Christmas 2020

Christmas greetings to all, 
          This has been a trying year for everyone.  The volunteers and members of the Florence Arts Council have done an outstanding job both physically and financially to keep the Bell Tower as  operational as possible.  We, like everyone, have learned to be flexible and take things one day at a time.  Concerts have been sporadic.  Our virtual children’s summer art camp worked well [Thank you, Pat Wiles and Lori Dickerman] .  Those manning the Bell Tower have been great and even though our Wed. Open Mic is on hiatus til after the New Year, the attendance there grows each week [Thanks, John and Barbara].  We added a knitting group, a plein air watercolor group, and a camera club besides Mah Jong and Monday night Open Paint to our weekly offerings.  Hopefully all will be back to normal soon.  
            Our ditch wall mosaic, Covid compliant since it is outside and 84 feet long, joined Rudl Mergelman’s 22 foot tall sculpture as the Art Council’s contributions to public art this year.  Both have received numerous accolades from the public.  
            One of our members lost her home to a fire last week.  She and her family have been lucky to find a  nice place to live that is outfitted as an air b&b so at this time she doesn’t need any household goods.  She will be rebuilding their home.  Sometime [6 months to a year] in the future, the Bell Tower will hold a function to help with any items she will need then.  
             Our October Plein Air entries were up and we have advertised in the National Plein Air magazine for next year. Think Positive!

              Merry  Christmas to all,      
​             Peg Piltingsrud, President