What a fun and educatioanl experience! Our four day foray (Thursday at noon till Sunday around 1PM) was a terrific success. Over 300 species were recorded by Ursula Hoffman.

Our illustrious mycologists included Chief Mycologist Gary Lincoff, NYBG lecturer and author of several excellent field guides on fungi; Dr. Roz Lowen,an expert in the Ascomycetes, and Leon Shernoff, writer and editor of 'MUSHROOM, the Journal', and our auctioneer of assorted mushroom books and paraphenalia. Also assisting with mushroom identification at the sorting tables was Sandy Sheine, a founding member of COMA. Sandy coordinated the annual COMA Foray for many years prior to moving with husband Gerry from Westchester, NY to Rochester, MI a few years ago. Fortunately for us, they remain active COMA members! (Sandy obviouly set a great example, because Don Shernoff, current COMA Foray Coordinator, once again proved more than equal to the task.) Unfortunately our beloved Sam Ristich, expert in fungi, slime molds, insects, plants and nearly everything else, was down a cold. He was unable to attend this year's foray, but we look forward to him being with us next year.

We are grateful for Don Shernoff's behind the scene work to organize the foray details - and to enlist the assistance of many other members, notably Culinary Institue of America graduate, Keith Davis, his assistant Beverly Leffers and numerous foray volunteers to prepare and cook so many tasty mushroom dishes for our daily late-afternoon mycophagy parties.

To keep costs down so that more people can afford to attend our 'annual' Foray, COMA tries to find places to accomodate a large group that is within easy driving distance to state parks and preserves. This was our first year at CAVE HILL Family RESORT and most of us found the accomodations as good as or better than places where we previously stayed. We have already made plans to return next year, so we encourage you to plan to join us!