Commun ty Matters Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
January 2017
4 ways to beat the winter blues When the sun wakes up late and slips away before the workday ends, when many a day is dark and gray, when it’s Groundhog Day and even an early spring seems far away, many large, hairy mammals — Punxsutawney Phil, included — choose to hibernate. But not us! We slog through, knowing that the passage of time will bring brighter days ahead. But we can do more than wait it out. Here are four easy ways to beat the winter blues and create a little sunshine of your own: 1. Bring light to others’ lives “I’m 87 years old and I can still finish The NewYork Times Sunday crossword puzzle,” a friend wrote in a holiday note to me. She added, “And I love hearing from you!” My aunt, who is 86 and lives in rural Illinois, also likes hearing from me. The joy is evident in her voice when WINTER, continued on page 3
Artists don’t retire – they get better Meet Lawrence artist Jewell Willhite Lawrence artist Jewell Willhite didn’t have the opportunity to take art classes growing up. They weren’t offered in her high school or at Iowa State College. Instead, she got her degree in “applied art,” a course of study in the home economics department. Jewell learned about design and illustration as it applied to homemaking — think sewing and décor. But she also found a way to try painting for the first time. Many years later, once her children were grown, Jewell became a prolific painter, creating a couple dozen pictures a year. Her painting “Onions” took the Best in Show ribbon in last year’s Art is Ageless competition at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. Jewell tried oil painting early on, but once she discovered acrylics, she never ARTISTS, continued on page 2