The New Mexico Mycological Society invited members of NMMS, NAMA, and other recognized mycological organizations to our 1998 annual Foray on August 20-23.

Location
• We planned excursions to several nearby Forest areas and were very fortunate to visit the famous Valle Grande (Valles Caldera). The picturesque Valle is an ancient caldera approximately 18 miles long by 12 miles wide which at that time was a privately owned ranch. The Valle and surrounding slopes are covered with pines and aspens.

Fungal Diversity Survey in this area, and recently published the results in conjunction with the Los Alamos National Laboratory. We were fortunate to have these two area experts with us, and look forward to their participation in our Foray.

Mycologists
• NMMS enthusiastically welcomed Dr. Harry D Thiers and Dr. Nancy Smith Weber as our official Mycologists. Dr. Thiers, Chief Mycologist for our Foray, was the Honored Mycologist at the February 1998 NAMA Foray in Asilomar. Our mycologists will present talks on Friday and Saturday evening at 8pm.

Vera Evenson, author of Mushrooms of Colorado and the Southern Rocky Mountains, also attended and gratefully signed the numerous copies of her book which found their way to the Foray.

Harold Keller also joined the group to investigate and identify our myxomycetes (slime molds).

Fees & Registration
• The Fee for the Foray with meals was $125 per person, which breaks down to $35 for the Foray itself, and $90 for meals ( Fri:b,l,d; Sat:b,l,d; Sun:b only). This fee does not include lodging. Some participants preferred to pay only the $35 Foray Fee to attend only the talks and activities, and found their food elsewhere. Deadline to submit a completed Registration Form and check (payable to NNMS) was August 15th.

Accomodations
We based the Foray at the Los Alamos Inn, where we had reserved a block of rooms, the cost of which was $65/night (double occupancy). We also had a block of rooms available for $72-75/night at the nearby Holiday Inn Express (price included continental breakfast).

Los Alamos Inn
2201 Trinity Dr

Holiday Inn Express
2455 Trinity Dr
(505)661-1110 or
1-800-HOLIDAY

Camping
• For those who preferred to camp, there are suitable areas fairly close to Los Alamos.

Contact
Contacts for the Foray were David Wallis (Secretary) and Sharon Chong (Treasurer).
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Selected Events

Opening Night Talk
• Thursday, 20 August, 20:00
NMMS member Randy Balice, a botanical ecologist, gave an introductory talk and slide presentation about the general ecology, vegetation types, interesting plant species, largest trees on record, fire history, environmental relationships, and a general introduction to the local mycological situation in the Los Alamos-Valle Grande region.

Dinner at Carlo's
Sunday, 23 August, 14:00
As part of each annual Foray, we would traditionally invite members and friends to meet for a dinner hosted by Carlo & Siobhan Gislimberti at their restaurant, Villa Fontana.
Carlo has informed of his intent to sell Villa Fontana, so it may be for the last time that we can enjoy this wonderful tradition.
Villa Fontana was located on Hwy 522 just north of Taos, less than a mile north of the intersection of US 64 (the road which comes over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge from Tres Piedras) and Hwy 522 (which heads north through Questa).