A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE ISSUE 4 by Tina Pritchard

Issue 4

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY…

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… JANUARY 2013

Volume 1 | Issue 4

Inside This Issue ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

TRIBUTE TO DON “BUNNY” MCART ANN MORRIS TALKS BILINGUAL FEATURED ARTIST DANIELA UHLIG. DENNIS BLANCHARD ELIZABETH PARKER THE HORRORS OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRY JANE BLANCHARD CASTING CALL WINNERS UPDATE ALLY’S SECRET EXCERPT

WHO WE ARE Two sisters, Christina Leigh Pritchard and Ember Pritchard, love finding talented folks. This e-zine is where they like to collect their information and through interviews via the internet blog radio show with the same name: A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE. This will now be a quarterly magazine.

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

YOU’LL BE MISSED, “BUNNY”… ISSUE 4

BY CHRISTINE DOLEN cdolen@MiamiHerald.com

A RECENT SUCCESS “Say Goodnight Gracie – starring

Actor Don McArt, a veteran performer whose credits

Don McArt

include

Say Goodnight Gracie is the hit

television and multiple shows at his sister Jan’s Royal

Broadway play that invites you

Palm Dinner Theatre, died in a Boca Raton hospice after

to spend a hilarious, heart-

suffering a stroke. He was 90.

warming evening in the uplifting company of the world’s favorite and funniest centenarian George Burns,

who

hundred

years

spanned of

one

American

entertainment history, is now

Broadway,

touring

productions,

movies,

Visually, the elfin McArt and his glamorous sister were an odd couple. In later years, Don McArt looked enough like the elderly George Burns to tour the United States and Canada in Rupert Holmes’ hit play Say Goodnight Gracie. Jan McArt, dubbed Florida’s first lady of musical theater

miraculously alive and kicking in

during her reign at the now-closed Royal Palm from

a stunning tour de force.

1977-2001, is a vivacious raven-haired, blue-eyed brunette whose youthful beauty was often compared to Elizabeth Taylor’s. Yet in spirit, the upbeat brother and sister were very much alike, embracing the joy in life and loving their work as performers. “One of the secrets of his success was that he was always positive,” said his sister, now the director of theater arts program development at Lynn University. “When he would talk with you, he was sincerely interested in what you had to say.” In childhood, Jan McArt bestowed the nickname that would stick to her brother for the rest of his life. Because

DON MCART AS GEORGE BURNS

he had sizable, protruding ears, Jan asked her mother why Don’s ears stuck out.

“She said, ‘He’s like a bunny.’ So I started calling him Bunny,” McArt said.

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

Don McArt was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, but grew up in a small town north of Indianapolis. He supported his business studies at Indiana University by forming a dance band, and when the short guy with the huge bass drum strutted with the Marching 100 band at football games, the crowd went crazy whenever he would toss his sticks into the air, catch them and keep right on playing. His showbiz résumé is a long one. His Broadway and touring credits include Kiss and Tell, Pajama Tops, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and There’s a Girl in My Soup. From the mid-1950s to 1971, he appeared on many TV series including My Little Margie, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Addams Family and Adam-12. He also had parts in the 1963 movie Son of Flubber and 1995’s Two Much. McArt’s eclectic interests also took him in other directions. He earned a doctor of divinity degree in 1974, then served for 17 years as minister of the Church of Religious Science in Whittier, Calif. He became a popular motivational speaker, and his self-help book The Mental Makeover: Kick Your ‘Buts’ Goodbye was published in 2004. His

professional

sister

began

reunion 1977

with when

his she

launched the Royal Palm with Franz Lehar’s operetta The Merry Widow. The two appeared together at the theater in Call Me Madam, High Button Shoes,

Anything

Goes

and

other

musicals, and Don McArt often stole the show on his own in Finian’s Rainbow, Where’s Charley?, The Music Man

and

other

Royal

Palm

productions, as well as his sister’s production of Sugar Babies in Miami Beach and Key West. McArt called Boca Raton home for the past 21 years, but in his late 80s, he got

the

chance

tour

Say

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

Goodnight Gracie. His sister offered to help him learn his lines, but he politely turned her down. “In two weeks, he learned 56 pages of dialogue,” she says. “He got off the tour just last year.” Playwright Holmes recalled McArt’s stamina, despite his age. “For a man in the 80s to memorize, let alone perform, a one-man show about George Burns, ranging from the comedian’s boyhood to his 100th year, was remarkable enough,” Holmes wrote in an email. “But at one performance, Don fell into the orchestra pit, fractured his leg and, ignoring the pain, finished the show via microphone while lying on his back. Now that was a trouper.” In addition to Jan McArt, Don McArt is survived by his brother, Dr. Bruce McArt. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/14/3097371/don-mcart-broadway-andtv-actor.html#storylink=cpy

PHOTOGRAPHS BELONG TO LYNN UNIVERSITY’S FLICKR ALBUM FOR “GOODNIGHT GRACIE”

DON MCART - FILMOGRAPHY TAKEN FROM WWW.IMBD.COM 1995 Two Much 1971 Adam-12 (TV series) – Log 16: A Child in Danger (1971) … Man (as Don McArt) 1969 Big Daddy (as Don McArt) 1965 The Addams Family (TV series) Cousin Cackle – Halloween - Addams Style (1965) … Cousin Cackle (as Don McArt) 1963 Son of Flubber #1 Medfield Football Player (uncredited) 1962 Room for One More (TV series) Perry – King of the Little People (1962) … Perry (as Don McArt) 1962 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (TV series) Monty Tarantino – The Sweet Success of Smell (1962) … Monty Tarantino (as Don McArt) 1957 Journey to Freedom Louie (as Don McArt) 1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV series) Albert – A Bullet for Baldwin (1956) … Albert (as Don McArt) 1954 My Little Margie (TV series) – Tugboat Margie (1954) 1954 Waterfront (TV series) Messenger – Backwash (1954) … Messenger

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ABOUT THE ARTIST Born in February of 1982, Berlin based painter Daniela Uhlig creates some of the most beautiful comic-inspired art, occasionally using traditional painting tools, but mostly using photoshop to shape and bring life to her images. Daniela’s style was originally inspired by comic books such as “Witchblade” by Michael Turner, and then later refined by such great masters as Waterhouse and Alfons Maria Mucha. Her dark seductive images are described as being a mix of comic style and realism. Her location right now is in Berlin/Germany. www.du-artwork.de

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A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY…

CREATIVITY

“GET TO KNOW ME…” by

City company is located in: Des Moines, Iowa

ANN MORRIS

“You should get to know…” questionnaire

Name: Ann M Morris Title: Bilingual Spanish/English Children’s Author and Consultant Company: Self-Employed

Job description or business description (especially if what you do is unusual or your title is not descriptive): Author of children’s books in Spanish and English; Translator; Educational Services in English for Language Learners and Spanish. Background (birthplace, education, training, prior careers): Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, grew up and graduated from Humboldt, Iowa, Wartburg College BA in Spanish Education; 16 yrs as HS Spanish Teacher in Manson, Iowa and at West Des Moines Valley High School; 11 years with Iowa Workforce Development working with unemployment, New Iowan Center Coordinator (working with immigrants and refugees besides general public), translated multitude of documents for Iowa Workforce Development and many times only

ANN MORRIS Spanish-speaking Issue Date location.

employee

Notable achievements (awards, professional honors, notable mentions):  Served as Public Relations Coordinator for Latinos Unidos of Iowa 2004-2007. During this time, it was brought to our attention that there was a lack of Spanish language materials available at the Des Moines Public Library. Working with them, we provided a list of suggested materials and raised $4000+ to donate to the library.  Award from Drake University Head Start: http://www.latinosunidosofiowa. com.  Presented “Facts about Unemployment Insurance” and booklet personally translated to Spanish at 1st Annual Conference April 29-May 1, 2005  Recently published first pair of Children’s Books: Mommy and

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

Mikel Go for a Walk (Ann Morris) and Mikel y Mami dan un paseo (Ana Morris). Are you currently running for public office (local, state, or national level)?: No Please complete at least eight of the following questions. Please give oneor two-sentence answers. You may also add your own business-related questions: Why I do what I do: I write in Spanish and English for two reasons: 1) to provide positive role model reading material for native speakers of each language and 2) to provide incentive reading for those studying the other language. The stories are true incidents from life with my children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren. What I do to get away from work: I champion causes for the underprivileged, enjoy jazz events with my husband and friends, keep in touch with family and pursue genealogy research. I love writing poetry and taking pictures.

been selected to several boards that speak to my heart and interests, but I have not had adequate time to serve them as I feel I should. I attend Multicultural events and am a strong supporter of the Cornerstone of Hope Orphanages in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. I continue to support Latinos Unidos of Iowa. Words to live by: "If I can stop one heart from breaking I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin unto its nest again, I shall not live in vain." Emily Dickinson (1830-1856) Best business book I’ve read lately (and why I liked it): The best place in central Iowa to entertain clients or colleagues (and why): Des Moines; We have everyday things and parks, free entertainment opportunities, excellent eating establishments, theaters that provide international films, fine institutions, a wonderful community college that is available to all, a wonderful mix of people, and upscale shows for those who enjoy them. There is something for everyone! One thing I would change about the Des Moines area: I love the Des Moines area. I am a small town girl and find that Des Moines is like a large small town. People care. What Iowa can do to attract more people like me:

How I give back to the community (volunteer activities, public service, board memberships, etc.): I have

My mentor and how he/she has mentored me: I have so many

mentors! I believe we learn something from everyone who touches us. My parents have always encouraged my interests and talents, P Kay Hines has been incredible in language project collaboration, Eric Idehen helped me discover my true passion, which is what I am now pursuing, Lena Avila Robison has supported and encouraged my interest and participation with the Latino community, Rekha Basu has inspired me immensely with her writing and her deep caring for the underprivileged. My leadership philosophy: If there is something that I can do to help resolve an issue, I DO it. I absolutely try to be as diplomatic as possible in order to be heard more readily. What I would do if I could do something else: This is what I’ve always wanted to do! Contact information (to be published in the paper): Ann M. Morris, 2000ann.morris@gmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/Ann.Bott elson.Magallon.Morris?ref=tn_tnmn #!/pages/Ann-MorrisAuthor/278536912168723, http://ulocal.kcci.com/service/displa yKickPlace.kickAction?u=35118721& as=62904, LinkedIn.

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Appreciation: Don McArt, comic actor by

Hap Erstein on 15 November

Big of heart and big of ears, Don McArt ― “Bunny” to all who knew him ― passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90. A self-described “second-banana comic relief sidekick,” McArt forged a career in the movies (The Absent-Minded Professor, Too Much), on television (The Addams Family), on stage tours (Kiss and Tell, Pajama Tops, Say Goodnight, Gracie) and, of course, in productions at his kid sister Jan McArt’s Royal Palm Dinner Theatre in Boca Raton.

More often than not, he played supporting roles, content to gain his share of the laughs and the applause, but he usually managed to stick out. As did his ears. As much as he enjoyed the limelight professionally, McArt was an intensely private man and exceedingly modest ― two qualities rarely found in someone who enjoyed a show business career over seven decades. As he said to me for an article on him I wrote in 2000, “Show business is much ado about very little. At this point in my life, it all seems vastly unimportant, in a sense.” It is just that he enjoyed performing too much to give it up. McArt’s love of being in front of an audience took him far from a theater stage. After reading about the Science of Mind Church, he studied its teachings for six years, earning a doctor of divinity degree in 1974. That led to taking on the ministry of a church in Whittier, Calif., for 17 years, where his sermons reflected his zeal to inspire and entertain. An

outgrowth of that was a side career as a motivational speaker across the country and a cottage industry selling tapes of his talks. As his sister Jan once noted to me, “In times of trouble, and I’ve had plenty of them, I live on those tapes. They keep me going.” McArt might have lived out his life in California, but in 1990, his mother suffered a stroke in Boca Raton, bringing his sister and himself to South Florida where they began producing dinner theater. There he was the ever-ready utility player, appearing regularly in shows ranging from Sugar Babies to Little Me, to playing a spry leprechaun in Finian’s Rainbow (receiving a Carbonell Award nomination) to a distinctly Irish rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof. Perhaps his favorite role, though, was filling in for Jan doing the preshow warm-up speech, sort of a welcome sermonette. As he put it, “I enjoy it, because it’s an opportunity to put the audience in a more receptive mood, in a light-hearted way.” For much of the past four years, McArt has been center stage, touring the country in Rupert Holmes’s oneman show about George Burns and his career, Say Goodnight, Gracie. “I relate a lot to the struggles George

Burns has early in his career, because I’ve had plenty of my own,” McArt commented. “I feel honored that I have been approved to play the role. It’s much better than retirement.” McArt was not a man who looked back on his life with any regrets, professional or personal. “I had a list of priorities. Marriage was one of those priorities, but it was further down the list, so it never happened,” he said. He simply wanted to make people laugh, and at that, he was an unqualified success. “I wanted to make people happy,” he told me in 2000. “I think that has been my modus operandi all through life, even in the ministry. “Get them laughing and then slip in the message. Or maybe laughter is the message.”

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAYâ&#x20AC;Ś | Issue 4

ELIZABETH PARKER ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About Me. Well, there's not much to tell. Let's see. How do you write your own bio? I live in Las Vegas, NV with my husband, three retrievers and the wonderful memories of our golden retriever, Buddy. I started writing over fifteen years ago, mostly technical manuals with a little added pizzazz. I've also been writing my own novels since I was a teenager, however back then, they were either hand-written in penmanship that was barely legible or type-written. Penmanship and typewriters. Do those words still exist? Do you remember those typewriters? Didn't you just love it when the keys used to get tangled together? That was fun. Or how about the high tech white-out that was the stone-age version of our modern computer

backspace key. Those were good times. Ah, but I digress! I wish I had saved some of those stories as I'm sure they would have been best-sellers. Okay, definitely not, but they would've been interesting to read all of these years later. I had written my first book, Finally Home in the early part of 2010. Throughout my years of living with Buddy, our golden retriever, I always wanted to get his stories down on paper. They were just too comical to keep to myself. If you're reading this, then you might as well know, I am a die-hard dog lover and they are my

inspiration for writing. I volunteer with a few animal rescue groups throughout Las Vegas when time permits. Though not all of my books are for dog-lovers, most have dogs in

I've now learned that a professional editor is a necessity and I give them the utmost credit as editing is a grueling process. Editing your own work is close to impossible. Even

them. I enjoy writing about their antics and incorporate them in a few of my thrillers. In addition, I donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book to various animal rescue groups. Since 2010, I've written nine books. I guess I had a lot to say.

through the trial and error stage, it has been a wonderful experience. I've met a great group of creative indie authors, as well as dog-lovers and readers in general from all over. The support, advice and wisdom I have received has been phenomenal.

You might also want to know that I am an indie author. Yep, I selfpublish all of my books, create my own covers and format my own books. It has been a learning experience and after two years, I'm understanding more and more about the world of publishing. Forgive me if the first two years were a bit rocky.

As an indie author, I do have a day job as well providing technical support. In addition, in honor of my golden retriever, Buddy, who passed away from Osteosarcoma, I design and sell bracelets and donate 40% to canine cancer research foundations. You can find my bracelets on www.lvjewels.storenvy.com or www.facebook.com/buddybracelets.

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

Lastly, I have a very dark mind and an equally off-beat and witty sense of humor. Sometimes you'll find it revealed in my books. Hope you enjoy them and many thanks for stopping by.

DENNIS BLANCHARD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dennis Blanchard was born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut. He and his wife Jane moved to Hampstead, New Hampshire in 1980 where he continued to follow his passion for the outdoors. He was the 2002 Masters Division New England Mountain Bike Champion (EFTA), an avid hiker and traveler. When he comes indoors to dry off, or warm up, he pursues his interest in Amateur Radio. Sometimes he takes the radio along with him outdoors as well. Never living very far from the Appalachian Trail, Dennis was always aware of the seductive siren's call to hike it. In the sixties Dennis made a promise to his brother that haunted him for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, he set out 2007 on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that promise. As he walked the trail, Dennis reconnected with the Norman Rockwell America that seems lost and forgotten. He learned that not only are the difficulties of walking over 2,200 miles easily underestimated but that trouble can begin long before setting a first step on the trail. Blanchard's introspective demonstrates that bears, rattlesnakes and challenging terrain may be far less formidable than some of life's more subtle dangers. Dennis is a retired electronics engineer who has freelanced for amateur radio, technical and motorcycle adventure magazines. He now lives in Sarasota, Florida.

WOMEN OF THE WAY…JANE BLANCHARD I am an author, public speaker, and blogger. I was born in Hartford, Connecticut, lived in Hampstead,

New Hampshire, twenty-three years before moving to Sarasota, Florida, where I now reside. In Florida, I became active in several organizations benefiting women and hosted a weekly radio talk show, Women Matters. I love the outdoors. I climbed my first mountain, Mount Washington, in 1974. Since that initial ascent, I have climbed twenty of the forty 4,000foot mountains in New England. I started mountain bike racing at age 50; in 2002, I won second place in the Masters Division EFTA (Eastern Fat Tire Association) Championship Series.

THREE HUNDRED ZEROS… DENNIS BLANCHARD

When siblings promise to do something together when they 'grow up," do they follow through? When war and a Purple Heart Medal alter those promises, should the surviving brother continue? My promise to my brother haunted me for over forty years. Finally, when there were no more excuses, I set out on the Appalachian Trail to fulfill that youthful promise.

In September and October 2011 and at 60 years old, I took my first long walk--the Camino de Santiago, a 500mile pilgrimage across northern Spain. As I walked, I talked with women from different nations. The book, Women of the Way, weaves Three Hundred Zeroes describes the these conversations with my journey. Appalachian Trail (A.T.) as it meanders for almost 2,200 miles This is my first non-technical book, (3,500 km) through some of the most combining my skills as a technical awe inspiring, remote, vibrant writer with my passion for women woodlands and mountains in the and women matters. eastern United States. Maddeningly When I married Dennis in 1974, we indirect at times, the trail wanders joked about creating a lifetime of aimlessly from Springer Mountain in memories to chat about when sitting Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, in in our rockers in old age. At 61 years Maine. Along it's length the A.T. is old, we are still creating memories, home to every conceivable form of experiencing life as fully as possible, plant life, vegetation, tree and animal and looking forward to a long future. from the minuscule pygmy shrew to the titans of the north woods, the American black bear and moose. THE WORLD OF SERVERS Christina Leigh Pritchard “You’re an idiot.” That’s what the customer told me when I said the manager wasn’t at work yet… LOL.

Three Hundred Zeroes describes a Norman Rockwell America that at times seems long lost and forgotten. Walking through small boroughs, villages and out-of-the-way places, I encountered people that don't judge others by their worldly possessions, the car they drive, or how big their

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house is. Conversations evolved around severe weather; trail conditions, distance traveled, and destinations. The predominate question that always arose was, "Can I help?" or "Are you hungry?" Appalachian Trail life is more often than not factored down to its lowest common denominator: honest to goodness caring and personal connections. A menagerie of personalities leads to numerous comical situations. A cast of characters with monikers such as "Cookie Monster," "Bone Lady," "Half-Elvis," "Motor Butt," "Bilge Rat," "Privy Monster," and "Serial Killer," guaranteed that there was never a dull moment. Serious obstacles abound. The difficulties I encountered walking over 2,200 miles were easily underestimated and trouble began long before setting that first step on the trail. Three Hundred Zeroes demonstrates that bears, rattlesnakes, extreme weather and challenging terrain may be far less formidable than some of life's more subtle dangers. Explore this national treasure, the Appalachian Trail through my adventures in Three Hundred Zeroes. READ MORE…

WOMEN OF THE WAY What do you like most when reading about adventures: descriptions about the terrain, the culture, the challenges, the personal growth, the interactions between other adventures? Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino successfully combines all these elements in a heartfelt and personal recounting of Jane V. Blanchard’s 2011 five-hundred

mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago—hiking from St-JeanPied-de-Port in France over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles in Spain, and then westward across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostella. For over a millennium, Christians have made this pilgrimage to the cathedral in Santiago, where the remains of St. James the apostle are entombed. Today, this journey is known as a European Cultural Itinerary, attracting people from around the world. In 2011, more than 183,000 people completed the pilgrimage; 44% of these pilgrims were women. Though Women of the Way is about Jane’s journey on the Camino de Santiago (also known as “The Way”) and discussions with women she met on the pilgrimage, this is not a “chic” book. It is about embracing the Camino, the personal changes, and the beauty and appeal of the most popular of all the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Frances. — Discover why people from around the world walk the Camino. — Learn how to prepare for the Camino, about the daily rituals in long-distance walking, and the camaraderie shared among these modern-day pilgrims. — Visualize the beauty of northern Spain through Jane’s vivid descriptions. — Understand why so many people embrace the Camino. “An articulate, well-observed and thoughtful look at walking the Camino.” ~ Adam Nathan “I felt as though I, too, was a pilgrim as I saw the beautiful landscapes Jane described, felt the tiredness she experienced, enjoyed the food along with her, laughed and cried with her.” ~ Elizabeth Chandler “My husband, John (62), and I are reading your book while we

prepare to walk the Camino in May of 2013. We are loving it! I like your honesty and factual approach. Your descriptions have caused us to laugh and almost cry at times. Thank you! We are reading a little each day and John reminds me to bring the book in the car or to bed. The spirit of the Camino is already appearing in our relationship as we prepare. I can see a change and it is wonderful!” ~ Kim Todaro LEARN MORE…

___________ ANN M. MORRIS

___________ 4229 BEAVER CREST DR DES MOINES, IA 50310 515-2027728 2000ANN.MORRIS@GMAIL.COM

Translation Experience Des Moines Water Works Des Moines, IA 

Translated Water Service Agreement

Children’s Picture Books Des Moines, IA • Mikel and Mommy Go for a Walk, by Ann Morris written in English and Spanish • Published 10-2011 by AuthorHouse Publications

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Drake Head Start Des Moines, IA • Translated Head Start Policies; received certificate of recognition

Coordinator 2007 – 2009   

Iowa Public Television Johnston, IA • Translated program and activity agendas Ignition Interlock Systems Des Moines, IA • Translated descriptive and policy brochures Loffredo Fresh Produce Des Moines, IA • Translated Employee Training Manual, Safety Manual and Drug Policy Iowa Workforce Development Des Moines, IA 

Unemployment Service Center Bilingual Advisor 2000 – 2007  

 

Work Experience Iowa Workforce Development Des Moines, IA 2000 – Present Appeals Bureau Assistant to Bureau Chief 2009 – Present  

Coordinated office operations and assigned duties to staff Translated Appeals and handled correspondence in Spanish

Des Moines New Iowan Center

Handled all Spanish Communications to Unemployment Center Translated the Facts about Unemployment Insurance Guide and maintained yearly updates Taught “Spanish for the IWD Workplace” in Des Moines local office Assisted clients in all aspects of unemployment issues

West Des Moines Schools West Des Moines, IA 1987 – 1999 

Translated “Facts about Unemployment Insurance” into Spanish and maintained yearly updates

Assisted multiple cultures with agency resources Gave presentations to various professional organizations Wrote English and Spanish monthly newsletters

Prepared, evaluated and taught High School Spanish classes, levels Spanish I - Spanish IV Designed and taught several Adult Education Spanish classes Member of Iowa Foreign Language Association (IFLA); participated in conference committees hosted in Des Moines and co-presented session in Spanish on teaching Advanced Spanish

Greater Des Moines Partnership Des Moines, IA 

Attended and participated in numerous Multicultural Receptions and Job Fairs

Volunteer Latinos Unidos of Iowa (Nonprofit) Des Moines, IA 2002 - Present    



Public Relations Coordinator 2004-2007 Promoted awareness of Latino cultures; maintained community resource contact information. Translated quarterly newsletter and other communications to Spanish. Communicated as bilingual liaison with media and community contacts to better market Latinos Unidos Coordinated nomination process for founder, Lena Ávila-Robison, one of four recipients of “Women of Achievement Award” 2006 from YWCA and Bankers Trust PR Award from Drake University Head Start: http://www.latinosunidosofiowa.c om/

Education Wartburg College 9/1973 - 5/1977 Spanish (Education)

BA in

Waverly, Iowa

Professional Activities Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association (IITA) Des Moines, IA 



Associate Member Presented my translation of “Facts about Unemployment st Insurance” at 1 Annual Conference- May 1, 2005

La Universidad de Navarra 5/1974 - 7/1974 Through Wartburg College Pamplona, Spain 9/1975 - 5/1976

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4 References 



  

Lena Avila-Robison, Iowa Civil Rights Commission Phone: 979-0770 Founder and President of Latinos Unidos of Iowa P. Kay Hines, Valley High School Phone: 278-5780 Spanish Instructor/Translation Colleague Juan Carlos Cadenillas, Polk County Health Department Phone: 287-3554 Gloria Cano, Iowa Workforce Development, Business Services Phone: 281-9649 Tom Rendon, Iowa Department of Education (formerly of IPTV) Phone: 279-5799

BIG AL OF THE C I N SERIES FREE SHORTS

The TV blared and my ears throbbed. My step-father hated the television whenever I watched it. But Sundays were Nascar race day and all anyone heard was the annoying revving of the engines.

She danced around, leaping in the air. Cecelia climbed up onto the sofa and jumped. “I’m a dancer!” “Hey, fatso, shut that kid up.” My step-father turned the sound up. “You know the rules.” He glanced at the kitchen. “Martha, keep your urchins in check. I can’t watch my races with her bouncing around the place.” “C’mon, Cecelia.” I picked her up in my arms. My mother stood in the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Let’s go in your room.”

“Shhh, mom’s going to be upset.” “I’m a dancer! Watch what I can do!” I could hear my mother sob, even after she’d closed herself in the bathroom. The walls were paper thin. It was the worst feeling, knowing Max pained her. We hurt her, too.

“What’s going on, Albert?” My mother asked. “You’re supposed to be keeping her quiet. It’s Max’s only day off.” I didn’t answer. What was the point? I carried Cecelia down the hall. She bounced in my arms, telling me stories of a pony and a tree made of twizzlers.

“Watch me, Al!”

As soon as we entered the room, she grabbed her plastic grocery basket. Fake soup cans spilled out. “Look at my food.”

“Don’t worry about it; I’ll take care of it.”

“Very nice, Ce Ce.”

She refused to look at me. “There’s no point now that Max has left.”

“I can do ‘namstics and cook at the same time.” She rolled, holding her basket. “See Al, look at me!” “I see, I see!”

My life felt like a race, always running but never getting anywhere.

“Martha! That kid is driving me mad! I’m outta here. Let me know when it’s safe to relax in my own home.”

“Al,” my little sister squealed. She rolled across the carpet. “Look, Al. Look at me!”

“Don’t leave, Max, honey. I’ll take care of it.”

“Very good,” I said.

“Look at me, Al!” My sister twirled, holding a can in her hands. “I’m the dancing cook.” She giggled, doing a split.

“Yeah, right.” slammed.

The

front

door

“I’m watching, I’m watching.” My mother stood in the doorway. “Aren’t you supposed to meet Donna?” “Yeah. I’ll be back soon to put Cecelia down for her nap.”

“But, aren’t you cooking dinner?”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Donna said it would be quick.” “What’s it with you and that strange girl? She’s going to be the death of you, Albert.” “I’ll be back and I’ll cook dinner, okay?”

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

She stepped aside, letting me pass. I ran out of the room and across the street towards the old wheat field. Donna called, saying she had something important to tell me. She knew I had to watch my sister on the weekends. What was so important to her anyway? I ran through the wheat, stopping abruptly. I really needed to lose weight. My heart pounded and I thought I was going to throw up. “What do you want, Donna, I’m babysitting my sister today.” She sat in the wheat with her eyes fixed on something I couldn’t see. Kurt and Anthony were there too. “It’s time we taught our tormentors a lesson.” She smiled, almost as if she were a different person and not the girl I grew to love.

“Kill? Revenge? Do you guys hear yourselves?” I stammered, backing away. “I’m not going to be a part of this craziness.” “Wait, Al!” Donna shouted after me. I could barely move my legs, tumbling through the wheat. “Just listen to my plan and if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it.” I glanced back. She wasn’t the girl I thought she was after all. Where was the Donna who helped me fish out my He-man figurine from the sewage? (After my step-father flushed it, of course.) At that very moment, my “Donna” was gone. “Listen to me, Al, please.” “I can’t.” My lip trembled. “Murder—that’s a big deal, ya know.”

“What are you talking about?” Kurt asked.

Kurt and Anthony dismissing me.”

“We kill them all.”

I ran off towards home. A fire truck raced past me. I doubled over, catching my breath. Two police cars whizzed by. What was wrong? An ambulance picked up speed, turning the corner. I followed it, my heart racing.

Was she mad? “How?” Anthony said. “How are we supposed to do that?”

frowned,

In my yard sat a fire truck, several police vehicles and now an ambulance. They came to an abrupt stop, two paramedics raced out the back, wheeling with them a stretcher. Had something happened to my mother? Did she finally lose it? Max’s car pulled up. He ran up to me. “What’s going on?” I brushed him aside, racing inside. “Mom!” I screamed, “Mom!” “It’s okay,” she said. Her fingers grabbed my arm. My heart pounded even harder. If she wasn’t in trouble—then that only left one other person… “Cecelia?” I dropped to my knees. -By Christina Leigh Pritchard

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY…

Issue 4

A HOME FOR THE CREATIVE TALENT FOUND ALONG THE WAY… | Issue 4

Ally’s Secret Book 3 in the C I N Series An Excerpt…

LISA IN THE DORM ROOM AT C I N

I sat on Donna’s bed. The sheets still smelled like her obnoxiously too sweet perfume. I used to hate the smell. Today, though, I cherished it. The scent lingered in my nostrils, reminding me of the inevitable. Soon there’d be nothing left of our friendship. Marie would be in to strip the beds. Donna’s perfume would then be washed away. Ally already filled fourteen trash bags with items belonging to the “Traitor”. Ally was outside with many of the others, burning Donna’s things. I’d never heard such revengeful passion in Ally’s voice before today. Had I ever really known either of them? For once, I was glad my room was windowless. It was the only quiet place I could go where I couldn’t hear or see Ally and the others destroy all that reminded me of my best friend. Soon, I’d be kicked out of our old room, too. Sure, I understood “why” I had to leave our pretend dormer. Now that there were so many of us fulgurites, Charles and two others would be taking our room at C I N and Ally and I would have to stay at Aunt Millie’s with Kimi. Tears trickled down my cheeks. Donna wouldn’t be joining us this time. There’d be no one to talk incessantly through movie night or mix M&M’s in with our popcorn. Who’d do Ally’s hair or force her to wear make-up? No one would. Donna wasn’t really my friend. It’d all been a trick. She’d been an accomplice to Dr. John. When Celeste and I reversed things, Donna ran off with Tobey—err, Dr. John. She’d secretly been against us, but for how long? I frowned, tossing a bouncy ball. It flickered with colored lights each time it hit the wall. Blues, pinks, yellows… Ally’s pictures in her decorated shell frames shook, their corners tapping the walls. There was a picture of the three of us. We seemed happy. Were we? I’d never felt more betrayed by people I loved like I had since moving to Lynn. I tossed the ball harder, knocking a frame from its hook. It hit the floor, the shells scattering. Out of everyone, Donna had been my favorite. Sure, she was annoying but, when I needed to talk, she made me feel like I was being heard, as if, someone actually cared about what I’d said. Even when her powers began changing her, she still listened. Do you know what it’s like to have a friend that, okay, had some serious flaws, but was fun? She loved adventure and would follow along as I pretended to be a “butterfly” flapping my wings (or arms) down the empty movie theater’s aisle or “thanked the academy” for my “award” while shopping in the city’s main streets. Everyone at C I N acted like they had a stick up their butt. Not Donna. What happened to us? She was supposed to be my best friend forever. Is Donna’s ability to turn on you the reason everyone hated her? Didn’t they try to warn me? What’s worse than never having a carefree friend like her? …Losing her. People warned me about Ally too. How many of the new fulgurites that I’d met should I worry about—if I didn’t really know my own friends? I let the bouncy ball drop from my fingers. My eyes blurred on the flickering blues and Page 24

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pinks. I’d held onto that stupid ball for one reason. It had been Donna’s. Tears poured down my cheeks. I hated being trapped in this wretched place. Too bad I couldn’t cross the boundary. I’d be so out of this place! I thought losing Alex was hard. Being friendless and alone—that was the real torture. Anna’s family keeps telling me they understood the reason behind her death that I had to kill her. But, it doesn’t take a genius to realize they’re angry with me. I’m mad at me, too. No one should’ve died. Marie tapped on the door. I turned away. “Come in.” “Sorry, Lisa, but it’s time. Alex is insistent.” Marie rubbed my back. “I have to strip the bed.” I wiped my eyes. “Can’t you just pretend to take them? Leave the sheets on, I won’t tell anyone.” “Oh Lisa,” Marie sighed. “I can’t, I’m so sorry.” Pete stepped inside with a laundry basket. “I’m here to collect the unwanted trash.” “You can’t take them off yet.” I wrapped myself up in the sheets. “They still smell like Donna.” “Lisa,” Pete said. “You’re going to be okay.” I knew I’d be fine. They were only sheets; idiotic ones too with cartoonish cats and rainbows. I hated them. I once bought Donna some silk sheets that she promptly gave to one of the groupies. Speaking of groupies… Celeste entered my room. “Get up,” Celeste said. She grabbed my arm, jerking me forward. “This is pathetic. Donna betrayed us. But no one was more dishonored by her actions than you.” “I don’t believe that she would—” “Where is she then? Do you see your best friend?” “Don’t start with me!” My lip trembled. I struggled, her grip tightening. “Let me go. I can walk out on my own. You don’t need to treat me like a prisoner.” I broke free. Celeste glanced at Pete and Marie. “Wait until we’re out in the hall before you do anything.” Her fingers twitched, a powerful force surrounded me. My body slid across the floor towards her. She wrapped her hand around my arm. “Get off of me.” I said. “You’re not my warden, ya know.” “Chill out drama queen. Let’s go.” Celeste dyed her hair purple today. She loved to change it up. It’s like her hair was a mirror to her ever changing moods. There, standing in the lobby, was Alex. His head lowered and I watched his hair fall in his face. It grew harder to breathe with each step we took towards him. “Did Pete and Marie get the sheets?” Alex asked. My stomach ached. I hated seeing him now that we weren’t together. He wouldn’t look at or speak directly to me anymore. “No, they didn’t, not yet.” I said, poking his shoulder. I just wanted him to hurt the way I did. He recoiled, screaming. I smirked, “still hurts you, Alex, but not me.” What was my problem? Celeste smacked me in the back of the head. “Knock it off, Lisa. You’re a moron. Let’s go.” I glanced back at my old dorm. Pete stood in the doorway as if on guard. Yes, I was a prisoner. Maybe wherever Donna went was a place where someone like me could be accepted. I was supposed to be their “beginning” or whatever but I wasn’t given half the respect they gave to Anna. It sucked. Why didn’t anyone take my feelings into consideration? I was the one who risked my life for them, I was the one who freed them and I was the one who lost everything. “Stop sulking and follow me.” Celeste tugged on my arm. “You’re going to spend the rest of the night on the balcony.” Page 25

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“Why? So you can force me to watch you guys burn Donna’s things?” “Why do you care so much for someone who never cared for you? You’re a foolish girl.” I glanced at Celeste. Her eyes softened me. As bossy as she was, she’s the only reason I’m alive. Maybe that’s why everyone listened to her instead. Maybe I’d done nothing. It was the glorified groupie they wanted—not me. I was just a pathetic non-genius from Florida. That’s where I really belonged—back home with my mother and father. “Where would you rather I take you?” Celeste asked. “I don’t really know what to do with you.” “Leave me alone. I can take care of myself.” “Can you?” “I was fine before I met you.” “Why don’t I give you a job,” Celeste said. “Maybe it will keep you busy.” I twirled around. “You want to give me a job?” My mouth dropped open. “How dare you! I’m supposed to be giving you the jobs. I’m supposed to be organizing everyone so that they’ll be happiest in their new living arrangements. You just took over like—” She shook her head, keeping her eyes on the front doors. “So, you think you can do a better job than someone who has known most of these people for hundreds of years?” “I wanted to hold a meeting with everyone. Don’t you think learning who each person is and what they’ve done is important? You can’t know every single person here now, can you?” “You’ve got Rat for that, I won’t have you put my family on trial to satisfy your curiosity.” I couldn’t speak. My fingers sparked. “Do as you wish.” Celeste dismissed me, following Reginald outside to enjoy the bonfire. “What’s wrong?” Reginald asked, wrapping his arms around her. She narrowed her eyes at me. “She’s going to be another tyrant like Anna.” I followed the hall, heading back to my old room. I stopped abruptly. Pete and Marie froze. He held a basket overflowing with Donna’s bedding. I turned away. “Sorry Lisa,” Marie whispered. I ran out the front door and raced for the small wooded area beside C I N. I fell to my knees in the dirt. What was wrong with me? I should hate Donna. I looked up, glancing at the place where Inteus stood, telling me all about the horrible things he did to Francisco. Horrific images invaded my mind. Just a few days ago, Francisco nearly crumbled into a mound of rumble. I’d watched him almost turn to stone. I listened to a tale I’d have preferred to never hear. A tale that told me that I wasn’t dealing with normal people. What would a country do if they realized the one man who could live for all eternity was also the vilest man they’d ever encountered? Inteus created monsters out of his children. He tried to turn them against each other. Why was he so cruel? He just wanted to use them. Here, they thought they had a father who loved them but instead, he was a mad man. If he could turn on his own children, how many others at C I N would turn on me? My heart pounded. Something needed to be done. Celeste stood in my way. I heard dead leaves crunch behind me. “What are you doing out here?” “Michael?” “No, I’m not Michael. I don’t think we’ve met yet.” I turned around, setting my gaze on deep set eyes. The stranger was tall and broad. He seemed hardened at first but the longer I stared at him the more he softened. “I’m Lisa.” “I know who you are.” Page 26

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“Who are you?” The guy smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I grinned, unable to control myself. “How old are you really?” “Twenty.” “No, really.” “I’m only twenty, for real.” “So, we’re the same exact age. Is anyone else here like us?” He nodded. “Ravenna Frost.” “Who’s that?” “My cousin.” “Is she here?” He nodded. “Yep, but she’s younger than us.” “How young, is young?” “Try fourteen.” I gasped. “Fourteen?!” “Yep, crazy, huh?” “Who changed you guys?” He smiled wide. “The name’s Jake.” My lips trembled. It wasn’t easy being serious with this ‘Jake’ guy. “What’s in your pocket?” Jake pulled out a hacky sack. “Ever played?” “Once or twice.” “Liar!” Jake kicked the bean sack my way. He laughed and we passed it back and forth like pros. It was as if I’d never stopped playing. Every day before school started—back in Florida—we’d all get together in a circle and kick the sack around. It felt good to do it again, almost therapeutic. Sometimes, all I wanted to be was a normal person again. Sure, life sucked back then but, compared to this it was paradise. I missed the hacky sack. It skidded across my heel and landed in the dirt. “Stop daydreaming and kick it back.” Jack groaned, clapping his hands. “Let’s go, let’s go!” I bent over, kicking it his way. “You’re a bit too aggressive for this game.” “Ha!” He laughed, balancing the bag on his knee. The sack went from one knee to the other. “You’d be surprised. I’m a saint compared to some.” “You’re a mess,” I grinned. He tossed it back and suddenly, all I wanted to do was defeat him. The sack went back and forth between us as if we were in a ping pong tournament. We did this till the sky darkened. The only light I could see came from Ally’s bonfire. It was good. The tears I’d shed all day finally dried up. My heart still burned but, somehow, I’d cried all that I could. “There can only be one beginning!” Jake teased. I laughed, letting one stray tear escape. “Or else a collapse will happen…” I pounded my feet into the earth, smashing dead leaves. “You’ve blown it,” Jake decided. “It was funny till you got all jaded.” He shook his head. “You win, honey. I gotta get back before someone notices I’m missing.” “Go?” That was the last thing I wanted him to do. “What were you doing out here anyway?” “Hiding,” he answered. “Why else would anyone come out here?” Jake caught the hacky sack in his palm. “I’m sorry you’re so miserable but, I need to check in.” “Check in? What are you, five?” Jake frowned. “You’re not the only one on lockdown around here.” Page 27

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“What are you talking about?” “Don’t lie to me, it’ll never work, Lisa.” He rolled his eyes, kicking the sack so hard it arched and I had to catch it with my hands. “You’re being watched like a hawk.” “How do you deal with them?” I asked, kicking the sack towards him. “What do you do when all they want to do is use you up?” “You mean, like, when people pretend to be nice not realizing I can tell that they’re giving me false flattery?” “Yes exactly! What do you do about it?” I stood, kicking the hacky sack back his way. He caught it on his shoe, bouncing it. “When someone is using you, how do you handle it?” “Sometimes,” he said, kicking the bag over my head. I turned around, hunting in a bush. “Sometimes I just give them their way.” “Why?” I grabbed the toy and balanced it on my calf. “I’d just avoid them. That seems to work somewhat.” Jake didn’t catch the sack this time. He let it fall beside him. “Then I’d always be alone.” He bowed. “Lisa.” “Jake, what are you trying to say?” Jake turned, flashing a giant smile. “Good night, Lisa.” He stepped out of the woods leaving me with nothing but the crocheted toy. At that very moment, I did feel alone. Alone and broken…

CASTING CALL WINNERS

As you’ve seen in the above excerpt of C I N 3, you’ve just met casting call winner Jake and been introduced to Savannah’s winning character, Ravenna Frost. In book three, Ally’s Secret, you’ll get a chance to meet Crystal, Maddy’s winning character and Sam’s winning character as well. From this story, shorts will be created solely on each character!

Jake, his brother Max and Savannah In the story they’re cousins and happen to be real cousins who live in Mississippi.

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