September 2002 Morel Mushroom Hunting Club Newsletter

This is a sample newsletter from last year. As a member, you will be emailed with each new newsletter published!

Well, the 2003 Morel season is slowly winding down. We have had a diverse season across the country. Some areas were dry then wet but it was too late. Others were extremely wet, and cold prolonging the season. In general, the season was later and longer than normal, and slightly above average in harvest. We have had one of the busiest years ever with the morel finds page, http://www.morelmushroomhunting.com/morelfinds.html, and received a record number of photographs from across the country. Below are many of this season's highlights.

First and foremost, the biggest event of the 2003 season was the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Larry Lonik. Larry truly was and is the "King of Morels", was an inspiration to so many, dedicated his entire life to the study, and love of Morels. Larry, we all will miss you, even those of us whom you never had the opportunity to meet. We hope that you are finding Morels year round now in the true "Morel Heaven" as your website was always named.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003: We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend

Yes, unfortunately it is true. Apparently he was mushroom hunting with friends near Louisiana, MO. He got separated from them and the ATV became tangled in some vines which caused it to flip on top of him, with no noticeable injuries. At that point, the ATV was not functional and Larry walked back to the lodge where he met his hunting partners. They then went to dinner. At dinner, Larry complained of being sore and remarked that he would probably be even sorer tomorrow. His friends insisted that he go to the hospital to be x-rayed for broken bones. While at the hospital he was joking with the nurse and then "seized" and died very quickly - cause unknown at this time.

Larry was here last Tuesday, the 8th, and stayed overnight en route to the Morel Heaven Weekends at Nebo, IL. His last words to me as he drove down the driveway were,"I'll be pickin' mushrooms tomorrow".

Funeral arrangements are pending and we will post them here as soon as we know them. I believe they will also be posted on Larry's web page: http://www.morelheaven.com

March 14th, 2003: Tim Geho writes: Hi Chris,
I'd like to report that Kristina Poole And Tradd Cotter found 3 small Esculenta today 3/14/03. They were found on a private plantation in the Charleston, SC area. To my knowledge, this is the first documented finding of Morels in the south east coastal plain. I've heard anecdotal reports, but nothing verified. We have digital pictures. If you'd like me to forward the e-mail with the attachment let me know. Have your computer problems been fixed? I hope so. I really appreciate the work you've done to keep this site running. What is your address so I can send this year's dues?
I hope that circumstances allow you to get out and find Morels in your area. I know you've moved, but f we can find them in coastal SC, then perhaps you can find them in GA. Regards, Tim Geho

Eddie McMillan in Knoxville started the Tennessee season off not much later, and then I found some Morchella deliciosa in Central Georgia, even farther into the deep south than ever before.

March 25th, 2003: Chris Matherly, webmaster, found about 35 yellow morels under poplar trees in lowlands in Cochran, Georgia. (Bleckley County)

The Morel data collection began, an intense effort to understand Morel habitat, and to distinguish different species of Morels under examination of a microscope.

Michael Kuo and I, at MushroomExpert.Com, have begun a morel data collection project in order to assist Dr. Carol Carter with her DNA research on morels. Dr Carter's research is extremely fascinating to say the least. You can check out this link -- http://www.bluewillowpages.com/mushroomexpert/morels/mordat.html -- if you're interested in seeing what we've got planned. You're also certainly welcome to post the link on your site if you wish! All best, Bob Zordani

The end of March made another significant discover, Black Morels in Central Georgia! The previous record was last year just North of Atlanta, GA.

March 30th, 2003: Jody Mohler and Chris Matherly found 24 morels (2 black morels, 22 small thin walled yellow morels) in High Falls state park just north of Macon, GA. We searched a few other locations with no luck. It is amazing, but yes, Black Morels do grow south of Atlanta, GA!

April 1st, again, brought record Morel hunting to the deep south, finding the best large Yellow Morel "patch" that I ever had in my entire life, and here I was in Central Georgia!

April 1st, 2003: This is no April fools! Roger Reynolds and Chris Matherly found 158 very large yellow Morels (5-8 inches) (total of about 25 pounds!) in Jasper County, Georgia. It was one of the best spots I have ever been to with large morels about every 3 feet or closer for hundreds of feet in rich lowlands with mainly Ash, Box Elder, Sycamore, River Birch, and Poplar trees. This was no mushroom hunt, simply a harvest! Unbelievable!

Chris' Tailgate! Roger Reynolds started his first shrooming experience off with a bang!

April 6th, I made a trip up to Knoxville to hunt with Big Ed, and brought my family along to hunt! We were out just 3 hours and found over 300!

April 6th, 2003: Chris, Timi, Kylah & Elijah Matherly, Eddie McMillan, and Richie found 342 Morels, (1- Morchella deliciosa, 1- M. esculenta, 3- M. semilibera, and the rest black morels) in Knoxville, TN. As always, a big thanks to "Big" Eddie. He knows where the shrooms are! It was so fun, and nice to have my family with me this time. They had the time of their lives, and never expected to find so many nice Morels!

By April 25th, Morels were done in the south, and were being found well into Michigan. Many areas were very late starting, as spring was so cool.

April 25th, 2003: A J Johnson, a brand new member, found morels, - general location: Illinois,Grafton
Growing Conditions: Bluffs around Ash trees/lowlands. Additional Comments: We,AJJohnson, GarryRush, Bob/Sharon Bechtold, found around a hundred pounds of morels on the Bluffs and in the lowlands near the Wild Goose in Grafton Illinois on April 18,19th of April 2003. We have been hunting for years and this is the most any of us have found at one time. Please note all of the morels are not in the picture. AJJohnson

May 4th brought a first to the Morel finds page, Morels in the city limits of New York! This was very interesting!

May 4th, 2003: Peter Grass, morel - general location: new york city , Growing Conditions: park footpath, the same patch as in 2001, that skipped last year's season alltogether. the poakweeds are two feet high the wild mustards a foot tall, and the oak leafs are the size of the ears of squirels.. I emailed him back to clarify, these were found INSIDE the city limits!- Chris M

By now, Morels had spread well into PA, up to Idaho, just about all of the northern states.

May 12th, 2003: Christine writes: I have been looking for 2 weeks now & have found over 150 mushrooms during this time. I first started When Larry Lonick turned me on to growing them indoors, I worked for this man for 1.5 years & learned from the Master. I now am growing them in many areas of my woods & backyard thanks to Larry.
My Best Haul yet was this picture I took on Mothers Day in Dansville Mi, 5-11-03.
Christine

May 21st, 2003: sharon grimes, morel - general location: in burn area,Sisters,Oregon.
Growing Conditions: in pine needles,of burn area

May 21st, 2003: Steve Crews, morel - general location: In the North Cascades, Washington State Found April 18th at elevation of 2,500 ft. Snow has only been melted for about two weeks. Found some even coming up through a light snow that fell night before. Found three varieties. Dark, whites and a few yellows. Size varied from 3-8 inches. Found in pine forest recently thinned and undergrowth burnt. This season should last until August as I follow the snow line up. In years past have found morels in late August at 4,600 ft.

By the end of the month, most of the country, Morel season is now over, still possible in Maine, Vermont, upstate NY, higher elevations of Washington, Oregon, and way up into Canada!

Overall for 2003, with a record number of morel reports, and such great comments from the public, it was truly a successful year. We had far more photo submissions than ever before as well. Keep them coming in. For me- time to start the Morel dreams again, that always come , for me, pre and post morel season! :)