Milton Watson 1934 -2010
A memorial service was held at 1:30 p.m. July 17 at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene for Milton R. Watson of Eugene, who died July 1 of complications from cancer. He was 75. He was born July 14, 1934, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Russell and Alice Sommers Watson. He married Shirley Kiel on June 20, 1958, in Lynden, Wash.

Milt graduated from Whitman College in 1956 and from the University of Washington Medical School in 1960. He served in the U. S. Army as chief of surgery and professional services at 33rd Station Hospital, Bremerhaven, Germany from 1965 to 1968. Milt practiced general and vascular surgery at St. Mary’s and Walla Walla General hospitals from 1969 to 1992, then at Silverton, Oregon until retiring in 1996. He greatly loved the art of surgery and the patients he served. After retirement Milt performed volunteer surgery at mission hospitals in Liberia, Togo, Ecuador, Peru, Republic of China, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; a daughter, Tammi Anderson of La Verne, Calif.; a son, Mark of Eugene; and three granddaughters.
Milt served on the Eugene Bonsai Society Board as a Director and was an avid bonsai enthusiast.

Here is the latest newsletter:

Eugene Bonsai Society Newsletter
August 2010

Club Website: www.eugenebonsai.org

There is no regular meeting this month.

President’s Message:
I was saddened to learn that one of our dear members, Milt Watson, died on July 1st of complications from cancer. I feel privileged to have known him. I wish to offer condolence to his family, and his wife Shirley. To write that he will be missed is inadequate, and an understatement, yet none the less true. He will be missed.

There is no first Thursday meeting this month, Thursday meetings resume in September with a talk by Anne Korn on artistic principles. Anne has a masters of fine arts degree, and I am looking forward to her talk. This month there is a trip planned to Little Nash Crater on Santiam Pass August 28th. The purpose of the trip is to have fun, and also to sift crushed lava particles to be used as top dressing, and “soil”. Plan to meet at the site at approximately 10 am. Details and directions are in this newsletter or contact me at 541 686-6153. If you can’t make the trip, and need advice on how to make bonsai soil you may also contact me, and I can also give you top dressing.

I want to thank Diane of Wee Tree for hosting another great multi-club potluck. Please thank her when you see her. Also consider taking a workshop at Wee Tree. Next is Peter Adams on Sept. 4th. I was pleased to see so many Eugene members attend this year’s picnic. What a great turn out. I hope everyone had fun. - Paul

Officers for 2010

President: Paul N.
1st VP, Programs: David R.
2nd VP, Workshops: Tom F.
Treasurer: Dean B.
Newsletter: Karen B.
Secretary: Anne K.
Exhibits: Bill E.
Webmaster: Linda G.
Directors: Bill E.
and Joe Y.

Volcanic Cinder Collection
The club is sponsoring a volcanic lava cinder collection trip to Little Nash Crater on Saturday, August 28th. Cinders are one of the materials that are used in soil mixtures by those who make their own mixes. Typically inorganic materials are used in bonsai soil mixes.
Little Nash Crater is located on Highways 20/126 just before the junction where Highway 22 joins and ends. The best landmark is the Little Nash SnoPark sign which you will see on the right. The SnoPark sign is less than a mile from where Highway 22 joins 20/126. Slow down as soon as you see the sign and prepare to turn left at the first driveway past the SnoPark sign. The driveway is not marked but drive in and continue up and into the crater. Drive past the first big pile of cinders that the DOT has and up until you see other members of the club.
Little Nash Crater is about 75 miles from Springfield and about 24 miles from the Ranger Station. If you come to the junction of 20/126 and 22 you have gone too far and need to turn around and come back.
We will meet at the Crater at about 10:00 AM.

July Picnic
The July picnic at Wee Tree was a great success as everyone had a wonderful time eating, shopping and participating in the Best Tree contests. Our club was extremely well represented with 21 members attending. Thank you to all who attended and helped make it so nice.

PNBCA Convention 2010 -
The Pacific Northwest Bonsai Clubs Association's convention will be in Bremerton, WA at the Convention Center September 17, 18 and 19, 2010. It is being sponsored by the Evergreen Bonsai Club. Early Bird registration is $195 for an individual and $350 for two from the same household. Registration is due by July 31st to get this rate. After July 31st it is $225 and $400.
There are ten different workshops available ranging in cost from $75 to $495. The hotel is the Hampton Inn & Suites and standard rooms are $104 per night. This includes complimentary breakfasts. Parking is $7 per night. Convention registration includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and banquet dinner. Workshop artists are Dave DeGroot, Michael Hagedorn, Kathy Shaner, Dan Robinson, Anne Spencer and John Conn. You may attend all workshops and demos as an observer with your registration. Download a registration form at www.pnbca.com

GSBF Convention XXXIII      New Face of Bonsai     October 28 - 31, 2010      Santa Clara, CA

The Golden State Bonsai Federation will be holding their convention in October in Santa Clara, CA. Headliner artists are Ryan Neal, Peter Warren and Michael Hagedorn. A world class Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibit is being assembled from the finest trees and stones in California. The exhibit will have items chosen for their quality and beauty, leaving the viewer in awe.
Full registration is $260 if received before August 15th. After August 15th the cost is $285. Full registration includes entry to all demos, silent observer in all workshops and competitions, Bonsai and Viewing Stone Exhibit, benefit drawing, observing District Styling competition, vendor area, 4 meals (Friday banquet, Saturday Lunch, Saturday banquet and Sunday lunch) convention logo pin and goody bag. Anyone participating or observing a workshop is required to sign a waiver form. Santa Clara Marriott rooms for the convention are $99 plus tax plus $5 parking per day. To register or see the full program go to their website:gsbfconvention.com. They have a variety of collections with attention to the nuance and subtlety of the arts.

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