erubeck

A while back I posted a note about starting a bonsai club and some of the things we did to get it started and keep it going.

The Wichita Area Bonsai Club entered its first showing two weeks ago in the Wichita Lawn Flower and Garden show. This is one of the premier garden shows in the country and has an attendance in the neighborhood of 50,000. We had a great time setting up our booth and attending it for the five days. Many club members took turns and made the job easy and fun. I have posted a picture of our booth.

I know it isn't what most bonsai displays are supposed to be but we did what we could and spent less than $100. (The club has no dues so we just divided up the expenses among the members).

One of the guys made the sign and I made the display stands and tree labels. It's amazing the interest the general public has in bonsai and their misconceptions. We put a sign up sheet on the table for people to indicate an interest in joining the club. We got 62 new names about 10 of which came to the next meeting a week later. Several others indicated a desire to come but couldn't make it that night.

We have also been invited to join the Wichita Garden Society which is an organization made up of all the horticultural clubs in the city. The group is responsible for starting the botanical gardens in the city. As members we can now meet at the gardens at no charge and use their facilities.

All in all, the club is doing well and everyone is excited about the springtime and all the bonsai activity that represents.

Sorry to be so long winded but I hope this might encourage some others to consider starting a club.

Attached Images

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Regards,

Ed

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