Welcome to Northern Midwest ZNA

  

 

 

 

              Northern Midwest ZNA is proud to announce its
           Fifth Annual Educational Seminar

Date:  Saturday, February 12th
Presenter:  Joel Burkhard, owner of Pan Intercorp in Seattle
Time:  10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place:  Barber and Oberwortmann Horticultural Center
              227 N. Gougar Rd. (5 minutes from Interstate-80)
             Joliet, Illinois
Menu:  BBQ beef, fried chicken, cole slaw, corn on the cob,
              baked beans, homemade potato salad, apple slices or
              truffle brownies and soda.
Cost:  $12 per person
Who's Invited:  Anyone who'd like to attend

Joel Burkhard, owner of Pan Intercorp, was born in, of all places, Highland Park, IL.  When his father, a WWII veteran who served first in Europe and then in Japan as part of the occupation force, was later offered an assignment in Japan with Caterpillar Corporation, he accepted.  Joel spent the next thirty years of his life in Asia, twenty of them in Japan where he became fluent in the language.  After returning to the U.S. and starting a business, he got involved in the importaion and sale of koi through his company, Pan Intercorp.  This was in 1987, and the odds are that if you're a koi keeper, you've probably had a fish in your pond that came out of his facility.  Personally, I can recall quite a few.

He was introduced to the Sakais of Hiroshima and was later given the honor of training the youngest member of their family, Kentaro, who spent two years learning English and the American side of the koi biz.  A few years later, he was again honored by being asked to train Takahiro Omosako, the youngest son of the famous shiro utsuri breeder.  He stayed on for four years while his older brother was being trained at the Dainichi koi facility in Niigata, Japan.

I've had occasion to see Joel speak in Japan and he's the only gaijin I've ever seen who was able to get the normally staid Japanese to belly laugh.  He's not only extremely knowledgeable, he's very witty and entertaining.  If you're a reader of KOI USA, you may recall the series of articles he did on tategoi.  These informative stories showed the photographic development of a particular koi from one year of age to maturity.  These articles were invaluable tools in learning how to select and buy small fish.  This is Joel's first visit to the Midwest and we're very fortunate to have him as our speaker!

THE VENUE:  Last summer a few of us visited the Horticultural Center to check out the pond that was being installed there by the Kane Brothers.  Based on the design that they featured at the 2001 Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier, the pond is now up and running, complete with 8 foot waterfall.  There are three beautifully renovated greenhouses in all, one featuring displays that change monthly, another with the pond, and a third that focuses on desert flora.  We rented this site at the urging of members who wanted a site that offerred alternative activities for their spouses, so feel free to bring your significant other.

$$$$$:  In the past we've always had to charge a fee for these seminars that went beyond the price of food because the treasury lacked the funds to cover the expenses of airfare, lodging, site rental, etc.  We're finally solvent enough to not have to do this, so please come and enjoy the fruits of our labors.   Again, the only charge will be for food expenses.  Therefore, PLEASE RSVP as soon as possible by email or snail mail.   If you plan to attend but not eat, that's fine as well - just indicate your plans in your response.  If you have friends who belong to another club or who would simply be intereste in attending, have them get back to me or ask them to submit the attached form to John Suich, treasurer.

DIRECTIONS:   For those of you coming from Indiana, take I-80 to the Route 30 exit.  You'll pass exits for Harlem and La Grange Rd. on the way.  At the base of the ramp, turn left towards Joliet.  Go roughly 3/4 of a mile to Gougar Rd., turn right (north) and go 1/2 mile to the Horticultural Center, which will be on your left.

By the way, all three of the officers who were up for re-election retained their seats.  Koi person of the year was won by Mike Weynschenk.

See you in a few weeks,

BOB

___________________________________________________________________________________________
                                   MAIL REGISTRATION FOR MEMBERS & NON NMZNA GUESTS

Name(s) of guest(s):  _________________________________________________  lunch?  Y/N_________

                                    _________________________________________________  lunch?  Y/N_________

                                    _________________________________________________  lunch?   Y/N_________

                                                                                                                          Amount Enclosed $__________

                                           Mail to:  John Suich  
                                                           1026 Colonial Court
                                                           Naperville, IL  60540