by Earl Ekman
Our April meeting will be a demonstration and workshop by bonsai master Matthew Ouwinga. He is a high school teacher with a true passion for bonsai. Matt studied with a Chicago bonsai expert and was soon offered a job as production manager of bonsai at a greenhouse in Palos Park IL. From there his interest grew. He attended the International School of Bonsai which was organized by Yoshi Nakamizu, and his teacher was Junio Kobayashi. According to Matt, Mr. Kobayashi is one of the foremost bonsai masters in the world. He has more Kokofu-en prizes (the undoubted top prize of bonsai) in the world. He worked and studied at the school until he graduated and returned home.
Matt works on all type trees, black pines, junipers, maples, bald cypress, ficus, ginkgo, elms and others, but he says he loves trident maples.
Matthew will be here on April 15th at 10 AM to do a demo on a field grown trident maple and then a workshop for all members who want to attend. The workshop will cost $20.00 and will be a bring-your-own-tree workshop. You can bring a tree from your own collection, buy one from a nursery, or something collected.
Tommy McCurry has a field of trident maples from which you can dig one. Prices will vary depending on the quality of the tree. We will hold a dig on April 1st, 10 AM at Okolona Fence Co. which is Tommy's business and nursery. He also has bald cypress and amur maples if you prefer these.
This should be a terrific workshop and demo. I think you'll enjoy the day.
The date of our bonsai show at Yew-Dell Gardens in Crestwood has been finalized for April 29-30, Saturday and Sunday. We will be showing our trees in the castle. The show will be in conjunction with their open house and plant, sale so there should be a good crowd. Start planning on the trees you want to exhibit. The club will raffle a tree to raise money and promote our beginner workshops.
Now is the time to clean up your tools and equipment. The time to use them is fast approaching.
If you get a chance, look at last month's 35 year designs and let me know which one you like best. We can discuss it at our next meeting.
Hope everyone had a great winter. Spring is just about here.
Regards, Earl
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