Dear Members,
Our general meeting on October 2, 2024, featuring the Iron Bonsai competition between three experienced artists, Phil Malhoit, Larry Magee, and Elle Nieto-Brodnick, was a tremendous success. Each artist styled a raw Shimpaku Juniper tree in under two hours, and the results were impressive. Members voted, with one tree receiving 14 votes as the top choice, while the other two tied for second place with 11 votes each. All three beautifully styled trees, along with other items, were raffled off, and we saw record participation in the raffle!
Due to delays in firing, the pots made by members during the workshop on September 11, 2024, were not available last month. However, they should be ready for distribution at our next general meeting on November 6, 2024.
In November, we will have a special lecture on over-wintering bonsai trees. Learning how to properly care for your trees during Chicago’s harsh winter is essential, so I encourage everyone to attend and gain valuable insights on keeping hardy and semi-hardy trees healthy through the season.
We’re already planning next year’s special events, including the Silhouette Show in February 2025, the Picnic in June 2025, the DA Show in August 2025, and a River Walk in Naperville in mid-summer (date TBD).
Lastly, we’ll celebrate the holiday season at Larry Magee’s home in Wayne, IL on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. We are grateful to Larry for graciously hosting this event 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
