October 2018 Volume 19, Number 10 No October Meeting. (See page 4 for details) President s Message Do we ever stop learning about bonsai? I have heard many respected bonsai experts comment about something new they have recently learned. So I guess the answer to that question is NO, we never stop learning! One of the things I like the most about our community of bonsai lovers is that there is always an opportunity to see bonsai in a different light or to learn something in a different way, and at the level that has the most impact for our individual learning needs. Here are a few opportunities over the next few months: We will NOT have a formal meeting for October due to a conflict with the library. So the club will be taking a day trip to Heathcote Botanical Gardens, and will tour the private collection of James J. Smith, a legend in bonsai circles. Carpooling will be available. Heathcoat Botanical Gardens is always looking for volunteers to help maintain the permanent bonsai collection of James J. Smith. At our September club meeting, we prepared trees to be donated to Heathcoat as a fund raiser for their coffers. https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/garden-rooms/james-j-smith-bonsaigallery/ The annual multiclub family picnic & auction Saturday, November 10, 2018, 10am-4pm at F. Burton Smith Regional Park (on 520 in West Brevard County, 7575 W. King St, Cocoa, Fl). Sponsored by BSOB, 4 other local clubs participate. Great opportunity to obtain a species you have never had, and to learn the nuances of its care. The Bonsai Society of Florida s (BSF) bimonthly online blog/magazine. Always interesting and filled with information that highlights the happenings of Florida Clubs (included in your annual membership). Our own Rob Kempinski is the new Editor. 1
The biennial Nationals just wrapped up another exemplary event in Rochester, NY. The best of the best were on display and a handful of our very own BSOB members were selected to participate. What a coup for our club! Those members are experts in the art of bonsai and serve as excellent resources for us, never failing to share their wisdom and experience with those of us who are not as far along on our bonsai journey. If you would like to purchase a commemorative album, they are available here: http://www.usnationalbonsai.com Our very own website is alive and well, thanks to Cosette Kelley. It s full of opportunities with our own club and with other clubs. Check it out and if you have suggestions or things to add, including photos, see Cosette. http://www.bonsaisocietyofbrevard.com Our monthly online newsletter helps keep us all on the same page, and Dennis Reilly puts a lot of effort into it, with some help from Jane Mandeville. Thanks Dennis! He always welcomes feedback and ideas that will be timely and meaningful. Consider contributing your own article to share! Contact Dennis. Our monthly study group, every first Saturday, at Dr Reggie Perdue s house in Palm Bay, is a great way to get some one-on-one help from other members, and from Reggie himself. He is a wealth of knowledge and welcomes all members regardless of skill level. Just bring a tree, or join the group simply to watch what goes on. Watch for the monthly email reminder. North Brevard has a more impromptu study group, which is another great way for us Northerners to get help on something that otherwise makes us scratch our heads! Visiting artists are sponsored by BSF and we usually elect to participate in their tour. We recently hosted Rodney Clemons from Georgia, always an engaging artist who shares his expertise in a lighthearted manner. Thanks to Bruce Hartman for hosting Rodney s short stay with us. And of course our monthly meetings are the most consistent way to learn. Each meeting is a different topic, taught by a variety of artists. Dr. Reggie Perdue coordinates these meetings and welcomes suggestions. He does a great job of bringing variety to each meeting. If you have something you would like to be part of a meeting, let Reggie know. So if you feel you have stopped learning about bonsai, get busy! There are opportunities for all skill levels! Barb Hiser Cell 321-482-1666 2
From the Editor Dennis Reilly September s newsletter was canned for technical reasons (I finally resolved the inclusion of past minutes in the newsletter). Barbara had dedicated her message to the remembrance of 9/11. In that spirit, I am posting my painting of Ground Zero. I visited there last October with my wife and friends. Upon arrival, you see the granite walls defining the base of each Tower, etched with names of the departed. My eye caught a white object on the inclined wall surface (it was a white rose); I went to it and the name associated with the rose was Timothy Reilly. It was his birthday. Hairs stood up on my arms. I painted it for him. Hope you enjoy it. dennisreilly32@yahoo.com 321 271-9835 3
Upcoming Events Calendar BSOB Multiclub Picnic and Auction F Burton Smith Park Saturday November 10, 10am-4pm Bring a dish to share! Day Trip Heathcote Botanical Gardens Saturday 10/20 (in place of our regular meeting) Meet behind Starbucks on Palm Bay Road to carpool, just east of I-95 11:30 am Central Florida Bonsai Club 50 th Anniversary Holiday Party Sunday, December 16, 2018 (save the date!) See invitation for details. 4
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Heathcote Botanical Gardens It s about 1 hour to an hour and a half to Heathcote Gardens in Fort Pierce. Consider car-pooling. As luck would have it, Heathcote is hosting its 31 st Annual Garden Festival on Saturday. Free Admission. Go to https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/ for more information. Address for your GPS: 210 Savannah Road Ft. Pierce, Fl 6
Time: 9:00 am Date: Saturday October 20, 2018 through Sunday October 21, 2018 Location: Heathcote Botanical Gardens Address: 210 Savannah Rd, Fort Pierce, Florida 34982 Category: Fall Festivals & Halloween Join us at Heathcote for the 31st Annual Garden Festival. Mark your calendar! This year s event has been moved ahead since it conflicted with other festivals and our preparation for the Garden of Lights. Garden-Fest will include a variety of plant and flower vendors, garden supplies, garden arts & crafts, childrens activities, refreshments, demonstrations, entertainment and more. FREE ADMISSION You ll find an exceptional selection of plants: Exotics, natives, tropicals, palms, orchids, herbs, garden art and accessories offered by vendors from across the state, children s activities, food and more. Get advice, ask questions or stop by to chat. 7
Board of Directors Barbara Hiser, President 321-482-1666 bhiser@me.com, Reggie Perdue, Vice President Robert Mandel, MD, Secretary Bill Crabtree Membership Secretary 321-773-4563 Cosette Kelley, Treasurer Rob Kempinski, Zoo Exhibit 321-259-0832 rkempinski@cfl.rr.com Rob s Blog http://www.knowledgeofbonsai.org/rob_kempinski/ HANDY BONSAI WEBSITES http://www.bonsaisocietyofbrevard.org/ Has many links to Brevard Club Newsletters and bonsai tips for Florida bonsai. http://www.bonsai-bsf.com/ Bonsai Society of Florida. Good info on Fl. Bonsai. http://www.knowledgeofbonsai.org/rob_kempinski/ Our own Rob s website. Great articles & pics. http://www.knowledgeofbonsai.org/index.php Worldwide site with galleries and information. http://internetbonsaiclub.org/ Nice site with great galleries. http://www.jimsmithbonsai.com/index.htmlwccrabtree@cfl.rr.com http://www.artofbonsai.org/ The Art of Bonsai Project is an online journal and community for the examination and exploration of the bonsai art form. 8
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