Everyone is coming and going in these busy, hot summer months. We have had several people having trouble with illness too. Nancy has been busy with the new address booklet. Vedra is looking forward to the new show and the Children's Reception, and everyone is just trying to keep cool. Here are some bits and pieces that you might need to know.

Rebecca Grayson is holding art classes for children at the gallery from July 17th through the 21st. The classes start at 9:30 AM and run until noon. George Tanimoto will be assisting Rebecca. A reception for the young artists and their work that will be hung in the gallery will be on Sat. the 12th of Aug. from 1 to 3 PM. This should be a fun party, so try to attend.

THERE WILL BE A BOARD MEETING ON AUG. 2ND AT 10 AM. AT THE GALLERY. We have several things that need to be addressed before we move forward into the year. Everyone is welcome but we especially need all board members to attend. Thanks, Carol

The owner of the airport cafÈ has extended an invitation to all of our artists to spend a Sat. or Sun. or both, showing and painting on his patio during the cafe's hours. If something gets set up he would be willing to advertise. Call Vedra if you might be interested. The heat is a big consideration but I think he is only open for breakfast and lunch.

Our change of show date is nearing. Vedra says we will be taking down the old and hanging up the new on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8th and 9th. from 10 until 4 PM each day. Keep these dates in mind. We will have more information on the new show next month.

We still have some people who have not paid their dues yet. Remember if you want to show you have to pay your dues.

If you have any old computer ink cartridges leave them at the gallery. Lawanda can turn them in to Office Max for a ream of paper each for the newsletter.

Here is a bio of Nancy Pengilly our treasurer.

Nancy says I was born in Weed, Ca. in 1941. We lived in Mt. Shasta, Tahoe National Forest, Big Bend and later on top of Donner Summit as my father worked as a District Ranger. Dad then bought the Soda Springs Ski Area and I had my first skis on at 21/2. Many of my friends grew up to be ski champions. I was asked to cross country ski the Olympic Torch for 9 miles in the 1960 Olympics, the torch and skiing equipment of the day were very heavy. I went to Sierra Jr. College and Sacramento State University where I majored in Education. I have worked in restaurants, coffee shops, ski hills, florists, hobby shops, fashion centers, catered parties, planned weddings, worked freight crews and cleaned houses, anything to make money so that my family would have a college education, which they did. I had a wonderful father and step-mother and 4 brothers. They are all gone now and I miss them very much. I am 6 foot tall, have blue eyes and a zest for life. I love to laugh, play practical jokes, work in my weed infested 21/2 acres, have parties, snow ski, travel, spend time with friends, take photographs, cook, listen to music, play with my grandson's and my dog Snow. I am basically a high energy person who doesn't understand the word "can't" and it gets me into some sticky situations. Three and a half years ago I faced a very difficult time with lots of illness and death in my family. I took a pencil drawing class at Porterville College. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I love how I feel when I am drawing. It feels like all the troubles of the world are gone and I am in a happy place. I don't think I could have survived those terrible times without being able to escape into my drawings. My grandson Trevor, age 10, says he gets his artistic talent from me. How's that for an ego boost? My husband Del and I have raised a blended family of 3 daughters and 1 son. We now have 11 grandchildren. We have just spent the last 7 months running a champaign for Del for District Supervisor. We didn't win but it was an incredible journey.

Just me,

Nancy

Condolences go out to Shirley Conley at the passing of her son Vince.

Mary Alice Bays fell and broke her wrist. Take care Mary.

If you know of anyone in the association who is ill please call Bernice Gryba, our "Sunshine Person", she will send them a card for us.

George's show is in Sept. in downtown Visalia at Montgomery Square. More later.