Ikebana International

Monterey Bay Chapter #231

www.ikebanamontereybay.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/ikebanamontereybay
Purpose: To stimulate, cultivate and perpetuate
the study of ikebana culture and related arts.

May 2024 Newsletter

President’s Message
In this Issue
Page 1
Dear Members,
President’s Did you know that the Full Moon of May is known as Flower Moon to
Message signify the flowers that bloom during this month? Welcome our beautiful
Spring…it’s here and the perfect time for Mother’s Day.
Page 2
May Luncheon May 21, 2024, is our Annual Luncheon and we hope to see all our
members at the Corral de Tierra Country Club. Please send your lunch
Page 3
Kozue Knowles
registration form and a check to our Program Chair Ikuko Minami before
Furoshiki photos May 14, 2024. Please donate and bring your containers or Ikebana
related items to the luncheon. Megan Gowans is our Ways and Means
Page 4 Co-Chair. Please contact her for any questions at 209-765-1956.
Vase Sale
Haiku
We thank Kozue Knowles for her Furoshiki workshop. She explained
Pages 5, 6, 7 each furoshiki design, type of material and different size furoshiki
Westland House usage. Unfortunately, she did not have much time to show us all the
different methods and how to use furoshiki for wrapping different items.
Page 7 We also appreciate Kozue for her generous furoshiki donations which
Donations contributed to a great sales success.

Page 8 Membership renewal is due May 31, 2024. Membership fees include
Member Showcase international dues, a subscription to the Ikebana International
Paul Finnegan
magazine, the Ikebana International Headquarters newsletter, our
Pages 9, 10
Chapter newsletter, and free admission to monthly programs. Our 2024-
Membership and 2025 membership renewal form is attached with this newsletter.
Renewal Form
Members who have not sent in your dues please mail a check and the
Newsletter Editor form to our Membership Chair Sachiko Yokota before May 31. Your
Nancy Bryson support is very important to help our organization to continue. We thank
Proofreaders: all the members who have already sent in their dues.
Kozue Knowles
Ikuko Minami
Atsuko Veio In Friendship through Flowers,
Elneda Connors Atsuko Veio, President

Page 1
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Monterey Bay Chapter’s
35th Anniversary Luncheon
Tuesday, May 21st, 11:30 a.m.
Corral de Tierra Country Club
81 Corral de Tierra
Salinas, CA 93908
Lunch choices:
Herb Chicken Caesar Salad or
Cheese & Spinach Ravioli
Includes bread, tea, coffee and dessert
$49.00 including tax and gratuity
Please RSVP to Ikuko Minami at ikukoxoxo@gmail.com
Send your registration and check payable to I.I.M.B.C.
before May 14th to:
Ikuko Minami
22220 Toro Hills Drive
Salinas, CA 93908
Name ____________________ List guests & meal choices on a separate paper.
Meal choice: _____ Caesar Salad. ____ Ravioli Payment included ________

Page 2
April’s Chapter Meeting
featured Kozue Knowles,
demonstrating Furoshiki,
traditional Japanese
wrapping cloths. The
beautiful materials were used
to wrap containers, bento
boxes, and bottles.
Attendees were able to try a
few wraps and were then
invited to support the
Chapter by purchasing the
donated Furoshiki cloths.
Everyone got a favorite
design or two.

Heart-felt thanks go to Ryoko

Ohnishi and Ikuko Minami who
generously donated many
beautiful Furoshiki wrapping
cloths for my presentation of
Furoshiki on April 16. Those
donated Furoshiki boosted the
sale to raise fund for our Photos by Ikuko Minami
chapter. Kozue Knowles and Nancy Bryson

Page 3
 Gather your vases for our fund-raising sale!
On May 21st, I.I. Monterey Bay Chapter #231 will host our annual luncheon at Corral de
Tierra Country Club. The event will include a sale of ikebana vases and related items
donated to our chapter.
This sale is an important fundraiser for our group, as well as an excellent time for
members to add to their own collections.
If you have pottery you would like to donate to the sale, please bring it to the luncheon
between 11:30 am and noon. If you aren't able to attend the luncheon, feel free to
contact Megan Gowans at Ranmeg@comcast.net to make other arrangements.
Thank you in advance for supporting I.I. Monterey Bay Chapter #231.
By Megan Gowans

Haiku provided by Kozue Knowles

The peony
Made me measure it
With my fan
Issa (1763-1827)

In the moonlight,
The color and scent of the
Wisteria blooms.
Buson (1716-1783)
(stock photos)

Page 4
 Westland House

Since 1993, our Chapter has been committed to contribute ikebana arrangements to
Westland House as a community service.

It is recommended to choose sturdy flowers with less scent, lots of water and perhaps a
visit on the third day during a 5-day cycle. The wood shelf below the arrangements is
showing water damage. Be sure to have a cover or a display board under your
arrangement.
W-House Schedule: 05/03 – 05/07 Sachiko Yokota 05/07 – 05/11 Kozue Knowles
05/11 – 05/15 Nancy Bryson 05/15 – 05/19 Ryoko Ohnishi
05/19 – 05/23 Megan Gowans 05/23 – 05/27 Susan Cox
05/27 – 05/31 Pat Carriveau 05/31 – 06/04 Mary Callagy
Thank you, Kozue Knowles

All Westland House photos by Kozue Knowles.

Rimiko Ogura, Ohara, three pink Mums

Page 5
Janet Melac, Tulips and Ecchium
in a tall container

Ryoko Ohnishi, Ohara, lilies and

jasmine in a tall, brown container

Page 6
 Mary Callagy, Sogetsu,
yellow Pincushion protea and
Gladiolus in a rectangular
basin.

Consider making a Donation

to Monterey Bay Chapter #231

The Membership Renewal form on Page 10 of this Newsletter has a space for you to
include a donation (in the middle under Membership Dues). Please consider doing so
to help support our ikebana chapter.

Already sent in your form? No problem! Just fill in your name and the donation amount,
and send in as directed on the form.

Would you like to honor someone? Provide their name and circle to show the donation
is “in memory/ honor of” the individual(s) named.

Page 7
 Member
Spotlight

Paul Finnegan

Paul Finnegan with his daughter, Maggie, at her graduation from Peabody Conservatory.

How and why did you start Ikebana?

In the 1980's I took a flower arranging class at MPC and it was the Ikebana Style that
touched me so much. I have never taken a formal class.

What are your favorite flowers?

My favorite flower is the Iris.

Where do you get flowers for your arrangements?

When I did arrangements for openings at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, I
enjoyed purchasing from local vendors.

What are your other hobbies and interests?

I have been retired for 16 years and am enjoying living in Carmel Valley. I have a variety
of reading interests. Presently I serve on the board of The Breakthrough Community for
Men.

What does “Ikebana” mean to you?

Ikebana is a beautiful meditation of natural history and art. I love visiting the
arrangements at Westland House.

Page 8
 Membership Renewal for 2024-2025

Please join I.I. Monterey Bay Chapter #231 for 2024-2025, or to renew your
membership:

1. Print out the Membership Form on the next page.

2 . Put your information on each line. If your information is the same as last year,
you will not need to write it again, but be sure to mark the box.

3. Bring the membership form and your check for the fee to the meeting on May
21st. If you cannot attend the meeting, please mail the membership form and
check to Sachiko Yokota (see address on form)

Membership Benefits:

• Ikebana Demonstrations from leaders in various schools at our monthly

Chapter meetings
• Monterey Bay Chapter Newsletters – 10 issues throughout the year
• Member Directory for 2024-2025
• Annual Anniversary Luncheon*
• Vase Sales*
• Opportunity to support our Chapter outreach by displaying your
arrangements at Westland House
• Ikebana International Magazine with beautiful color photos of
arrangements from many schools and Chapter Activities from around
the world, plus Sakura News reporting on chapter activities
• Associate Memberships – belong to additional chapters at reduced rates
upon proof of membership of your primary chapter*
• Transferable Membership – Transfer your membership from one chapter
to another at any time upon presentation of a valid membership card
• Ikebana Lessons – take lessons from certified teachers locally or virtual
teachers in other regions.*
• Find Resources – access multiple ikebana resources and information
available only to members
• Ikebana International 13th World Convention in Kyoto, Japan, April 25-28,
2025*
• 19th North and Central American Regional Conference in Philadelphia,
October 2024*
• Enjoy the true meaning of “Friendship Through Flowers”, by joining others
in our mutual love of nature and enjoyment of Ikebana and related
Japanese arts.
*additional fees beyond membership

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