at Larry Magee’s home in Wayne, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 12. We are truly grateful to Larry for generously hosting this festive gathering for the second year in a row. It was a pleasure to spend time together over good food and conversation, and the White Elephant gift exchange, as always, brought plenty of laughs and surprises. Larry also donated a beautifully crafted bonsai turntable as a door prize, which I was fortunate to win.
Looking ahead, we have a strong program planned for our February meeting. We will feature a video presentation of James Keith critiquing trees displayed during our 2025 DA Show. This will be a valuable opportunity for members and artists to gain insight and refine their bonsai skills. Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The meeting will also include a Bonsai 101 presentation on soil and repotting preparation by Linda Camp.
Details about other upcoming monthly programs will be shared in future letters. Please note that our board elections will take place at the March 2026 meeting. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in the election process. A list of candidates will be shared separately.
We are also excited about the special events planned for 2026, including:
1. The Silhouette Show – Saturday and Sunday, February 21–22, 2026, at the Morton Arboretum (Sycamore Room).
2. The Annual Picnic – Sunday, June 14, 2026, North Pavilion at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL.
3. The DA Show – July 31 through August 2, 2026, at the Morton Arboretum (Sycamore Room).
4. A Riverwalk outing in Naperville – mid-summer (dates to be announced).
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your passion and involvement are what make our society vibrant and rewarding. I look forward to another great year of learning, sharing, and enjoying bonsai together.
Best regards,
Badar Zulqarni
President
Prairie State Bonsai Society
