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Wisconsin Mycological SocietyNewsletter

Volume 35 Number 2 Spring 2018

In this Issue:

- Letter from the President

- Summer Picnic - Potluck

- A New Madison Club

- Wisconsin Forays

- WMS Lecture Series

- Recipes

WMS President Message - Al Bunde Dear Wisconsin Mycological Society Members,

I want to thank the club members who attended this year’s Wine and Cheese Potluck in January for the warm welcome I received as the new club President. Special thanks to VP Kris for providing a wide array of wine, to Peggy for preparing food, bringing a/v equipment, organizing slide show, to the dependable Social Committee members like Bob and Bill Blank, Tina Samuels, to Laura and Laurie for helping “Cut the Cheese” I chose from Trader Joe’s and to other volunteers that helped setup and cleanup.

And of course, thanks to the 70 attendees for bringing great potluck creations, like my famous Rueben Noodle Casserole that was devoured fairly early, as in the past.

Another unique highlight of this event is the slide show for members to share interesting photos of fungal finds. I want to acknowledge and thank a relatively new member named Aurora, for not only sharing some of her fungal photos, but for providing us with samples of the Mushroom Hero Tea from the Rishi Tea Co. in Milwaukee where she works.

While speaking with John Steinke, former President, future and former foray leader, local Earthstar expert and all around great guy, at the potluck about possible locations for our summer picnic, he suggested that I contact his brother and fellow WMS member. I’m happy to announce that Bob and Cindy Steinke have graciously agreed to host our annual summer picnic and member meeting at their farm in Eagle on Saturday June 23, which also includes acres of land to explore.

Late last year I started researching potential speakers and negotiating with the Urban Ecology Center about lecture dates and the desire to continue our partnership. I have spent a lot of time creating the WMS schedule of events for 2018. I need to thank a few of the Board of Directors and other members for committing to lead the several forays this year. Also, to Tess and Laurie, for newsletter and website communications.

Continued on pg. 2

Photo Theresa Kenney

While the Potluck has historically been held on nearly the coldest day of the year, and after enduring major snowstorms from 2014 – 2016 on lecture dates at the New Berlin library, our first lecture this year was wrought with rainfall similar to several lecture days last year after moving to the Urban Ecology Center. Fortunately, our first speaker this year, Za Barron traveled safely from UW Oshkosh and presented a great educational and informational lecture with interesting perspectives on how mushrooms are involved in every aspect of our life, her research about mushroom hunters vs mushrooms, and geography relationships and impacts.

Hope to meet with you at the upcoming lectures, or maybe while out in the woods.

Sincerely, Alan Bunde

Message from President (continued from pg 1.)

Membership Renewal MattersJust a friendly reminder without our memberships we could not support the lectures and forays sponsored. Membership to WMS is valid from January through December. Membership paid after October 1st includes the following year’s membership.

Membership dues are very minimal and a great value for anyone interested in learning about fungi and edible mushrooms. Your financial support help fund WMS events, lecture fees and foray fees at some locations. Without your dues the Free Lectures to the Public would not be possible. Dues must be up to date prior to attending any WMS forays, Winter and Summer Potlucks, etc. WMS is orga-nized by an all volunteer effort. WMS members receive a newsletter with notices for all mushroom hunting forays, dinners meetings, lectures, workshops, socials & much more.

Join/renew today. 1 Year WMS Membership (Single or Family), $20.00 (includes digital newsletters)Important notice: Be sure to confirm or update your email and snail mail address & phone number in Paypal prior to paying your dues. This will insure you receive a paid confirmation from Paypal.

www.wisconsinmycologicalsociety.org

A Blast from the Past 1984 Mushroom Fair

Wisconsin Mycological Society Executive Committee

President, Al BundeVice-President : Kris CiomborSecretary/Treasurer, Peg OberbeckNewsletter Editor : Theresa KenneyWebmaster :Theresa KenneySocial Media : Peg Oberdeck, Theresa Kenney, Kyle Denton

WMS Board of Directors

Bill BlankAlan BundeKris CiomborRobert KaplanTheresa KenneyDavid Menke

Peg OberbeckJim Selle Susan Selle

Black Trumpet Recipe on pg. 11

Wisconsin Mycological Society Summer Picnic, Foray & Potluck

W350 S9545 Sprague Rd- Eagle, WI 53119

Join us Saturday June 23, 2018 in Eagle WI There are 40 acres of woods and 40 acres of prairie for hiking and foraging and picnic.

Please bring lawn chairs & suitable clothing

Milwaukee

MukwonagoEagle Big Bend

1 pm - Gathering, mingling1:30 pm -Grill, Eat, Enjoy3 pm -Annual Member Meeting3:15 pm - Optional Foray 4:30 pm - Meet back at the Farm

Exit I 43 at Mukwonago to 83 north, go East on NN, one mile east of Eagle, half way between NN and LO

Bring a Dish to PassBring a chair to sit on

Wisconsin Mycological Society Forays 2018

Saturday May 5Nordic Ski Trails South Kettle Moraine Foray leader John Steinke

N9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater, WI 53190Directions from the North, West, East or West1. Take I-94 to the Delafield Exit/ Co. Rd C/Genesee St.2. Go south on Co. Rd C/Genesee St.3. Turn rt. onto Hwy 184. Turn left onto Co. Rd C/ Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr.5. Continue to follow Co. Rd C/Kettle Moraine Dr to Hwy 67 - turn left onto Hwy 67.6. Turn rt onto Co Rd ZZ/H7. Turn rt onto Wis 59/Kettle Moraine Dr as you enter Palmyra8. Continue through Palmyra 4.8 miles to the Nordic Trail Head, N9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater, WI.

Directions from the South1. From I-94 Take the exit for WI-20/Mt. Pleasant2. Turn left (west) onto Washington Av/ Hwy 203. Follow Hwy 20 West through Waterford and East Troy4. Hwy 20 turns left at Co J and then becomes Hwy 12 at Hwy 675. Turn rt onto Co H/Kettle Moraine Scenic Dr.6. Arrive at Nordic Trail Head, N9084 Co Rd. H, Whitewater, WI 53197. If you have questions, contact John Steinke at 262-363-7407.

WMS 2018 Member Foray ScheduleAll Forays begin at 10:00 am. All Wi. State Parks require a park pass. The daily or yearly pass can be purchased at Park Headquarters or paid in an envelope available at the parking lots. Information available at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/admission.htmlBring a lunch to eat while we discuss the daily fungus finds!

Saturday May 12 North Kettle Moraine. New Fane trail parking lot. Foray leader Liza Wallner

New Fane Trails Northern Kettle Moraine State ForestW431 County Line Drive, Kewaskum, WI 53040 (262) 626-2116Directions from the West Bend area1. Take US-45 North to Co. Hwy H in Kewauskum2. Turn rt (east) onto Co. Hwy H3. In 1.5 miles, turn left (north) onto Kettle Moraine Dr.4. In 3.4 miles, turn rt (east) onto County Line Dr.5. In .2 miles turn left into New Fane Mountain Bike Parking lot - W431 County Line Dr, Kewaskum6. Meet at the shelter7. Questions please contact Liza Wallner (262) 626-2116

Saturday, June 23Bob Steinke’s Farm WMS Annual Summer Picnic(after picnic) Eagle, Wi Foray Leader John Steinke

W350 S9545 Sprague Rd- Eagle, WI 53119

Exit I 43 at Mukwonago to 83 north, go East on NN, one mile east of Eagle, half way between NN and LO

July 19 –22 Northwoods Foray Weekend Event, Hiles

Please see attached flyer for more information about the Northwoods Foray Weekend Event.

Sat, July 28 Nordic Ski Trails, S. Kettle St. Park Foray Leader John Steinke

WMS 2018 Member Foray Schedule

Nordic Ski Trail - South Kettle Moraine State ParkN9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater, WI 53190Foray Leader: John SteinkeSee directions listed above for May 5th ForayIf you have questions, contact John Steinke at 262-363-7407.

Sat, Oct 6 Erskine, Hainer ForayPt Beach St. Park Foray Leaders Sue and Jim Selle Please join WMS for our annual Tula Erskine and Fred Hainier Memorial Forayinto Point Beach State Park. Bring a picnic lunch - we can eat while we try to identify our finds.A valid Wisconsin State Park sticker (annual or daily) is required.

DIRECTIONS: From I-43 north of Manitowoc, take Exit 154 and head east on State Hwy 310.Follow State Hwy 310 into Two Rivers until it meets State Hwy 42 (about 9 miles).Turn left onto State Hwy 42.

Take Hwy 42 north (winding through town) until it meets County Hwy O.Take County Hwy O until you reach Point Beach State Park.Our foray will start from the parking lot just inside the park entry point at 10:00 a.m.For questions, contact Jim and Susan Selle: (262) 677-0495.

Sat, Sept 15 Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo Foray Leaders Sue and Jim SelleWhat to bring: mushroom basket, hiking shoes, jacket in case it’s cool, and lunchCome join us at our fall foray at Devil’s Lake SP. Meet us in the south entrance parking lot. When you pull in, you’ll see the visitor’s center and concessions straight ahead. Stay to the right and meet in the far right corner (10 am) nearest to the effigy mound. We will us the picnic tables there for display and lunch after our foray. Plan to bring your lunch!

Habitat is mixed hardwoods (elm species, linden, oak species) and conifers, some of which are massive old white pines. With the old timber, and diversity of trees, expect a wide array of fall mushrooms including edi-bles. It is legal to collect mushrooms for personal use in Devil’s Lake SP; it is not legal to collect anything else (no plants, rocks, animals etc.) I mention this as the park is very popular and touristy…some may ask you what you are doing. I repeat: it IS legal to collect mushrooms in the park. Also note: you will need a Wisconsin state park sticker (or pay a small day use fee) to enter the park at the south entrance.This event promises to be a great time for all ---see you there!

DIRECTIONS (from the Devil’s Lake SP website):Coming fro the South: From Interstate 90-94 take exit 106 to Highway 33. Take a right at the stop sign and go to Baraboo. (13 miles) When you get to Baraboo take a left at the 2nd stop light. (This is Business Hwy 12) Then go through town and watch for a sign to the park. You will turn left on Highway 123 and follow it straight out to the park.

Alternate and somewhat simpler directions: get to Hwy 60 fro I-90/94 and go through Prairie du Sac go north on Highway 12 to just south of the park and take south entrance to the park. Or from Highway 60 go to Lodi take 113 northeast to the Merrimac Ferry follow 113 to South Lake Drive follow to the south entrance to the park. For questions, contact Jim and Susan Selle: (262) 677-0495.

WMS 2018 Member Foray ScheduleSaturday Sept. 8Walking Iron. County Park Mazomanie, Dane County Foray Leaders Judy & Bob Kaplan. Walking Iron has some of the best unplowed dry prairie left in Dane County, as well as restored dry prairie and dry woods on the parking lot level. This area has some of the best stomach fungus diversity, and the lower level, along Marsh Creek, some of the best Bolete and Cortinarius diversity.

DIRECTIONS TO WALKING IRON: Walking Iron is located in the northwestern corner of Dane County.- Take the Hwy 14 west exit from 12/18 past Madison.- Continue on Hwy 14 past Mazomanie, its industrial park, and the cemeteries on the left and right of the road.- Take the next right (north), on Mahocker Rd. past the railroad tracks and turn left (west) on Hudson Road, goover the bridge, then right (north) on Beckman Rd.- Go ¾ miles on Beckman to the North Parking Lot on the right.We will have lunch at the park shelters, which are back up Hudson Road toward town.Bring a lunch; we usually collect till noon, eat lunch and look at finds.Address - 6064 Beckman Rd. Maszomanie Wi 53560If you have questions, contact Bob Kaplan 847-740-0978.

Sat, Oct 13 Coral Woods Conservation Area, Illinois Foray Leaders Bob and Judy Kaplan Please join WMS and the Illinois Mycological Association for our foray into the Coral Woods Conservation Area in Illinois. Coral Woods is about 400 acres of old sugar maples (some 70-100 yrs old) and our fall favorite, oaks. Dr. Patrick Leacock will be joining us from the Illinois Mycological Society. A fun an educational table talk will be given by him. For questions before the foray, contact Bob Kaplan: (847) 740-0978

Coral woods is located in Illinois South of the city of Marengo. Route 176 and route 20Take highway 43 South from Milwaukee and exit rt. 12 South to Lake Geneva Wi…Exit rt. 50 West to Lake Geneva Wi.Take rt. 120 South which will change to rt 47 South to Woodstock Il..South of Woodstock Il. take rt 176 West to Millstream Rd.Very small road but there is a sign there. Turn South on Millstream and go to end of road.Turn West onto Coral Rd, cross over rt 20 and Coral Woods will be on Northside of road. Turnonto Somerset Dr. 7500 Somerset Dr. Marengo ,il. 60152

Tips for a Successful ForayWhat should I wear?

Dress for the weather. We go out in all weather. The terrain will vary so wear appropriate shoes. Not all sites have groomed trails so be prepared for hilly, muddy, rocky, or rough ground. Wear sturdy shoes; you will be on your feet for at least 2 hours. Most areas are going to be in the woods. Wear what you would normally wear for a walk in the woods

Collecting mushrooms.

Use a sturdy container such as a wicker basket or plastic bucket to carry your specimens. Use only paper bags, wax paper bags and tin foil for delicate specimens. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS. For collecting really small specimens, egg cartons or small compartmental boxes are a good choice. Use separate bags for each specimen. Bring a pocket knife on a lanyard, and soft brush for wiping mushrooms clean. A whistle comes in handy if you get lost. In the event of bee stings bring an Epipen and or Benadryl.For accurate identification purposes the whole spec-imen is needed including the base. Do not cut of the mushroom at ground level. You may have to dig underneath and all around the specimen. Include the substrate, moss, wood, twig. This will help to help identify the specimen. If there are various stages of the mushroom collect them.

I am new at collecting.

Some people foray on their own and others go in small groups. For those that are new it is fine to tag along with someone who is knowledgeable. That is a good way to learn how to identify fungi. After two hours of foraging, we meet back at a specific site. The specimens are laid out and then identified. Bring lunch, or at least a snack.

Other things to bring.

Anything that you would take with you typically when going for a walk in the woods: Water, Bug spray, Cell Phone, GPS, Compass, Hat, Fungi guide books.Have a great day out in the woods with like-mind-

flyer designed by Judy Kaplan

A new Mycological Club in MadisonAlden DirksFounder, Madison Mycological Society

Photos courtesy of Alden Dirks

The mycelium is running. In classic Wisconsin style, over two dozen mycophiles met in February over beers and fries to discuss the goals and values of the newest amateur mycological group, the Madison Mycological Society (MMS). With over 60 individuals joining the list serve in less than a month, it is clear that across Madison and beyond there is tremendous enthusiasm for a local mycological organization. As a community-oriented, knowledge-sharing space, the MMS will strive to be inclusive and welcoming to individuals of all levels of experience and walks of life. Just in time for morels!

And good thing for morels, for they are one of the main reasons why I am here in the Midwest. I do love other types of fungi – I research arbuscular mycorrhi-zal fungi at UW-Madison and I am conducting a fungal biodiversity inventory with a focus on crust fungi at the Arboretum – but growing up on the East coast morels were so unfairly absent from my life that I had to move to experience them in person. Saddened by the lack of a local mycological club where members could share with me their favorite spots, and the long drive to Milwaukee, I was left with one option: to start a mycology club right here in Madison.

Fortunately, the MMS and the Wisconsin Mycological Society have agreed that members of either society will be able to participate fully in events of the other. I am extremely excited about this collaboration. There-fore, I wanted to give you a preview of our plans for 2018. The MMS hopes to offer classes and lectures, such as the wild yeast biology and sourdough start-er workshop that we are planning for April. We are excited about a merit badge system where members are awarded for completing mycological challenges, like “A Fork in the Road” badge for finding forked fungus beetles in a polypore (they make adorable and very long-lived pets), or the “Habitat Hero” badge for completing 50 hours of ecological restoration volun-teer work. Many members are psyched to be able to sequence and voucher their finds as part of the North American Mycoflora Project; our club’s goal is to fully document at least 100 specimens. Furthermore, we aim to engage students in the Madison area in out-doors education and mycological outreach. And last, but not least, we hope to organize biweekly forays. Come join us!

If you are interested in learning more about the Mad-ison Mycological Society or are interested in joining our list serve, please email madison.mycological.soci-ety@gmail.com. Look out for a website in the next few weeks with more information about our governance, organization, and foray/events calendar.

WMS 2018 Lecture Series 4/24/18 Dr. Anne Pringle

“Invasive Amanitas”

5/10/18 David MenkeTrees and Mycorrhizal Relationships

Riverside Urban Ecology Center

1500 E. Park PlaceMilwaukee Wisconsin 53211

Phone: (414) 964 - 8505

Lectures 7 - 8:45 pm

Arrive early for a seat

Black TrumpetsCraterellus cornucopioides are also known as the Horn of Plenty, black chanterelle, and black trumpet or trom-pette de la mort, which is French for Trumpette of the Dead. The black trumpet is a delicious edible mushroom. Like its close relative yellowfoot chanterelles, black trumpets cook down quickly due to their delicate nature and hollow trumpet form. Even though they are quite small they present with a spirited flavor which is intense, aromatic, woodsy and deep, with an inkling of sweet-ness. They grow in the Midwest under white oak, beech or other broad-leaved trees, especially in mosssy moist areas with a heavy dark soil and can appear between the fallen leaves from June through November. They seem to feed off of the decaying leaves and blend in very easily to the ground of the forest. We found quite a few during the September NAMA forays.

Preservation Black Trumpets are hollow which allows them to dry very quickly. If you lay them in a single layer in a pie plate or cookie sheet they will dehydrate and dry in no time. When they are as dry as a cracker you can store them in a sealed mason jar.

Black Trumpet hors d’oeuvre spreadIngredients 2 T butter1/4 cup finely chopped shallots (or mild onion)1 clove garlic finely minced1 cup Black Trumpet Mushrooms (I use dried and chop them roughly)1 lb cream cheese (cut into small chunks)1/2 teasp. Himalayan sea salt 1/2 teasp fresh ground black pepper1/4 teasp ground nutmeg1/4 teasp dried dill weedInstructions Rehydrate Black Trumpets in warm water before you begin (this will take about a half hour). Drain water from mushrooms. In a cast iron fry pan sauté garlic and shallots/onions till translucent. Add black trumpet mush-rooms continue sautéing until mushrooms are cooked through and any liquid is evaporated. Reduce heat to low, add cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients. Stirring constantly until the cream cheese is melted and all ingredients are mixed well. At this point I move the spread to a widemouth jar and allow to cool. Chill in the fridge or on the porch in the winter. Serve with crackers, toasted bread or raw vegetables at room temperature. recipe : Theresa Kenney

Photo Theresa Kenney NAMA