2006 Fungus Fair: Thanks to Our Volunteers!

Many, many volunteers made the quick assembly and smooth running of the event very easy. From all accounts it was a very successful show. Mark reports that we also had over 40 new club members sign up as well as a large percentage of renewals.

There were well over 300 species of mushrooms recorded, most of which were on display during the weekend. Stores recorded an after-tax income of $7,233, up 11% from last year. With the$2,800 paid to the Federation by the Museum, the before-expenses income for the fair, including memberships, is over $11,400. That will pay for a lot of FFSC speakers and special project and scholarship expenses!

The official count of paying attendees was 2,543 with an unofficial count of 200 additional for the Friday night reception. I feel, however, that the count is low. From past experience, the crowds seemed much more like the 3,000 attendees we’ve seen a couple of times in the past.

I cannot offer enough thanks to all of the people who put in time to help out with the many tasks associated with making the show a success. There was no shortage of people to help with col-lecting mushrooms, setting up, sorting and iden-tifying mushrooms, peopling the tables during the fair, take down and all other aspects. I am very pleased to see the very positive response of so many who stepped forward to participate. It was our best volunteer turnout ever. This show just cannot be done without the assistance of volunteers and your efforts are sincerely appreciated.

Special thanks go to the FFSC planning committee, a group of dedicated individuals who put in much more than their share of time in both planning and execution of the fair. Specifically, my thanks go to Marje Young (overview, planning and setup), Debbie Johnson (vendor coordinator and setup), Horst Kuhlmann (setup), Marilyn Fenn (art show and publicity), Henry Young and John Brown (ID and science input), Bill White (CEO and help with all phases), Vernetta McGuire (Friday night reception), Mark Gillespie (membership), Monise Sheehan (stores and T-Shirts), Catharine Gunderson (Kid’s room) and Nate Segraves (Mushrooms 101 presentation and ID).

Thanks to Phred Molnar and Bridget Binko for their donation of handmade mushroom earrings, necklaces and chocolate mushrooms for sale in Stores. We also appreciate the generosity of our mushroom donors: Monterey Mushrooms, Far West Fungi, Hazel Dell Mushrooms, Fitz Fresh Mushrooms and King of Mushrooms. Jozseph Schultz and Bob Sellers kept the volunteers in hot soup, and Bob Wynn put on his usual wonderful post-cleanup dinner.

If I have forgotten anyone, I am really sorry. Your efforts are no less appreciated though I may have failed to to mention your contribution.

It is with regret that I announce that this will be the last year that I’ll be able to function as the chairperson of the FFSC planning committee. I’ve worked on the Fungus Fair every year since 1978 and have been part of the planning com-mittee since the role was taken over by the FFSC about 12-13 years ago. However, time constraints of a new job will prevent me from being able to continue to spend the time necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role. So, the position is open for someone to step in and gain the satisfaction of helping put this show together. Yes, it is a lot of work, but it is quite rewarding. Of course, I will assist the new coor-dinator and still plan on working as much as I can at fair time.

Phil Carpenter, Fair Coordinator

A huge thank you to all of the wonderful helpers in the Children’s Room! They were dynamic, sensitive interpreters of fungi for the younger ones and their families. There were some touching moments, and the room was as busy as I have seen it. All of the volunteers brought something important for children. One magical moment was when a young girl saw a mushroom on a post card in the Children’s Room and then somehow managed to look out of the high (for her) window to see the same mushroom growing down in the front of the Center!

My hope is that many of the same great volunteers in the Children’s Room will return next year!

Catharine Gunderson, Children’s Room Coordinator

Sincere thanks to everyone who helped set up and run the Friday night Fair Preview Reception! Making up trays, moving tables, decorating and serving went off without a hitch. Special thanks go to Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards for providing not only won-derful wine but a varied tasting opportunity, and to Massimo Caporale of Gelato Massimo for his incomparable Candy Cap Gelato. A good time was had by all!

Vernetta McGuire, Culinary Minister

Our appreciation goes out to all of the members who helped with setup, shoveling, sweeping, staffing the Membership and Stores booths, spritzing the mushrooms to keep them fresh, maintaining order in the Programs room and many more tasks, all equally important. Cleanup time set a new record this year: one hour! Really an amazing effort all around. Thanks to all!

Mark Gillespie, Membership leader

Horst Kuhlmann, Setup leader

Monise Sheehan, Stores leader

Marje Young, Overview/Planning leader

Debbie Johnson, Vendors/Setup leader