Charlotte McElroy - Determined to be "Normal"

          You think you know someone and then you realize you don’t. Charlotte McElroy has performed in my plays almost since the day we met ten years ago. Her career on the stage goes back much further. A sharp wit with impeccable timing, one can only imagine her years ago at a school assembly commanding the attention of hundreds of teenagers with ease. Until I read her words for Taking the Plunge, I had no idea the number of obstacles she overcame to become a respected educator, supporter of the arts, and community activist.

          Whether tap dancing to the beat or tackling the challenge of piano lessons, Charlotte wasn't (and isn’t) afraid to meet adversity head on.

Charlotte McElroy

I was born at home on a small Texas panhandle farm in 1939 to older uneducated parents living in two rooms of an old drafty farmhouse. My sister, born four years later, was deemed the most beautiful baby in Castro County. I was a disappointment. On my twelfth birthday my mother expressed her feelings in words that still hurt.

“I knew you were different when you came out.”

I started to have nightmares and in my dreams I was dressed in a white gown made by my mother, walking down the Baptist church aisle to be joined to a rich farmer I would be expected to wash, iron, clean, cook and meet him at the door with a kiss no matter how he smelled after a long day of plowing.

I was determined to be “normal.” I managed to get elected cheerleader, fire-baton twirler, Miss Personality, Girls’ State representative, Student Senate Representative, and I went to state three times as an outstanding baritone horn player.   

          I received a music scholarship to West Texas State University and a drama scholarship to Eastern New Mexico University. Mother said “No money” for a worthless college education.

I got a job, gave up music and drama, graduated from WTSU in three years with a BS in Education and got a job teaching third grade in Amarillo, Texas. I completed my MA in Education and moved to Ojai Ca and stayed for thirty years.

I received a Teacher of the Year award in 1974 and Principal of the Year in 1991, plus being chosen as one of the 100 Best Principals in the US.

I retired in 1995 to Sequim, WA and pursued my interests.  On Feb 1^s 2013 I married my partner of 20 years.

I’m now normal. It only took 74 years.

1              1.      Who are you? List 5 words that define you!

Teacher – Friend - Tap Dancer – Principal – Advocate

                         2.  What have you done that you’re most proud of?

My courage to face and fight adversity, discrimination, and gender

Inequality, even if it meant losing my job.

                                     3.  If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I’m ashamed to say, I didn’t reach out to gay and transgender students

because of my fear of being “outed”. I would need a lot of time to make

up for this mistake.

4.   On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Indecisive, loud-mouthed people make me crazy.

All the years I spent with so many wonderful kids of all ages gives me great joy.

                 5. Given no restrictions, what would you most like to do?

    Build a school for all impoverished, abused, hungry and “different” kids.  

         It would be free and open all year.

      

In Hennessey Street with fellow thespian, Marianne Trowbridge

Rehearsing Hazel Speaks! with Elizabeth Kelly

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Ingrid Ricks - Pursuing Her Dream

          The word that comes to mind when I hear author Ingrid Rick’s name mentioned is “energy.” I recently heard her talk at the end of a long day of lectures. She was the last speaker of the day and I had just glanced at my watch to make the decision to slip out quietly and catch the next ferry home or give her a few minutes to talk and then make my decision.

          I am so glad I stayed! Ingrid not only exudes enthusiasm for her passion of writing, she is a wealth of information about the current world of publishing.

          Later that evening, after the requisite Seattle ferry ride and subsequent long drive home, I loaded her memoir, “Hippie Boy” onto my Kindle and realized she is the total package; an author and a marketer who wastes no time. She inspires young and old, experienced writers and novices. Ingrid's a dreamer who works hard to make dreams come true.    

Ingrid Ricks

My new favorite quote is “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

That really sums up my philosophy on life. Like so many people I know, I had a hard time giving myself permission to pursue my dream—which for me was to write my memoir, Hippie Boy and carve out a living as an author.

It took me along time to GO FOR IT, but when I did, everything changed for me and it opened up doors and opportunities I couldn’t have imagined.

What I’ve learned is that dreaming big is only one part of the equation. You’ve got to put in the work required to turn that dream into reality. When you do, magic happens.

1. Who are you? List 5 words that define you!

Determined – Positive – Storyteller – Eye Health Warrior – Friend/Mom

                           (I know.that’s six.)

2.      What have you done that you’re most proud of?

I co-founded www.weareabsolutelynotokay.org, a program that uses my coming-of-age memoir, Hippie Boy, as a guide to help teenagers find their voice and power by writing and publishing their stories.

I’ve also started a blog called www.Determinedtosee.com that gives hope to people struggling with blinding eye diseases and encourages them to make diet and lifestyle changes that can benefit their eye health.

3.      If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I would have eaten a more healthy diet.

4.      On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Negative people drive me crazy. I can’t stand it when people say “no” implying that something can't be done.

So many things give me joy: music, friends, my daughters, my husband, long beach walks, my daily eight-ounce hemp mocha, writing….to name a few.

5.      Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

I would do exactly what I’m doing now: writing books, helping teenagers to claim their voice and power through personal storytelling, and continuing on my quest to save my eyesight (I suffer from RP, a degenerative eye disease), and motivating others to take charge of their eye health.

But I would also DEFINITELY travel more.

Connect with Ingrid

www.ingridricks.com

www.facebook.com/ingridricksauthor

www.twitter.com/ingridricks

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Gary Newman - Taking the Poet's Path

          Vocations often have stereotypes attached that we hope hold true; we want our nurses to be caring, our postmen to be reliable, our politicians honest (OK, I know that’s a stretch, but we do). Being a poet is more a calling than a career. But a poet’s contribution is not about worldly things in our everyday lives. A poet’s contribution is all about “worldly” things, in the truest sense of the word.
          Gary Newman is an introspective man, an observer, an explorer of words, a poet.
         
Gary Newman

I am a poet, essayist and journalist.

I have won numerous awards for my journalism including three first place awards for best sports story in the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association annual contest and a first in the best business story category as well as numerous other second and third place awards for writing and photography.

As a journalist I came to question the trajectory of my own career and I realized I originally set out to be a poet. I decided to return to that original pure impulse.

I write to define the world I love. I mean the whole earth, but especially the natural world, landscape, animals, the world of science and ideas.

But mostly I write because I love the sound, rhythm and flow of words.

1. List five words that define you.

Optimist – Outdoorsman – Inquisitive – Proactive – Determined

2. What have you done that you are most proud of?

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay in 1969-70. I am most proud of learning Spanish and Guarani and getting to know men and women of a different culture.

I continued that habit when I was stationed in Berlin as a soldier. I learned a fair amount of German.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I’ve always been disappointed that I didn’t finish learning German. And I’m disappointed that I have let my Spanish skills get rusty. Though I work on that.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Important people, a little humility should go before the hubris.

I’ve enjoyed climbing and hiking in different mountain ranges, but especially the Cascades. I also love to ride a bicycle.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

I would go vagabonding over the earth. South America, Africa, Asia, Russia. I’d write, take photos, learn languages and show people why they should love this planet and each other.

Tired after four days hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

               Mt. Rainier and the Pacific Crest Trail in the background

Gary and your blogger celebrating Artist Trust friendships!

Link for Gary:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-G-Newman-Writer/673456122715855

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Karen Hanan - Passion for the Arts

        

          People bond over a variety of interests; a favorite sports team, a love of gardening, a hometown memory. Karen Hanan and I bonded over a cup of tea. Actually, many, many cups of tea – mine black, hers with a dash of milk.

          Whether talking about the arts and artists close to our hearts or international headliners, there was never a lull in conversation as we solved the problems of the world in my living room at tea time.

          A woman with a passion to get things done, that one hour every week or so, was probably one of the few times during the week, Karen (English pronunciation, accent on the first syllable/soft “r”) sat still!

          She has a great zest for life, love of music, passion for the arts, and an admitted addiction to a perfectly brewed cup of tea.   

Karen Hanan

I was appointed Executive Director of ArtsWA by Governor Jay Inslee effective March 1, 2014. ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government agency. ArtsWA speaks up for the public value of the arts, builds leadership in and for the arts, strengthens arts education in our public schools, documents the impact of the arts on our communities and in peoples’ lives, and shares the findings, builds participation in the arts, and acquires and cares for artwork in the State Art Collection, sited at K-12 public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies.

Prior to my position with ArtsWA, I served as Executive Director of Arts Northwest, the non-profit, regional performing arts service organization. Before that, I was the founder and Executive Director of the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts in Port Angeles, WA.

         

1. Who are you? List 5 words that define you! 

Energetic – Empathetic – Compassionate – Curious – Full-speed-ahead!

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of? 

Envisioned, birthed, and helped grow the Olympic Peninsula’s Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, and then handed it over to a community that values it to this day.

Also, I have a family I adore and a circle of friends I treasure. I am proud and so happy to be in their collective embrace.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be? 

Growing up is about learning to be wiser, more complete, a better person. Along that path, you must sometimes trip and fall and sometimes inflict damage on others as part of that process. It can’t be helped, but I am sorry for anyone I hurt along the way – sometimes inadvertently, sometimes as a result of the ignorance of youth.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy? 

I am driven crazy by mean spirited people who go through life without thought for the well being of the people and creatures around them.

I get joy from the people I love and care about. I find joy in an uncomplicated walk in the woods in the company of our chocolate lab. I get endless joy from the flowers and fruits of our “English garden”.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do? 

I would like to spend more time in Europe, taking precious moments with family that I value and miss so much. I love where I find myself; my work, my family, my friends, my surroundings, but I miss those not nearby but still fundamental to my heart.        

Enjoying the breeze off the coast of Newfoundland.

Karen with Rory Kennedy

Favorite Pastime - Hiking with her sister, Diedre

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Linda Silvas - Collecting Memories

          The first time I heard Linda Silvas speak was in the backyard of mutual friends. I sat down just in time to hear her tell a wonderful story that captivated not only me but everyone within earshot. Several years later, my two teenage nephews from Pennsylvania came to visit and Linda was kind enough to explain Native traditions as we sat around a giant drum she had created. It was the highlight of the trip for the boys and me.

                    An author, an artist, an entrepreneur- Linda is always creating.

Linda Silvas

My culture is of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen tribe as well as Spanish and French. Born in 1948 and raised in San Diego, CA. I relocated to Sequim, WA in 1987. I have had many adventures, traveled to many places, and met great people.

I know what my purpose is… it is for the experience of living here. I am here to collect as many memories as I can….

This is a wonderful trip and if given the choice, I’d vacation here on earth again.

1. Who are you? List 5 words that define you!

 Exceedingly Happy – Creative – Inventive – Strong – Homebody

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

Family, Grandmother, Artist, Published Author, Weaver, Native American Tour Company. Proud of my imagination. My newest creation is a hat woven with hemp called the “Hemphed” that is going on the market this year.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

To know not to worry about the past.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

What drives me crazy are unconscious people. A breed that takes from others. People that mistreat and have no respect for others.

What gives me joy is taking care of my 93 year ole dad and to hear my grown grandson say “I love you Mama Linda”. And to wake up each morning.

It doesn’t get any better than that… and I love to eat good food.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

I would pass a law that would require all top level, convicted sex offenders to be tattooed under their left eye with the initials “SP” Then they can easily be identified and not able to remove the ID.  Children, women, everyone will know to run. This type of predator has earned this type of ID. Yep! That’s what I would do with no restriction. OR … I’d form an elite vigilante group called W.A.S.P. -“Women Against Sex Predators” and we would take care of the predators ourselves. Yep!

               To learn more about Linda and her work go to:

               http://www.mamabearbabybear.com   

               http://www.nativeamericanfootprints.com

             “Do not look down on anyone unless you are helping them up.”

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Dennis Bensie - "The Anti-Writer's Writer"

          After sitting in a classroom every Saturday for the last month and a half, Dennis Bensie and I decided to exchange books we had written. This can be a risky business. I like Dennis. What if I hated his book? What if I couldn’t relate or got bored? Phew. Not only did none of those things happen – I love his book!

          “One Gay American” is his memoir told with candor and humor. Who knew that a book about a young boy growing up in the Midwest would read like a mystery/page-turner/novel. The only reason I put it down was to write this blog intro.

Dennis Bensie

I don’t think that I am an ordinary writer. I never had a class or been in any writing groups.

I’m not even a well-read writer and can barely name my favorite authors or books. I probably do everything “wrong” if a scholar or teacher of writing had a look at my process and style.

I sometimes think of myself as “the anti-writer’s writer” because I never learned any of the rules …and I think that is what I love about my writing. Things just fall out of me onto the page and I don’t always know where they came from.

People read what I write and they seem to respond heavily to it. Isn’t that the point? To make a reader keep reading? Even if it isn’t fancy and doesn’t stay within the rules.

​

1. Who are you? List 5 words that define you!

Artist – Paraphiliac – Homosexual – Friend – Human

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

My first memoir, SHORN: TOYS TO MEN was described by a reviewer as “…a confession and a gift.” I consider that a huge compliment. I had suffered my whole life in secret with undiagnosed and untreated mental illness. I am a paraphiliac and that led me down a very dark path from childhood well in to my thirties.

No one had ever written a book like SHORN. I needed to read a book like that when I was growing up but it didn’t exist. I decided to write it myself. I told my story to help others who struggle with their story.

SHORN: TOYS TO MEN was adapted by Seattle playwright Dustin Engstrom as THE CUT and produced by Open Circle Theater in 2011. In 2013, the book was adapted into a short underground film entitled NO LOVE LOST by a Chicago filmmaker.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I would have gotten organized and started a writing career sooner.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Ignorant people make me nuts. Knowing I get to come home to my three sweet dogs gives me joy (and keeps me from hurting the ignorant people)

  

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?​

I would produce art. Not in any one discipline, just anything and everything that inspires me. It would be cool to hand pick different artists and works of art and build them up to their fullest potential.

SHORN:TOYS TO MEN was adapted by Seattle playwright Dustin Engstrom
as THE CUT and produced by Open Circle Theater in 2011.
In 2013, the book was adapted into a short underground film.

You can learn more about Dennis and his work and contact him at:

       @dennisdodie

http://dennismilambensie.com

https://www.facebook.com/DennisMilamBensieWriter?ref=hl

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Laurel Black - Balanced by Design

          Imagination, style, and humor are three words that come to mind when I hear the name Laurel Black. Whether creating branding for an international firm or letterhead for a local non-profit, she brings qualities of imagination and practicality to her work.

          Then there’s Laurel’s sense of humor. In meetings, her professional demeanor is one of attentive listening and appropriate questions, and yet, one can almost see the twinkle in her eye and know that a touch of levity is about to shared.

          Like all artists, she usually lets her work speak for her, except when Taking the Plunge!

  

Laurel Black

If I had to limit myself to one word to describe what I’m about, it would be hard because most who know me know that I seldom limit myself when it comes to words. They might choose words like verbose or smartass. But let’s pretend there’s a gun to my head: I choose –   balance. When I am in the process of evaluating/analyzing/making choices, the questions that comes up regularly for me is “Where is the balance?” This to me is at the core of meaningful communication.

I have become sensitized to false dichotomies. We are too often presented with opposed choices that aren’t really opposed, such as art vs. science, or jobs vs. the environment, or healthy food vs. delicious food. I think this contributes in part to the current dysfunction in our government. Framing choices as mutually hostile allows partisanship to turn into power tripping.

So, the other word for me is independent. I reject simplistic ideologies that boil things down to manipulative sound bites however seductive they may seem. I try to maintain an objective distance that allows for clear understanding. It’s not easy, and sometimes I’m unsuccessful, but like everyone else, I’m a work in progress.

       

1. Who are you? List 5 nouns that define you!

Definitely “curious” is number one. The rest are:

Aspirational – Compassionate – Intuitive – Creative – Intelligent  

(I’m working on them.)

2. What have you done that you’re most proud of?

    Birthed my daughter and my business. They’re my proudest efforts so far,

    and both still in development. As am I.

3. If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?

I would have started working on fitness and health earlier. If allowed more         than one thing, I would edit some early poor relationship choices. And I would   have trained myself to be better at learning new things. Actually, I suppose I   could do that now.

4. On a personal level, what drives you crazy? What gives you joy?

Crazy: People who don’t understand that responsibility is the other side of the   rights coin. These are the ones who complain about poor government services AND their taxes. They also leave their shopping carts in the middle of the parking lot.

Joy: The opportunity to help others express their value to the world (in other words, my work). Supporting people and organizations of worth is when I feel most powerful.

5. Given no restrictions (i.e. money/physical capabilities) – what would you most like to do?

Travel widely, deeply understand what makes people tick, and learn new computer programs with total ease and zero frustration.

It would also be cool to be able to get by on four hours of sleep a night so I would have more time to do stuff.

  

To learn more about Laurel, go to:

www.laurelblack.com.

Laurel’s LinkedIn profile is here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelblack .

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurelBlackDesign

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