Dear ABS Members,

As I write this note in mid-April, winter has turned directly into summer skipping spring in upstate New York. I have spent the week removing my hardy trees from winter storage and doing some mad repotting. Two weeks ago there was snow in my back yard. This week the temperatures are above 45 F at night and into the 80s during the bright sunny days. Trees in the yard are five weeks ahead of normal. Global warming? Regardless, the bonsai need lots of work. All of you are working with so many differ climates and problems. We hope that ABS via the Journal, the website and the ABS Forum can help you with answers to your questions.

Registrations for ABS/LSBF Learning Seminars in San Antonio, Texas are arriving daily. I hope that many of you will be coming either for the whole event or using our Busy Persons' two day special. All the details can be found on this website. Take a look and join us this June!! Our Lone Star Bonsai Federation partners have set up a terrific event with something for everyone from raw beginners to the most advanced.

Your board struggles with knowing whether our members wants us to continue having annual Learning Seminars or not. In an economy that makes us all think twice about how we spend our extra dollars, many of us are turning to more local events with less transportation costs. The board would like to hear your thoughts on this issue. Currently we have future events planned for 2009 in Boise and 2011 in Louisville.

Our Journal continues to add to our bonsai knowledge with new ideas and inspiration. We encourage all members to let us know about things they would like to see in the Journal. Bob King, our editor, is always on the look out for good high quality photographs of exceptional bonsai. While you are working on your bonsai during this growing season take some good pictures and submit them to Bob or even to the John Naka Design Award Contest.

Have you looked at all the new books available in the Book Service? These books are especially designed to help you learn more. There are still some copies of the North American Bonsai Book in stock. Purchase of this book and others from the Book Service helps to support our organization.

A special thank you to all our members who helped ABS throughout our recent financial crisis and are being patient with the new membership renewal system. With your continued support, ABS will continue to thrive and grow. If you have some extra bonsai items you would like to donate for our annual auctions and raffles at the seminars in Texas, send them before June 10 to:

As my second year as your President draws to a close, I would like to thank all the ABS people who have worked so hard during these two years. Being your President, has been a challenge and has brought many rewards. I have truly enjoyed all the people I have met and worked with during this time. I look forward to being of more service to ABS in the future. It is a great organization composed of the best bonsai people I know.

Pauline Muth
(518) 882-1039
ABS@pfmbonsai.com
7 Western Avenue
West Charlton, NY 12010