Board Talk: Your Letters

This is a little story in letters and e-mail communication with nice people. I do not think the story is finished yet, but perhaps it is. It involves a lady looking for a bonsai tree close enough to her home and many people trying to help her find a tree.

Here is the story as it developed.

On Oct 31, 2005, at 6:29 PM, Ruth M wrote to the MBS e-mail address:
I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find Bonsai trees for sale in Midwestern Wisconsin.
--Ruth M

Midwest Bonsai to Ruth,
I will find out and let you know. I know there must be some places around Madison and I know of a couple in Milwaukee, but I will give you a more precise answer in just a few days.
--Larry at MBS

From: Larry Larimer <bonsailar@comcast.net>
Date: November 1, 2005 4:31:43 PM CST
To: Paul Stokes <madcitybon@madcitybonsai.com>
Subject: Bonsai tree vendors in central Wisconsin
Paul,
Just received an e-mail from a Wisconsin lady looking for someplace to buy trees in central Wisconsin. Any suggestions?
--Larry at MBS

On Nov 1, 2005, at 7:39 PM, MadCityBon wrote:
Bonsai Bob
Bob Eskeitz Madison, Wisconsin - Phone 608-249-5227
Email: bonsaibobs@charter.net
--Paul at madcitybon

From: bonsailar@comcast.net
Subject: Re: Bonsai tree vendors in central Wisconsin
Date: November 4, 2005 8:31:36 AM CST
To: madcitybon@madcitybonsai.com
PAUL,
Almost forgot my manners. Thank you for the response. I am passing it on. I think the lady is looking for something further West, but..... I did give her your e-mail address.
--Larry at MBS

From: bonsailar@comcast.net
Subject: Dealers in Western Wisconsin
Date: November 4, 2005 8:39:08 AM CST
To: Ruth e-mail
Ruth,
No luck so far with the following exception:
Bob Eskeitz Madison, Wisconsin 608-249-5227
e-mail bonsaibobs@charter.net
I will continue the search into the Eastern Minnesota area. I am attaching info. If you have trouble accessing the attachment, let me know.
--Larry MBS

On Nov 4, 2005, at 12:21 PM, Ruth M wrote to MBS e-mail:
Thank you so much for helping me with this it means a lot. I want to get a bonsai tree for my boyfriend for our 1 year anniversary. It just seems like the best gift, it will be very symbolic. I really would like to find a chinese like bonsai tree.

--Ruth M

To: Karl Bethke
MATC 11/04
From: MBS e-mail
Hello,
My name is Larry Larimer. I am the editor of the Midwest Bonsai Society Newsletter, The Bonsai Connection and I am the editor of the MBS Web site.
I finally got an e-mail address dedicated to the Society. Shortly afterward, I received a request from a Wisconsin lady who is looking for a bonsai dealer or grower in Western Wisconsin.
I have been in contact with Paul Stokes who is editor of the Madison, Wisconsin web site and he gave me a name of a dealer in Madison. Do you have any information of dealers further West?
--Larry

From: bonsailar@comcast.net
Subject: Re: Dealers in Western Wisconsin
Date: November 4, 2005 6:23:03 PM CST
To: Ruth e-mail
Ruth,
I have run out of ideas on people to contact. Paul in Madison does not know of anybody in Western Wisconsin but he is still looking.
I have gone to google and could find nothing.
Where are you located in Western Wisconsin? Near what major city? How much time do you have? Is there a green-house near you? Or is there a nursery near you? You might be able to get something there. The only problem then would be a proper bonsai pot. A nursery might have bonsai pots. You may have to create your own bonsai.
Did you call Bob Eskeitz at 608-249-5227. He might be able to send you a bonsai by bus from Madison. If you do need to create a bonsai, I can give you directions on how to do it.
Let's not give up on this thing.
--Larry at MBS

On Nov 7, 2005, at 9:23 PM, Ruth M wrote:
Larry, I need the plant by the 26th of November, if I can't get one by then I'll get him a watch and keep searching for one for Christmas. The biggest city near me is Eau Claire. I am also very close to Red Wing, Minnesota.
--Ruth M

On Nov 7, 2005, at 6:04 PM, Karl Bethke wrote:
Hi Larry-
Your request was forwarded to me - perhaps I can assist.
There has been a club in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I took the following info from the ABS web site: WISCONSIN - LaCrosse
The Coulee Region Bonsai Club. Meets at Asbury Methodist Church, 19 and Redfield St., third Monday, except December, 7:00 PM. Tony Buchda, 400 Monitor St., LaCrosse, WI 54601. (608) 782-4231. 30 members. Annual show in June.
Earlier this year I was in LaCrosse and tried to find a small bonsai nursery I had visited long ago at the base of what is locally known as Grand Dad's bluff. It wasn't there any longer. I have not been in contact with the club listed above, so I don 't know if they are active or not. But if not, perhaps, if the telephone number works, that would be a start.
Hope this is of some help.
Karl Bethke
MATC

From: bonsailar@comcast.net
Subject: Re: Dealers in Western Wisconsin
Date: November 8, 2005 7:55:48 PM CST
To: Ruth e-mail
Ruth,
Bingo!! Your proximity to Red Wing rings a bell.
Sara Rayner who is one of the top bonsai potters in the US lives in Red Wing.
I have sent a rocket to her. Keep your fingers crossed.
If nothing else, you can get one of Sara's pots and I can advise you on potting a tree. I can also advise you on a good source for a tropical tree which can be shipped to you at a reasonable price.
One problem. I will be leaving for Egypt on November 25. Back December 10.
I think we can get this resolved by the 25th though. I am sure we can pull this thing off. SARA'S WEB-SITE www.redwing.net/~daalms/
--LARRY

To: Karl Bethke
Karl,
Thank you for the info. I will give Tony Buchda a call and see what happens. I have also e-mailed Sara Rayner in Red Wing. At least the lady can get bonsai pots. She is in the Eau Claire area.
LARRY

(Called the number, but no Tony Buchda. This was only one of two communications that were not e-mail. I want to find the club to add to our list.)

From: bonsailar@comcast.net
Subject:
Date: November 8, 2005 7:48:31 PM CST
To: daalms@redwing.net
Sara,
To re-fresh my introduction to you.
I am the editor of the Midwest Bonsai Society Newsletter.
I am also the editor of the Midwest Bonsai Society Website. www.midwestbonsai.org.
I took a picture of your pontentilla for the web-site at the August Show.
Now for the real reason for this e-mail.
There is a young woman in the Eau Claire Area who is looking for a bonsai to get her fiance' for an anniversary or for Christmas. She e-mailed my address on our web-site asking for a lead to a grower or nursery where she can get a bonsai soon.
I have e-mailed the club in Madison. I could not get a usable address for the club in Minneapolis.
Then she mentioned Red Wing as a possibility. Bingo! You poor thing, I thought of you.
Can you think of a source in your area?
It is possible that she may contact you to get a pot but she will need a tree. Of course she would prefer to have an already potted bonsai. Probably it should be a tropical at this time of year.
If you can help, send me a life preserver. I don't know why I get into these things except I get a kick out of them.
Incidentally, would you like a picture of your tree? Let me know.
Thank You,
--Larry at MBS

From: Sara Rayner
Hi Larry, nice to hear from you. Yes I would love to have a picture of my tree, the new website looks great by the way. As far as bonsai in Minnesota we are really in a dry area. There is only one business that sells trees that I can think of and I personally dont know that much about the specimen quality and size they have to offer. But here is their tele. no. for her to try. The business is called BMK bonsai at 763-434-9600. They are in Ham Lake, Minn. ( no clue as to where that is) I hope she has some luck with them.

Sara

BMK Bonsai is located in Ham Lake, Mn. which is just a little north and east of Minneapolis. The address is:
2406 169th Av. North East
Ham Lake, Mn 55304

  Tel 763-434-9600
  e-mail tree_guy@comcast.net
  Web site www.bmkbonsai.com

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