President's Message

In 1995, Bill jarmie and Fran Rogers concluded a five-year fungal study, subsequently
publishing A Survey of Macromycete Diversity at Los Alamos National Laboratory,
Bandelier National Monument, and Los Alamos County. The study's Abstract includes, "We
have compiled a database of 1048 collections, their characteristics, and
identifications. The database represents 123 genera and 175 species reliably
identified. Issues of habitat loss, species extinction, and ecological relationships
are addressed."  This work, Bill and Fran's labor of love, is a wonderful illustration
of amateur mycologists' valuable contributions.

Bill & Fran were enthusiastic participants at both NMMS and NAMA Forays, but as Bill's
physical health declined, we began to miss their presence at these events.  Bill
attended our Sipapu Foray in 2002, where he spent time peering through his microscope
and conversing contentedly with Vera Evenson in the crowded collection room.  Perhaps
they discussed Bill and Fran's decision to donate their large collection to the Denver
Botanic Gardens' Herbarium of Fungi, of which Vera is curator. Bill left his cherished
microscope to NMMS, and we greatly appreciated having it at our last Foray.

The Los Alamos Survey opens with a dedication to Bill Isaacs which includes the
proverb, "When a man of quality dies, a library burns."  We observe the same sentiment
as we dedicate this year's Los Alamos Foray to the Memory of Bill Jarmie, who left us
two years ago on May 14th.  We are further pleased to welcome Fran Rogers as our Guest
of Honor. Come August, as we seek the fungal marvels of this diverse area, let us
remember that we follow--mycologically and literally--in Bill Jarmie's footsteps.


David Wallis
(for May'06 Mycorizon)