NABF Newsletter #6

Feature #2

Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario

(KW Bonsai Society)

Eldon Leis and Bill Williams started the society in November 1973 with the help of the Toronto Bonsai Club. Eldon’s five-year-old collection of plants and carefully crafted pots sparked a story in the Waterloo Chronicle. The interview caught Bill’s attention and he contacted Eldon. The two men, after advice from the Toronto group, arranged for a meeting space in Kitchener. Thirty-two people showed up for the first meeting, twelve people stayed to sign-up and the third bonsai club in Canada officially began.

The club’s purpose has always been to promote the art of bonsai and to educate anyone who was interested in the art. Over the years, knowledgeable members and visitors have presented many workshops, demonstrations and lectures on how to create beautiful bonsai. More than a few trips have been taken to places of interest to bonsai enthusiasts. Members have enjoyed exhibiting their creations in public; two highlights were the showings at the Kitchener Art Gallery and the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.

Eldon stated that the show at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo was the most beautiful bonsai show he had ever been to. The overhead spotlights perfectly highlighted the attributes of each tree. The show at the Centre in the Square in 1996 was also wonderful. Two thousand visitors attended. Eldon said the catered event was so classy he felt like he “should have been wearing a tuxedo”.

Eldon and Jeannie Leis have been a lifeline of the society; however, they would be the first to say that it has been a group effort to keep the society growing and vital. They are the only founding members still actively participating in the society.

Currently we have thirty-seven congenial members who meet on the third Wednesday of each month (except July, August and December) at the Adult Recreation Centre in Waterloo (our home for many years). At each meeting an activity is arranged that will enhance the members’ skills in the art of bonsai. We have been taught how to hone and care for our tools, how to make hypertufa pots for our trees, how to use power tools to jin without losing fingers, and how and when to prune different types of trees. The preceding is just a short list from the many interesting activities that have taken place at our meetings.

Our current president is Nigel Saunders, and he is ably continuing the fine tradition of making the K-W Bonsai Society a great group in which to participate. Our website address is www.k-wbonsai.com. Each monthly newsletter is posted on the website, courtesy of Jimi Chin, one of our dedicated members.

Jeannie Leis put together a brief history of the club in 1991. Here is a quote, “From the very beginning our club has been for the enjoyment rather than the competition of bonsai. This concept has kept K-W Bonsai Club going successfully all these years. Each member is important to the club, whether he or she is a beginner or a member of long standing”. This still holds true in 2004.