NABF Newsletter #8

Feature #5

Las Vegas Bonsai Society History

By Bob Kovach
Las Vegas, Nevada

In 1990, Steve Lilly had been involved in the art of Bonsai for only three years. Dave McCallister operated a Bonsai shop in the Indoor Swap Meet and Don Chambers had grown bonsai in California and still had an interest in the art form. These three acquaintances and their mutual interest were integral in the concept and establishment of the Las Vegas Bonsai Society. Steve Lilly was acquainted with both Dave and Dan and suggested to Dave that a club should be started to further establish the art form in the area. Dave suggested that Steve distribute an informative sign up sheet at the up coming KNRP Art In The Park Show and that if enough interest were generated, the club could use his home for workshops. Dave said that he would supply donations and support to the club but declined any official position to avoid any conflict of interest. Steve was successful in enlisting Maureen Scardino, Jerry Charlebois, Paula Bush and Jody Toyama who suggested that Wayne Toyama her husband would also be greatly interested in forming a club and sharing his vast experience in Bonsai with us.

The Las Vegas Water District Desert Demonstration Gardens came to our rescue as a meeting place and the Las Vegas Bonsai Society was formally organized with the first meeting in November 1990. Eight months later at our first show, Merle Vande Weerd and Vic Peterman introduced themselves and explained their interest in bonsai. Their vast knowledge of bonsai, its horticulture and their experience in establishing a Bonsai Society was a welcome and integral addition to the club.

Merle volunteered his home to hold our workshops and they have been held there ever since. Various meeting sites were explored until we finally joined the Nevada Garden Clubs and held our meetings at their facility. This gave us a degree of permanency and a room to expand if required.

The tradition of holding two shows each year, Spring Awakenings and Fall Expressions, started in the spring of 1992 and by the fall of that year we had incorporated, established a meeting place, set up a structure for shows and taken field trips.

The choice of president was obvious. Merle Vande Weerd had been one of the founders of Kofu Kai Bonsai Club, one of the most prestigious bonsai clubs in Southern California. Merle’s expertise was instrumental in the growth of our club during his first term and he was elected to a second two-year term. Under Merle’s stewardship, field trips increased to almost once a month, and workshops were held twice each month. Our shows, which had progressed in both quality and size, now included a sales area, and were held at the Nevada Garden Center.