P. Buckley Moss e-newsletter

Dear Friends:

The Moss on the James Chapter of the P. Buckley Moss Society sponsored a really delightful tea party at Riverside School in Richmond, Virginia, last Saturday to raise funds for Riverside’s Moss on the James Scholarship. We all enjoyed it so very much and wore special hats inspired by the Kentucky Derby, which was also held last weekend, and the royal wedding.

What a tea party! Seated at the table in the foreground, L. to R.: Patti McCloskey; Pat DeOrio, founder and director of Riverside School; me; and Floyd Boothe. Pat DeOrio celebrated her 75th birthday during the Tea Party.

The theme was “Teas Around the World” to parallel the school’s geography studies, and Moss on the James Chapter members decorated the tables to represent the different continents. Everything was lovely, and the food and teas, which supported the theme, were divine. The scones were out of this world!

I was very happy to be able to attend the tea party. I’ve been a supporter of Riverside School almost since its inception in 1974. Riverside is a small, non-profit, private day school that is dedicated to providing a teaching approach which is specifically designed to meet the educational needs of students in grades K-8 with dyslexia and similar language-based differences. Small classes, individualized curriculum, one-on-one instruction, and a nurturing environment are all hallmarks of Riverside School. Mrs. Pat DeOrio, founder of Riverside School and a nationally recognized educator for dyslexia, is a charter member of Moss on the James.

The Fourth Annual Moss on the James Tea raised over $6,000 for the Chapter’s Riverside scholarship. We all laughed as Floyd Boothe and Pat DeOrio tried to outbid one another for the Artist’s Proof of St. John’s Revisited that I donated for the auction. Floyd eventually won—he usually does—with a bid of $500. St. John’s in Richmond is the church where Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech on March 23, 1775. I really would like to go there during the Christmas season. I understand it’s beautifully decorated.

Moss on the James member Floyd Boothe was the high bidder on the AP of my new St. John’s Revisited print. In the picture above, Floyd and I are discussing how he would like me to remarque it for him.

Thank you, Moss on the James, for the wonderful work you do on behalf of children! Schools like Riverside help build the character that makes good future leaders in our world. Aren’t we proud of those who protect us! At this particular time, we give credit to our SEALs. Wouldn’t we all love to have the strength and courage it takes to be one of them?

After the tea party, I drove over to Waynesboro and got there in time to see my granddaughter Chiara Gabellieri perform in a jazz band concert. It was wonderful! I was so impressed, and Chiara’s father Corrado and I got up and danced. My daughter Ginny refrained from dancing but egged us on instead.

The next day I drove to my daughter Mary’s house in Radford. Mary, her husband Kerry, and I planted all the things I had started in my garden and brought to them. It’s such a thrill for me to share transplants from my garden with family and friends. It’s easier to buy things and plant them, but I get more satisfaction from the transplants. I’m excited because Kerry is giving me two little red maples from his yard.

My granddaughter Sarah took her final exams at Virginia Tech earlier this week and will follow a few days behind Kerry, Mary, and me to Athens, Georgia, for her big sister Kate’s graduation from the University of Georgia. Sarah will bring their younger brother Sean with her and maybe her Aunt Ginny, too.

I’ll return to Virginia in time for my show with Frameworks Plus in Princeton, West Virginia, on May 21. I’m excited about this show, because there is a brand new chapter of the Society based in the area called Moss in the Mountains. I’m very much looking forward to meeting its members. Also, gallery owner Juanita Swatts and I will release two new giclées on paper during the show, Harman Chapel at Bluefield College and Nearer, My God, to Thee, which features Bramwell Presbyterian Church.

Harman Chapel at Bluefield College (left) and Nearer, My God, to Thee (right) will be released as giclées on paper during my show with Frameworks Plus in Princeton, WV, on May 21. For more information, please contact the gallery at 304-327-7111.

Below are two pictures that I thought would be fun to share. One is a picture that arrived a little late after the P. Buckley Moss Museum’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt. I love the look on the children’s faces. The other is one of me having fun on my daughter Patty’s tractor.

That’s all for now…’til next time!

Love,
Pat

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