Pen, Palette, Prelude
Newsletter of the NLAPW, Tampa Branch
December 2016
National League of American Pen Women, Tampa Branch Officers
President – Bonnie Phillips (813 685-5882) iteachpainting@gmail.com
VP/Programs - Barbara Routen
Recording Secretary - Judy Perez
Corresponding Secretary - Roxanne Tobaison
Treasurer – Gainor Roberts
Prospective Membership - Judy Johnson
Website: http://www.tampapenwomen.com/
President's Report - Bonnie's Brush
At the November meeting we briefly discussed inviting prospective creative women to our meetings. Some have said they don't know anyone to invite. When I arrived home from that meeting the local newspaper was in my mail. The front page featured a Valrico author and the release of her second cookbook. She is a prospect for the Tampa Branch. Which made me think - how many prospects, maybe right before our eyes, have we overlooked? We are creative women, we need to be creative in our thinking as you look around for prospects.
The Christmas Holiday is right around the corner so I'm wishing you and yours the best ever and looking forward to seeing you at our annual party at Virginia's. Bring a wrapped gift to exchange with a value of around $10 if you want to participate. Something you have written or painted would be nice. Virginia will provide turkey, dressing & drinks and you may bring your special dish(s). Don't forget to bring donations for Metropolitan Ministries. Hopefully Virginia will play some Christmas music and we will sing a little.
"Don't Worry - Be Happy"
~Bonnie
Center Place NLAPW Tampa Branch Show
A fabulous success! The show is still ongoing at Center Place in Brandon so if you haven't visited yet or can't make it, here are just a few of the phenomenal pieces on display. Like all the branches of NLAPW, we surely are comprised of a diversity of phenomenal talent.
Thank you to Peggy Little, the show's organizer and to everyone who helped make it happen from setting up to the behind the scenes details. A special thanks to the attendees of the cocktail reception who added to the yummy spread!
Pick up date: THURSDAY, JANUARY 5
~ BRANCH NEWS ~
Kat Heckenbach, Author and Artist
Check out her websites: http://www.katheckenbach.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JumpingRails
Welcome, Kat!
Show and Tell Program
*FYI Clicking on the images in the newsletter will make them larger and all website links are underlined.*
Carol Karow
Ford Truck - Inspired piece during a recent vacaction. Love it!
She also recommended two artist websites that she enjoys:
Dancing with Cats
Carol Karow
Shows off an owl scarf holder and gorgeous scarf made with Bonnie.
November Program - Pen & Ink Demonstration with Meletha Everett
Meletha Presentation
There was a special drawing for one of her gorgeous barn paintings! Cat Gardiner was the winner. :)
Finished Piece
Finished Piece
Miniature Art Society of Florida
Tampa Branch Holiday Party
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Our December Meeting is a PARTY!
Join in the holiday season celebration at Virginia Halloway's house. Bring a dish and a song in your heart! (This will be our December "meeting.")
Keeping in tradition, the branch will be collecting donations for the Metropolitan Ministries Food bank. Carlene adds this note about the donations: "MM Food bank needs all kinds of items such as tampons, grooming items (since these are things you cannot get with food stamps.) Toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrushes, etc."
Tuesday, Dec 20, 2016, 11:00 AM
301 St Augustine Ave, Temple Terrace, FL, United States
New Member Tea Has Been Cancelled
We will revisit the discussion/idea of the recruitment tea next year.
Branch Member News - Cat Gardiner
On the perimeter of the WWII encampment, I set up my own little impromptu display and suddenly found myself acting docent to my prized keepsakes. Dressed in reproduction 1940s fashion, I explained to visitors young and old what life on the home front was like here in Florida during the war years. It was fascinating to hear their own stories about parents and grandparents. What became apparent to all was that my particular display was relevant to not only Florida's history but also to the rest of American. It could have been transported to Missouri, New Hampshire, or Oregon. The home front experience over four years of war was a unified patriotic movement no matter where one lived. Every call to action (which was the same specific call nationwide) was for one singular purpose: Assisting "the boys" toward victory. From food and gas rationing to scrap metal drives and rubber restrictions, letter writing and blue and gold stars, to Bond drives and community honor roles, it was the same in every town, big or small, across America.
I'm looking forward to attending next year's event and bringing with me a larger display, maybe even a couple of friends to help teach the public. I gotta tell ya' it was shocking how many people didn't know what a rotary phone was!
Swell article in the Naples Daily News about event: Here
Comforts in the home
What We Did
Home Front Display
We Are on Social Network!
You can "join" the group HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/354479181332925/
2) Also, make sure that you stop by and "LIKE" the "Public Page" so that we can spread the word about NLAPW and our branch. It is our hope that we can use it sort of as a membership recruitment with an online presence. All links on that page will bring visitors to the lovely branch website http://www.tampapenwomen.com/ that Gainor set up and maintains.
Public Facebook page HERE: https://www.facebook.com/tampapenwomen/
Notes & Upcoming Events
- December Birthdays: Meletha Everett, Eleanore McDade
- January Birthdays: Sandy Huff, Claire Gardiner, Virginia Halloway, Gunni Price
- Details of field trip to Polk Museum of Art forthcoming. Chairman needed to organize.
- PLEASE remember to RSVP for monthly meetings. It's important that we get an accurate head count for lunch. Thank you.
- January GIVE A HOOT: Gainor, SWEET TREATS: Cheryl, INSPIRATION: Cathy
- February GIVE A HOOT: Judy P. , SWEET TREATS: Judy P. , INSPIRATION: Judy P.
NLAPW HISTORY CORNER
The Insignia - Why is the NLAPW's insignia the wise owl?
The insignia was designed by Alice Morgan artist and illustrator. Behold the Bird of Pallas within a triangle of the tools of the crafts represented, enameled in the national colors significant of loyalty and patriotism.
(The design to the right appeared in the December issue of THE PEN WOMAN magazine in 1928. The owl is perched upon a white brush forming the base of the equilateral triangle, with bounding lines shaped by a red plume-pen and a blue pencil.)
Anna Patton beloved "League Poet," in a poetical fantasy dedicated to the Pen Women, with a prologue, message and toast, tells them that Pan called a convocation of the Druids, to select a bird to be attendant upon their rites. After headed discussion it was decided not to send birds who might die of envy because of the singing of the Pen Women, whose tones might be sweeter than their own, but that "on folks so learned wisdom should attend" and the wise owl, who hoots but never signs, was the one to spread its wings and bear their message:
Calling aloud to followers everywhere
That they make ready and the way prepare
For cleaner journalism homes of health,
Wise laws, and more even share of wealth,
Wisdom to wield the pen a-right,
To fire the prose and verse that they indite:
Bringing the world, a message from on high
That leaves it somewhat better when they die.
The motto adopted was the famous one from Dumas' "Trios Mousquetares."
Dorothy Hamlin Cogswell,
National Corresponding Secretary, 1920
[taken from One Hundred Year History of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., 2002]
A Word From the Newsletter Editor
As a newbie to NLAPW (2015,) I'll need your help! Please keep me in the loop, email me your news and anything you would like to share by the 20th of the month so it can be included in the following month's newsletter. cattgardiner@gmail.com
A small section in the newsletter will be added for entertainment recommendations. Do you have a favorite restaurant? Saw a movie that you'd like to do a review for or book? How about a show or recent trip? Send me your news!