Michigan Gourd Society
2010 Spring Newsletter
Notes from the President:
I want to take a moment
before you begin to read the news of MGS to say how excited I am that the
MGS was brought back from the edge of “extinction” by the concerted effort
of a dedicated group of people. This effort was spear-headed by Rita Heller.
If it not for this group and Rita the MGS Chapter would have gone by the
wayside under a cloak of in-fighting and negativism. Today we rise above
that spectre with the air of “Positivity”. The job of all of the MGS Chapter
members and the Board is to promote all that is good about “Gourding”
In these hard economic times
it is sometimes easy to lose sight of what is Important. For us in MGS
it is the people that make up our organization our love of gourds what
we can express with them and educate others about our passion that is important.
We need to strive above all else to keep that focus and try to ignore the
“negativity” as it tries to seep in as it is wont to do when members are
under stress from other aspects of life. MGS should be a place we can forget
those negative stresses and have fun and learn.
I urge all of you try and
remember this as we move along “Think Positive”. Above all else have fun,
share, learn and make it contagious. We will THRIVE!
Thank you,
Jim
 |
In Remembrance:
On Saturday April 17, 2010
family and friends gathered in Athens, Mi. to celebrate Carmen Bodine who
died in January. Carmen was a long time Gourder and Artist who long
worked toward getting a Michigan Gourd Society started and was one of the
Founding
Members in 2007. Family and friends were pleased to meet Carmen
and Chuck's gourd friends as they had talked about them over the past few
years. There was a beautiful tree already planted at the farm in
Carmen's honor and for those who were there enjoyed the lovely spring gardens
that Carmen and Chuck have worked on together ... and Chuck is already
getting his gourds seeds going. Gourd friends from the MGS Amy Sehy,
Beth Sampsell, Jennie Hayward, Joanna & Paul Zimmerman plus Chuck &
Rita Heller were honored to be included in the celebration.
Submitted by Rita Heller |
Indiana Gourd Show: A
large contingent of Michigan Gourd Society members descended on South Bend,
Indiana for the Indiana Gourd Festival. April 9,10th. It seems that Indiana
survived! The vendors were relieved of some of their goods while members
attended. Classes and met at a social table and ‘cussed and discussed the
art of Gourding while Rita pulled down some awards. (note: I didn’t hear
from everyone. So if anyone won awards be sure to let me know and I will
post them on a future newsletter.)
Bagpipes at Indiana:
Fred Rogers of Niles won a 1st Place for his unique Gourd Bagpipes and
even performed with them at Indiana. I wonder if he played Amazing Grace?
Fall Family Days
and Herb Fest: October 2, 3, 2010:
Meijers Gardens will be
hosting the Herb Society of Michigan and the Michigan Gourd Society in
a festival at their Farm site on the weekend of October 2, and 3, 2010.
This will be the second time we have been invited to the festival by Meijer’s
Gardens. The Herb Society was thrilled to share with us last year even
though we had to be indoors because of rain and wanted to have us back.
We will be doing demonstrations and “talking” gourds for attendees at Meijers
Gardens. We will need extra volunteers to help. If you live in the area,
Please, get in touch with Jim Ege or Julie Glover to add your name to the
list for helping. If we get enough volunteers we can divide up for half
days. There will be more information available as we get closer. We will
be have to get a $1 million liability policy for the weekend. Stay tuned!
Logo Change?
I would like to ask if you
are interested in changing our Logo? Rita Heller our Treasurer has submitted
a new design. I feel that as we move forward that this new design is more
professional and gives us a better image. (The font for the
old logo is copyrighted
by a past member and is only on loan.) Please let me know what you want
by emailing at michigangourdsociety@gmail.com. We need a majority of members
to vote on this. I believe. It is your Chapter. Please vote and let us
know what you feel which logo you like. (oh yes, please only vote once!)
Patch News:
Arbor Country Gourd Patch
May 1, 2010: Nine
Gourders met together at the Paw Paw District Library at 10am. Finished
gourds were brought along for Show and Tell; we visited back and forth,
getting to know each other and by noon it was agreed that it would be nice
to get together once a month as a Gourd Patch of the MGS.
We are happy to announce
that the Founding Members of the Arbor Country Gourd Patch are as follows:
Jane Allwelt - Gobels MI
Connie Anderson - Three
Oaks MI - Director
Rita Heller - Kalamazoo
MI
Sid & Renee Meyers -
Carlisle IN
Don & Cathy Payne -
Niles MI
Diane & Fred Rogers
- Niles MI
Beth Sampsell and Joanna
Zimmerman could not be there but said that they would be really pleased
to have a patch formed and would also be members.
We welcome gourders from
the SW area who would like to join us to and prior to the meeting
we heard from several more who are pleased to be having a Patch in this
area but due to other commitments simply were not able to join us this
time.
For our very first project
Fred Rogers will be teaching us how to make a Thumb Piano - the one he
brought along to show us was just beautiful and decorated with similar
Celtic knot work to that that he had done on his bag pipes.
The Arbor Country Gourders
are looking forward to many enjoyable get-togethers and seeing our group
grow and thrive - we are happy to be a Patch of the MGS!
Point Sauble Gourders:
Saturday May 7th in Pentwater
at 10AM at the Friendship Ctr. We discussed happenings and welcomed two
new members Aleica Seabrook and Margo Bowden to MGS and Point Sauble from
the Newaygo area. Carolyn Ritter did a wood burning demonstration. Jim
Ege brought gourds from Texas to sell. We discussed plans to have a Patch
booth at the August Pentwater Craft Fair. We set up a schedule of demonstrations
through January of 2011. Show and Tell was great and as always it is the
highlight of the meeting. As usual a great time was had by all. Our next
meeting is June 12 at 10 am.
Gourd Seeds:
Rita was mentioned with photos
on Bonnie Gibson’s site. Kudos to her!! Check it out! http: www.Arizonagourds.com
AGS is accepting photographs
on the AGS web site…. Forward them on To the AGS.
MGS is having a contest to
give away some MGS canvas bags. Check out The MGS Chapter site and enter.
We will have a new question for each bag. The bags are great for carrying
your supplies around. Gourders can never have Too many bags!
The newsletter will be archived
on the MGS web site if you want copies.
I am looking for Patch News
and Gourd news for future newsletters. Send information to artbyjimege@mac.com.
No deadlines yet. I am shooting for three to four newsletters a year. If
I missed something you want people to know get it to me for a future newsletter.
Anybody want to host a segment
on “Growing” for each newsletter? The article will need to be “generic”
as we have members around the country.
Did you know we have members
in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Arizona? Finally, I would encourage you to
access the newsletter electronically. If you can not access the internet
at home then go to your local library. .Librarians will help you do this.
Let me know if you have trouble. We are only mailing to those members that
are paying the higher membership cost to cover mailing. We will reduce
your membership cost if you decide to go electronic. One of the biggest
costs of an organization is it’s newsletter.
Thank You,
Newsletter Editor
Jim Ege