This article has been updated. Please read carefully!

Soon, the weekend we have all been waiting for will be coming up.  It will be from 9-5, Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22 at the  Rick Pudwell Building, Memphis, Botanic Garden.  Kathy Shaner, a Bonsai Master, will teach and demonstrate her bonsai mastery with plants with which we may struggle.  This year, the program will be different from those in previous years and it comes from the suggestions of our Memphis Bonsai Society members.  

Here is the plan:

There will be a workshop for those who consider themselves “NOVICE”. On Saturday, the morning will be dedicated to a workshop.  You who are enrolled, will bring in a tree or two (no more than that) and after evaluation by Kathy and discussion with you, YOU will be given instruction on the tree and YOU will perform the actual work of styling which includes cutting, trimming and wiring.
This ought to take the morning session.  In the afternoon, there will be a lecture/demonstration.

On Sunday, there will be a similar program but it will be for INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED bonsai members.  Workshop is in the morning and lecture/demonstration in the afternoon.

Well, how is all to work and what will it cost?  Here is the answer.

For those who sign up for the NOVICE sessions on Saturday,         
the cost is $75.00.  This admits you to the day’s session as a
participant. $25.00 additional dollars entitles you to attend the Sunday sessions as an observer but not as a participant.  It’s sort of like auditing
a class.    

For those who sign up for the INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED class on Sunday, your cost for that day’s program in $100.00.  This also permits you to attend the Saturday sessions as an observer/auditor.

For those who do not wish to be active workshop participants     
in either the Saturday or Sunday sessions , you may attend as an observer/auditor both days for $50.00 with no trees for evaluation
or work.

In summary, $75.00 buys active participation on Saturdays only.
$100.00 provides for participation in either the Saturday or Sunday
workshop (but not both) and observation privileges for the other day.  
$50.00 buys observation privileges (no participation) for both days

Participants must bring their own trees (limit two trees each), wire  and tools.  There will be no original potting from store bought trees in plastic pots nor will there be any repotting done at the sessions.

We are going to have a great learning experience. Kathy will guide but we will have hands on doing what needs to be done in thinking about, styling, and then shaping the trees we have been nurturing.  We don’t learn much when someone else does our tree for us.  We learn by doing and that is what the sessions will be all about.

The sessions are limited to 8 active participants each day (8 active participants on Sat. and 8 on Sunday). There is no limit to the number of observers/auditors.
Reservations for the program as outlined must be made with Fred Nowak, 2328 White Ash Cove, Memphis, TN 38119 or by calling him at 758-1488 or e-mailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   This will be on a first come-first served basis; so, register with Fred ASAP and have checks made out to the Memphis Bonsai Society Send checks to Dale Evans at 4240 Thunderstone Circle W, Memphis, TN 38125 or Tom Essmyer at 6993 Cannondale, Memphis, TN 38119.  Remember, your dues must have been paid to indicate your membership. If there are any further questions, call Fred, Tom (755-4896) or Darryl (388-9397) for further clarification.

The Sunday Program is tentatively booked already but perhaps some may wish to switch to the Saturday Program.  The Sat. program indicates Novice but I am not sure where Novice and Intermediate begin and end.  We do not have a beginner’s workshop so Novice has to be something greater than that.  I have a hard time categorizing myself.  I feel I am someplace between Novice and Intermediate; so, where do I belong.  The Sat. program will not be directed at beginners so if you wish to enroll or change your present requests, please let me know. It is important that we have a balance. But for the programs, initial submission or a change of dates, your desires must be in to Fred before Friday, 13 March.