Newsletter

The Bonsai Show was somewhat different this year. There were 84 wonderful bonsai on display in a much larger room. Some people thought that the quality of bonsai this year was the best shown in years. Boon Manakitipart did a great job judging, doing the demos and the workshop. Boon is one of the best in the country.

I am sure that our society will get more members, which is what is needed. There was a great deal of interest in our trees that were displayed. The questions were redundant;
“How do you do bonsai? What is bonsai? , and Can I keep them indoors?”

would like to thank all the volunteers who helped. And the Show Chairman, Hubert Jones, who did a super job with the set up and his participation. Great job to Hubert and all the other volunteers who made the 2008 Bonsai Show outstanding.

June is one month that the club only has only one day to meet, learn and have fun. That date is June 28 with Gary Marchal and Rodney Clemons. It will be a picnic at the Monastery. Please come and learn, have fun and enjoy Gary’s and Rodney’s presentation.

Ted Groszkiewicz passed away on April 19. There will be a Life Celebration on June 1 at the Smith-Gilbert Arboretum 2829 Cherokee St, Kennesaw, Ga 30144 at 3:30. I hope you will be present to honer Ted. If it weren't for Ted, David Cook, Felton Jones and Larry Williams; there might not be an Atlanta Bonsai Society. Let's all be there at 3:30 to show respect for Ted and his family.

I hope to see you June 28

Dan Naas                                         

Rodney Clemons & Gary Marchal at ABS annual Family picnic: On Saturday, June 28rd, at 1:30 pm. Club members and their families and friends, will gather under the chestnut trees at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers for fun, food, fellowship and bonsai.

Rodney & Gary will be doing do a demonstration and discussion about bonsai. Rodney and Gary will also do a mini critique/workshop where they provide advice for FREE!!!! Members are asked to bring a tree to be critiqued. If time permits they could look at a second tree.

The Club will provide the main dish, and we will notify you later so you will know what sides will be appropriate to bring. The Monastery will provide some tables and chairs; however, you may wish to bring some lawn chairs and/ or a blanket or portable table for picnicking.

Please don’t forget that the Monastery greenhouse and pot cellar will be open for you to make purchases for just about anything related to bonsai: pots, soil, tools, plant material, etc. They have offered to give club members a generous discount for anything purchased on the day of our picnic. So come early – way before the 1:30 pm picnic time – so you can load up on bonsai stuff.

If you have any questions or need directions, call Curt @ 770-650-0446 or email crh@bellsouth.net.

Remember: Monastery of the Holy Spirit
                  2625 Hwy. 212, SW
                  Conyers, GA 30094

VISTORS ARE WELCOME!!!!!



Rodney Clemons

BIOGRAPHY
Clemons spent his formative years in the Florida panhandle, moving to Atlanta, GA when he was thirteen. He was captivated by bonsai in 1973 when he saw a Trident maple forest that struck chords in his heart and artistic nature. Bonsai has been his passion since that time. Rodney is a bonsai artist, instructor and professional landscaper, specializing in Japanese gardens and natural water features. His work has developed his sensitive eye and skill with rock and plant placement which adds realism to his bonsai creations. He studied with E. Felton Jones and enjoyed workshops with many visiting artists like John Naka and Yugi Yoshimura. His style has been formed by studying nature, drawing heavily on childhood memories of coastal Florida. Rodney excels in capturing the tension in nature and translating it to bonsai. He is best known for his unique "rock plantings" and his love of "Kingsville" boxwood. When teaching his remarks are delivered with a liberal dose of humor. He has been an invited speaker to numerous Bonsai societies meetings and conventions. A few of the highlights are: 1987 BSF Convention, Fort Walton Beach, FL 1989-1991 Southeast Bonsai Conferences, Atlanta, GA 1993 World Bonsai Convention, Orlando, FL 1996 ABS Convention, Hershey, PA 1997 International Bonsai Convention, England 1998 International Bonsai Symposium, Rochester, NY 2001 Mid Atlantic Convention, Newark, NJ 2002&2004 Brussel's Rendezvous, Memphis, TN 2003 Expo 2003, Ashville, NC 2005 He has spoken at four BSF Conventions, the last one was in Gainesville, FL. in 2006. Rodney enjoys the opportunity to share and express his love of nature and bonsai with people in the hope that he can influence them in a positive way.

Rodney has been President of the Atlanta Bonsai Society three times, since joining the organization in 1973. Rodney was President of Phoenix Bonsai Federation in 1999. Phoenix hosted a convention with Masahiko Kimura as the exclusive speaker.



Gary J. Marchal

BIOGRAPHY
Gary Marchal was born and raised in the New Orleans area. After the family Elevator business was sold in 1987, Gary, along with his brother Jim, founded Marchal Elevator Corporation. After 12 years in business, Marchal Elevator Corporation was sold and Gary moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area. Gary is now working for Otis Elevator Company in Marietta, Ga.

An avid gardener since 1973, Gary began his serious study of Bonsai in November, 1985 under the expert guidance of Vaughn L. Banting. Gary assisted Vaughn at the 1992 Florida Bonsai Societies convention in Orlando, Fla. with his Flat-Topped Cypress group planting presentation.
Gary was presented with a Certificate of Merit from Bonsai Clubs International for being a finalist in the 1993 Ben Oki International Design Competition for his Bald Cypress. In 1994, he was again presented with a Certificate of Merit from Bonsai Clubs International for being a finalist in the 1994 Ben Oki International Design Competition for his Water Elm. In 1997, Gary was honored to be the winner of the 1997 Ben Oki International Design Award Competition for another of his Bald Cypress Bonsai.
For the past 10 years, Gary has presented programs for many Bonsai Clubs and Societies throughout the United States, including Hawaii. This is a listing of the conventions / conferences / seminars that Gary has presented programs for:

In 1995, 1996, and 1997 Atlanta Bonsai Society's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Annual Conventions.
In 1997, the Bonsai Societies of Florida 25th annual convention.
In 1999, the Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies Annual Conference, the Lone Star Bonsai Federation's Annual Conference, and the Golden State Bonsai Federation's Annual Convention.
In 2002, the American Bonsai Society Convention in Milwaukee, WI.
In 2003, the Joy of Bonsai in Bath, UK. for the Association of British Bonsai Artists. In 2004, The Shohin Convention of California, Bonsai Societies of Florida Annual, Convention New Zealand Bonsai Conference.
As an artist, Gary enjoys working on large collected specimens and all varieties of pines, but he emphasizes wiring as well as scale and proportion in design regardless of the material. Gary considers himself a serious student and enthusiast of the art of Bonsai. Gary states, "In what other hobby, art, sport, etc. are the 'greats' so approachable for help or advice?? This, and the special friendship that is shared by fellow artists, is what makes Bonsai so enjoyable!!"

Special Note to New Members: All new members (including youth) will receive A workshop FREE! Please contact Curt Howard for availability at 770-650-0446 or email crh@bellsouth.net for info and to reserve a space in the workshop.

BYOT: Note to all Members: Please bring trees and or suiseki (view stones) to the Sunday meeting for the Exhibit Table to share with other club members and more especially for new members and visitors to see. This is also a good opportunity to show off your "Workshop Tree" that you did last month or last year. Remember: Bring your own tree BYOT.

Do you have something that you would like to donate to the club to be given away FREE at any of our meetings? We usually have members that provide small items for a drawing at the meetings but it would be appreciated if any of our other members would like to bring something for the drawing. Remember someone's trash could be another's treasure, especially where bonsai-related items are concerned; however, the item does not have to be bonsai-related.

Consignment on Bonsai related items or trees: The Board members want to remind you that the club offers consignment for the sale of bonsai related items or trees at the Sunday monthly meeting. The club asks for 25% of the exchange for facilitating the sale.

Re: Workshop reservations... Please remember when you reserve a workshop that you are responsible for letting Curt know if you are unable to make it. If you are not able to cancel a full 72 hours before the workshop, you will be expected to pay for the spot. Letting Curt know ahead of time will allow him to fill the spot with someone else. Many times there is a waiting list.

Japanese Play Group (Atlanta, GA) Every Wednesday. 3:00 - 5:00pm. Midtown Atlanta, near Colony Square and the High Museum Do you speak Japanese with your children? Do you want your child to make new friends and play, sing and practice Japanese together? Come join our Japanese Play Group for children ages 2-4 years old. Times and days to be determined, but the location is in Midtown Atlanta (close to Colony Square and High Museum). For details: Contact Linda: 404-870-0777; organicmother@hotmail.com

Nippon Champ Radio Show (Atlanta, GA) Every Sunday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on 88.5 FM, Nippon Music Champ is WRAS Atlanta 88.5's weekly juxtaposition of all things Japanese. Since its first broadcast on June 2nd, 2002, NMC strives to expose listeners to the variety of music present in the contemporary Japanese music scene, including pop, rock, shibuya-kei, anime soundtracks, and more. This entirety CD based show also likes to dig back through Japan's popular music history and to give credit to those who inspire the artists we love today. For details: 404-413-WRAS (9727); www.nipponmusicchamp.com/

The Japan-America Society of Georgia's Kayoubi-Kai (Atlanta, GA) 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm On-going dinner event sponsored by the Young Professionals of the Japan-America Society of Georgia that will meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at different restaurants in the metro Atlanta area. The Kayoubi-Kai is intended to be very informal and anyone who wants to come is welcome. All Kayoubi-Kai meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be a "Dutch" dinner, so everyone will pick up their own tab at the end of the evening. For details: (404) 842-1400; jasg@mindspring.com; www.usjapan. org/jasg

The Japan-America Society of Georgia's Nihongo-Kai (Atlanta, GA) 3rd Saturday of each month This is a Japan-America Society of Georgia activity for those who are looking for an opportunity to chat in, practice, or brush up on their Japanese. For details: (404) 842-1400; jasg@mindspring.com; www.usjapan. org/jasg Japanese Women's Garden Club Seeking Members (Atlanta, GA) 2nd Wednesday each month The Japanese Women's Garden Club is seeking Japanese women to join their organization. The club, which is over 30 years old, helps organize the Festival of Trees, Spelman College’s Cherry Blossom Festival, and cultural events at area universities and other organizations. For details: Roxie Romine at 770-961- 5466

To join the Atlanta Bonsai Society or renew your membership, click here.