Cape Girardeau Conference
Videos for Sale or Rent

Last year [1998] was our initial trial of making videos of a few of the foray lectures available to members. The Education Committee has decided that there are additional programs from the 1999 foray at Cape Girardeau, MO, which should be added to the roster. A decision was made to change the policy to enable more members to avail themselves of this service. Therefore, the rental fee has been reduced to $5.00 per tape, including those from Asilomar, to cover costs of duplicating and mailing. Return postage remains the responsibility of those renting. A two week rental will also continue to be in place. Although a few of the Asilomar tapes can still be purchased, we are offering the additional tapes at least for the present.

Please bear in mind that these presentations were taped as they happened and are offered in an unedited state--"with the fuzz still on them." Expect a variation in volume, occasional unfocused moments, audience distractions and the hum of air conditioning equipment. Due to room arrangements and camera angle, some of the choice programs lack sharply focused slides but this diminishes the presentations very little. The major intrusions are noted. With this caveat, we hope many of you will enjoy some of the highlights of the forays.

To Order, write, call, or email the Education Committee Librarian:

Available Videos

Large Fungi: Shaping Forest Structure

By Dr. Johann N. Bruhn (53 minutes). This fascinating presentation should be an imperative for anyone interested in the forest ecology of mushrooms. Dr. Bruhn is Research Associate Professor of Ecology and Management of Fungi in Forest Communities, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Missouri, Center of Agroforestry and famous as the discoverer of the 'Humongous Fungus', which caught the attention of the national media. Dr. Bruhn tells this tale as he explains how the study of the genus Armillaria has helped us gain a much greater understanding of forest ecology. (Bruhn & Mueller are on the same tape.)

Comparative Studies on Mushrooms and other Macrofungi in the Oak Forests

By Dr. Gregory M. Mueller (49 minutes). In an interesting counterbalance to Dr. Bruhn's talk, Dr. Mueller details studies of the fungi in the oak forests of Costa Rica, Columbia, China and the US with an eye to the broad scale discoveries. He also details some of the current methods of collecting field data, most particularly in third world countries by utilizing local resources. Some of the slides are a bit dark in projection but are verbally covered. Dr. Mueller is the Associate Curator, Mycology and Chair, Department of Botany, the Field Museum in Chicago. He is responsible for NAMA's Voucher Program and a prime mover in it's success. (Bruhn & Mueller are on the same tape.)

Mushrooms Anatomy With a Hand Lens

By Dr. Walter J. Sundberg (45 minutes). Walt is Associate Professor of Botany at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, recipient of the 1999 MSA Weston Award for Teaching Excellence, and a NAMA Institutional Trustee. He presents a unique approach to expanding fungal knowledge with only a hand lens. Expect a brief break due to a projection genie. (Sundberg & Macpherson are on the same tape.)

Shiitake - From Ozark Hills to St. Louis Bistros

By Nicola Macpherson (48 minutes). An important opportunity for anyone interested in cultivation. One of the owners of Ozark Forest Mushrooms describes their approach to a successful commercial and marketing operation. Her presentation not only is full of tips on growing mushrooms for profit but also touches on the boost a mushroom farm can give to a depressed local economy. (Sundberg & Macpherson are on the same tape.)

Mushroom Scents - just for the Smell of It

By Walt Sturgeon (51 minutes). NAMA Vice President and winner of the Award for the Contribution to Amateur Mycology, Walt has also garnered awards for his mushroom photography. He has been a driving force in the Ohio Mushroom Society. In this program, he takes a distinctive turn in his approach to mushrooms. (Sturgeon & Justice are on the same tape.)

Some Interesting Southern Mushrooms

By Jay Justice (39 minutes). NAMA Vice President and Foray Committee Chair, Jay is an avid amateur mycologist and a charter member of the Arkansas Mycological Society. He has collected mushrooms throughout the South and shares some of his extensive knowledge of these fungi in this program. (Sturgeon & Justice are on the same tape.)

Mushroom Photography: The Basics and Beyond

By David Dennis (68 minutes). David is a retired biological illustrator and photographer from Ohio State University. His interesting approach of setting up comparative slides is most helpful even though some of them were unfortunately cropped by the narrow angle of the video lens. He was also presenting in a very large room, battling a squeaky door and background noise. Even so, the wealth of information he offers from his years of experience with both photographs and equipment and is just too good to miss. (Dennis & Kay are on the same tape.)

The Naming of Mushrooms: A Philological Foray

By Dr. Richard Kay (54 minutes). One of the founding members of the Kaw Valley Mycological Society, a medieval historian and co-author of the book A Guide to Kansas Mushrooms, Skip explains the rhymes and reasons for some of the fungal names. Once understood, the convoluted pathways become fascinating and understandable. (Dennis & Kay are on the same tape.)

An Ethnomycological Perspective

By Dr. Brian Akers (60 minutes). As an acknowledged expert in ethnomycology, Brian gives a significant and scholarly program encompassing the historical and cultural ramifications of fungal uses across the world. His review of man and mushrooms throughout history answers many of the questions frequently raised about this aspect of mycology.

Cooking Mushrooms Fresh and Dried

By Julie Ridlon (78 minutes). Julie is a member of the James Beard Society and the St. Louis Culinary Society. She owns Chanterelle Catering and teaches cooking throughout the St. Louis area. Julie's skills extend from a well-stocked kitchen to a camp stove in the woods. In this presentation, she offers techniques for getting the most flavor from a variety of mushrooms, often utilizing both fresh and dried in the same recipe.

Mushroom Cooking with an Eye to the East

By David Owens (45 minutes). Dave demonstrates how different mushrooms are incorporated in two distinctive Asian cuisines. He emphasizes the use of seasonal ingredients for the fullest flavor in this presentation. Dave is a partner and the Executive Chef at the Plaza in Frontenac and the owner of the Veggie Chef, a company specializing in culinary education and menu design.

NAMA 1999 Photo Contest

(28 minutes). Although one award winning slide does not come through, this is an opportunity to view the top notch photographs submitted this year for our contest. The contestants are introduced by one of their slides prior to those judged as worthy of Honorable Mention then the top three in each category. It was a suitable addition to the background sounds of dessert one foray evening.