June '09
In June and early July my sister, brother and I took a camping trip that extend through the northwest and out to western South Dakota.  The trek included Michigan, Apostile Islands on Lake Superior and northwestern Minnesota.  We visited family along the way and even climbed (more like hiked) Harney Peak in the Black Hills.  Lots of photos... I will post more later.

June 2008
Every five years the Van Winkles get together and this year it was held in southern Indiana at Yellowbanks Recreation Center.  Recreation has the word 'creation' in it and that's what happens in the pottery barn located on the property.  More than a place to camp and fish the Marshalls are master potters.  Jim Marshall gave us a wonderful demonstration of creating various types of pots and talked about the unique yellow clay of the area.  I had no idea clay is used in so many things.

April, 2007
I was pleased to be asked to submit art work to the "Art In New Albany" fund raiser organized by Temple Beth Shalom, in New Albany, Ohio.  This event is a first step toward a new annual city wide arts festival in New Albany.  I was fortunate to sell my painting, "The Path" at the event.

2007
Clintonville, Ohio. 

I was fortunate to be asked to conduct a art workshop with a local cub scout pack.  I presented information on jobs for artists and later helped the scouts paint their own self portraits. The scouts used mirrors or photos and painted with acrylics on canvas board.  I was very impressed how much the portraits resembled the painters! Participation at the session went towards earning a merit badge in the arts.  One parent commented, "this is the best artwork he has done... this will get framed!"

2006

Jackson, Michigan
In June I assisted Jean Engstrom, costume designer, with design and construction of costumes and props for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, production of the opera "All Marriages Are Like that" an adaptation by librettist Eden Casteek Simmons of  two Mozart operas: Le Nozze di Tutte (“The Marriage  of Figaro”) and Cosi Fan Tutte (“All Women Behave  Like That”.)

"In a new musical venture, the JSO invited 15 college aged singers to Jackson in June to learn and then  perform a modern comedic opera and a concert of  Mozart music in celebration of the 250 th anniversary  of Mozart’s birth. "

2006

Columbus, Ohio 

For the Ametheyst Foundation, “Portraits in Recovery” annual fund-raising even, I donated framed prints to the silent auction in which proceeds went to the Foundation aiding women in recovery with children.