Rural "Arts and Culture Grant" Update
(All programs are provided, in part, by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs)
Attendance was down for the House Party in March, but everyone present had a wonderful time. Between a raging flu bug, a large number of Islanders travelling to Ireland, a few last-minute changes on our part, and a snow storm, we weren't surprised at the smaller turnout and fully expect April to be back to normal. April's House Party is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, from 2 to 6 PM, and will be held at the home of Adam and Karen Wirth. Kevin White and Joddy Croswhite have agreed to be our musical hosts. As usual, this is a smoke- and alcohol-free event. Coffee and snacks will be provided; guests should bring their own soft drinks.
Wednesday evening enrichment classes are going well. Cheryl Podgorski's herbal workshop was well attended. Participants went home with a greater knowledge of local plants, as well as home-made cough syrup. Cub Scouts were among the participants in the leather-craft class taught by Kevin Bousquet. Deborah Harwood demonstrated Spanish cooking on March 19th, and Cheryl Podgorski offered another herbal workshop on March 26. Because of the good response we've had, we intend to continue the enrichment classes through the Spring and Summer. Although we don't have our entire schedule worked out yet, April 30 promises to be a real treat. The Quilters' Guild will host an educational evening, with many demonstrations and examples. As always, classes are held from 6 to 9 PM at the Peaine Township Hall, three Wednesdays each month. Please watch for postings of other offerings. Call me at 448-2960 to inquire about or register for any classes.
We have started Studio Art classes on Thursday afternoons for high-school students. Mary Scholl had a good group of enthusiastic students for the first session. A schedule of class offerings is posted in the school lobby, and in Mrs. Boyle's classroom. All sessions are held in the lobby, last hour on Thursdays.
Martha Guth has been introducing students to the history of Western Music, from the Middle Ages to the present. Interested students in 7th through 12th grade are also participating in Choral Training over the next six weeks. The Christian Church has generously lent us their space and piano. Martha teaches these classes, and Brenda LaFavre provides piano accompaniment.
Visiting Artist Programs are still going strong. Recently, Kelly Duhamel helped 1st through 4th graders make life-sized portraits. Braids and "belly shirts" were popular, as were (surprisingly) eye patches and hooks! Their outstanding finished works are on view in the hall outside their classrooms. In fact, the halls are fairly bursting with student work; anyone with a few minutes couldn't do better than to walk through and see the various displays.
–Cindy Ricksgers
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