Upcoming Events Calendar

During 2005, the MMS will have one Monday evening meeting each month of the year. The meetings will always be on the second Monday of each month. In addition, there will be a second monthly meeting during the months of May, June, September and October. The second meeting will be held the fourth Monday of each month. Regular meetings are from 7:15 to 9:00 pm and are open to everyone.

Please check the MMS Events Calendar and the Meeting Info pages for the most up-to-date event and schedule information.

May 7th - MMS Foray

Louisville Swamp Foray

Meet at 10:00 AM Saturday at the parking area just past the railroad tracks. Louisville Swamp is a part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. To reach the foray site from the metro area, drive south on Highway 169 to about halfway between Shakopee and Jordan and on the right side of the highway look for a brown sign saying “Louisville Swamp”. Take the road west to the parking area.

May 9th - MMS Meeting

“ Morel Madness”

A celebration of Minnesota’s State Mushroom, Morchella esculenta and related species. Morel hunting tips and lore from the masters. Do you have an bunch of dried morels that you intend to use someday, but which have been sitting around for years? Why not share your bounty with members less fortunate than yourselves! Reconstitute some of those morels, put them in your favorite morel recipes, and bring them to the ‘Morel Madness’ meeting on May 9th. All morel memorabilia and kitsch will also be welcomed at this meeting!

May 14th-15th - MMS Foray

The Annual MMS Morel Hunt Get Together

MMS kicks off the 2005 foray season with a two-day visit to the Whitewater Wildlife Area in southeast Minnesota. We will meet at 11:00 AM Saturday at the church located on the west side of Main Street in downtown Elba, MN. To reach Elba, take Highway 52 South from the metro area to Oronoco. There make a left turn and go straight east on Highway 12 and then Highway 247 to Plainview. From Plainview continue east on Highway 8 and then Highway 30 to Highway 74. There take Highway 74 south to Elba. We will have our usual foray on Saturday and for those who wish to stay over we will meet for dinner at the Elba Inn, time to be determined. We will meet at 8:00 AM Sunday at the Elba Inn for breakfast and start our foray at about 9:30 AM. There are no motels in Elba; however, there is one in nearby St. Charles called White Valley Motel. Rates are very reasonable. Their telephone number is (507) 932-3142. There is also a bed and breakfast in St. Charles called Victorian Lace. Last year the room rates were $85.00 for a double and $55.00 for a single and included a full breakfast. Their number is (507) 932-4496. On your way through Plainview you might check to see if there are any motels available. Rochester and Winona are also fairly close to Elba so you may want to stay overnight in one of those cities. For the more hardy souls, there is camping available at Whitewater State Park, which is just south of 5.

May 21st - MMS Foray

Lake Maria State Park

Meet at 10:00 AM Saturday at the picnic area parking lot near the lake. To reach the park, take Interstate 94 north from the metro area to Monticello and follow signs to the park, which is about 8 miles from the Monticello exit.

May 23rd – MMS Meeting

Strange American Mushrooms:A presentation by Leon Shernoff.

Leon is a well-known figure in the amateur mycology community. He is the editor of the fine publication, Mushroom, The Journal of Wild Mushrooming. Leon is a member of the Illinois Mycological Association, and currently its Webmaster and program chair. Leon’s talk is sure to be colorful and, well, downright weird. Don’t miss it!

June 10th-11th - BioBlitz

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Designed as part contest, part festival, part educational event, part scientific endeavor, the BioBlitz brings together scientists from the from across the state in a race against time. The goal is to count as many species of plants and animals they can in a 24-hour biological survey of a Minnesota natural area. MMS will survey the fungi in the area, and we will need volunteers to collect mushrooms and to lead forays for visitors. Please join us and be a part of this exciting event! The Visitor Center is located at 3815 American Blvd. East in Bloomington, across from the Airport Hilton Hotel. From I-494, exit on 34th Ave. and drive south. Turn left on American Blvd. East and drive 1/4 mile to the entrance on the right.

June 11th – MMS Foray CANCELLED

William O’Brien State Park

This foray has been cancelled so that members can attend the BioBlitz on June 10th and 11th at The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

June 13th - MMS Meeting

Spring Mushrooms

Bring in your fungal finds for appreciation and Identification. For Beginners: How to look at a Mushroom.

June 27th – MMS Meeting

Summer Mushrooms

Bring in your fungal finds for appreciation and Identification. Featured genus: Amanita

July 9th -- MMS Foray

Afton State Park.

Meet at 10:00 AM at the last picnic parking area. To reach the park take Interstate Highway 94 east from St. Paul to Highway 95 and then south on 95 to Highway 20 and then east on 20 to the park’s entrance.

July 30th -- MMS Foray

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Meet at 10:00 at the parking lot. To reach the park takes Interstate Highway 35 south and then exit to Highway 19 to Northfield. From Northfield take Highway 246 south to Highway 40 and then west to the park’s entrance.

Please check the MMS Events Calendar and the Meeting Info pages for the most up-to-date event and schedule information.

For more information or to submit articles for the MMS Toadstool Review, please contact the Newsletter Editor - newsletters@minnesotamushrooms.org