Free Seminars in 2024
Growing and Caring for Blueberries, Saturday, March 2nd, 12-1:30pm
JIM BUCK, GJG INSTRUCTOR AND JONATHAN FAITH, AL’S GARDEN CENTER INSTRUCTORThe Growing and Caring for Blueberries seminar will describe the main parts of a blueberry plant, what
soil conditions the plants favor, how and when to fertilize blueberries, the harvest times and show-and tellfor various varieties, pruning recommendations, and responses to a couple common diseases that may
occur. Al’s Garden Center will also be bringing coupons to spend on re-stocking your blueberry crop.

January 2024

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

Spring Lawn Maintenance, Saturday, April 13th, 1-2:30pm
JIM CARD, GJG INSTRUCTOR: Getting green, healthy grass is not easy without some TLC. This spring’s lawn maintenance classwill cover keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the summer months in the northwest weather. It will also cover how
to get moss out, and what blend of fertilizer works best for lawns, how to apply, an overview of sprinkler systems and how towater your lawn and your plants.
Pollinators for Your Yard, TBD
DEB PETERS, GJG INSTRUCTOR AND JUDY ALLERUZZO, AL’S GARDEN CENTER INSTRUCTOR: Pollinators, such as bees,
butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. This seminar will focus on native
host plants for butterflies and how to create your own a pollinator yard. Learn where and how to plant milkweed and otherplants to attract monarch butterflies.
Fundamentals of Pruning, June 8th, 1-2:30pm
SUE PROTZ, GJG INSTRUCTOR: Learn the four basic cuts of pruning and the subsequent reaction from these various pruning
cuts. Learn also about tools and tool care. Take a tour of the Gresham Japanse Garden to understand the niwaki-style of pruningand how you can attempt it in your own setting.

Pruning Program Classes
All-day Hands-on Pruning Workshop at Vanport International’s Japanese Garden in Boring, OR Saturday, January 6th,10:00am–4:00pm - $100.
The focus of this winter workshop will be on pruning Vanport’s many vine maples and upright maples.

Fundamentals of Conifers, on Zoom: Thursday, February 8th, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $20
MARYANN LEWIS, INSTRUCTOR: In the Northwest, we know there is more to conifers than Christmas trees! Learn
fundamental pruning techniques for your favorite conifers including pines, spruce, hinoki and how to interpret cultivars. This
class will help you feel comfortable making pruning decisions so you can enjoy your conifers even more. There will be timeat the end of the course for questions and answers. Zoom courses are recorded and available for two weeks.

The Year of the Dragon (tatsu)

Pruning Conifers in the Garden, Onsite, Sunday, February 11th, 1:00pm–3:00pm - $45
MARYANN LEWIS, INSTRUCTOR: This class will build upon the knowledge gained in ‘Pruning Fundamentals for Conifers’
on the 8th. It will be beneficial to take the Zoom class. We will look at various small conifers in and around Tsuru Island andapply useful techniques and strategies that can be used in any garden style.

Spring Maintenance on Pines: Saturday, May 18th, 12:00pm–2:00pm - $45
LAURA DUFALA, INSTRUCTOR: Learn all about the why’s and how’s of candling pines. Also learn about needling tomaintain cloud-prune aesthetics and keep your pines at a manageable size, and as a focal point in a landscape. This
workshop is in person at Tsuru Island, Gresham Japanese Garden. Wear your gloves. Laura may turn the class into aninteractive collaborative session.

More classes listed on the website. VIEW AND REGISTER HERE.
Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Mary Marrs, Mary Dickson, Mary Taylor, and Sue Protz. Photos by Bill Peterson.

Japanese zodiac signs were directly derived from China. The
Chinese zodiac is calculated
according to the Chinese lunar calendar, but, since 1872, Japan’s is basedon the solar calendar. The zodiac wasintroduced in Japan around the third
to fourth century.
People born in the year of the Dragon
Japanese Zodiac are healthy individuals who maintain a sense of well being.
Dragon people are highly energetic
in nature and like to keep to themselves.They are easily amused, yethave downsides too. Dragon people
are very short-tempered and tend tolose control at times. They are also very
stubborn if things don’t go their way.
Regardless of these negative traits,
Dragon people are honest individuals
and follow a good deal of self disci-chill in the air
holly with red berries
empty lonely Azumaya- Bill Petersonpline. They are brave and courageouswhen times get rough. Dragons always
stay the course.
Dragon people are very sensitive individuals and can get hurt easily. They
are capable of inspiring trust in almost
anyone. As the Japanese Dragon Zodiac Sign, they are the most peculiar of
all the 12 signs.
Source: japanesezodiac.org/

Haiku Corner Introduction

Looking Back and Planning Ahead

by Bill PetersonO

ne of the first questions one
My own brief encounter with learnmay ask is, “What is haiku?”
ing haiku was by attending a couple
Haiku is a poetry art formof workshops, hosted by the Greshdeveloped in Japan. A definition
am Japanese Garden, by a profesby Michael Dylan Welch, an English
sional poet, Michael Dylan Welch.
haiku poet said, “haiku in English
The first workshop was on Zoom,
is typically a three-line poem that
followed by an in-person workshop
uses concrete sensory images toin our new Kyoudou Center. I gained
convey or imply natural and human a tremendous appreciation for thisseasonal phenomena, using astyle of poetry, and subsequently
two-part juxtapositional structure
have included in my own practice.
as well as simple and primarily
Some years ago, I almost dropped
objective language.” Or a more poetic out of college because an English
definition given by Basho, one of the teacher informed me that it would
most famous Japanese haiku poets
be almost impossible to teach an Idais, “haiku is a poem of the moment, a ho farm kid interested in engineerfleeting glimpse of eternity.”
ing, how to speak, read, and write
In this January issue, and thethe English language. And when
following issues, I will be editing
listening to someone like Amanda
the new Haiku Corner (below). I will Gorman one can conclude that her
include interesting haiku that relate form of poetry is way out there into the season, the Garden, or both.
the ether. But, reflecting on Michael’s
I will include haiku by both English
teaching I got the impression thatand Japanese poets. We are all about a professional poet might spend aJapanese gardens and culture, so
lifetime getting haiku “just right,” but
it is natural to include haiku by thein another way in its simplicity it is aJapanese masters. I will also provide poetry form designed for everyone.
haiku by English poets just to show
In fact I am now thinking that haiku
that haiku in English is a real andmight just be a gift from professional
widely practiced art form.

by Sue Protzpoets to us “common folks.”
One of the most famous haiku of
all times is by Mashuo Basho.
Furuike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto
Translated by Fumiko Saisho
The old ponda frog jumps in,sound of water.
If one wants further info on haiku,
Michael’s web page Graceguts.com
provides a huge amount of information. Also on Amazon there are anumber of books (both Kindle andpaper) that provide a lot of info.
Here are some books that may be ofinterest:• Becoming a Haiku Poet - Michael
Dylan Welch• How to Haiku - Bruce RossA

s I read past newsletters, we said
that 2020 was a growth year. If
2020 was a growth year, thenwhat do we say about 2023? Every year
we seem to make huge strides in one
area or another. This year our efforts
were focused on renovating GJG’strailer to create a Japanese-inspiredarchitectural building. This alone wasquite a feat, but our volunteers also hit
a home run hosting the North America
Japanese Garden Association Regional
Workshop. Thirty-five participants
attended from all over North America
and experienced the warmth from awell-oiled volunteer-based organization.
Speaking of volunteers, at the end of2023 we can boast thirty-five active
volunteers logging in 766 volunteer
hours per month. Our monthly averagein 2022 was 664 hours.

Accomplishments in 2023•

• Write Like Issa - David G. Lanoue•••

Making Spirits Bright

Wreathmaking Workshop•

HAIKU CORNER
Christmas Eve…
at the lot, the trees
not chosen•- Tom Tico
.今見れば皆欲目也枯木立
ima mireba mina yokume nari kare kodach
still I see them
how they were…
bare winter trees- IssaIn a small way, the Gresham Japanese Garden hopes we’ve made spirits brighter for
holidays by decorating one of the pine trees
with ornaments.
At the end of this month, a traditional
Japanese decoration, kadomatsu, made ofbamboo and pine will greet visitors entering
Tsuru Island.

The Exploratory students ended the year
making holiday wreaths in the greenhousewith leftover supplies from a fundraiser. The
project was new and challenging, and theteachers needed extra help. The GJG volunteers stepped up and assisted the students
with one-on-one support. Everyone had areally fun time together.

•

•

•

Raised $30,000 towards theremodel through an online auction,sponsors, donors, and a Cabo raffle.
Launched the aesthetic pruning
program.
Gained a partner in Bartlett Tree
Service.
Welcomed Celestica, a company
that worked with us throughout the
spring and summer.
Awarded the highest number ofpoints from the City of Gresham
cultural grant committee. Received$4,650.
Hosted our first Haiku and Manga
cultural workshops, and our second
Koi Expo.
Won grants from Trinity Lutheran
and 100+ Women Who Care East
County.
Produced and installed a newinterpretive sign to adorn theentrance of Tsuru Island.
Built a retaining wall in the back of

•

•

•

•

•

•

the center.
Hosted a jam-packed 4-day
North America Japanese Garden
Association Regional Workshop.
Hosted two open houses in the
Kyoudou Center: one to thankdonors and businesses, and asecond one for the public.
Installed the 4th Rip Caswellbronze sculpture, this one in thePeace Garden.
Co-hosted a Snowcap
wreathmaking workshop with
Burns Feed Store.
Completed another successful
year teaching the Exploratory
Program students horticulture,adding the art of bonsai andwreathmaking to their resumes.
Remodeled the Resource Center,adding a patio and entrance
garden and renaming it “Kyoudou
Center.”Center in Gresham. We will be cohosting a few seminars. The first will beon blueberries, followed by a seminaron pollinators. There will be more
to share, as we keep a pulse on theinterests of the community.
Over the past couple of years, we wereasked many times when are we goingto have a plant sale. The first and only
one we offered was in 2019, and as Jim
says, “it was a lot of work.” Well, this year
we’re going to do another one, this time
partnering with Gresham Historical
Society. They will sell flowers, and wewill sell landscape plants. The most
exciting part of this fundraiser for GJG
is incorporating it into the Exploratory
Program’s curriculum.
The second fundraiser will bewreathmaking workshops hosted by
GJG, followed by a wreathmaking
workshop co-hosted with Burns Feed
Store to raise money for Snowcap.

More Engagement in 2024 Behind the Scenes
We’re excited to say, 2024’s scheduleis all about community engagement:
free educational classes taught by GJG
volunteers with Al’s Garden Center
partnering, three free community
events, and two fundraisers. We’ll also
welcome back the Northwest Koi andGoldfish Club expo and introduce theAmbassador Program.
Starting in March, GJG will celebrate
three popular Japanese events.
The first celebration is Hinamatsuri
with an exhibit of the Hina Matsuri
doll collection donated by Machiko
Watanabe. Second, a week-long event
hosting yozakura, cherry blossoms
viewing at night, and ending the year,with ‘Winter Illumination’, lighting
up Tsuru Island, Ebetsu Plaza andAmbleside Annex for the holidays.
Another effort towards engagement
is partnering this year with Al’s Garden

Just when you think there is nothingelse the volunteers could possibly
add to the Gresham Japanese Garden,
you’re surprised. For years Jim Card
has thought about how to safely andsecurely incorporate a bonsai display
into GJG’s setting. Well, in 2024, GJG
is building a bonsai display! Other
improvements include: a new fence
joining the barn to the Kyoudou
Center, a garden for the building sign,
improvements to the shadehouse, andfinishing the exterior enhancements of
the Kyoudou Center.
For 13 years now, passionate
volunteers have joined together toserve the Garden and their community.
We will continue our efforts keeping
Main City Park beautiful and bettering
the livability of Gresham.

Looking Back and Planning Ahead

Haiku Corner Introduction

by Bill PetersonO

ne of the first questions one
My own brief encounter with learnmay ask is, “What is haiku?”
ing haiku was by attending a couple
Haiku is a poetry art formof workshops, hosted by the Greshdeveloped in Japan. A definition
am Japanese Garden, by a profesby Michael Dylan Welch, an English
sional poet, Michael Dylan Welch.
haiku poet said, “haiku in English
The first workshop was on Zoom,
is typically a three-line poem that
followed by an in-person workshop
uses concrete sensory images toin our new Kyoudou Center. I gained
convey or imply natural and human a tremendous appreciation for thisseasonal phenomena, using astyle of poetry, and subsequently
two-part juxtapositional structure
have included in my own practice.
as well as simple and primarily
Some years ago, I almost dropped
objective language.” Or a more poetic out of college because an English
definition given by Basho, one of the teacher informed me that it would
most famous Japanese haiku poets
be almost impossible to teach an Idais, “haiku is a poem of the moment, a ho farm kid interested in engineerfleeting glimpse of eternity.”
ing, how to speak, read, and write
In this January issue, and thethe English language. And when
following issues, I will be editing
listening to someone like Amanda
the new Haiku Corner (below). I will Gorman one can conclude that her
include interesting haiku that relate form of poetry is way out there into the season, the Garden, or both.
the ether. But, reflecting on Michael’s
I will include haiku by both English
teaching I got the impression thatand Japanese poets. We are all about a professional poet might spend aJapanese gardens and culture, so
lifetime getting haiku “just right,” but
it is natural to include haiku by thein another way in its simplicity it is aJapanese masters. I will also provide poetry form designed for everyone.
haiku by English poets just to show
In fact I am now thinking that haiku
that haiku in English is a real andmight just be a gift from professional
widely practiced art form.

by Sue Protzpoets to us “common folks.”
One of the most famous haiku of
all times is by Mashuo Basho.
Furuike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto
Translated by Fumiko Saisho
The old ponda frog jumps in,sound of water.
If one wants further info on haiku,
Michael’s web page Graceguts.com
provides a huge amount of information. Also on Amazon there are anumber of books (both Kindle andpaper) that provide a lot of info.
Here are some books that may be ofinterest:• Becoming a Haiku Poet - Michael
Dylan Welch• How to Haiku - Bruce RossA

s I read past newsletters, we said
that 2020 was a growth year. If
2020 was a growth year, thenwhat do we say about 2023? Every year
we seem to make huge strides in one
area or another. This year our efforts
were focused on renovating GJG’strailer to create a Japanese-inspiredarchitectural building. This alone wasquite a feat, but our volunteers also hit
a home run hosting the North America
Japanese Garden Association Regional
Workshop. Thirty-five participants
attended from all over North America
and experienced the warmth from awell-oiled volunteer-based organization.
Speaking of volunteers, at the end of2023 we can boast thirty-five active
volunteers logging in 766 volunteer
hours per month. Our monthly averagein 2022 was 664 hours.

Accomplishments in 2023•

• Write Like Issa - David G. Lanoue•••

Making Spirits Bright

Wreathmaking Workshop•

HAIKU CORNER
Christmas Eve…
at the lot, the trees
not chosen•- Tom Tico
.今見れば皆欲目也枯木立
ima mireba mina yokume nari kare kodach
still I see them
how they were…
bare winter trees- IssaIn a small way, the Gresham Japanese Garden hopes we’ve made spirits brighter for
holidays by decorating one of the pine trees
with ornaments.
At the end of this month, a traditional
Japanese decoration, kadomatsu, made ofbamboo and pine will greet visitors entering
Tsuru Island.

The Exploratory students ended the year
making holiday wreaths in the greenhousewith leftover supplies from a fundraiser. The
project was new and challenging, and theteachers needed extra help. The GJG volunteers stepped up and assisted the students
with one-on-one support. Everyone had areally fun time together.

•

•

•

Raised $30,000 towards theremodel through an online auction,sponsors, donors, and a Cabo raffle.
Launched the aesthetic pruning
program.
Gained a partner in Bartlett Tree
Service.
Welcomed Celestica, a company
that worked with us throughout the
spring and summer.
Awarded the highest number ofpoints from the City of Gresham
cultural grant committee. Received$4,650.
Hosted our first Haiku and Manga
cultural workshops, and our second
Koi Expo.
Won grants from Trinity Lutheran
and 100+ Women Who Care East
County.
Produced and installed a newinterpretive sign to adorn theentrance of Tsuru Island.
Built a retaining wall in the back of

•

•

•

•

•

•

the center.
Hosted a jam-packed 4-day
North America Japanese Garden
Association Regional Workshop.
Hosted two open houses in the
Kyoudou Center: one to thankdonors and businesses, and asecond one for the public.
Installed the 4th Rip Caswellbronze sculpture, this one in thePeace Garden.
Co-hosted a Snowcap
wreathmaking workshop with
Burns Feed Store.
Completed another successful
year teaching the Exploratory
Program students horticulture,adding the art of bonsai andwreathmaking to their resumes.
Remodeled the Resource Center,adding a patio and entrance
garden and renaming it “Kyoudou
Center.”Center in Gresham. We will be cohosting a few seminars. The first will beon blueberries, followed by a seminaron pollinators. There will be more
to share, as we keep a pulse on theinterests of the community.
Over the past couple of years, we wereasked many times when are we goingto have a plant sale. The first and only
one we offered was in 2019, and as Jim
says, “it was a lot of work.” Well, this year
we’re going to do another one, this time
partnering with Gresham Historical
Society. They will sell flowers, and wewill sell landscape plants. The most
exciting part of this fundraiser for GJG
is incorporating it into the Exploratory
Program’s curriculum.
The second fundraiser will bewreathmaking workshops hosted by
GJG, followed by a wreathmaking
workshop co-hosted with Burns Feed
Store to raise money for Snowcap.

More Engagement in 2024 Behind the Scenes
We’re excited to say, 2024’s scheduleis all about community engagement:
free educational classes taught by GJG
volunteers with Al’s Garden Center
partnering, three free community
events, and two fundraisers. We’ll also
welcome back the Northwest Koi andGoldfish Club expo and introduce theAmbassador Program.
Starting in March, GJG will celebrate
three popular Japanese events.
The first celebration is Hinamatsuri
with an exhibit of the Hina Matsuri
doll collection donated by Machiko
Watanabe. Second, a week-long event
hosting yozakura, cherry blossoms
viewing at night, and ending the year,with ‘Winter Illumination’, lighting
up Tsuru Island, Ebetsu Plaza andAmbleside Annex for the holidays.
Another effort towards engagement
is partnering this year with Al’s Garden

Just when you think there is nothingelse the volunteers could possibly
add to the Gresham Japanese Garden,
you’re surprised. For years Jim Card
has thought about how to safely andsecurely incorporate a bonsai display
into GJG’s setting. Well, in 2024, GJG
is building a bonsai display! Other
improvements include: a new fence
joining the barn to the Kyoudou
Center, a garden for the building sign,
improvements to the shadehouse, andfinishing the exterior enhancements of
the Kyoudou Center.
For 13 years now, passionate
volunteers have joined together toserve the Garden and their community.
We will continue our efforts keeping
Main City Park beautiful and bettering
the livability of Gresham.

Free Seminars in 2024
Growing and Caring for Blueberries, Saturday, March 2nd, 12-1:30pm
JIM BUCK, GJG INSTRUCTOR AND JONATHAN FAITH, AL’S GARDEN & HOME STORE MANAGER, AND BLUEBERRY EXPERTThe Growing and Caring for Blueberries seminar will describe the main parts of a blueberry plant, what soil
conditions the plants favor, how and when to fertilize blueberries, the harvest times and show-and tell forvarious varieties, pruning recommendations, and responses to a couple common diseases that may occur.
Al’s Garden Center will also be bringing coupons to spend on re-stocking your blueberry crop.
Spring Lawn Maintenance, Saturday, April 13th, 1-2:30pm
JIM CARD, GJG INSTRUCTOR: Getting green, healthy grass is not easy without some TLC. This spring’s
lawn maintenance class will cover keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the summer months in the northwest
weather. It will also cover how to get moss out, and what blend of fertilizer works best for lawns, how to apply, an overview ofsprinkler systems and how to water your lawn and your plants.

January 2024

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

Pollinators for Your Yard, TBD
DEB PETERS, GJG INSTRUCTOR AND JUDY ALLERUZZO, AL’S GARDEN & HOME INSTRUCTOR: Pollinators, such as bees,
butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are crucial for the reproduction of many plant species. This seminar will focus on native
host plants for butterflies and how to create your own a pollinator yard. Learn where and how to plant milkweed and otherplants to attract monarch butterflies.
Fundamentals of Pruning, June 8th, 1-2:30pm
SUE PROTZ, GJG INSTRUCTOR: Learn the four basic cuts of pruning and the subsequent reaction from these various pruning
cuts. Learn also about tools and tool care. Take a tour of the Gresham Japanse Garden to understand the niwaki-style of pruningand how you can attempt it in your own setting.

Pruning Program Classes
All-day Hands-on Pruning Workshop at Vanport International’s Japanese Garden in Boring, OR Saturday, January 6th,10:00am–4:00pm - $100.
The focus of this winter workshop will be on pruning Vanport’s many vine maples and upright maples.

Fundamentals of Conifers, on Zoom: Thursday, February 8th, 6:00pm–8:00pm - $20
MARYANN LEWIS, INSTRUCTOR: In the Northwest, we know there is more to conifers than Christmas trees! Learn
fundamental pruning techniques for your favorite conifers including pines, spruce, hinoki and how to interpret cultivars. This
class will help you feel comfortable making pruning decisions so you can enjoy your conifers even more. There will be timeat the end of the course for questions and answers. Zoom courses are recorded and available for two weeks.

The Year of the Dragon (tatsu)

Pruning Conifers in the Garden, Onsite, Sunday, February 11th, 1:00pm–3:00pm - $45
MARYANN LEWIS, INSTRUCTOR: This class will build upon the knowledge gained in ‘Pruning Fundamentals for Conifers’
on the 8th. It will be beneficial to take the Zoom class. We will look at various small conifers in and around Tsuru Island andapply useful techniques and strategies that can be used in any garden style.

Spring Maintenance on Pines: Saturday, May 18th, 12:00pm–2:00pm - $45
LAURA DUFALA, INSTRUCTOR: Learn all about the why’s and how’s of candling pines. Also learn about needling tomaintain cloud-prune aesthetics and keep your pines at a manageable size, and as a focal point in a landscape. This
workshop is in person at Tsuru Island, Gresham Japanese Garden. Wear your gloves. Laura may turn the class into aninteractive collaborative session.

More classes listed on the website. VIEW AND REGISTER HERE.
Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Mary Marrs, Mary Dickson, Mary Taylor, and Sue Protz. Photos by Bill Peterson.

Japanese zodiac signs were directly derived from China. The
Chinese zodiac is calculated
according to the Chinese lunar calendar, but, since 1872, Japan’s is basedon the solar calendar. The zodiac wasintroduced in Japan around the third
to fourth century.
People born in the year of the Dragon
Japanese Zodiac are healthy individuals who maintain a sense of well being.
Dragon people are highly energetic
in nature and like to keep to themselves.They are easily amused, yethave downsides too. Dragon people
are very short-tempered and tend tolose control at times. They are also very
stubborn if things don’t go their way.
Regardless of these negative traits,
Dragon people are honest individuals
and follow a good deal of self disci-chill in the air
holly with red berries
empty lonely Azumaya- Bill Petersonpline. They are brave and courageouswhen times get rough. Dragons always
stay the course.
Dragon people are very sensitive individuals and can get hurt easily. They
are capable of inspiring trust in almost
anyone. As the Japanese Dragon Zodiac Sign, they are the most peculiar of
all the 12 signs.
Source: japanesezodiac.org/