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APRIL 2004
Jean O. Fahey- Editor

April Awakening !

The Scarlet cups herald
the beginning of spring
With the leeks and the lilies galore
And sometime in April
There begins to appear
Dryad's Saddle, the first polypore.

We really kicked the season off to fabulous start this year with a program by Dr. Alex Weir. He presented "The Ten Weirdest Fungi" to a packed room full of CNYMS members and left us dying to know more! Thanks Dr. Weir! It was truly a 'fun'gal experience!
The leeks and the Trout Lilies are up out in the woods and I have found scarlet cups. The Morchella semilibera will be poking their pointy little heads up through the leaves soon and the real Morels will follow. We hope you will join us in our search for the early Black morels at the Rand Tract on the 25th and at the meeting on the 19th, where Jean promises to show you some lovely morels all cooked and ready for you to experience.
Click Here to see all the events we hope to see you at.
See you the 19th and the 25th!
Jean and Bernie

MYCOPHAGY CORNER
Monkey's Head Fungus, Chicken and Pea Soup

Mushroom of the Month
Lion's Mane- Hericium erinaceus

A type of tree mushroom that has been used traditionally in China and Japan for hundreds of years, known also as monkey's head and bear's head.
Studies done primarily in Asia confirm many of its traditional uses, supporting the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol, strengthening the respiratory system, and acting as a tonic for the nervous system. Some of the mushroom's most promising (and surprising) benefits include possibly being able to stimulate nerve growth factor, which may help inhibit brain dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the Lion's Mane as a whole body tonic to improve overall strength and as a digestive tonic for indigestion and constipation.
Hericium is commonly found throughout most of North America. In addition to being incredibly good for you, they are also delicious. Baked or broiled and brushed with melted butter, they are reminiscent of lobster tails.

An excerpt from " Mushroom" by Johnny Acton and Nick Sandler;
Mushroom hunting awakens instincts most of us have forgotten we possessed. Our vision and sense of smell sharpen, and the adrenalin starts to flow. We begin to find ourselves mysteriously drawn to look in one place rather than another by a force we cannot begin to understand, but whose tug is irresistible. More often than not, it is right. In foraging for mushrooms, we plug straight into our inner Hunter-gatherer.
Although some cultures are undoubtedly more attuned to searching for fungi than others, we reckon the mushrooming instinct is innate. All that is needed is to find a way to access it. There is a lot to be said for strategic hunting-that is to say, going by the book in terms of where you look for what (particularly with mushrooms that are linked with particular tree species), and when. But the best method is simply to get into the habit of walking around with this one thought firmly in mind: "Now, where are the mushrooms?" Because you can bet your bottom dollar they're out there somewhere.
As time goes by, you will start to get a feel of what tends to grow where, and in what conditions. The accent is on the "tend", as mushrooms are much too free-spirited to always obey the rules. But you will gradually start to catch yourself thinking "mmm, this could be good Morel territory"… This means you are starting to develop the all-important sixth sense.

Calendar of Events - 2004
All meetings are at 7:30 pm room 127 Illick Hall on the ESF campus of SU.

APRIL 19th Mycophagy meeting at 7:30pm in room 127 of Illick Hall. Jean Fahey, aka the "Wild Mushroom Cook", will be joined by former chef and CNYMS member Tom Backer. They will tickle your palette and share some secret mushroom cooking tips with you. Bring an appetite. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to add to the menu call Jean @ 446-1463.

Book Raffle
"Black Mold: Your Health and Your Home" by Richard Progovitz, who is our speaker for the June 21st meeting. Win it before you can buy it! We’ll raffle it off at our April meeting for everyone whose dues are current. If your mailing label doesn’t say 2004, then it is time to send $10 for dues.

BOOKS FOR SALE: We are offering to paid members the opportunity to own the fabulous cookbook "Mushroom" by Johnny Acton and Nick Sandler for only $16! This book is available from Fungi Perfectii for $29.95 plus shipping, so don't miss your chance to get in on this 'members only' deal.

Your membership entitles you to: The CNYMS Newsletter, Eight monthly CNYMS meetings and programs, Free participation in CNYMS forays, and special discounts on CNYMS sponsored merchandise!!!  If you have a mailing label that says 2002 then you need to send us $20. If you are delinquent back to 2002, you will not receive any more newsletters until all back dues are paid! If you’ve paid and the date isn’t right, contact RickColvin (treasurer) 635-8078 or rcolvin@twcny.rr.com

Got any recipes, stories or info to share?
In the interest of science, as well as for the love of fungi, send your list or interesting findings to Jean at "mushroom@zhighway.net" or 445-1463. 
Jean O. Fahey- Editor

Any questions or input for newsletters contact:
Jean Fahey (Club mycophagist and editor)
232 Edgemont Dr. Syracuse, NY 13214 445-1463
Or Bernie Carr (chairperson) 210 Parrish Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205 469-9379.

Hosted as a public service of The Forager Press and Roy Reehil
Copyright CNYMS 2003