Minutes of the September 10

Minutes of the September 10, 2017 meeting of the Michiana Bonsai Study

Present: Larry Benjamin, Cody Chilson, John Deguara, John DeMaegd and Mary Hesser

Location: Home of John DeMaegd

Refreshments: John DeMaegd

Program:

Initially, we took a tour of John's trees. We then relaxed in his sunroom, enjoyed refreshments, and discussed ways that our club could improve.

First, it was agreed to make some changes to our schedule. Next year (2018), we will meet from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on the first Sunday of the months of Feb., March, May, June, September, Oct. and Nov. We will meet on the second Sunday of April (the 8th) since Easter is on the first Sunday. Our July activity will be to join the Ft. Wayne club at their auction & picnic. Our August activity will be the Chicago show. The Michigan All-State Show will still be an activity in May but we will hold our own meeting that month as well.
Secondly, we agreed that another way that we can grow as bonsai artists is through attendance at exhibits and conferences. Two of these will be held this coming weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Ft. Wayne club will be hosting a show at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street, Ft. Wayne 46802, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Awards will be given in 12 separate categories.

The next day, Sunday, Sept. 17, there will be an exhibit at Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 Monroe Road, Tipton, Michigan, 49287, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. In addition to the exhibit, there will be vendors and Learning Sessions.

Looking ahead, we highly recommend that you attend the 51st American Bonsai Society Convention April 19 - 22 in Collinsville, Illinois (just outside of St. Louis). To check out the schedule of events as well as register, go to www.absbonsai.org.

Lastly, in order to let those interested in bonsai know that we exist, we will be exploring possibilities for several exhibits of our own in 2018. We will let you know more of these as the information becomes available.