News for contributors and NBF friends of The National Bonsai BULLETIN Foundation Winter 2002 Volume XIII, Number 2 Please Join The National Bonsai Foundation As we announced in the Summer vealing was that most respondents in- Other categories of membership will 2002 issue of the NBF Bulletin, begin- dicated they would become members include a special student membership ning in January 2003 the National Bon- for only two reasons: (1) to receive the ($15) for students enrolled in high sai Foundation will become a member- Bulletin and (2) just because they school through college. There is also an ship organization. Since 1982 NBF has wanted to offer financial support for organization category ($50) for region- relied exclusively on the generosity of the National Bonsai & Penjing Muse- al groups. benefactors to support the work and um. This kind of response indicates to In addition to membership, we are construction of the National Bonsai & us that we are moving in the right continuing to seek funding at higher Penjing Museum. These contributions direction in asking for annual dues. levels to continue the all important have enabled us to expand and im- work on the completion of the interior prove the Museum beyond our dreams courtyard in the Museum. Therefore of 1982. We are very grateful to every- we are asking all members to also con- one who has helped in this effort. sider an additional donation. The Con- At the same time we have added to tributor level is now $50–$99, while the our mailing list not only financial con- Sponsor ($100–$249) and Benefactor tributors but everyone who has ex- levels (over $1,000) remain the same. pressed an interest in the Museum and NBF is a section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt the love of bonsai. Over the past twen- organization and all contributions to ty years this circle of friends has become NBF over the basic membership fee are very large and thus so have our mailing tax-deductible. costs for the Bulletin. The Board of Members will receive, in addition to Directors has decided that now is the the Bulletin, a 10% discount on sales time to ask everyone who receives the items (please see insert page), invita- Bulletin to contribute directly on an tions to special events at the Museum annual basis to NBF so that we can bet- and the NBF member decal pictured ter support the Museum in its work. The basic amount of membership here, which was designed by Pennsyl- In the Summer issue, we asked you to dues will be $35. However, until March vania graphic artist Lia Marta. complete a survey about membership 1, 2003 it will be possible to become a Please join NBF and help to main- in NBF. The response to that request Charter member of NBF for $25. If you tain the National Bonsai & Penjing was very heartening. Over 98 percent of made a contribution of at least $25 in Museum as the best Museum of its those who completed the survey indi- response to our membership request in kind in the world. Thank you for all cated that they would become a dues the last issue, we will consider your your support in the past and welcome paying member of NBF. Even more re- membership dues for 2003 to be paid. to the NBF of the future. New Assistant Curator for Plant Collections Jim Hughes, the new Assistant Cura- tor in 1996. For the next few years, he Jim first became interested in tor of Plant Collections, first became was fortunate to have the experience of bonsai over thirteen years ago while involved with the National Bonsai & working under the leadership of Dan gardening in Minnesota. An active Penjing Museum seven years ago. After Chiplis, Warren Hill, and, most member of the Minnesota Bonsai moving to Washington, D.C. from recently, Jack Sustic. Their artistic tal- Society, he took advantage of the many Minneapolis, Minnesota, he signed on ents, guidance and instruction proved programs and workshops offered by as a volunteer at the Museum shortly to be an inspiration as his interest in this well-run Midwest organization. before Bob Drechsler retired as Cura- bonsai grew. (Continued on page 3) 2 President’s Letter The year 2002 discount to members. Our new marks the 20th decal, which all new members will anniversary of receive, will permit you to show BOARD OF DIRECTORS the National your membership in NBF, but more HONORARY MEMBERS John Y. Naka Bonsai Foun- importantly it will proclaim your Hon. Orville G. Bentley dation. Over affinity and support for the treasures H. Marc Cathey John L. Creech these twenty of this wonderful national museum. Harry Hirao Saburo Kato (Japan) years, with Now that the renovation of the Barbara Hall Marshall your generous Maria Vanzant Upper Courtyard is Mary E. Mrose Dr.Yee-sun Wu (Hong Kong) financial assistance and abundant nearing completion, we are seeking George Y.Yamaguchi good will, we have accomplished donations totalling $250,000, which EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR many things on behalf of the will be matched by the federal gov- Johann F. Klodzen National Bonsai & Penjing Muse- ernment, to renovate the lower OFFICERS Marion Gyllenswan, NY um. Millions of dollars have been courtyard area. This presents a Chair Felix B. Laughlin, DC donated to build the John Y. Naka unique opportunity for major President North American Pavilion, the Dr. donors to establish a lasting legacy Marybel Balendonck, CA Vice President Yee-sun Wu Chinese Pavilion, the which, both literally and figuratively, Christopher M. Cochrane, VA Kanishiro Tropical Conservatory, will pave the way toward a greater Secretary Cesar Portocarrero, MD the Mary E. Mrose International appreciation of the art of bonsai. Treasurer Pavilion and, in this year, the Maria This year we also celebrated the MEMBERS Vaughn L. Banting, LA Vanzant Upper Courtyard. We are 88th birthday of John Naka, one of Jack E. Billet, DE very proud of this work, especially the patrons of the National Bonsai & Roger S. Case, Jr., NM Gregory M. Cloyd, OH because it was accomplished with Penjing Museum. His forest planting Robert Drechsler, MD contributions from individual “Goshin” (or “Protector of the Spir- Doris W. Froning, PA James J. Hayes, PA donors like you from all over the it”) is John’s signature bonsai in the F. Allan Hills, CO Roland Hofmeister, MN United States and many countries Museum and is probably the most C. F. Kwok, VA around the world. famous bonsai in the world. On the Janet E. Lanman, MD Cheryl Manning, CA In 2003 NBF will become a true occasion of this milestone birthday, Brussel Martin, MS Robert Moak, AL membership organization and will the North American Bonsai Feder- Mary Ann E. Orlando, DC ask for annual dues. We hope that all ation dedicated the premier issue of Cesar Portocarrero, MD Larry Ragle, CA of you who receive this Winter 2002 its on-line newsletter to John (see F. Chase Rosade, PA issue of the NBF Bulletin will be- www.bonsai-wbff.org/nabf/newslet- Thomas Scott, TN Helen C. Souder, FL come dues paying members of the ter.htm). In that newsletter, people Jerald P. Stowell, NJ Edward Trout, FL Foundation in 2003 and that your from all over the world paid tribute Ted T.Tsukiyama, HI name will remain on our list. By to this special person whom we all William N. Valavanis, NY Jack W. Wells, DC doing so, you will continue to play call our friend. At this time of the Chris J.Yeapanis, VA an important role in maintaining year, the following words of wisdom EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS the National Bonsai & Penjing Mu- from John are particularly apt: President American Bonsai Society seum as the best museum of its kind “There are no borders in bonsai. President in the world. Bonsai Clubs International The dove of peace flies to palace President As a member you will continue to Potomac Bonsai Association as to humble house, to young as receive this Bulletin. You will also ADVISORS to old, to rich and poor. So does receive advance information on new Thomas S. Elias the spirit of bonsai.” Director, U.S. National Arboretum exhibits and programs, as well as in- Elizabeth L. Ley Gardens Unit Leader, U.S. National Arboretum vitations to special events. Over the May the spirit of bonsai be with Jack S. Sustic Supervisory Curator of the last few years NBF has expanded its you. Thank you for your support in National Bonsai &Penjing Museum work by publishing books that ad- the past. Please join us in 2003 and James J. Hughes Assistant Curator for Plant Collections vance the art of bonsai or document beyond. G. Jackson Tanner Assistant Curator for Artifacts and Archives the Museum’s history and collec- Bonsai Societies of Florida tions. These books and other sales Golden State Bonsai Federation Hawaii Bonsai Association items will now be offered at a 10% Lone Star Bonsai Association Mid-America Bonsai Alliance Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies Puget Sound Bonsai Association 3 NEW ASSISTANT CURATOR Meet Volunteer (Continued from page 1) David Garvin The Minnesota Bonsai Society regular- ly brought in such American experts as David Garvin’s first interest in bon- Dave DeGroot and Warren Hill, as sai began through a course taught at well as international figures such as the U.S. National Arboretum by Jim Harry Tomlinson from England. Newton and John Hrea in 1975. As While in Minnesota, Jim’s first years in Dave puts it: “I have been watering bonsai were nurtured by those guest ever since!” instructors and Randy Clark, who of- He joined the Potomac Bonsai Asso- fered instruction locally.