| MINNESOTA BONSAI |

| A Publication of the Minnesota Bonsai Society |
| For questions or more information Contact Webmaster Pat Leners or Club Phone 612-339-8808 |
| Contents @Minnesota Bonsai Society Last Updated 2-8-10 |
| FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES Feb. 2 - Tuesday, 7:00 PM General Meeting Feb. 16 - Tuesday, 7:00 PM Bonsai Basics Class (Basics of Bonsai) Feb. 23 - Tuesday, 7:00 PM Board Meeting |
| February 2010 |
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| Could you be excited about including a water garden feature in your yard? Ken Ellis, our 2010 MBS president, will be the featured speaker at our February 2nd meeting. He is a past president of the Minnesota Water Garden Society (2002, 2003, and 2007) and is currently serving a three year term on the MWGS Board. Ken and Bonnie are also charter members of the newly formed Upper Midwest Koi Club. Ken will share prints, slides and a great deal of information that will expand your understanding of water gardening, and he will offer all an opportunity to ask questions. He is currently aware of 5 other MBS members that have experience with water gardesn -- one only installed this past fall and others that have been operational for more than 10 years. Water gardens can go hand in hand with the “Japanese Bonsai” mind set. That got him started in 1999, after hosting an evening meal with Bob and Pam Hampel, who were then currently members of the Minnesota Water Garden Society. |
| When Ken mentioned that he was considering a small water feature in a soon to be constructed back yard remodeling project, Bob and Pam suggested he and Bonnie attend an upcoming pond tour hosted by the MWGS the next weekend. When Ken and Bonnie visited their first of 10 tour sites, both were awestruck. Bonnie urged Ken to sign them up for membership in the Minnesota Water Garden Society saying, “You might enjoy learning something at a few meetings.” The program Tuesday evening will let you see water gardens so small that they will fit into a whiskey barrel. Others will be shown that have special features such running outdoor trains, with miniature plantings and trees. Some MWGS members have water gardens that command several acres, while most are more confined into smaller planted back yards. The sounds and sights of moving water and the accompanying wildlife will excite most bonsai enthusiasts. Please join us Tuesday at 7:00 PM as Ken shows us his enthusiasm for water gardening. And come before 7:00 to see what the vendors have to offer, new books or videos in our club library, beverages and treats at the side counter -- and check out the monthly raffle prizes. |