MaryLee & John Sparks have
graciously offered to host this year's annual Holiday Potluck. Bring your
favorite dish--or experiment with something new (I know I will). If it's
a Mushroom dish, please label which species it contains--or just bring a
copy(s) of the recipe.
November Meeting
For the second month in a row, only 7 people attended the meeting.
Because of the small turnout, Bob Chapman did not show his Gasteromycete
slides. However, Bob did display an impressive collection of dried
specimens, which still made for a very informative and enjoyable program.
Dues Increase to $20/year
Because of initial information which both I and Ann Bornstein (NAMA
Membership) sent out, there has been some confusion about the correct dues
amount for 2001 NMMS membership. Effective October 3rd, 2000, the
dues were raised to $20. The increase was recommended by the Board and
approved by the majority of members attending the October Meeting.
The dues for NMMS and NAMA memberships should be submitted by
December 31st. Dues for NAMA membership (which is now optional for
NMMS members) are $32/year. Members can write one check to cover
both memberships. Please send a check for the appropriate amount, payable
to NMMS, to Sharon Chong.
Patience Pays Off
The late rains this year did manage to persuade a few mushrooms to pop up.
The Marasmius oreades, which usually grace my front yard throughout
the summer months, finally managed to fruit, producing a few dozen
of those delightful little caps. I've included below another late-season
mushroom success story which Susie Parlier sent me in late October.
"Last night I discovered that one log in my back yard that I seeded with
oyster mushroom spawn two years ago is producing! There were several
bunches coming out of the log. I harvested the most mature ones. There
was one with a 6 inch cap, 3 or 4 with 3-5 inch caps and several smaller
ones that are waiting in the refrigerator for the chef. There are more
out on the log that are not as mature and will die if it freezes, but I
thought it worth the risk to get another meal."
I asked Susie if this fruiting came as a surprise, to which she responded,
"I hadn't forgotten I'd seeded the log. I'd been kind of looking
since the rains came. It was my only hopeful for a flush.
Sharon & I got two meals from the fruiting bodies. Delicious."
NMMS Officers for 2001
At the Annual (November) Meeting, the following members were elected to
serve as officers for next year.
Sharon Chong, Treasurer
Mark Kalin, Secretary
David Wallis, President
Bob Wilson, Vice President
Although the ballot was accepted unanimously, NMMS
President Larry Weingarten informed us that such a close vote would
require a recount to be verified within two weeks of the election. In a
subsequent special meeting, the Board extended the deadline and ruled that
Secretary Mark Kalin must certify the final vote no later than midnight of
December 15th. The election results will be announced at the Party on
December 16th.
http://www.swcp.com/mycowest/news
.