Fungus Fair CANCELLED

 
An emergency MSSF Council meeting was called on December 23rd to discuss the viability of proceeding with our annual Fungus Fair. After all members of the council were able to weigh in, it was argued that due to the risks associated with the current Covid challenges and extreme lack of volunteers related to that, it was decided to cancel the Fungus Fair scheduled for January 23, 2022, at the Orinda Community Center.
 
The Orinda Community Center had quite a lot to offer MSSF, we appreciate their welcome, patience, understanding, and best wishes.
 
Trying to organize an event such as this in the time of Covid has been challenging to say the least. It has been incredibly rewarding and allowed me to meet many people throughout the bay area interested in mushrooms and fungus and related interests and activities.
 
I now must find space for various things that have been collected for this event which I was hoping would be temporary. There will be other times for mushroom costumes and hats, papier-mâché mushrooms for children to forage for, cash boxes and health supplies. My thanks go out to those people who donated these things at the very beginning of my appointment as co-chair to the Fungus Fair.
 
Many supporters have contacted me expressing their understanding and disappointment that the fair had to be canceled. Somehow, it seems that the issues around the time of Covid have created a sense of acceptance of change in people. This might be a good thing.
 
I want to thank Eleana Hsu for all her hard work as vendor coordinator even as she launched her own product line, Mike McGrath, who accepted the position of food service director in addition to preparation for opening his own new restaurant in Half Moon Bay in February, Orinda Books, Britt Bunyard for his advice and support, and of course Far West Fungi, especially Ian, Naomi, and Toby. Special thanks to Stephanie Wright and Daniel Wabyick who helped me manage IVolunteer, and Cheryl, the editor of East Bay Edible Magazine and the authors of the magazine who worked on the project on our behalf. Lorraine Barry and Pat George also deserve a tip of the hat for their contribution to the blog. I think I will stop there; the list is growing longer as I think about it. Thanks to everybody who helped, named and unnamed, you know who you are.
 
In the meantime, it seems that one activity, the “Call for Rain,” has been moderately successful. It seems to be resulting in successful foray experiences throughout the bay area. Many people participated in this activity; I think it worked just today. We checked out the area behind the Orinda Community Center and found a good selection of Lactarius, Boletes and turkey tails. We also saw how the removal of some large trees have drastically impacted the immediate environment.
 
A Fungus Fair committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss tying up the loose ends.
 
Thank you for choosing love~ KO