.:: VMS News ::. 7 march 2006 meeting report A very informative talk about mushroom toxicology was presented by Dr. Michael Beug, chair of toxicology of NAMA, and president of the Key Council, who was here from Everett, Washington. Take home messages were: 1. don’t eat any small wild mushrooms: often toxic 2. beware of the chameleon nature of some mushrooms 3. in different parts of the world, similar species may be poisonous. 4. cook all mushrooms! 5. for a copy of his lecture, email to: beugm@evergreen.edu 4 october 2005 meeting report The Manning Park foray was on everybody’s lips and next years date was set for September 8th to 10th. Jim Jones showed slides of previous years Banfield mushroom festival and invited us all to attend this year’s event being held on October 14th. In Banfield the fungal bounty continues until February 23 -25 sept 2005 Manning Foray A record crowd enjoyed the Manning Park Last Resort foray this year. The weather cooperated and the rains held off but it was cold at night and some of the mushrooms found were frozen. There weren't as many of the big mushrooms around this year but the diversity was amazing. We began our inventory of the park and set out the procedure for our ongoing study of the sites. Friday night, Kent Brothers demonstrated photographic techniques and explained an identification key that he uses. Derek Woods presented Saturday night’s talk and slide show of his specialty, Lichens. People availed themselves of the lodge facilities which included the fire pit, sauna, and hot tub while Sharmin Gamiet and Peter G. labored long into the night making sure that all of the samples where correctly labeled. Sharmin also gave a very informative tour of the sample table on Sunday morning as well as a demo of the grid sampling technique that we will be using for the park study. As always the food was exceptional thanks to the hard work in the kitchen of Augustino, Jeurgen, Kristina Victoria, Luke, Teresa, & Sunae. Next year has been booked for the second weekend in September. September 8, 9,& 10. Pictures to share? Send to info@vanmyco.com 6 sept 2005 meeting report Members brought photos from last year's Manning Foray and got everyone primed for this years trip. As part of the show Kent demonstrated the art of taking photos showing the difference in aperature settings. Sharmin reported that we have been granted a multi-year permit for Manning Park in exchange for doing a multi-year research project. Matsutake in the park, or a diversity study were some of the suggestions. 30 august 2005 UBC Talk David Arora gave an entertaining talk relating to his travels and involvement with mushroom pickers in different parts of the world. A beautiful selection of slides accompanied the talk. The event was hosted by the VMS and the UBC Botany department. 27 august 2005 VMS BBQ The VMS annual Summer BBQ was held at the Armellini home in Langley. The approaching change in the weather held off and a magical evening was had under the ripening fig trees. A large fire pit barbequed the dinner and later roasted marshmallows while guests sang to accompanying accordion music. Many thanks to the Armellini’s for hosting such a great party and to everyone else for there contributions. 7 june 2005 meeting report Speaker Christine Roberts from SVIMS gave a comprehensive and entertaining talk on her specialty, Russulas to a full but not overflowing room. Christine sported a cool mushroom shirt (designed by her) which is being reprinted by the NATS North American Truffling Society. Ten mushroom samples including one giant Fomitopsis were brought in for display. 3 may 2005 meeting report Daniel Winkler was introduced by Paul Kroeger. He has a MA in Forest Ecology and splits his time between North America and working to ameliorate conditions in Tibet. He spoke to the VMS 3-4 years ago. Daniel gave a very interesting talk on Cordyceps sinensis, the "Winter Worm Summer Grass" caterpillar fungi... and other fungal and botanical denizens/products of Tibet. He provided and entertaining tour through cultural, mycological, social, medicinal and political aspects to this. 5 april 2005 meeting report Sharmin Gamiet “Going Underground” Accompanied by projected images, Sharmin spoke with us about the close genetic relationships between apparently dissimilar above ground, secotoid and below ground fungi fruiting bodies. Examples included the similarities between Russulas and Macowanites, Lactarius and Leucogaster, Cortinarius and Hymenogaster, Boletus and Rhizopogon and many others. The general nature of and culture surrounding truffles was also discussed. 1 mar 2005 meeting report Paul Kroeger presented a slide show and discussion (prepared with help from Shannon Berch and others) on Medicinal mushrooms which covered current, cultural, and historical perspectives. 1 feb 2005 meeting report Ian Gibson gave an in depth demonstration on the workings of Matchmaker, his mushroom identification software program. 29 jan 2005 Survivors Banquet A packed hall celebrated midwinter with a mushroom inspired feast. 2 nov 2004 meeting report Terry Taylor educated an overflowing room by presenting a selection of slides taken by former member, the late Rene Savenye. Enthusiasm was displayed by old members and close to 30 new members as recent forays and close encounters with fungi were recounted. Helene M.E. Schalkwijk-Barendsen, author of Mushrooms of Northwest North America attended the meeting and gave a brief talk about her years of hunting and painting mushrooms. 24 oct 2004 Mushroom show Mushrooms that had not been seen for years were displayed and this year's fungal abundance brought a record number of attendees to the show. Many who became new members. Terry Taylor and Sharmin Gamiett gave slide presentations and a local television news team also interviewed Terry.Nearly all of the books for sale were sold and a few lucky buyers of Mushrooms of Northwest North America got autographed copies as their author, Helene M.E. Schalkwijk-Barendsen dropped in to see the show. 5 oct 2004 meeting report The recent rains caused 2 display tables to overflow with fungi and a full house discussed the past weekend's Manning Park Foray, the October 24th, Annual Mushroom Show & other upcoming events. Anne Leathem gave a talk on mushroom toxicity with assistance from Paul Kroeger. 2 mar 2004 site redesigned A new fresh design relaunched - thanks to William from broken8 webdesign studios