Webinar: Dr. Bernice Reid

Dr. Bernice Reid

An Intimate Portrait As Seen Through 

The Eyes of a Portrait Artist

Sign up for this rare opportunity to be inspired by one of the League's national treasures! Former NLAPW President, Dr. Bernice Reid "felt the call" to become an artist at a time when most black children had few such aspirations. Her commitment to the arts opened doors of opportunity for countless others. 

 

We've asked Bernice to share her creative journey and some of the life lessons she has learned along the way.  

In this online webinar, Bernice will share:

• How she realized her dream of becoming a portrait artist.
• What the NLAPW has meant to her over the years.
• How she learned to overcome adversity with grace.
• How she understood "what I was put on earth to do."
• Life lessons to encourage younger artists, many of which come from her book, Grandmother's Shelf: Life Lessons For Successful Living

Master Instructor: Dr. Bernice Reid

Bernice Reid has been a trailblazer all of her life, including serving as NLAPW's first African American President during a time when our country was still experiencing strong racial prejudice.  Undaunted and secure in her sense of calling, she served the League faithfully.  She holds the rare distinction of being a member in all three categories:  Artist, Writer & Composer.

Bernice is an award-winning educator whose career has spanned more than 50 years.  She holds a B.A. in Education, cum laude from West Virginia State University, a M.A. and Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Arlington with a concentration in second language acquisition, and certification in the study of English, French, German and Social Studies.  In addition, she holds certificates in Christian Education and Administration as well as a certificate of ordination.  

Along with two other teachers and a counselor, she founded the Arlington Cultural and Educational Foundation in order to enrich the lives of minority students.  This effort soon expanded to include Trinity Lyceum, a school with an individualized and accelerated Christian education.

Her honors are many, including:  Sharon Christa McAuliffe Education Flag of Learning & Liberty; Wall of Fame: Arlington Independent School District; Duden Awards for Outstanding Teacher of German; and Outstanding Teacher in the Southwest. Bernice is listed in the Cambridge Who's Who; The World Who's Who of Women and Notable Women of Texas.

Recently suffering a stroke, Bernice continues to withstand life's adversities with faith.  She currently serves on the NLAPW Board of Directors as Historian, and teaches internationally online.  She and husband Carlton Reid, retired military officer and retired regional director of Headstart, are blessed with six adult children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Webinar Details

  Tuesday, January 22

   4:00 p.m.   Pacific Time

   5:00 p.m.   Mountain Time

   6:00 p.m.   Central Time

   7:00 p.m.   Eastern Time

NLAPW Members

$25

 

Non-Members

$35

 

Click HERE to register

January, 2013 meeting for Muncie Branch

Hello ladies!

Happy New Year!

Mark your calendars now for a winter gathering of 

Muncie Pen Women!

We will meet on Saturday, January 26

at Cammack Station 

at 12:30 noon.

Please feel free to bring a guest. We will chat and get caught up with each other and we will talk about new members and the Writing Contest coming this spring. 

I hope you can make it!

New Website: Jama Bigger

HAPPY DAY MOMENTS

Our fellow Pen Woman, Jama Keyhoe-Bigger, has recently launched a new website that features her "Happy Moments" project. Kudo's to Jama!

Here is a note by Jama telling us about this new website, Happy Day Moment. Please check it out and let her know what you think! You can leave comments here or contact her directly via facebook.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Pen Women!

I am posting today two poems as a Thanksgiving Celebration. Both were submitted by Muncie Member, Ella Reff. The first one is an original, and the second one is written by Scott Weseman.

Thank you, Ella, for your contributions!

I hope all Pen Women will have a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

A Thanksgiving Surprise 
 
I'm up so bright and early;
The turkey's in the sink;
But now my biggest worry:
The TV's on the blink!
 
No football for my uncle--
Whatever shall he do?
He could come to the kitchen
And help to stir the roux.
 
Yesterday I put the pie in
An oven at 400 degrees
So today I can bake the turkey
And fix the cranberries.
 
A sweet potato casserole
Must be upon my table,
And I will fix a salad
If time does me enable.
 
The turkey's waiting to be carved
Oh look! Here come the guests!
I'd better hurry up,
Get dressed to look my best.
 
My grandson barges in the door
And says, "Let's watch TV!"
I say we can't do that right now,
But he says "Look, Granny!"
 
The last time I was here with you
The TV I unplugged;
So let me take care of that
And things will be debugged!"
 
I forgave the little cuss
And smiled at Uncle too,
So thankful now that things were good
With not much more to do.
 
We all held hands and bowed our heads
And thanked the Lord above
For all good things that come our way
And for a family to love.
 
And here's the icing on the cake,
A day to finally see:
My uncle stood beside the sink
And washed the pans for me!
   
                   ---Ella Reff (2012) 

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minutes more
To really give thanks as to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen!
--Scott Weseman  

Patriotic Poem - Ella Reff's Mother

Muncie Branch member Ella Reff shared a poem written by her mother. Born in 1925,  in southern Indiana, this poem was written when she was about 17 or 18 years old . Her mother's two brothers and husband were all in the military of WWII. Ella said the following poem was published in the local newspaper.

The original hand-written poem, now displayed in North Canton, Ohio

Because today is election day, I thought this would be the perfect time to share Ella's mother's patriotic poem. Note that the poem is now displayed at a restaurant in North Canton, Ohio, The 356th Fighter Group, in their special case with their "book of honor". We are proud to have this legacy as a part of our group.

 

 

            "Three Cheers For 'Em"

 

Three cheers for the men in the service

So loyal, brave and true,

Fighting for their liberty,

And the red, white, and blue.

They're giving up everything,

To fight for Uncle Sam,

To drive out the bitter hatred

In the heart of the other land.

Old Glory is behind them,

Whipping her colors in the breeze,

Fighting all the Axis powers,

Above all, German and Japanese.

A stamp buys the bullet,

A bond buys the gun,

With them both working together,

We'll keep them on the run.

So invest your money now,

Buy bonds and stamps today,

With men, guns, and bullets,

We'll keep the Axis away.

The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines

Are doing their duty each day,

So let's chip in and help them,

And keep free, our good old U.S A.

       

                        Margaret Peavler

 

Interview with Jan Lewis

I recently had the opportunity to visit a local meeting of Sigma Delta Pi, a teacher's sorority, where I heard our very own Jan Lewis speak about her quilted purses. Jan did a wonderful job and showed off a few of her beautiful pieces of work. I decided to interview Jan for our blog! So here you go .....

Welcome to Jan Lewis!

Please tell me some background information about you.

I grew up with five sisters on a farm in Jay County.  I graduated with a B.S and M. A. from Ball State University. 

Please tell me some background information about your artistic endeavors.

I taught Family and Consumer Science for several years and took up quilting after retirement. 

How did you get started making purses?

.  I have constructed quilts for all four of my children, as well as all six grandchildren.  Many friends and family have received my quilted purses. 

How do you go about designing a purse?

.  The inspiration often comes from a certain fabric, a picture, a request from a client.  The purse usually begins in my mind, tossed around and analyzed from all angles.  I love this part immensely but also enjoy seeing the idea become reality. 

Are the purses washasble?

My creations ultimately become durable, hand washable items of functional art. 

 Do you sell at any sort of craft shows?

Many friends and family have received my quilted purses.  I have sold a few and bartered with purses for services.

How would you describe the creative process of purse-making?

While I sew I listen to IPR radio, music, and often scripture on tape.  I make sketches and notes of ideas that inspire me.  Added to these are pictures from magazines that spur ideas. 

What do you like most about sewing?

My creative instincts are constantly active and often result in great personal satisfaction for me.

Where do you work on your projects?

My sewing room is the smallest bedroom in a small house but I enjoy spending time there. 

Thank you, Jan, for sharing with us about your hand-made purses and your thoughts about the creative process!

I feel honored that you asked me.

November 2012 Meeting Information

November

November 10, 2012 NOON

At the home of Jane Beekman

4044 W. Kings Row

Cost: bring a salad or desert

RSVP: email: riverwrites@yahoo.com

or call River at (765) 212-9802

On the Agenda

• Business Meeting

· This year’s meeting schedule

· Writing Contest Update

· Scholarship 

Program

· Paula Gast, Inspirational Speaker