NABF Newsletter
#5
Feature #1
Congratulations to Jerry Meislik (Northwest Region Editor)
and Dennis Howke (Northwest Region Assistant Editor) for producing,
in this 5th issue of the NABF Newsletter, a powerful testament
to the strength and vibrancy of the bonsai community in the
Northwest Region. These articles detail the development --
at both the organizational and the individual level -- of
the art of bonsai in the Northwest over the last half century.
They cast an eye on the past and offer inspiring information
and bonsai tips for the future. Together, the articles provide
an intimate yet wide-angle view of what is happening in the
exciting bonsai world of the Northwest.
The purpose of this periodic Newsletter is to highlight the
art of bonsai as it is being practiced today in the various
regions of North America. By doing so, the North American
Bonsai Federation intends to pay tribute to the bonsai pioneers
who have made our present enjoyment of this art form possible,
and to encourage each region of North America to expand the
circle of those who enjoy and appreciate bonsai. As the Japanese
bonsai master Saburo Kato noted in founding the World Bonsai
Friendship Federation, by promoting the art of bonsai we can
foster international friendship, good will and peace.
In the premier issue of this Newsletter, we celebrated the
life and influence of the legendary John Naka(http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter1/newsletter1index.htm).
In the three issues that followed the premier issue, we focused
attention on the Southwest Region (http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter2/newsmain.htm),
the Northeast Region(http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter3/main.htm),
and the North Central Region(http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newsletter4/newsletter4main.htm).
The next issue after this one will offer a look at the Canadian
Region.
By the time of the 5th World Bonsai Convention to be held
in Washington, D.C. on May 28-31, 2005, we expect that the
Newsletter will have reported on every region of North America
at least once. For the latest update on the 2005 convention,
see Feature # 13.
In this issue, Jane Nelson remembers (in Feature # 2) the
bonsai leaders of the Northwest whose creative energies fueled
the expanding interest in bonsai in the region and laid the
foundation for the creation of the Puget Sound Bonsai Association.
Lynn Boyd poetically describes (in Feature # 3) how a passion
for bonsai has transformed the life of one bonsai vendor --
Diane Lund -- whom Lynn has observed from Diane's first sale
of a bonsai many years ago (which sale happened to be to Lynn)
up to the present time, when "a whole bonsai community
[has] developed around [Diane's] enthusiasm." Sharon
Muth recounts (in Feature # 4) her own story of how she beat
the odds and built Bonsai Northwest into a successful, and
still growing, bonsai business, which is now being continued
by her son, John Muth.
This issue introduces (in Feature # 11) a new club in the
central area of Utah -- the Wasatch Bonsai Society. This club
recently put on a show that attracted over 1,500 visitors!
There are 2 articles on one of our most talented and innovative
bonsai artists: Dan Robinson. Before his creation of Elandan
Gardens, few had the opportunity to marvel at the amazing
presence of his masterpiece bonsai collection. But now visitors
to the magical Elandan Gardens -- described by Dan's wife
Diane in Feature # 5 -- can experience Dan's talents as both
a bonsai master and a visionary landscape designer. His primer
on the collectable Northwest trees in Feature # 12 condenses
a fount of unparalleled knowledge by one of the greatest bonsai
collectors.
(BTW, watch for the publication in the near future on the
WBFF section of this website of the fascinating story of the
Japanese collectors of Shimpaku junipers -- kindred spirits
of Dan Robinson.)
As the Northwest Region is home to one of the finest public
bonsai collections in the world, this issue has 3 articles,
two (Features # 6 and 7) describing the Pacific Rim Bonsai
Collection and its history, and the third (Feature # 8) by
its Curator, Dave De Groot. In Feature # 7, Sharon Muth writes
a fascinating account of her efforts to put together the first
50 trees in the Collection, revealing how much dedication
was involved. Dave's article on the Pacific Yew in Feature
# 8 offers insightful advice on why this is one of the best
native trees for bonsai cultivation.
Included in this issue are 2 additional articles providing
very useful information on particular species. John Carleton
Jr. speaks (in Feature # 9) from his extensive experience
-- and that of his teacher, Tatemori Gondo of El Dorado Bonsai
School -- about growing Satsuki azaleas in the Northwest,
offering a wealth of cultural information that can be generally
applied. Our Editor and Montana resident, Jerry Meislik suggests
3 species of Montana white pines for use in bonsai, providing
information on their natural habitat and helpful tips on their
bonsai cultural requirements.
You can see that there is a huge amount of valuable information
in this issue. I hope you enjoy it.
Felix Laughlin
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