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A Word from... Gil Orris
Thank you for visiting our new and improved Website!  

The Michigan Koi & Pond Clubs-Southeast (MKPC-SE) pursues a variety of ways to promote the hobby of pond and/or fish keeping in the greater metro Detroit area by making the most accurate and relative information available to our members and sharing information between members and with the public.   An example of our promotion of the koi hobby was the day long fish health seminar and wet lab that we put on in March with Vicki Vaughn of the University of Georgia as our instructor.  We got to watch her necropsy a $13,000 koi that someone had the terrible misfortune to watch die, and we learned more than can be mentioned here.

This website is just one of the varied tools we use.  We have monthly activities from April to October focused on education, member networking, and fun.  Our Education Committee has produced three educational programs, which we offer for our membership and public viewing by making presentations to garden clubs and similar groups.  Each year we host a fish auction in June and this year we will have hand selected koi brought in from a domestic koi farm.  We are also planning a trip to the Detroit Zoo, a progressive dinner, a camp out planning retreat and many other events.  

While we are taking a year off in 2008, every year since 1998 we have offered a July Pond Tour to raise public awareness, and enjoyment of the hobby as well as generating funds for club operation and support of charitable causes.  We are already in the planning stages for the 2009 Pond Tour and hope you will all be watching for more information about it on our web site.   

Our website provides a Calendar of Events, member Newsletters, Club contact information and other hobby-related information. An application form may also be printed for those interested in becoming members of MKPC, a group of about 100 koi and pond hobbyists now in our 13th year.  Our site also offers "links" to other information, products and services.  Please understand that we make no claims of suitability, nor do we endorse any of the products or services and we do not suggest that these are the only available sites. Our webmaster will be glad to consider other links, just leave her a note.

Again, enjoy your visit to our website and we look forward to hearing from you.   

Gil Orris,
MKPC President


History of the
MKPC SE

Our club was formed in 1996 and we presently have a membership that averages about 90 to 100 households.  Our members are spread throughout Southeast Michigan.    The club’s mission is to educate its members and others about the "dos and don’ts" for successful water gardening in Michigan.  Membership meets monthly, typically between March or April and October at member homes to further member knowledge of ponding in a social environment.

To foster its educational mission, the club thus developed three educational presentations.  Pond Design 101 -- a 60 minute slide presentation about the basics of pond design and construction, The Garden In Your Water Garden -- a 30 minute video reviewing the garden aspects of "ponding",  and the newest presentation, Is a Pond Right for You? – a 60 minute PowerPoint presentation of the basic concepts when considering water features, including retaining material/devices, filters, bogs, pumps, filters and numerous other considerations.  The first two presentations have been presented to a wide variety of clubs and organizations interested in gardening and have been extremely well received.  Our newest presentation has only been introduced to our own membership for edification to date.

Consistent with our mission of education, the Michigan Koi and Pond Club has conducted a public pond tour each year since 1998 to raise club operating funds and actively donate a portion of profits to various charities.  Our 2007 Pond Tour will be Saturday, July 14 from 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine in the Rochester Michigan area.

The Southeast Chapter has developed its 2008 calendar and will hold its events monthly from February through November 2008 on the third Saturday of each month.  

New members and guests are always welcome.  There is no requirement to have a pond or water garden to attend an event or join the club.  In fact, many of our members do not have a pond.  They come want to learn the "dos and don’ts" from our members and visiting experts and then if or when to construct their water garden.  Membership is $25 per year (June 1-May 31) per household.  The dues go toward the publication of the monthly club newsletter, stipends for speakers, etc.

Persons interested in attending a club event can look on this website or contact any one of our officers listed on the website for the event location, time and topics (which change monthly).  We encourage you to attend and learn about this fascinating, enjoyable, and rapidly growing hobby, and to share your knowledge and experiences with us!