Dear Friends,

I am in Italy with family and friends. It is billed as a P. Buckley Moss Society trip, but it feels more like a reunion. I am travelling with people that I’ve met through my art and through the Society that have become treasured, life-long friends. 2017 has been a year to reflect and re-energize as the Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary. It’s hard for me to comprehend the phenomenal accomplishment that this represents.

 

Here I am with Enza, my daughter Becky’s mother-in-law, in Cortona.

 

The P. Buckley Moss Society idea was conceived in 1986. The official startup date was January 1, 1987.   From the beginning, the Society has been a group of collectors that have provided assistance to the less fortunate in their communities. Predominantly focused on children’s needs, the numerous projects designed and implemented by the Society, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. This year’s trip to Italy is a fund-raiser by society members to benefit the Moss Foundation for Children’s Education.

 

First group dinner at Taverna de' Mercanti.

 

Exuberant Carol and Claude Wimmer welcome Society members at Rome airport using the “borrowed” sign from Patty Moss.

 

Ginny and Randy Myers join me for a brief visit to a church in Rome.

 

The Moss Foundation for Children’s Education is the not-for-profit organization formed in 1995 by some forward thinking Society members. I am so proud of and thankful for everyone who has shared my charitable vision. One such person is Barbara Traverton. Barbara was an avid collector and fan for many years. Recently she moved into assisted living and gave her extensive collection of Moss prints to the Foundation. Rather than ship all these prints, Barbara’s daughter Jean and her husband met my daughter Patty in Harrisburg, PA for the exchange. Jean is the Learning Center Director at St. Bonaventure University in New York. She said, “I am familiar with dyslexia as I am the director of the university’s learning center and oversee the disability support services that are administered to our college students. I think that mom’s gift was meant to be for the Moss Foundation.” Many thanks to Jean and John Ehman and Barbara Traverton for this incredible gift.

 

Here I am with Barb Traverton on one of many times that we met over the years.

 

Travellers John and Jean Ehman with my daughter Patty for the donation exchange.

 

Beautiful day for the exchange on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, PA.

 

 

Until next week…

 

Love,