Weekly Kiwanis News 5/22

Posted by Tim Buenz

on May 22, 2013

There were 37 members present today with Les Reinhart visiting from the Aktion Club. President Christensen opened the meeting and it was good to have him back at the podium with a working bell! Randy M. passed around the sign-up sheet for the Bike Festival this Saturday. Setup at 2pm starting with tables/chairs being loaded at Shadran and grilling on the east side of the courthouse by 4:00pm. Linda S. reported on the Aktion Club meeting and events. They will be helping with flags this weekend, serving popcorn at the Bike Festival and are planning a picnic on May 30th at Spring Lake.

Denny Goshon introduced Lynn Menz who is a local master gardener to talk about his hobby of growing bonsai trees. The history of bonsai (pronounced bone-si) is cloaked in the mist of the past but it is now widely accepted that it was the Chinese who first created the miniature landscapes and trees that we now know as bonsai. In Japanese, bonsai can be literally translated as "tray planting", but since originating in Asia so many centuries ago - it has developed into a whole new form. Some species that are easier to grow are Maple, Black Pine, Scots Pine, Beech, and Larch. Remember that there is no such thing as special bonsai seed, since bonsai trees are exactly the same as ordinary trees. Lynn also discussed the different styles of bonsai trees and answered questions from the club members. Thanks Denny & Lynn for an interesting presentation!!