We lit up the night!
This is a thank you letter to those who made “Light up the night for the arts” such a success. Mona and Lee Wallace were so gracious to open their home to host a wonderful holiday soiree for the Rowan Arts Council and art education. I thank our wonderful committee: Fern Albracht, Anne Cave (president of the RAC board), Christy Cline, Shari Graham, Alice Ketcham, and, of course, Mona Wallace who was the driving force for this exciting event. I thank our 31 sponsors without whom the soiree could not have happened. Eight pieces of beautiful art graced the occasion provided by: Syed Ahmad, Michael Baker, Marina Bare, Davis Cooke of Old Sarum Gallery, Lillian Gascoigne of Lillian’s Library, Jonas Howard, and Ben Martin. Bruce Wilson of Fine Frame Gallery provided easels, setup and consultation for the art exhibit/sale. We were all delighted to view gowns of the late Princess Diana so kindly provided by Shari and Bill Graham.
We were entertained by the musical stylings of Pat Cohen “Mother Blues” and band and joyfully sang along with pianist Rick McDonald from New York city. A special thank you goes to the Art Club of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College who braved frigid temperatures to drive golf carts and handle coats and hats. Thank you to Arts Council volunteers. And, thank you to those whose attendance supported the arts and made the evening so much fun.
We are delighted that the first time for this event made a profit of $12,500. The funds will be used for Arts-in-Education grants and art programs in the community. You truly did “Light up the night for the arts” and the result will light up the hearts of school children who will benefit from participation in the arts.
ó Marietta Smith
Salisbury
Smith is executive director of the Rowan Arts Council.
Shelter’s work appreciated
I am writing in regard to the many blogs I have read about the Rowan County Animal Shelter in the last few days. I have owned many cats and dogs over the years, and you won’t find anyone who loves their animals more than I do. I support our local animal shelter 100 percent and know firsthand that they (Clai Martin and his staff) are doing a great job caring for and trying to find good homes for the animals that come into their shelter. However, the job of caring for unwanted, unloved pets and strays is not totally their job; it is our job also. We as citizens of Rowan County need to understand that unless we vaccinate, spay or neuter and care for our own pets, we will have even more animals that will possibly end up in the shelter.
When you adopt an animal from the shelter or from a private home, you take the risk of getting one that has kennel cough or some other disease, and that’s why the shelter employees emphasize that you need to take the animal to the vet right away to get it checked for any diseases and to start its vaccinations, if needed. I have gotten several dogs from the shelter over the years, and they are great dogs. The shelter was in great shape every time I visited. I realize, too, though that not all animals that come into the shelter will find good homes, so the shelter has to do what is necessary. Before you complain about conditions at the shelter, look at how many animals find great homes with loving people and are no longer destined for a short-lived life of abuse, starvation or death. My hat goes off to all those employees of Rowan County Animal Shelter. Keep up the good work.
ó Ruth Whedbee
Salisbury
Many thanks for the food!
Lutheran Services for the Aging, Abundant Living Adult Day Services, Trinity Oaks Retirement Community, and Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks thank everyone in the Rowan-Salisbury community (or beyond) who helped to “Fill That Bus!”
Because of your generosity, the Trinity Oaks bus was filled with 47 boxes of canned goods and non-perishables or roughly 1,085 pounds of items desperately needed for the food pantry of Rowan Helping Ministries.
The food drive was just one of thousands of charitable events held across the country in celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and in honor of the Obama-Biden inauguration.
We also extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Salisbury Post and to WSAT-Memories 1280 for spreading the news of the event and insuring the success of our efforts.
ó Mary Ann Johnson
Salisbury
Johnson is director of Community and Foundation Relations, Lutheran Services for the Aging.