THE CENTER

Many of you may agree with Fran Lebowitz who said, “Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass.”

Granted most of us may not have true artistic ability, but if you don’t follow that “burning, restless” urge, you will miss the pleasure, and satisfaction and sense of discovery of creating something new whether it is a drawing, a piece of glass art, or just a doodle. It may not be great, or even good. But that is really not the purpose. It is the process of letting yourself go in the act of creating. And if you get a few kudos or ribbons at the county fair, that is just the cherry on top.

To get your creative juices flowing, there are several opportunities coming around the mountain. The Dalles Art Center is offering Clay Play! taught by Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on every Tuesday in March and first three Tuesdays in April. The class is an individually structured open studio ceramics class over the course of 8 weeks for anyone curious about clay or who want to expand their ceramic skills in a supportive and light-hearted environment. The cost is $80 per student which covers attendance for 4 of the 8 available classes - which you can choose at your own convenience. And if you want to attend more than the four, which you are encouraged to do, there is an additional fee of $20 per class.  You can also purchase a 25 lb. bag of low-fire clay for $15 which can be shared. You can register now by contacting The Dalles Art Center at 541.296.4759 or by email at thedallesart@gmail.com

Also the Center’s Creative Arts Program supported by the Wasco County Cultural Trust is taking shape for this year. The first of the ten Tuesday classes will start on March 10^th plus there will be several special events throughout the year: Glass Art Classes with Stephanie, Joy Kloman’s Drawing Classes in May, and “An Evening with Darryl Lloyd” national award winning photographer. It is all exciting stuff and I will provide more information closer to the events.

The twenty tickets for the 2:00 performance of Guys and Dolls on Saturday, March 14^th are going fast. If you are interested you should purchase your tickets soon. And once again, Sherman County Transit will be providing the transportation, so our friends in Sherman County who want to attend can pick up the bus closer to home.

Since last week I forgot which week it was and announced the wrong band playing tonight (It is the Simcoe Boys), I shouldn’t even try to tell you who is playing next Tuesday on the 24^th. And starting this month, the Center will be rotating bands on the fourth Tuesdays to add some variety to our regular music line-up. Let’s see how long I can keep it all straight. But what I do know, well at least I think I know, is that the Elderly Brothers will be playing on the 24th for your dancing and listening enjoyment. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00, and everyone is welcome. And thanks to everyone who attend the dances for your donations. The bands appreciate the support and it helps keep the lights on at the Center.

The name of the medication that was advertised on television in the 1960’s using the hit song “No Matter What Shape Your Stomach’s In” was Alka-Seltzer. (And the winner of a free Cherry Festival Breakfast is Sandy Haechrel.)

Alfred Hitchcock was known as the “Master of Suspense” directing more than fifty movies spanning six decades. For this week’s “Remember When” question, in his 1960 American psychological thriller-horror film (which I am still too scared to watch), what was the name of the disturbed owner-manager of the hotel? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off with a brand new shower curtain.

Well, it’s been another week, complaining about the sun in my eyes - now that the sun has finally appeared. Until we meet again, as I heard at the Center, “Don’t pray for better days, but for these to last.”

 “I always knew looking back on the tears would make me laugh, but I never knew looking back on the laughs would make me cry.” Unknown