Happy New Year!!!

Good Afternoon Bonsai Enthusiasts,

First, I would like to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2014 and may all of our bonsai thrive and get better and better in the coming year.

Today is my last day as President of the Bonsai Society of South Jersey. Flex Houvig will be our new President and I wish him well. It has been great fun and very satisfying being President for the past five years. I’ve met so many wonderful people and made so many new friends.

Our club membership has grown to more than 40 people. We now display regularly at the Ocean City Flower Show and hope to start this Fall at Arts in the Park at Smithville, NJ. We are also a member of the Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies and have had Masters visit us and give advice and talks.

We are a nice group of people and everyone seems genuinely ready to help everyone else. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone and thank you all for the help, cooperation and support you have given me over the years. I would also like to thank Paula and Bobby Brandamarte for graciously allowing us to use the facilities at Clover Garden Center.

But it is time for new directions, new energy and new ideas to make our club better and stronger. So starting tomorrow, a new group takes over and I will become a Bonsai Enthusiast. J

Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,

Tom De Simone

President

Bonsai Society of South Jersey

And More Photos

Just a few more.

 

 

 

 

 

More Photos From Last Night

Thank you to Mike and Karen for opening their house to us for such a nice party. Thank you both for the hospitality and warmth with which you treated your guests. Very nice time.

BSSJ 2013 Christmas Party!

Folks...Had a relaxing evening at the 2013 Christmas Party. Thoroughly enjoyed talking with everyone!
The food was tasty, and that Rice Pudding took me back to my childhood days living with my parents...loved it!

Took a few photos...
Flex

Happy December Bonsai Enthusiasts!!! The four people who have been elected to the BSSJ steering committee are: 1.) Tom Kruegl 2.) Karen Harkaway 3.) Karen Smith 4.) Joe Giangrasso Congratulations!!!!! The elections are officially over. If anyone wishes to see the individual votes please let me know as I've kept every e-mail. Beginning in January, 2014, the new club officers will be President: Flex Houvig Vice President, Doc Stone Treasurer, Jay Burton Steering Committee: Tom Kruegl Steering Committee: Dr. Karen Harkaway Steering Committee: Karen Smith Steering Committee: Joe Giangrasso Elections will be held again in two years, November, 2015 for all positions. Remember, our holiday, covered dish party will be held again at Dr. Karen's "Party House", Saturday, December 21. More details on the party will follow but all members and their "significant others" are invited to attend. These are very nice affairs and really shouldn't be missed. Speak with you all soon, Sincerely Tom De Simone President Bonsai Society of South Jersey

Japanese Cherry: 3 Years On

This Japanese Cherry was in a post from December 2010. At that time there was some minimal carving done, and the tree was allowed to grow out and gain strength.
Here are several views from 2010.

The section of trunk below the hollows died back. The surface bark was removed to expose the underlying deadwood, and this was carved to look like an old rotted tree. Here is the tree before starting work.

A "diaper" was added around the trunk to contain the carving chips, and work was started.

On getting beyond the firmer surface wood, I discovered a rotting core on the center left. This guided the carving deeper into the heart of the trunk.

The Cherry will now rest over the Winter, and the carved area will naturalize. In the spring it will be brushed and treated with preservative.

The canopy is building out nicely, so we may have a very nice design in a few more years. In the meantime the flowers will be a delight!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Flex

Peter Adams: A Pictoral Remembrance

Peter Adams was a multi-talented artist, and I count him as a wonderful friend. And, as one might expect from a transplant Brit, his quick sense of humor was unmatched!

Peter was usually accompanied by Kate Adams, an artist in her own right. Kate liked to organize Peter's work for publication, and also has several wonderful published works of her own.

Small groups of us met Kate and Peter for many years at Natures Way, each time taking our trees to higher levels of refinement. Peter had a wonderful way of doing a quick sketch to illustrate his points, so that even the most stubborn of us could "see the light". He was a teacher unmatched in bonsai.

We frequently shared dinners and some adult beverages...wonderful times!

Here are just a small sampling of some of the sessions we shared out at Natures Way...I hope you enjoy, and can in some way get a sense of who and what we have lost...
Flex