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Contributors
James F. and Mary Kay Doyle own Nature's Way Nursery and Bonsai Studio in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a small nursery that's big on little trees. Their love of plants began with a landscaping business in 1973, which led them to the art of manipulation and pruning of tiny trees and all that goes with it. They credit bonsai with introducing them to an ever-widening group of similarly afflicted people around the planet. Their interest in an organic approach to living has led them toward earth- and people-friendly options for pest and disease control.
Pat Lucke Morris, a student of bonsai since 1974, has worked at a variety of jobs, including editor and graphic designer, before retiring from the workforce to spend her time on "important" pursuits such as bonsai. Pat has been an active member of the American Bonsai Society since 1985; she has served the ABS as a director and currently is its secretary. She is a past president and longtime member of the Brandywine Bonsai Society and also is a member of the Delaware Valley Bonsai Study Group and the Pennsylvania Bonsai Society.
Robert Mahler started his bonsai career at the age of 15. An apprenticeship under Chase Rosade of Rosade Bonsai Studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania, led to full-immersion study in Japan under the direction of the late world-renowned bonsai master Susumo Sudo. Within a year of returning to the States, Robert was granted the position of curator of bonsai at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Rob left the Garden in fall 2005 to pursue his own bonsai business. He is fluent in Japanese and available for lectures, classes, and private tours abroad (www.sexybonsai.com).
Jerry Meislik has been actively involved with bonsai for more than 30 years. He is particularly interested in tropical/indoor bonsai and plant material native to the U.S. He has authored two bonsai books: Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai and Introduction to Indoor Bonsai. He has held board positions in the American Bonsai Society and the National Bonsai Foundation and chaired the American Bonsai Society editorial board, in addition to serving as Northwest editor of the North American Bonsai Federation website. Jerry teaches bonsai at Flathead Valley Community College, travels around the country teaching and lecturing about bonsai, and contributes articles to the major bonsai journals. For the past seven years, he has also been involved in running an active internet bonsai site at www.bonsaihunk.us and participates in many online forums.
Pauline F. Muth has been an ardent bonsai enthusiast for over three decades. She has been a member of her original club (Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society in the capital district area of New York) for more than 25 years and now serves on the board of directors. Beyond her local affiliation, Pauline is active in many organizations and contributes to publications dealing with bonsai and the advancement of the art form. She currently is the president of the American Bonsai Society, secretary of Bonsai Clubs International, and on the board of directors of Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies. She is a contributing writer for local newsletters as well as Bonsai Online Magazine, Bonsai: Journal of the American Bonsai Society, and Bonsai Magazine. Pauline has also taught classes, workshops, and demonstrations in between owning and operating a bonsai teaching studio for over 18 years. She has also been the recipient of several local, regional, and international bonsai awards. More about Pauline and her work in bonsai can be found online at www.pfmbonsai.com.
Julian Velasco is currently curator of the bonsai collection and C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He began his bonsai studies with Chase Rosade of Rosade Bonsai Studio, then apprenticed with then bonsai curator Robert Mahler among Brooklyn Botanic Garden's world-renowned bonsai collection. Julian was appointed to the position of curator in the spring of 2006. His main interests are the philosophical and spiritual aspects of bonsai.
Sigrun Wolff Saphire, senior editor in Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Publications department, has been editing handbooks since 2000.