P. Buckley Moss e-newsletter

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Dear Friends:

Wow! I thought Virginia Tech Hokie fans are off the charts, but the University of Kentucky Wildcat fans are really, completely off the charts! It was such fun to see so many happy, enthusiastic people at Designer Art and Framing's show in Russell, Kentucky, this past weekend. Boy! Are they loyal to their school, and very happy with my new prints Kentucky Favorites, Home of Champions, Pride of the Commonwealth, Forever Blue, and Win, Place, Show (Keeneland Race Track). They made me very happy!

I always look forward to seeing my friends Jill Whitt, Marcinda Mers, Richard and Jo Biehle, Ben and Robin Millard, Paul and Jo Ann Fuller, Michael and Patricia Hughes, "The Breakfast Club", and so many more. I have a hard time with names, because I meet so many people, so please don't feel left out if I didn't mention you-I loved being with you all!

A special treat for me is Jo Biehle's 4th Grade Class. Every time I come for a show, past and present members of Jo's class come and help out during the show and share with us their remarkable talents. This year Matthew Crawford returned and played the violin for us again, and Marinda Hutchinson sang. I was also given a beautiful bouquet of flowers by Josie Hutchinson.

Members of Jo Biehle's 4th Grade Class from last year. "Thank you so much for coming to see me at the show and for volunteering to help make it run so smoothly. Thank you also for the wonderful quilt! I absolutely adore it and appreciate your artwork very much."

This is the wonderful quilt I mentioned in the caption above. Jo's students designed the squares, using paper and fabric crayons. Jo then ironed them onto muslin, and a friend and fellow teacher, Marianne Morris, and her class put it together. Pictured with me are, L. to R., Ethan Garvin and Brock Hapney. Many thanks to all!

Another gift that I treasure is this exquisite jacket made by Marianne Morris and her class. Pictured with me is Brock Hapney.

Marianne's husband Wendell is in the National Guard, and he wrote a very special letter to his son, whose high school graduation he missed due to his deployment. Marcinda shared the letter with me, and I thought it was lovely. I have permission to share it with you here. I think it clearly expresses the character and integrity of our soldiers and how much they sacrifice on behalf of us here at home. They give up so much for us, not only in terms of putting their own lives at risk but also in missing time with their families and special occasions. Especially with the 9-11 Anniversary just around the corner, let's remember them and honor them.

"May 30, 2008

"My Dear Johnathan,

"Throughout the years of your life you have made sacrifices and you have served your country as much as I have done.

"In your loving way, you quietly shouldered the heavy burden that you were asked to carry. Most of the time you could not understand why I was not there but you quietly hid the tears, courageously put on a smile, and defiantly promised that you would support me. You were then, as now, one of the most important parts of my life. It was your love that enabled you to assure me that what I was doing was important.

"I missed so many holidays and countless special occasions (like tonight), while you were left at home to worry while I was on difficult missions. Your resilience and self-confidence through these times help make my job much easier to bear.

"I am so very proud of you, for it was your love and support that sustained me in those difficult times. There is no way, in my mind, that I could have been a success in the military without having your support, your understanding and most importantly your unquestionable love.

"Thank you for being there for me and know that I am with you tonight.

"I love you so much,

"Dad"

I just put the finishing touches on this year's Christmas print and Kris Kringle print. They will be available soon.

This will be our Christmas print this year. We're still thinking about a title, but we're leaning toward Star of Wonder.

A Purrfect Delivery is this year's Kris Kringle print. The idea for the print came from brainstorming with Ben Millard, who laughingly said, "How about cats pulling the sleigh and mice in the sleigh!" He loves the new mice. So here we are!

On behalf of the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children's Education, I would like to extend an invitation to attend the 13th Annual Creative Mind Conference, which will be held on Saturday, October 23, at the P. Buckley Moss Museum in Waynesboro, Virginia. "Voices from the Past, Envisioning the Future" is the theme of this year's conference. You will come away with fresh ideas and your creativity sparked and learning enhanced. Whether you are an educator, administrator, parent, homeschooler, assist children with special needs, or have a child in your life in any capacity, there is something of value for you to be gained from this year's conference. For more information, please contact the Foundation office at 540-932-1728.

Local chapters of the P. Buckley Moss Society around the country are sponsoring fundraisers to send teachers from their areas to the conference. The Moss Pelicans Chapter in St. Petersburg, Florida, of which I am a member, is holding a raffle to send two teachers this year.

Love,
Pat

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