From the Desk of the Director of the Ashtabula Arts Center

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2928 West 13th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 phone: 440-964-3396 Search This Site: September/October: Posted: Monday, August 27, 2007 Whew!! This has been a particularly challenging summer here at the Arts Center. First, our veteran Theatre Coordinator, Darrell Lowe, left the AAC mid-June after his home in Ashtabula finally sold. He and his family have relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where his very talented wife, Deb, took at job at Ohio State Medical Center last summer. Darrell, Deb, and their two children, Alex and Jacob, have been extremely important to the growth and success of the Arts Center's theater department over the past several years. We wish them all continued success, and are already missing them. Fortunately, our summer Straw Hat Theatre season was already well underway with each production being directed by individuals who have each been involved with the AAC many times over the years. Our thanks to Linda Fundis, Doug Anderson, Steve Rhodes and Josh Twining for so capably and brilliantly carrying us through our Straw Hat 2007 season. They have been a joy to work with, and they are, in fact, being very active in setting our GB Community Theatre Season. Also in June, Meeghan Humphrey's son, Garrett, suffered an injury that necessitated surgery and a very lengthy recovery - just two days after our first session of summer camp had begun. Anziette DiPierro stepped up to the plate immediately and took over both the first session of summer camp as well as teaching several of Meeghan's art classes. When the second session of summer camp began, Krisha Keenan took over the art class part of the camp's programming. Ramona Cotton, a member of Lake Shore Artists, volunteered to help take down the Kevin White exhibit then on display. Rob and Bev O'Reilly also volunteered to come in and hang the Finnish-American Artists exhibit we displayed in conjunction with Finn Fest. Members of the Finn Fest Committee put together the exhibit's opening reception - especially Betty Hietikko, Linda Sharp and Elsa Sheppard. Meeghan's son is well on the road to recovery, but her schedule at the AAC will still be limited over the next few weeks. Our many thanks to all who helped Meeghan’s very busy areas of responsibility appear to seamlessly continue in her absence. At the end of June, Marquitta Mollick needed hip replacement surgery that required her to be off of work for 3 weeks. Mary Ann Stranman who has been our front desk person during show times for the past several years, came in and worked Marquitta's hours as well as her own. Bravo!! As I'm sure you all are aware, the AAC has only 1 staff member to cover each of the areas of responsibility. Therefore, when we are down a staff person, others must take up those duties as well as their own. This summer was a true testament to the commitment, dedication and team spirit of the entire Arts Center staff. Cindy Rimpela, Lyn Savarise, Shelagh Dubsky, Pam Hammond and Joe Ford - each and every one went above and beyond in tacking other duties onto their already full work schedules to ensure the Arts Center was running smoothly and at full steam in our heaviest of workloads time of year. Also, AAC part-time staffers--Nora Giangola, Phil Mullet and Charlotte Kline each expertly handled their areas of responsibility and then some. I am extremely grateful to all of them for all they have done to help make this summer a really good one. The bottom line is this - we should all be so very thankful for the Arts Center staff team. I've often said the Arts Center is like a family - and this summer has been the proof. You all are our extended family, and it's for you and each other that we all work with such dedication. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!