Hard to believe that another year is almost gone! Where on earth does the time go? Although I do not post that often, I do keep up with what is posted and the various calendar of events, thanks to Connie.
In keeping with postings, and I know it's waaaay early, I would like to invite all out there to mark on their calendars the dates of October 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2011. Why, you ask, well it is the celebration of the 16th Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, that's why! This is a wonderful group of people who go over and above the volunteering to help preserve, protect and, in many cases reconstruct, our nation's lighthouses as well as those world wide. Lighthouses played, and still to in many areas, an important part of our maritime history and during times of war served as lookout points in some areas. There will be craftsman, artists, vendors, stainglass, clothing, authors, winery, interactive events, entertainment and FOOD! Can't forget that now, can I. ~2~ The GLLF has a number of scholarships going that go to our young and future lightkeepers and is our way of thanking them for volunteering their time. Hope to see you there.
This past weekend I was in Escanaba, Michigan attending a mini-conference for the Michigan Regional chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. It was wonderful! One of the events was a visual art competition between the chapters and the artwork and sculptures were fantastic, not to mention the performing arts that were put on. Quite a lot of talented people there. Believe it or not there were a large number of attendees in the 40, 50 and 60 plus age bracket there that are in the process of obtaining various degrees from community colleges and university. I myself was recently awarded a medal of achievement and made the All Michigan Academic Team, which was a very humbling experience. Now I know this has nothing to do with the arts; however, without the artistic dreaming and abilities of many of these individuals in graphic arts, oils, performings arts, writing and such, our craft and the beauty that is created could disappear or not grow to its full potential.
My hat is off to all of you out there who go that extra mile and never listen to the voice that says "you can't" because those words are not in our vocabulary. Well done one and all and thank you for providing the encouragement that help push the rest ofus on to keep striving to create, to dream and to achieve.
