At ArtWalk Downtown - observed the second Thursday of each month – wherein restaurants, bookstores, museums, galleries, movie theatres, libraries stay open for special browsing and/or participating by families.
On February 9th at the Center for Contemporary Arts – there was a Reception (sponsored by Honorable Bob Hunter) to honor artists Jackie Morris Warmsley and husband Ray Warmsley for their exhibit entitled “Free at Last.”
This is a couple with deep Abilene roots – her parents were Alberta and Dr. Don H. Morris, who taught at Abilene Christian College for 29 years; her brother is Thomas Asbury (Tommy) Morris (whose son was the late Don Morris), life insurance expert; and her sister is Patsy Morris Carter of Lubbock, whose husband Bobby Carter is on McMurry’s University Board.
Jackie was an early art major and was later involved in prison ministry where she met her husband to-be Ray, who was serving time for something for which he was blamed; he was also interested in art. They married in 1984, and one of her paintings in the exhibit “Free at Last” expresses the emotion of her visits to see him at the prison. A beautiful lady (Jackie) is pictured just outside the prison wall with her goodbye to her lover on the other side as he returns to his confinement.
This painting will be purchased by Pam Estes Padgett of Granbury, daughter of Billy Sol Estes who made news items during the 60s; she expressed to MizCheevus the reminiscence it brought of her famous father’s incarceration for fraud.
Ray has been home for about four months, and his paintings are mostly portraitures of historical black people, which collection has been well received during this Black History Month.
It seems like Abilene is a town of Fundraisers – several a week it seems and all for a worthy cause. So far, my pick seems to be Dancing with Abilene Stars because it benefits my favorite charity in this world – Hendrick Home for Children. (Dr. David Miller; Barbara Dahl and Suzie Brecheen direct and work from year to year on details to organize and execute). An elegant party at the home of Don and Pat Fite honored all alumni (those who had danced in the two previous Fundraisers) and their families, and announced the ones who would participate in the January 12th event: Dr. Laura Bennett; Cade Browning; Feray Waggoner; Jeff Reid; Leigh Black Wesley Smith; Jennifer Grothaus; Dr. Mike Hart; Carol Hall; Don Fite; Jeri Skaggs; Chuck Doby.
Judges for the third year were: Neil Shultz; Billye Proctor Shaw Ray; Yanell Rieder; Roy Helen Ackers. They had the hardest time this year because everyone was SO GOOD.
The new things: The Red Carpet was out at the Civic Center – all might tread thereon, but it was especially meant for the (dancing) STARS. Five Professional Dancers- Jeremy Varner; Mary Elizabeth Walker; Jason Hernandez; Lindsay McGill; Lin Thompson; Event Chair – Shea Hall who brought in the most money last year (that’s a lot of experience).
Finally the results: Best Male Dancer – Michael W. Hart, MD (Stamford Memorial Hospital & Clinic); Best Female Dancer – Dr. Laura Bennett (Image Sculptors); Best Costume – Jeri Skaggs (Michael Joseph’s Haircolor Spa); Best Showmanship – Wesley Smith (Chick-Fil-A Mall of Abilene): Best Overall and People’s Choice (at one dollar per vote) – Chuck Doby (Cadco Architects-Engineers, Inc.). All dancers were winners for their mission.
This may have made $200,000 – and it just gets better!!!
MizCheevus has written about ARTWALK before…..that happens in Abilene, Texas on the second Thursday evenings in a month. Most stores stay open from say 5-8PM so that strollers – mainly families and lovers – can browse around – visit museums, hear music, eat snacks and/or dindin in restaurants, take advantage of freebies, and attend an interesting showing at our magnificent historic Paramount Theatre. This idea was born in the Center of Contemporary Arts Museum, but there is cooperation among all participants,
This ARTWALK on October 13th had an added attraction – at least Bird Thomas and Paris Barnett, with The Center, worked enough on the theme – The Abyss – and the costumes: they actually “made” a Mermaid Parade which gathered at Everman Park – there on North First Street by the old restored buildings housing The Abilene Cultural Affairs, Visitors Bureau, and The Grace Museum- and oozing up on Cypress Street to the Paramount where it vanished.
Their modern Mermaid Parade featured Sea Queen MizCheevus riding beside King Terry Stubbs on the seat of a striking black Mercedes convertible owned by artist Mike Lanier; and followed by their versatile talented court. (Maybe we can get a photo into this area).
Surely the plan came from Greek mythology wherein Sea Goddess Amphitrite, as female personification of the sea (mother of fish, seals and dolphins) rode beside husband King Poseidon in a chariot drawn by fish-tailed horses or hippokamdoi.
This sort of thing has to be for dreamers, but it was ONE FUN RIDE!
There are various experiences which MizCheevus has found meaningful. One is the following story, rather lengthy, which has given rewards to many:
A friend Sharon Jeffer who lives in Norwich, NY sent her daughter Judi Jeffer a clipping from their local newspaper The Evening Sun, Edition of August 31, 2011: “Norwich man hopes to ship upstate hay to feed Texas’ starving livestock” – some excerpts: Herm Sherwood-Sitts is not a farmer, nor is he from Texas, but his heart is fixated on both while the worst drought in the history of the Lone Star State is devastating agriculture there where they’ve lost $5.2 billion in ag, and where photos of dying animals have shocked America and beyond.” Despite securing 87 tons of hay for his “Hay for Texas” program, red tape found him…i.e. …In order for cargo planes to be released from NY, Texas Governor would have to formally request same; instead of helping to secure that request, Texas Department of Agriculture has taken matters in their own hands, updated their Hay Hotline with prices and sources for donated hay and transportation services to receive it, and stopped talking with Sherwood-Sitts after saying they would reach out to him if they needed the upstate hay. It seemed that everyone wanted some of the credit. He did receive some appreciative letters from struggling farm families and others. This man who wanted to help is not discouraged, he is now including Texas’ starving horse population in the effort, and working closely with an animal rescue shelter in Brenham, Texas. “I would like to see if we could help out our own country for a change. I have been 25 days trying to help the farmer of Texas. In less time we were in Libya helping rebels,” he said. “It’s possible that we can all be eventually like Africa, with stores empty of food. I know that beef is a worldwide commodity, but I don’t want to buy my beef from Bolivia; I want to buy American.” That man’s telephone number is: 607-3347186.
In the 9-26-11 issue of The Evening Sun there is another article wherein Herm expresses appreciation for entities and farmers who have now supported the Philanthropic Hay for Texas effort. Seven truck loads have been hauled from Chenango County to distributionn points in Texas (Van Zandt County Farm Bureau in Canton, Texas is helping coordinate the transportation to and distribution in Texas). A summary of his comment: “I’ve asked them (the region farmers) not to short themselves…I am humbly grateful…It’s America helping America.”
A letter to the Editor of the Abilene Reporter-News written by Sharon Jeffer (who lives in Norwich, New York and knows Herm Sherwood-Sitts who started the Hay for Texas project) was published in the AR-N Edition on 10-20-11 to express appreciation for the publication of the facts which led to its eventual success.
MizCheevus received a personal thank-you *from Sherwood-Sitts for incorporating the information in her columns and saying that 90 tons of hay were sent and that it helped 5 farmers in Ranger, Texas.
* This fellow has a lot of humor and is an Air Brush artist, also; the cover on the thank-you note shows a Texas steer skull in front of a “brighter” mound of hay.
MizC does not need any praise, but is glad to know that Herm’s telephone number was used for encouragement, that cooperation can make an idea work, and that execution of a good deed can circulate a chain of help!
There are all types of Graduations, They are emotional. First, it takes vision – then exposure – then discipline to earn the award and reward of whatever one is graduating from ad to.
This grandmother has exciting experiences quite often, but another valuable one has just ended for her…the “gift” of being able to see her only granddaughter Mary Ann Weiss graduate from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, founded in 1911 by Lucy Skidmore Scribner whose beautiful old home stands nearby. It is a “gift” (she says) when grandmothers are able and willing (since travel is hard work) to join in the visual experience.
There are things about a Commencement we all share: parents and family members searching for correct seating places to be able to view their loved ones (for picture-taking) march down the long aisle and across the stage to receive the coveted diplomas. They test cameras many times, change seating choices, and then there is the cheering for each graduate from his/her particular family and friends.
Program outlines for Commencements are about the same, the ceremonies have been described as a parade of the Middle Ages. In the earliest years the Academic Regalia for both students and universities was the garb of the cleric since academic pursuits were then the province of the church. Nowadays gowns are customarily black, with a few noteworthy exceptions.
This one was Skidmore’s 100th Exercise and its faculty members represent more than 75 institutions in North American and abroad, members of its College Board of Trustees wore green gowns with sleeves of green velvet and yellow trim, with accents of varying levels. The Hoods provide opportunity for individuality..Bachelor’s..three feet long; Masters..3-1/2; Doctor’s ..4; Skidmore Honor graduates wore red cords.
There was a Reading from Skidmore President Charles Henry Keyes’s speech in 1923, and the candidates for Honorary Degrees gave somewhat lengthy responses..all of this is to say that time had elapsed before the actual presentation of Candidates for Degrees of Bachelor of Arts and of Science.
The Congratulatory Reception was similar to our country, but MizCheevus was aware of the longer time element it took to get that far.
Then – the emotional side of graduation took place: Roommates for the past four years did not want to leave each other, and they did not until after they and their respective families had met and partied at one place or another.
One significant place: a dinner in the Estate Room of the famous Gideon Putnam Hotel located in a primitive murmuring pine forest..Saratoga Springs State Park..where elegant activities and services are provided.
Gideon Putnam (1763-1812) as a miller built a log cabin for his family adjacent to a freshwater spring; locals called it “Putnam’s Folly” because of is pretentiousness and his optimism and ambition; he became an entrepreneur and a founder of Saratoga Springs Village, and, although he died at age 49, his capital enabled it to become the prince of watering places in America and the peer of any in the world.
Some of the dinner guests: Dvorah Telushkin who has just written a play “In Search for the Perfect Pocketbook” (she has 71). It is a one-woman show and is with an agent as a new idea for a Fundraiser, which we often need in West Texas. Her husband the Rabbi Joseph Telvshin is a noted author, their son Ben (who wil study the Scriptures), daughter Shira and Naomi (granddaughter’s roommate) from Manhattan.
The Merricks: Anne LeMaster-Merrick from Providence, RI (researcher); Roxane LeMaster and Jim Merrick from Williamsport, PA parents of James Merrick (another roommate); Sanjir and Devleena Singh from Bangkok, parents of Ritika Singh (roommate).
Roommates – still not ready to part – are taking a trip to Costa Rica – that will be a goodtime affair until – yet another “emotional” parting for each to head in a direction of his/her future.
This grandmother has had grandsons graduate from college and she is proud of them. This is the only granddaughter who was an honor grad (from Skidmore) as was her brother (from Green Mountain College) and her mother (from Rice University).
MizCheevus has had an exciting experience: On February 5th at the Civic Center in Abilene, Texas the 41st Annual Philharmonic Ball took place. This raises funds for the operation of our highly reputable Symphonic Orchestra which had its first Concert on December 2nd, 1950. It is under the direction of Music Director and Conductor David Itkin.
There is usually a Morning Brunch the same day of the Ball, but this year the weather was in a several-day seize of a winter blizzard, and this time it was canceled, as were many events in our city.
This Ball has an”honorary” chairman called the Grande Dame (usually one who has served as a Ball Chair and also as a President of the Guild which has sponsored the Ball since 1961). I chaired the Peacock Ball (so called because husband the late Dale Ackers and his family owned for many years TV Station KRBC, an affiliate of National Broadcasting Company whose symbol is the Peacock – defending my love for Peacocks); I served as President in1994.. So – this year I was the Grande Dame Honoree along with sixteen lovely Belles on the arms of their fathers/escorts for the important event. These young ladies (from the 8th grade to high school graduation serve as interns for the Guild – ushering at Concerts, Philharmonic affairs, and learning the basics of charitable giving.
I wore the same Peacock Costume (with Mask) from the prior Ball in 1992 – it is in appropo colors of blues and greens and bling/bling. Son John was in his tuxedo; hopefully a picture can be inserted into this blog soon.
Two prominent ladies – Dana Endsley and Nancy Roberts – co-chaired the Ball, and they were the best at obtaining sponsorship funds, procuring Serendipity invitations, keeping expenses to a minimum, and being courageous and innovative in the struggle of accomplishing details in unusual blizzard conditions. Their successful experience proves that West Texas Women can do anything they need/want done.
It was a great experience to me – working with young people, Ball Chairs and Guild President Mary Cooksey, longtime friend, and to know that the next generation will be doing a great job volunteering for promotion of one of Abilene’s great assets – the Philharmonic Orchestra.
My escort – son John Mingus and wife Kayren from Houston came to be with me and they were mighty helpful and well liked. There was a promenade, honor awards, fine dinner, and dancing to two bands – what a Serendipity Affair.
Dancing with Abilene Stars
The Second Annual Event to benefit Hendrick Home for Children – dancers pay to sign up – $3,000 either in money or secure enough people at tables to pledge that amount – they (6 men and 6 women) take lessons from the professional dance team Richard and Sophia Maryianowski – on foxtrot, waltz, rhuma, tango, etc. At the actual event, the men dance with Sophia and the women with Richard before a panel of five judges…..MizCheevus is one……and they select the best woman dancer; the best male dancer; the best costume (some of these were on rental for $2500); the best character portrayal; the crowd selects the one to bring in the most money with their constant vote during the evening of One Dollar per vote. Great prizes are also given the winners. The evening is concluded with a popular music group. Since all tables were sold out early (the cost varies according to location in the Civic Center); each general attendee pays $100; early sponsors were generous – the end result was a fabulous success of $100,000!
This is the new Fundraiser which I have chaired for Abilene Woman’s Club to provide Scholarships, Recognition of Girls-of-the-Month from Abilene and Wylie Middle Schools, and Maintenance of our beautiful historic building which has become an asset to Abilene.
We based this on Holiday Tables, a project we hosted years ago, wherein tables were decorated in various Holiday themes; this recent one featured Tables decorated by Club Members, Organizations, Businesses in varying themes……i.e., holidays; anniversaries, collections from travels, business logos, etc. Table Participation included: Abilene Opera Association which showed eleven mannequins dressed in operatic costumes on the stage with low-keyed music for background; Abilene Zoo; Community Foundation of Abilene; Antiques & Almost; Fabulous Finds; Hendrick Home for Children; downtown businesses – The Arrangement; Relics Home; Jordan Taylor Gift Store; Under One Roof and the Loft; Life is Good; Travel Collections – Bernice Wolfe and Evelyn Bein; National WWII WASP Museum; J. Shea’s Jewelry; Professionally Designed Fall Flowers by Luke Harwell for Raffle item; members: Sherry Hirsch, Lou Briley; Abilene Junior Woman’s Club and Peggy Sturrock for AWC (Elvis Presley).
AWC members paid $50.00 and non-members $100 to decorate tables.
Eight Vendors rented space upstairs to show their specialties – paying so much per space.
Recognizition was given each group in the program which was most attractive as the photo will indicate.
Two other Raffle items: Exotic New Black Cut vase from Waterford Crystal (designed by European Designer John Ruska) donated by Bush Jewelers; New Haven 1920s Clock with handpainted china decor on brass stand (still runs) donated by antique dealer Frank Chafey. These were popular items, and are good money makers for clubs. We charged $5 per chance or 5/$20.
On Friday evening October 29th we had a Preview Party from 6-8PM with a charge of $40 which included admission for the Public Showing next day; On Saturday October 30th the Public Showing was from 10AM to 4PM at a charge of $20 per ticket.
At 3:30PM we had the drawing for the three Raffle Items. Many good comments have come from attendees; we did quite well, but of course not well enough to end the requirement that this committe will have two more benefits for the club year. The secret of any fundraiser is to keep down expenses in a uniquely nice way.
Why do all vacations and reunions happen in the hottest weather? MizCheevus thinks it is a labor of love for the attendants who most times come away fulfilled and think it was well worth the effort.
MizC has one sibling – sister Joan Herndon Martin who for 65 years has been married to the Reverend Father William H. Martin; they live in El Paso, and the sisters see each other about once each year. This time, the Martins drove to Abilene to get Roy Helen Mingus Ackers and take her to their family reunion organized by Jimmy Martin for the Martin heirs. This event was held in a Pavilion on beautiful Lake Nasworthy (whose water-shed is greenish-blue) near San Angelo, Texas. Also invited were Roy Helen’s children – son John Mingus of Houston and daughter Melinda Mingus MD of New York City; – who had not seen the Martins in 20 years, and the surprise was – they came!!
The Herndon sisters had grown up in Jones County and were used to attending large reunions sponsored by their grandparents Mose and Rebecca Jones. The Mingus children had not attended one of such magnitude until they came to the event on 8-6&7th.
Jimmy Martin, a rancher on the Rudd-Route between Eldorado and Christoval, Texas, cooked brisket, cabrito, jalepino sausage and the somewhat 75 others brought vegies (some from the recipes learned in Juarez) and bread made by Father Martin.
Much conversation – participation by all ages – appreciation for a family that cared. The guests learned that it would be best to join a family who was willing to stage a REUNION!
We hope to place a few pictures of this event……Martin and Roy Helen Ackers; Melinda Mingus swimming in Lake Nasworthy, Bill and Joan Martin; John Mingus was taking the pictures.
In all my years I had never been to a Quinceanera, a Celebration in many cultures, especially mexican, for a girl when she reaches the age of 15. This one was for my great/granddaughter Gabriella Lizette Garza-Mingus, daughter of Cyndi and Kenneth Mingus of Richmond, Texas.
There was a Morning Mass at Saint Edith Stein Catholic Church in Katy,Texas and an evening Reception at the Sugarland Community Center at Sugarland, Texas. The Service was for praise to God and request for guidance and appreciation to family and friends. There is a small photo of the honoree kneeing on turquoise pillow for her prayer to Mary (supported by the priests). There was beautiful music, communion, blessing of gifts, etc.
Much planning goes into this kind of event – her dress was a romantic design in glorious turquoise with veil – the matching color repeated in the overlays on the tables at the Reception. Always prominent was a little doll saint wearing replica of the same dress. Court of the honoree was composed of dear friends who were magnificent dancers, and little gentlemen escorts wearing the same turquoise vests and ties. She danced first with her father who introduced her, then with Grandfather John Mingus, (the son of MizCheevus) and then with each of his three sons Kevin, Kenneth and Matthew.
Above is a photo of Roy Helen Mingus, grandmother, and grandson Kevin Mingus.
Food was furnished by friends – well, many things were, and they helped with a lot of details: a relative baked the cake trimmed with turquoise…(see photo).
Blessings were given for the gifts at the Morning Mass and they were again mentioned at the Reception.
There is a lot of expense to this kind of event…just think her sisters Mariana and Charisma will have a joint one in about three years from now; her brother Kenny, Jr. will escape..ha.
It was a memorable event; heartstrings of all cultures rejoice over blessings.
