Fungus Fair 2009 — Better Than Ever!
This year’s Fungus Fair was bittersweet. The sweet part was tasty indeed: record attendance, great speakers and exhibits, outstanding volunteers, much-needed funds raised for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the Fungus Federation, and, not least of all, well-timed rains producing plenty of mushrooms in an increasingly dry year!
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Deb
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February 2, 2009
Exhibit at the 2009 Fungus Fair. Photo by Hugh Smith
Congratulations and thanks to Fair Chair Marje Young and the team for a job well done!
Less sweet are the recent fiscal doldrums leading to cutbacks at the museum. It has been our distinct pleasure to work with Jenifer Lienau Thompson and Tremain Jones. They have brought both professionalism and personality to the Fungus Fair, a winning combination. We will miss them and hope we don’t lose touch. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Santa Cruz Museum Association and encourage all of you to help in their efforts to keep the museum open. You can learn more at the museum website.
January 13, 2009
Dear Fungus Federation Members,
The 35th Annual Santa Cruz Fungus Fair was a phenomenal success! 3,452 people attended over two days – a stand-out record! On behalf of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, the City of Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Museum Association, I want to express my sincere thanks for all of the time and effort your group has shared with us this year, and in all the years since the Fair began 35 years ago. Together, our organizations have built a unique Santa Cruz tradition that continues to bring a delightfully fun educational experience to our community, and brings curious visitors into our City. We can all be very proud of this shared accomplishment.
Over the 10 years that I have worked for the Museum, it has been my honor and privilege to work with many of you. I want to personally thank the members of the Fair Planning Committee with whom I’ve worked closely over the years: Marje Young, Debbie Johnson, Bill White, Phil Carpenter, Marilyn Fenn, Rene Seltzer, Jim Maley, Mark Gillespie, Lee Yamada and Phyllis Cole. You welcomed me graciously into your fold 10 years ago, and I am grateful for the support you have continually shown me, other staff members, and the Museum of Natural History.
That current economic events have brought my formal relationship with the Fungus Federation to an end saddens me greatly. However, given the energy, dedication, and enthusiasm that your members have shown, I have every confidence that the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair will continue to flourish for years to come.
Sincerely,
Jenifer Lienau Thompson
Director, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Next, our Fair Chair, Marje, has a special message to all of our fantastic volunteers below!
