Gary Reynolds
Creative Photography
Don and Georgie Anderson, Musicians
Dear Readers: Many of us are familiar with the song that begins “The hills are alive with the sound of music. . .” While that song refers to mountains in Austria, today we’re going to meet Don and Georgie Anderson, who for many years have made our own Blue Hills, and the rest of Rusk […]
Nancy Wheeler—Weaver
Dear Readers: The word “weave” is defined as interlacing threads, yarn, strands or strips of some material in order to form a fabric. The word is also used to describe the ability to combine many diverse elements into a complete piece, as when a writer weaves a variety of sub-plots into a satisfying, coherent book. […]
Eileen Ziesler–writer, arts advocate
Dear Readers: The familiar phrase “wears many hats” refers to somebody who is involved in many diverse activities or plays a variety of roles. Today we’ll meet Eileen Ziesler who, at least figuratively, wears many hats in her roles as writer, publisher, entrepreneur and arts advocate. A native of Rusk County, Eileen met her husband, […]
Ruth Meszaros –artist, art advocate
Dear Readers: A person with diverse or widely varying interests or tastes is sometimes called eclectic. In today’s column we’ll focus on local artist and art advocate Ruth Meszaros, who could be called “egg-clectic” because of the nature of a major part of her artistic work. A New Jersey native, Ruth lived for a time […]
Karen Ek, Music educator; musician
Dear Readers: Many of us are familiar with “The Music Man,” a hit Broadway musical later made into a popular movie. In today’s column we’re going to meet Karen Ek, who could be called The Music Lady for her work in music education and encouraging music participation and appreciation in Ladysmith and Rusk County. Born […]
Lucinda Miller – Writer
Dear Readers: Each of us has our own individual way of looking at the world and what we believe to be the purpose of our existence. Our personal world view may be rooted in religion, science, philosophy or something unique to ourselves. Today we’re going to meet Lucinda Miller, a rising young writer from Rusk […]
Mona Kochendorfer – folk artist
Dear Readers: “Folk art” has been defined as “art originating among the common people of a nation or region . . . reflecting their traditional culture” and is usually both useful and decorative. In today’s column we’ll meet artist and teacher Mona Kochendorfer, an accomplished folk painter and interpreter of ethnic painting styles, particularly those […]
Bryce Coggins: writer; local historian
Dear Readers: People with total recall of names, dates, places, events and experiences, even long past, are said to have photographic memories. In today’s column we’ll meet Bryce Coggins, a local farmer and writer who uses his skill with words, remarkable memory and love for our area to present an entertaining and accurate picture of […]
Betty Morris, visual artist
Dear Readers: Besides being artists, what do Vincent van Gogh, Grandma Moses and Henri Rousseau have in common? The answer may surprise you: they are all self-taught. A little “digging” shows a significant number of visual artists, musicians and photographers have carved out highly successful careers with little or no formal training. Instead, they’ve acquired […]