Help for Bill Valavanis

William Valavanis is a very well-known bonsai expert from Henrietta (a suburb of Rochester). He's respected the world over and people come from pretty much everywhere to learn from him at his International Bonsai Arboretum. Even if you're not into bonsai, if you've ever been to GardenScape you can't help but to have noticed his work—his displays are stunning. I don't have many great pictures, but here's a Naragansett crabapple in full bloom from I think two years ago:
 

A few days ago, Bill's house caught on fire. No one was hurt, but there was a lot of loss and it's going to be a heck of a mess to clean up—I'm not even sure the house itself is salvagable. Luckily, Bill's studio and greenhouses were unharmed. The majority of Bill's 40,000 slides are gone, however, as are 30 years of back issues of Bill's magazine, International Bonsai.

Many people want to help Bill and his family, and in case you're one of them, here's how:

1. You can bid on this hand-made bonsai planter by Ron Lang here.

2. You can bid on this 80-year-old ponderosa pine donated by Golden Arrow bonsai, here (scroll down 'til you find it).

3. You can send a check (made out to William N. Valavanis) via the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York to:

Ron Maggio

30 Green Pine Lane

Webster, NY 14580

 

or via the GardenScape Professionals Association:

GPA
PO Box 1113
Webster, NY 14580-1113

I am certain that Bill and his family will appreciate any help we can give them.