A History of the LACSS
In 2015 the Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society celebrated its 80th anniversary, making it the second oldest cactus club in existence. Begun in 1935 as The Southwest Cactus Growers, our current official title was adopted in 1947.
Through the decades, the LACSS has held close ties to the CSSA (Cactus and Succulent Society of America), with seven of our members having served as CSSA president: Homer Rush (1954-55), Ted Taylor (1960-63), and LACSS founding member Don Skinner (1964-67). The following decade saw members Ed Gay (1968-69), Bill Lockwood (1972-74), and Virginia Martin (1977-79) at the helm. Duke Benadom served from 2000 to 2004, backed by a stint as CSSA Journal editor. Charles Glass served as CSSA Journal editor for more than 25 years. Currently editing the Journal is LACSS member Tim Harvey.
Notable plant people are also present in LACSS history. Baja California explorers Ed and Betty Gay hold the distinction of having a genus and two species named in their honor: Morangaya pencilis, Tillandsia elizabethae, and Hechtia gayii. CSSA Superior Service Awards have gone to Leo and Lillian Pickoff, Ellen and Bill Low, Ed and Betty Gay, Fred Hutflesz, Duke and Kazuko Benadom, and Brigitte Williams. CSSA Special Service Awards have gone to Seymour Linden, Charles Glass, and Duke Benadom. Fellow Awards have gone to Charles Glass, Seymour Linden, Virginia Martin, and Ted Taylor.
For almost a century, the LACSS has been a source of information and camaraderie for those with a passion for desert flora. Given the knowledge and enthusiasm or our members, we are sure to be around for another 80 years.
Below is a year-by-year account of the Society's activities from 1935 to 2001.
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society
1935: "The cost to mail a letter was three-cents, a pound-loaf of bread was eight-cents, a quart of milk was twelve cents, a gallon of gas was nineteen cents, the average price of a home was six-thousand dollars, and Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President of the United States" as noted in It was a Very Good Year! Birthday Cards by Kalan. The original name of the club was "Southwest Cactus Growers." The founding members consisted of Don and Murray Skinner, Joe Grijalva and Hubert Monmonier. Meetings were held every Tuesday at the Manchester Park Recreation Center. The club had their first cactus show at the Manchester Park Recreation Center Jun 29 and 30, 1935, where over ten-thousand people attended.
1936: The club had weekly meetings at the Manchester Park Recreation Center. Twenty-two club members enjoyed a desert field trip in which some of the daring members participated in the capture of a rattlesnake, fried it, then ate it as the main course. Members Don and Murray Skinner adventured into Baja, California, with a group of thirty other cactophiles, resulting in a story that was featured in the September issue of Desert Plant Life Magazine. The club was experiencing tremendous growth in membership. The second annual cactus show, held June 27 and 28, 1936, also brought an additional ten-thousand-person attendance of the general public. The youngest member of the club was 4-year old Billy Olin, who could recite the nomenclature of the plants he owned. A cactus show was held in June, where a sweepstakes and contest for the rarest cactus was held. This generated increased interest from the general public. Club president was Don Skinner.
1937: A major January freeze, said to be the worst in twenty-four years, had some taken by surprise; growers still cleaning up into March. Member Murray Skinner received a write-up in Desert Plant Life Magazine on the "First Succulent Show"; article written by Mrs. Rooksby. Cacti were so amazingly popular that President Roosevelt reserved 330,690 acres in Arizona for the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (now a national park).
1938: The club received mention in two different articles in the Desert Plant Life Magazine. There was an increased awareness that more interest from the general public was taking place because of the increased attendance of the cactus shows. Club members participated in working in the succulent garden at the Manchester Park Recreation Center's Garden. Members enjoyed a field trip to Lower (Baja) California. Club President Don skinner was quoted as saying that "the 1938 group was the most serious and eager to learn."
1939: The club decided to celebrate Christmas with the use of a Christmas Tree at the party. Forty-nine members and friends attended the Christmas Potluck Supper. Duplicate plant trading among members was encouraged by the club. The club initiated a scrap book for publicity; its whereabouts are no longer known. The club celebrated Halloween by accepting an invitation to help out at the local haunted house Haloween-Eve-affair. The club also had a trading table for members who wished to trade plants and participated in a picture contest at the meetings. The club studied the use of succulents for food, as well as flowering periods of plants. The club enjoyed a field trip to members John and Dorothy Akers, Mr. and Mrs. George Olin, Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Beam, and Ted Taylor's cactus gardens at their homes. Members also enjoyed participation in the cactus garden at the Manchester Park Recreation Center. The club president was Roy Miller.
1940: Club meetings were held every Wednesday, where members enjoyed a monthly potluck dinner and sometimes a regular home-cooked dinner. The club went on field trips to the Cal Hoffman Ranch, Split Rock, 29 Palms, Joshua Tree National Monument and Maechtlen Gardens in Covina, The Huntington Gardens, and member Homer Rush's garden. The club had its 6th Annual Cactus Show where between twelve and fifteen-thousand persons attended. The Christmas Party cost only 35-cents per member who attended. The normal club activities for the year consisted of study, lectures, slides, trading nights and auctions. The club president was Roy Miller.
1941: The club meetings were held at the Manchester Park Recreation Center. The club focused on beginners with the theme "To be a Cactus." The club participated in the Inglewood Plant Show and took field trips to the Borrego Desert, Tegelberg Gardens, and Hummel's Nursery. Member Waldie Abercrombie gave talks on plant forms. December meetings were cancelled due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Meetings at that time were held at the Manchester Park Recreation Center every Wednesday. "Cactus Bill" (Bright) was quite active in club participation. Members enjoyed tea, cookies, ice cream and cake during breaks and sometimes an occasional pot-luck dinner. The club presidents were Roy Miller, followed by John Akers.
1942: Club meetings were held in Newhall at Cactus Bill Bright's house. Club by-laws were changed so all committee chairmen were members of the board with full power to act. Members enjoyed the plant naming contest, where each member was asked to bring in twelve plants each un-named. Emphasis placed on the use of common names as they are identified with botanical names. A plant exhibit was held at Homer Rush's house on June 13th and 14th. Military members were allowed extensions on their membership dues. The club set up a committee for further study. The club presidents were Walter Runyon, followed by Homer Rush.
1943: The club president was Homer Rush.
1944: Club meetings were held monthly. Youngest club member was six-month old Terrence Abercombie. The club president was Homer Rush.
1945: Club meetings were held at member Waldie Abercombie's and club president Homer Rush's house. The study hour was a regular activity at the club meetings. W. Taylor Marshall's book Succulent Plants gives Mr. and Mrs. Rush an acknowledgement credit. The club celebrated with a pot-luck dinner.
1946: Club meetings were held in Highland Park. The club donated South African plants from various members to the Papago Park Botanical Garden. Scott E. Haselton's book Epiphyllum Handbook gives acknowledgement credit to member Theresa Monmnier, also Cactus Pete. The club enjoyed field trips to Long Beach and the Huntington Gardens. The club president was Homer Rush.
1947: Club meetings were held at the Manchester Park Recreation Center in Los Angeles. Members became more active in participating in desert field trips. The club's name officially changed to "The Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society." Former members returned to the club in a new resurgence. The club started a new activity of having monthly tours of member's gardens, cactus nurseries, public gardens, etc. Members started inviting collectors as guests to the meetings. Concentration and extra effort was placed on improving the club in every way. The club focused special attention on original botanical names and descriptions. The club presidents were Homer Rush, followed by Ted Taylor.
1948: The club's library was showing signs of development. The club proposed to collect extra plants when collected by permit for the Hancock Foundation's Herbarium. The club president was Ted Taylor.
1949: The club presents its library to the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, and in a reciprocal gesture, the club, as a group, was made lifetime members of the National Society (CSSA). Instead of a time-out break for refreshments, the club enjoyed a basket lunch at the monthly meetings and sometimes dinner (home-cooked meals) when meetings were held at members' homes. Some of the members attended a cactus convention held in Arizona. The club president was Ted Taylor.
1950: The editor of the Cactus Chronicle asked the readers if they were interested in the continuation of the article "As I Recall," featuring club news from the past. Due to overwhelming response, the readers voted to continue the piece. October 7th and 8th the club enjoyed a field trip to San Diego and Baja California .
1951: Some of the members attended a cactus convention held in Denver, Colorado. The June meeting was held at the home of members George and Mary Glade, where the club enjoyed a wonderful ravioli for dinner. Meetings were held in various locations from Los Angeles to La Canada. Santa Ted Taylor gave out gifts at the Club Christmas Party where members enjoyed an excellent ham dinner. The club president was Homer Rush.
1952: Club meetings were held in Hollywood, Pasadena, Garden Grove and Huntington Park. The club enjoyed a field trip to the Borrego Desert, Baja, and Ensenada. Members participated in drawings to win cactus cuttings. The Cactus Chronicle featured "Botany Lessons" and contributions from members. Nomination for the next year's proposed board members took place in June. An amendment was made to the by-laws covering how many times board members could hold their position. Members Mr. and Mrs. Rush invented a cut-out used for new membership cards. Emphasis was being placed on the members to participate at the meetings. At the end of the year, members were able to have their copies of the entire year Chronicle bound in a paper cover and labeled for only 15-cents. The club president was Homer Rush.
1953: Club meetings were held in La Crescenta, Burbank, Lomita, Garden Grove, Alhambra and Southgate. The club established guidelines to ensure that members received the Chronicle 10-days prior to club meetings. Non-members wer able to subscribe to the Chronicle for $1.00 per year. The Chronicle featured articles "Botany Lessons," a "Cactus Calendar" and contributions from members. Board member elections were held in the month of July. Members were able to enjoy an occasional picnic lunch provided by the club at no cost to those who attended the meetings. The club president was Nick Bokarica.
1954: Club meetings were held in Los Angeles, La Crescenta, Lomita, Alhambra, Huntington Park and Garden Grove. Subscriptions to the Cactus Chronicle were sold to non-club members for $1.00 per year. A feature in the Chronicle called "From the Mailbag" encouraged readers to participate with input and/or any questions they may have had. Other features in the Chronicle were the "Cactus Care Calendar, "Desert Vegetation," and contributions by various club members. Instead of a snack break at the monthly meetings, the club enjoyed boxed luncheons, sometimes there was a charge for dinner; 50-cents for adults and 25-cents for children, there were occasional pot-luck dinners. Members enjoyed a field trip to the famous gardens of Madame Ganna Walska north of Santa Barbara in Montecito and a camping trip May 1st and 2nd at the Joshua Tree National Monument. The club celebated Christmas with one of the members dressed up as Santa Claus giving out gifts. The club president was Nick Bokarica.
1955: The club celebrated its 20-year anniversary. Club meetings were held in Hollywood, Eagle Rock, Alhambra, Los Angeles, Burbank, and South Gate. Sometimes the club would charge 50-cents to 75-cents to pay for the cost of the dinner served at the meetings; at orther times, members were asked to bring their own sandwiches and snacks to the meetings. The general public could subscribe to the Cactus Chronicle for $1.00 per year. The club enjoyed a field trip to the Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont. The editor of the Chronicle defined the term "failure" as 1) "Those who thought and never did," and 2) " those who did and never thought." Ed and Betty Gay received an acknowledgement in Edgar Lamb's book The Illustrated Reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume One. The club president was George Glade.
1956: Club meetings held in varios locations, such as South Gate, Alhambra, Tujunga, Burbank, Los Angeles, etc. Membership ranged from Hollywood to Pacoima. The club organized and established various committees, such as receptions, editorials, botanical programs, special events, refreshments, by-laws, shows and exhibits, to name a few. Members were allowed to enter only one plant of a genus or classification selected for the month in the club's plant contest. Members would bring their own sandwiches, cookies, cups, plates, and tableware to enjoy the lunch at the meetings. The gifts for the Christmas party gift exchange were not to exceed $1.00 in cost. The general public was allowed to subscribe to the Cactus Chronicle for only $1.00. The club enjoyed a field trip to Joshua Tree National Monument, May 5th and 6th. The club president was George Glade.
1957: Club meetings were held at Frank Detkey's house. The february meeting consisted of a field trip exhibit to Freemont Agriculture Center. Members also took field trips to the Huntington Botanical Gardens and Joshua Tree National Monument. Yearly subcriptions to the Chronicle were only $1.00 to non-members. Club membership consisted of twenty-four persons. The club had a nomenclature committee and a refreshments committee. The club watched slides of the members' cactus gardens. The term "Time-Waister" was the nickname for any cactus recipe that took more time and trouble than it was worth. Members continued to participate in the "guessing contests," "plant-of-the-month" contests and decided to create the "swap table" at the monthly meetings. The Cactus Chronicle Editor was Murray Skinner. The club presidents were George Glade followed by Ted Taylor.
1958: Members Ed and Betty Gay had featured articles in the Cactus Chronicle. Chronicle readers showed increased appreciation, when renewing subscriptions, praised the Chronicle. At the same time, the club was encouraging non-members to subscribe to the Chronicle. The club's official library was started due to a contribution of books donated by former member Gertrude Gilbert. The club president was Ted Taylor.
1959: Club meetings were held at Fremonth High School Agriculture Center. The club participated in a contest, held at the monthly meetings called "What's my Name?" Members earned points by correctly identifying plants on display. This was a fun and creative learning experience for plant identification and learning plant botanical names. The contest was run similar to today's "plant-of-the-month" contest. Only the top winning contestants were listed in the Chronicle, showing their score of points. The club also had what they called a "Plant Cultural Contest." Winners' names were also listed in the Chronicle. The Chronicle also gave mention to readers (subscribers) who participated by sharing interesting topics by sending them in to the editor. The Chronicle also featured biography stories on individual members. The refreshment committee sold refreshments at the monthly meetings; memebers were asked to bring their own cups and spoons. Club membership increased to fourty-one persons. The club celebrated Christmas, Mexican style, with a cactus barrel "pinata" and "charro." Ed and Betty Gay received an acknowledgement in Edgar Lamb's book The Illustrated Reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume Two. The club President, Ted Taylor, once again played Santa at the Christmas dinner.
1960: The club celebrated it's 25th Anniversary. The Chronicle experienced more non-member subscribers' active participation consisting of everything from seeking certain types of cacti to interesting input. Due to popular demand, subscriptions to non-members were encouraged so that readers in more distant away areas and out-of-state could receive the Chronicle. Members Ed and Betty Gay were very active in the club, the Chronicle would keep tabs on them as well as their contributions. The club president as Howard Snyder.
1961: Club meetings were held at the Agricultural Center of the Freemont High School every second Sunday. The trading table was was observed to be more active than normal. Club participation in the "Cultural Contest" was a membership favorite. Members ventured on field trips to the Huntington Botanical Gardens, Gana Walska's Cactus Garden in Santa Barbara, Ensenada, and R.H. Diehl's Cactus Patch in Vista. The Chronicle was still available to the outside public for a subscription rate of $100 per year. The club celebrated the "Annual Chronicle Benefit Day" in April, where members donated plants as an aid to deter Chronicle expenses and avoid raising membership dues. The club presidents were Howard Snyder and Ed Gay.
1962: Club meetings were held at Fremont High School Agriculture Center in Los Angeles. The "Trading Table" was one of the activities at the meeting and it played a major role for some who were extremely serious about this activity. The Chronicle was informative in relation to snakes, tortise tracks, bugs and other wildlife one may encounter in the desert wilderness,in addition to the regular features. Subscriptions of the Chronicle to non-members were still only $1.00 per year. Club members went o field trips to San Diego and Palm Springs. The club supplied doughnuts and coffee, while the members were asked to bring their own lunches to the meetings. To increase membership, the club encouraged members to invite guests. member Lucy Hartley brought eighteen guests to one meeting, of which several became new members. The club also enjoyed the "Plant Guessing Contest" at the meetings. The club resident was Ed Gay.
1963: Club meetings were held at Fremont High School Agriculture Center in Los Angeles. The club participated in the Pomona County Fair. Ed and Betty Gay contributed twenty-six cacti to be used among other members' contributions. The club won first prize (blue ribbon) including $150.00, second prize (red ribbon), including $100.00 with a trophy. Temperatures at the fair grounds reached 115-degrees causing damage to some of the succulents in the club's landscape display; however, the club managed to win second place, receiving a silver platter. Ed and Betty Gay were regarded as experts and gave speeches at various clubs, such as the Mojave Desert Cactus Club. Ed and Betty Gay received an acknowledgement in Edgar and Brian Lamb's book The Illustrated Reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume Three. Ted Taylor received an acknowledgement in E. Yale Dawson's book The Cacti. The club president was ED Gay, vice president was Virginia Martin.
1964: Club meetings were held in Los Angeles. Active membership dues were $1.50 per year, which included subscription to the Chronicle. Non-members could still subscribe to the Chronicle for $1.00 per year. The club presidents were Ed Gay followed by John Akers.
1965: The club celebrated its 30th Anniversary. Club monthly meetings were held at Fremont High in Los Angeles. Activities included cultural, trading and bragging tables. The Chronicle featured "Questions asked and Answered" from the previous meetings, to provide knowledge to the readers in addition to the regular articles. The club instituted a special award to Don Skinner, member since 1935, for many years of faithful service. The club president were John Akers followed by Bob Foster. Some of the club members held high positions of office in the Cactus and Succulent Society of America; President was Don Skinner, Vice President ED Gay, Secretary Virgina Martin, and Treasurer Dr. Robert Craig.
1966: Club meetings were held at Fremont High School. The Chronicle contained a gossip column. Members learned about photography and various methods of special effects when potographing cactus. Club member Joan Johnson was named the first "Lifetime Member" of the Desert Protective League. The club's library had to impose a 25-cent-per-month overdue charge. Ed and Betty Gay received an acknowledgement in Edgar and Brian Lamb's book The Illustrated Reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume Four. Don Skinner took the photos for E. Yale Dawson's book The Cacti of California. The club received mention in that book. The club presidents were John Akers followed by Bob Foster.
1967: Club monthly meetings continued at Fremont High in Los Angeles and then moved to the Balboa Naval Center. The club had a normal year, some interesting and special features in the Chronicle. Walt and Maxine Wegner joined the club (still members in 2000). The club presidents were Bob Foster followed by Bill Lockwood and the Cactus Chronicle editor was Murray Skinner.
1968: Club meetings were held at Fremont High, The Ruskin Art Center in Hollywood, then moved to Cal State College in Los Angeles. Another year for the club featured the cultural, drawing, trading and bragging tables, guest speakers and slides. The club practiced keeping a good sense of humor while at the same time was quite informative. Members took a field trip to Santa Barbara and some members enjoyed a special trip to Baja California with Ed and Betty Gay. The club president was Bill Lockwood.
1969: Club meetings were held at Calfironia State College Science Building in Los Angeles. Non-members who were long-time subscribers to the Chronicle were becoming club members. The plant identification contest was still a club favorite at the monthly meetings. The club president was Bill Lockwood.
1970: Monthly club meetings were held at California State College Science Building in Los Angeles. Subscriptions to the Chronicle were $2.00 to non-members, $1.50 to associate members and included in the membership of $3.00 to active members. Cactus Pete Jr., son of long time club member Cactus Pete joined the club. Mrs. Cactus Pete was a guest speaker at the April meeting. The club president was Manny Singer.
1971: Club meetings were held at Cal State College Science Department in Los Angeles. The Chronicle featured a section called "Murray's Scrapbook," a collection of articles from Murray Skinner. The first edition of the Cactus Cook Book, compiled by member Joyce Tate was published. The Cactus Cook Book was dedicated to members Ted Taylor and Don Skinner. Members Betty Gay and Virginia Martin were Co-Chairpersons in charge of the Cactus Cook Book and were contributing recipe writers for Nopalitos. Member Murray Skinner's definition of Cactus Jelly or Jam was "A Boasters Feat." Prickley Pear syrup was used as a topping for ice cream in many gourmet resturants in the United States and Mexico. Edgar and Brian Lamb's book The Illistrated Reference on Cacti and other Succulents, Volume Three was reprinted; Ed and Betty Gay receiving an acknowledgement credit. Murray Skinner was the Chronicle Editor (Member for 36 years, since 1935).
1972: Club meetings were held at Cal State College Science Building Lecture Hall. The Cactus Chronicle subscriptions were still available to non-members for $2.00 per year. Michelle Low wrote some featured articles for the Chronicle. The Chronicle continued the Legacy of "Murray's Scrapbook," and featured articles on desert wildlife describing what one may encounter in the desert such as coyotes, etc. Don and Murray Skinner received an acknowledgement in Eric Walter's book Echeveria. The Second Edition of the Cactus Cook Book compiled by member Joyce Tate was published. The Cactus Cook Book was dedicated to members Ted Taylor and Don Skinner. Members Betty Gay and Virginia Martin were Co-Chairpersons in charge of the Cactus Cook Book and contributing recipe writers for Nopalitos. The club presidents were Many Singer followed by Victor Turecek.
1973: The club enjoyed door prizes and plant auctions at the monthly meetings. The saga of "Murray's Scrapbook" continued in the Cactus Chronicle. The Chronicle was still hand-typed and was sold to the general public (non-members) for $2.00 per year. Edgar Lamb's book The Illustrated Reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume Two was re-printed with Ed and Betty Gay receiving an acknowledgement credit. The club president was Bill Lockwood.
1974: Club meetings were held at Cal State College lecture hall. The Chronicle was available to non-members for an annual subscription fee of $2.50. The club president was Victor Turecek.
1975: Club meetings were held at the Navy Reserve Center, Encino, CA. The Chronicle was available to the general public (non-members) for a yearly subscription of $2.50 per year. The hand-typed Chronicle was quite informative and in demand by popularity. Betty Gay and Virginia Martin were main contributers to the Chronicle. The Chronicle's appearance started taking a more defined format and was easier to read. Edgar and Brian Lamb's book The Illustrated reference on Cacti and Other Succulents, Volume Four was reprinted and gave acknowledgement to Ed and Betty Gay. The club was encouaging guests to attend the meetings. Sometimes as many as 21 guests could be counted at the meetings. Walt and Maxine Wegner re-joined the club and are still members in 2000.
1976: Club meetings were held at Northridge Valley Savings. Attendance at the meetings averaged approximately 57 members and 14 guests per month. The Chronicle became easier to read and improved cosmetically in its appearance. The Chronicle editors were Woody and Connie Minnich who published the Chronicle from Lancaster, California. The Chronicle, though, was no longer available to the general public; only active associate members. The Third Edition of the Cactus Cook Book, compiled by Joyce Tate was published. The Cactus Cook Book was dedicated to Ted Taylor and Don Skinner. Members Betty Gay and Virginia Martin were Co-Chairpersons in charge of the Cactus Cook Book and were contributing recipe writers for Nopalitos. Woody Minnich, Virginia Martin, Betty Gay, Victor Turecek were very active with the club. The club president was Woody Minnich.
1977: Rogers Weld received acknowledgement in The World of Cactus and Succulents, published by Ortho Books. Club president and Chronicle editor was Woody Minnich.
1978: Club meetings were held at the Reseda Recreation Center and Cal State College. Approximately 67 members were attending the meetings on a regular basis. The fourth edition of the Cactus Cook Book compiled by member Joyce Tate was published. The club president was Irv Burns
1979: Club meetings were held at the Reseda Recreation Center. Approximately 56 members and 7 guests would attend the meetings on average. Dr. Lee Gold was active with the club and gave speeches and showed educational slides at the meetings. Club president was Irv Burns.
1980: Club meetings were held at the Reseda Recreation Center in Reseda. The club held a plant sale at the LA Zoo April 27th. Club presidents were Irv Burns followed by Larry Hutchins.
1981: Club meetings were held at the Reseda Recreation Center in Reseda. The club held another plant sale at the LA Zoo April 26th. Chris Rogers, Artie Chavez, Duke and Kazuko Benadom became members. The club's publicity was uplifted when Betty and Ed Gay were on TV Channel 11 during the week of September 14th, Ed Gay was also quoted and given mention in the October-November issue of Flower and Garden and member Robert Greenberg was in the October issue of Sunset Magazine. Woody Minnich was club president.
1982: Club meetings were held at the Reseda Recreation Center in Reseda and Town Hall in Granada Hills. The club enjoyed a field trip to Abbey Gardens. M.B. Bayer's book The New Haworthia Handbook gave an acknowledge credit to Guy Wrinkle. The club president was Woody Minnich
1983: Club meetings were held at the Town Hall in Granada Hills. Club president was Woody Minnich.
1984: Meetings were held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge. Sandy Chase became a member. Members enjoyed field trips to Cactus Ranchito, Saddle Back Butte State Park, Antelope Valley Indian Museum, Rainbow Gardens, The Devil's Punchbowl and Woody Minnich's Cactus Data Plants. The Chronicle gave mention to Ted Taylor, who started with Cactus in 1926 and took club field trips for twenty years (1955 - 1975) with Ed and Betty Gay and Virginia Martin. Long time members Joyce and Harry Tate attended the Christmas Party. Guy Wrinkle wrote an article on "Soils for Euphorbi Culture" in the Euphorbia Journal, Volume Two. The club president was John Burton followed by Walt Wegner.
1985: Club monthly meetings were held at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge. The club celebrated its 50th Anniversary at Braemar Country Club where Ted Taylor provided education and slides on the club and original-member history (now and then). Long-time members, Joyce and Harry Tate also were in attendance. Dennis Juhnke gave an educational talk and presentation at a meeting. Brigitte Williams and Mac McCalister join the club. Club president was Walt Wegner.
1986: Club meetings were held at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge. Manny Singer wrote the introduction to Juan Chahinian's book The Sansevieria Trifasciata Varieties (A presentation of all cultivated varieties). Ed and Betty Gay received an acknowledgement in Arthur C. Gibson and Park S. Nobel's book The Cactus Primer. The club presidents were Walt Wegner followed by Charles Spotts.
1987: Club meetings were held at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge. Members enjoyed field trips to the Huntington Gardens, Grigsby Cactus Gardens and Tropic World. Sandy Chase was very active with the club, giving an educational talk and presentation at a meeting. Members enjoyed eating opuntia pads cooked with onions and bacon that were delicious at the May meeting. Cactus Jack Klarin (1998 member & friend of the club) received 3rd place in the LA Water and Power Water Conservation Contest and was featured on the front page with Color photo in the "LA Life" section of the Daily News. The club president was Charles Spotts.
1988: Club meetings were held at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge and Old Fellows Hall in Sepulveda. Steve Ball became a new member. The club thanked Bert and Manny Singer for bringing eight guests to the August meeting. The club made special tribute to long-time members Betty and Ed Gay at the Christmas Party. The club president was Charles Spotts.
1989: Club meetings were held at Odd Fellows Hall in Sepulveda. Club members enjoyed a field trip to Rainbow Gardens. The club president was Charles Spotts followed by Duke Benadom.
1990: The club was listed in The World of Cacti, written by Danny Shuster. Guy Wrinkle gave educational presentations at the meetings. Members enjoyed field trips to The Devil's Punchbowl, Abbey Gardens and The Botanical Gardens in Santa Barbara. Steve Frieze was very active with the club. Betty and Ed Gay were still major contributor to the Chronicle. They also received The Superior Service Award at the CSSA's convention in Denver, Colorado. The Chronicle used a cut-and-paste method for reproduction to enable more input and creativity. The June issue of the Chronicle featured photos of the members garden tours. The club presidents were Duke Benadom followed by Sandy Chase.
1991: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cacti by Clive Innes and Charles Glass gave mention to the Chronicle and credit to Victor Turecek.
1992: Club meetings were held at the Odd Fellows Hall in Sepulveda. The club acknowledged long-time members Harry and Joyce Tate's 60th Wedding Anniversary. Member Ed Beghoff's band "Reach for the Sky" performed at the Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and their photo was featured in the September issue of the Cactus Chronicle. The November issue of the Chronicle featured an article with a photo of Brigitte Williams entitled "Aunt Brigitte Wants You." The club presidents were Sandy Chase followed by Brigitte Williams.
1993: Club meetings were held at the Odd Fellows Hall in Sepulveda. Bruce Cameron, Bob Car, Frank Depew, Carl Gover, Jim Leong, Bill Hagbom and Ed Beghoff were very active with the club. Bob Schick was a speaker at the 10th Succulent Plants Symposium at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. Rogers Weld received an aknowledgement in Paul H. Thomson's Dudleya and Hasseanthus Handbook. The Chronicle transformed into the "computer age" using word processing techniques. The Chronicle editor was Walt Wegner. The club president was Brigitte Williams.
1994: Club meetings held at the Northridge Woman's Club. The Chronicle was a compilation of cut-and-paste, and various word-processing to ensure that many contributions would be included in the publication. The Chronicle editor was Walt Wegner. Ronnie Schultz was Club Secretary. Simon Zhamkochyan joins the club. The club presidents were Brigitte Williams followed by Tony Feicco.
1995: Club meetings were held at the Northridge Woman's Club and Sepulveda Garden Center. The club celebrated its 60th Anniversary. The club congratulate and gave recognition to Norma Lewis and Simon Zhamkochyan for superb plant displays. The club promoted the "Freebie Table" at the meetings and in the Chronicle. The club acknowledge Walt and Maxine Wegner's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Bob Schick was recognized in the Chronicle as an "Echinopsis and Lobivia Expert." The club president was Tony Feicco.
1996: Club meetings were held at the Sepulveda Garden Center in Encino. The club experienced tremendous growth. The Chronicle Editor was Brigitte Williams. The club president was Arnie Mitchnick.
1997: Club meetings were held at the Sepulveda Garden Center in Encino. The club received a listing in The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents, written by Terry Hewitt. The Chronicle was given a facelift with a newer word-processing program. The Chronicle editors were Brigitte Williams followed by Shelley Chase. The club became more focused on beginners and new members. Duke and Kazuko Benadom received Superior Service Awards at the CSSA's convention in San Diego, California. The club president was Mary Weld.
1998: Club meetings were held at the Sepulveda Garden Center in Encino. Cacti Bob (Bobby Dean) a.k.a. "Cactus Bob" joins the club. Duke Benadom received a front page write-up with his photo in a local Pasadena newspaper. New member Bobby Dean received a front page write-up with photo of his backyard in a local Antelope Valley newspaper. Club membership doubled in size in a period of one year. The Chronicle editor was Shelley Chase and the club president was Artie Chavez.
1999: Club meetings were held at the Sepulveda Garden Center in Encino. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Cacti by Clive Innes and Charles Glass was re-printed and gave mention to the Chronicle and credit to Victor Turecek. Bobby Dean was nominated and elected as Director of Publicity. The club reverted to its roots (the early days of 1935), celebrating tradition by hosting its very own show and sale at the Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, Saturday June 19th and Sunday June 20th. The club received a write-up in the Daily News "L.A. Life - Home and Leisure Section" front-page with color photos, featuring Duke and Kazuko Benadom, Gene and Laura Oster, and Artie Chavez. New member Deborah Kaye was presented with an Oustanding Performance Award lead by Director Bobby Dean, for assiting the Publicity Department's Action Plan Committee, achieving excellent results. Lots of excitement abounds the year, coupled with the rejuvenation from new members who joined and old members who returned. The Chronicle Editor was Barry Barton and the club president was Artie Chavez.
2000: Club meetings were held at the Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, California thru May. Due to overwhelming response, the club has outgrown the Sepulveda Garden Center. Members and guest attendance had exceeded room size capacity. On June 22nd the club meetings will be relocated to The Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino, a larger & more economical location. Meetings will be held on the 4th Thursday of the Month, starting June 22nd. Still going strong after all of these years, the club entered its 65th enthusiastic and spectacular year of existance with a healthy attitude. Y2K ready with it's up-dated web site with lots of action filled excitement for the entire year. Once again the club reverted to its roots hosting its own show Saturday & Sunday June 17th & 18th. The club received two write-ups regarding the Show & Sale in the Daily News. Bobby Dean was re-elected as director of publicity. Thru July, the Publicity Department's Action Plan Committee's expenses are down more than 100% for the entire year. Director Bobby Dean anticipates that it shall continue to improve throughout the next year! Chronicle editor was Janine Hantsch followed by Gene Oster and club president was Artie Chavez followed by Steve Frieze.
2001: Since 1935 the Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent Society's purpose has been the education, conservation and study of cacti & succulents. The club looks to the future hosting the Cactus & Succulents Society of America present its 29th Biennial International Convention Sunday, July 1 through Friday, July 6, 2001 at the Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367
Spring 2020 through Spring 2022 - Covid 19 pandemic exploded across the world forcing cancellation of in-person events from local affiliate meetings to larger show & sale events. Meetings were held on-line via Zoom. POM competitions still happened when members sent in photos of their plants. In person meetings resumed in May 2022. December 2022 saw return of beloved Holiday Awards Dinner.
