600 years ago It helped us to see witches
growing on the seeds of rye,
and to know, for sure,
a fungus put visions of Satan in our eyes and
they’re there and up to
gangrene in our limbs.
no good.
  
More recently, a scientist discovers
Our modern gods in heaven and on earth
after handling an artificial derivative,
don’t quite understand the worth of
yet another way to knowing
the gifts of nature and
what, in traditional forms, we’ve known for eons.
the value of our own curiosity.
  
Certain fungi can help us see
An opening to
what we can’t so easily perceive
unexplored caverns of consciousness
widening the doors of reception
where expectations lose control
to expand the portals of possibility.
we see the enhanced magic of our minds.
 

The Society’s Treasurer, Pascal Pelous, and also Ian, Kyle, Loren, and Sean Garrone, who are the owners/operators of our Society’s great benefactor and friend Far West Fungi.

After Dark:
Wondrous Fungus

Explore the fungi kingdom and get to know mushrooms, yeasts, and other incredible organisms.

Thu, Feb 6 2025 • 6 - 10pm

Exploratorium - After Dark
Pier 15 
(Embarcadero at Green Street)

This mid-winter dry spell has been making for some pretty crunchy hikes. Finally it’s raining again! I hope you have been able to get out, rain or shine, to enjoy the greenery, hinting that spring is just around the corner.

Have you often wondered what happens behind the scenes of MSSF? Have you asked yourself, “how can I be part of that?” MSSF Council is currently seeking individuals to join Council’s next term. If you would like to know more about what happens at the Council meeting and possibly become a part of it, we invite you to attend the next Council Meeting! Please email me at President@MSSF.org and I will send you the details for the Zoom meeting. For example, some of the upcoming positions include Councilor at Large and Communication/Web Master.

We also have various committees that would love to have more people involved such as the education, art and fungus fair committees. We would love to have new people to learn and become more involved. 

We, MSSF, were invited to take part in Filoli Gardens first ever Mushroom Weekend, January 25th and 26th.  It was an honor to have been asked to be part of the event. We tabled an MSSF information area, talking about all things fungal with the public attending the Mushroom Weekend. It looks like we might have some new members. You cannot pick mushrooms on site, but staff brought some chanterelles to the table that were found near tan oaks on the property. If you have not been to Filoli, it is a beautiful place to visit. They feature wonderful gardens.  Thanks to volunteers Mike McCurdy, Catherine Greer, Paul Lufkin, Stephanie Wright, Liz Vermillion, Hilary Kylie, and JR Blair for being wonderful with the public answering mushroom questions, telling them all about MSSF and dealing with the cold. Special thanks to Maria Pham for her magic behind the scenes and to Ian and Kiera Garrone for suppling blue oyster kits.
 

The Allure of Black Trumpet Mushrooms
– get your “Mushroom Eyes” ready!