Page 68 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q4

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international friendship
Bonsai & Stone News
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BCI Awards at the 2015 Convention,
Guangzhou, China

Certificates of Appreciation
Two certificates of appreciation were awarded at the 2015 BCI convention in
Guangzhou. The first one was presented to Rosemarie Voelker of Gulf Breeze,
Florida for her leadership in managing the social media BCI Face Book page.
Rosemarie is an excellent photographer and frequently travels worldwide to bon-
sai events. Her many postings on the BCI Facebook page have resulted in greatly
increasing the number of visitors and raising the awareness of BCI worldwide.
The second certificate of appreciation was awarded to Mr. Chen Chang of
Guangzhou, China. Mr. Chang is President of the Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe
Co., Ltd. and also President of the Guangzhou Penjing Association. Mr. Chang
was a major supporter of the joint BCI/ASPAC convention in Guangzhou, a leader
in the BCI-China program, and a major collector and artist of Chinese penjing.
Meritorious Service Award
This award is given to an individual or club that has contributed significantly
to BCI over many years. Thomas S. Elias, President of BCI was the recipient this
year in recognition of his service as president during the last three years and for
his long-term contributions to the BCI Bonsai Magazine and the Bonsai & Stone
Appreciation Magazine. As president, Tom implemented a board-approved annual
budget along with realistic income projections. He also worked to increase income
through auctions, donations, and sales of books. A surplus of income over expens-
es in BCI operations in the last three years has greatly improved BCI’s financial
position. Tom worked with others to improve the BCI website and make better
use of social media to promote BCI. He, along with several board members have
succeeded in reversing the decline in membership and is growing BCI individual
and club memberships in several areas of the world, especially in Asia where the
largest number of bonsai hobbyists are located. Tom was also the recipient of BCI’s
Writer, Photographer and Artist Award in 2001. He has been a regular contributor
since 1999 of over 25 articles plus several books reviews and news items to Bonsai
Magazine and its successor Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine.
BCI Artist, Writer and Photographer Award
The recipient of this award is Canadian bonsai enthusiast Dr. Michael Collins
McIntyre for his many excellent articles in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Maga-
zine over the last three years. Mike loves telling a story as much as our readers enjoy
hearing a good one. Through his engaging accounts, Mike has written about fine art,
reviewed important books and has covered the work of bonsai artists. Here, in his
own words, is his reaction to this award—another story we think you’ll appreciate.
“It all started with won ton soup; actually, its absence. I had gone to Winnipeg’s
Top; Rosemarie Voelker receiving a BCI Certificate of Appreciation historic Exchange District on a cold, raw day for some of the glorious and warm-
for her leadership in managing the social media BCI Face Book ing won ton soup offered at Ken Hong Restaurant. It was closed for renovations. I
page from BCI President Tom Elias. was disconsolate. I decided to make the best of things and browse the area. I came
Middle; The second BCI Certificate of Appreciation was awarded across a gallery that I didn’t know—Pixel’s 2.1—and inside encountered some
to Mr. Chen Chang of Guangzhou, China—a major supporter of absolutely stunning photographs of Huangshan. My first thought was that the
the joint BCI/ASPAC convention in Guangzhou, a leader in the
BCI-China program, and a major collector and artist of Chinese bonsai community needed to see these photographs. I contacted the artist, Tse Li
penjing. Luk, and told him what I had in mind. He agreed to supply the photographs. BCI
Bottom; BCI 1st Vice President Glenis Bebb and BCI Executive Editor, Joe Grande, accompanied me on a second visit and was receptive to the
Director Helen Su present Thomas S. Elias, President of BCI, idea of my submitting an article. It was accepted. I enjoyed the writing immensely.
the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his service Writing has been something that, as a psychologist and professor, I have loved for
as president during the last three years and for his long-term my entire career. More than the writing though, I loved the friendship that Tse Li
contributions to the BCI Bonsai Magazine and the Bonsai & Stone
Appreciation Magazine. and I developed. It has been the friendships and the stories told by great artists that

66 | BCI | October/November/December 2015