Well, mycollaborators, it’s been an intense season. It almost feels like we’ve been going non-stop since April! Some of us have. This spring’s boon of rain has brought incredible opportunities to encourage all the newbie mycobsessors with their passion for funga. Myco Williamsii taught us how to grow edible mushrooms in our yards and Melany Kahn, author of “Mason Goes Mushrooming” led a kids’ intro to foraging class. Plus we went on three wildly prolific forays with mushrooms bigger than my head! There’s been one microscopy class with Dr. Amy Honan and our Third Annual Camping Foray starring Chef Chris Starkus. Now we’re preparing for our Second Annual Cook and Taste August 3 at the Carter Payne. August 9, Mandy Quark will teach us about DNA sequencing and on August 12, Alan Rockefeller returns to foray with us and teach us how to photograph what we find. And, as always, we’re looking forward to the Telluride Mushroom Festival August 16-20 (officially sold out)!
Probably our most exciting news to date is the KOAA story by Marcus Cocova, planned and arranged by Vice President James Chelin. President Jennifer Bell kicked off the story development by giving a solo interview and forest tour. James continued the work by taking the reporter on an urban foray where producer Marcus talked with many of the group members about their experiences and connection to mushrooms. He was an incredible sport following kids over fallen trees and through burdock patches while lugging his gear. At one point, after a surprise squelch into an unseen swampy zone, he shrugged and said he guessed he’d need to buy new shoes. He was very open-minded, keen for learning, full of questions, down for adventure.
Patru at Microvora gave Marcus a behind the scenes tour of his facility. He said working with Marcus was a good time. He was jovial and straight to the point. Patru definitely wanted to show more and tell more about what local business Microvora is about, but understood the pressure of limited time and focus.
As for Chef Chris Starkus, he was incredibly excited to share this world of cooking and eating real mushrooms beyond store-bought buttons, crimini, and Portobello, which are all agaricus sp. in different stages of growth, yielding little flavor and a lot of “I hate mushrooms” mentality. In his mind, the best way to help open people up to the possibilities of mushrooms and to break down stigma is through direct connection, even mentoring. Showing Marcus where to get “real” mushrooms, foraged or cultivated, and how to cook them and savor eating them is exactly the kind of hands on ambassadorship that lights Chris up. Sure, he could tell you, but he’d rather show you a whole new world.
See the full story here:
https://www.koaa.com/news/news5-originals/peak-mushroom-season-for-southern-colorado-a-great-time-to-head-outdoors
There is plenty of mushroom season left to share! Join the group and experience the thrill.
Pikes Peak Mycological Society: the best $30.00 you will ever spend.