First of all, I want to say thank you to all of our Guild members for electing me as your president. I hesitated to take the job, primarily because I'm new to the Guild, but in the end, I chose to accept it because I had such a fantastic time this past year and wanted to give something of myself back to the Guild in return for all I received. I was promised help from many more experienced members than myself, and I thank them for already keeping their promises. Thank you, too, to all who have agreed to be officers, board members and committee chairs for the coming year. Our first Board Meeting was held on July 30, and we have some exciting plans for the coming year. Please remember that all members are welcome at Board Meetings.

Over the summer, I met with Bonnie Houser, Vice President; Leonora Yawn, Program Committee Chair; Joan Schmitz, Workshop Chair; and B. J. Grant, Mini-Workshop Chair. We planned what I think is an incredible schedule of events for the coming year, with special thanks to Bonnie for being our driving force. We tried to coordinate all of the activities so as to have them complement each other, with Early Bird Specials, Play Days, and Saturday Specials coordinated by Maggie Gillikin and Bonnie Houser to supplement what we learn from our programs and workshops. We're hoping that the Early Birds will whet our appetites for things to come , and that the activities will relate to each other and provide us with an in-depth knowledge of various subjects. There will be many hands-on programs, many new and interesting applications of calligraphy, education regarding several different hands, and much teaching by local and out-of-town talent. We realize that it will be impossible for everyone to attend every activity. But, we're hoping that we will have something for everyone and that we will all have a chance to take part in many different events.

On the business side of things, over the summer, several members have suggested that we make more use of the World Wide Web, for such things as publishing our newsletter on our own Web Site, advertising our calendars or other fund-raisers, etc. And several other members have objected.

On the affirmative side of this debate, the Web is a quick and convenient way for us all to communicate, share, and learn. Francene Smith and her family have generously donated their time and effort to create a Web site for us, at no cost to the Guild. This site will include a limited on-line copy of Flourishes, hot links to e-mail addresses for members with e-mail, and links to other interesting calligraphy related sites.

On the negative side of the debate, members note that the newsletter is for members only and do not want it to be available to those who have not paid dues. However, I feel that our dues provide us with much more than our newsletter. We receive so much for our dues -- meetings, programs, library, workshops and mini-workshops, and especially the camaraderie with folks who share our love of calligraphy. We will be discussing this issues at the first general meting in September, and I would appreciate input from all members. The Web is the way of the future, but I understand that some have reservations about using it, and some have no access to it. So, please give this issue some thought, and come to the September meeting prepared to vote on this matter.

Meanwhile, enjoy the last days of summer. Remember the Secret Pals will be revealed at the September meeting. Bring all of the surprises you received over the summer. And, please remember a thank you card for your Secret Pal.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Leslie
 

Bill Waddington demonstrates color pencils at our first Early Bird for the new year. Bring your color pencils and color along with Bill. He has designed something special for his presentation. You'll want to see and hear what Bill has to say abut color penciling. Remember that Early Bird begins promptly at 6:30. 
 

September Birthdays  

9/1 Betty Lou Jordan
9/1 Nancy McHugh
9/2 Joanne Pacelli
9/5 Sylvia Stanley
9/7 Pam Braha
9/10 Olga Furr
9/11 Shawn Behrens
9/13 Karen Veni
9/26 Loni Carlson
9/27 Kaye Yarbrough
9/11 -- Shawn Behrens
9/14 -- Karen Veni

Attention Secret Pals!

Remember,  you'll reveal your identities at the September meeting.  Bring all of the beautiful things you received to display.  If for some reason you can't make it to the meeting, then pleae make arrangements for someone else to bring your things for display.  And don't forget a thank you card for your pal.

See you in September!  

Thanks to Charles Ingram
for our Secret Pal cover design.

Birth Announcements

Jeanann Wilkinson had a baby boy on June 19, his name is Garrett Scott.

In July, Brenda Welsh had a baby girl and they named her Madelyn.

It was reported that the new moms and their babies are doing very well.

Congratulations and best wishes from the Guild.
 

Education Committee Needs Volunteers
 

One of the purposes of SACG is to educate the pubic concerning calligraphy. 

We have received many requests from libraries around town for free demos. 
Cortez Library at 2803 Hunter would like someone to come in October.

This is a great way to show calligraphy and tell others about the Guild!  This can be a source for potential students if you are a calligraphy teacher.

If you would like to participate in this rewarding and worthwhile project, please call Joan Schmitz at 344-7675. 

Photo Roster
At Last!  The Photo Roster is Ready.
 

If someone new stands up to speak 
Whom you don't recornize this week, 
Then at the roster take a peek. 
There's the picture, there's the name, 
No need to play the guessing game. 

But if, alas, there's empty space 
Instead of their kind, smiling face, 
Then ask them, please to come and pose, 
The camera's ready, the roster grows. 

Mavis Caudill 

Austin Shopping

Vera Irby found Miller Blueprint at 501 W. 6th St. (1/512-478-8793) in Austin and thought you might like to know about them.  They have pens, nibs, inks, paints, paper, ruling pens, adjustable triangles, lettering triangles, T-squares, etc., etc. -- a wonderful assortment. 

She has also discovered Book People at the corner of  Lamar and West 6th St. (next to Whole Foods).  You can reach them at 1/512-472-5050.  They have an interesting selection of cards, decorative papers and book, book, books. 

Mini-Wokshop
Fantastic Pop Ups with Carol Wood 
Thursday, September 17th 
Warm Springs Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital 
5101 Medical Drive 
7:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m. 
$5 for members, $6 for non-members 

Carol will provide everything you need to make fantastic pop up cards using punches.  More details on this exciting Mini-Workshop at the September meeting.  See B. J. Grant to reserve a space. 

We have a fun-filled year planned for minis and you know some are limited to a certain number.  Several of the minis only have 4 slots left, so hurry and sign up while there is still time.  Here is our line up: 

September 17 -- Carol Wood with Fantastic Pop Ups 
October 15 -- Ed Knipper of Waco doing Engrossing 
November 21 -- Carol Wood will come back and show us surface techniques using her Softscape tools 
February 18 -- Bonnie Houser and walnut ink 
March 18 -- Joan Schmitz will teach Italicized Gothic 
*April 15 -- Kate Bergguist and roses with Versals 
May 20 -- Maggie Gillikin will do Itsy Bitsy books 

*Sorry, already filled 

You may pay $35 for all or pay individually for the ones you want at $5 each for members, $6 for non-members.  We will contiue to meet at Warm Springs.  They will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. 
 

Membership Notes
 

Membership reports 93 regular and 5 honorary memberships, plus 1 family membership in our Guild.  All members are listed in the 1998 -- 1999 Guild Directory, get your directory at the September 3 meeting.  Thanks to the hard-working directory committee fo Mary Bowman, Rebecca Ingram,Charles Ingram, Thea Moore, and Leslie Winakur. 

Remember we have a new membership category this year:  family memberships.  Pick up a few brochures at the September meeting to give to anyone interested in being a Guild member. 

Badges for new members will be ready at the September 3 meeting. 

Mary Bowman and Jo Drake 

Flourishes Alert!!!
 

Do you remember the Ampersand and Valentine Postage Stamp covers tht the membership designed for the newsletter? 
 

This time it is "Versals in a Rectange."  Here's the size:  2" wide x 1 7/8" deep. 

The versal can be designed larger, but please have it reduced to the correct measurement.  These Versals will spell THANKSGIVING. 

Please decide quickly if you can do one.  Bonnie will have details at the September meeting.  The Versal cover will be designed in black and white detail, so plan your design accordingly.  (We're encouraging everyone to colore the Versals on the Nov. cover and bring their creative results to the Nov. meeting.)  The letters will be due to Bonnie by the October meeting or send to Bonnie Houser, 251 Blue Bonnet Blvd., 78209.  Please help us put out another excellent composite for the cover of Flourishes! 

Darla and Bonnie 
 

Paste Paper Preparation Day

(In conjunction with the Nancy Culmone Colored Pencil Workshop) 
Saturday,Sepbember 12 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Discovery School - 222 Salem Drive 
$5 fee (payable at September meeting or send to Bonnie Houser by 9/11 to 251 Blue Bonnet Blvd. 78209.) 

The supply list is extensive and will be given out at the September meeting. 

Arches Text Wove (Nancy's favorite) has been ordered and will be available for purchase at $1.20 a sheet. 

Nancy Culmone has taught two workshops in San Antonio on paste paper.  Her beautiful work with colored pencils is most often on a paste paper background.  The recommends a two-week time fram for curing purposes before lettering or pencilling on this surface. 

If you already have paprs, this Preparation Day is not a requirement, but if you plan to take Nancy's workshop on colored pendils, you will be grateful to have this opportunity to be prepared.  Maggie andBonnie will guilde the newcomers to this process.  If you're an old hand at paste paper, come to add to your stash.  We will provide the paste and methyl cellulose, butyou'll have to bring your own acrylic paints,powders, and supplies. 

Once you've made such exciting papers, the Colored Pencil Workshopwill be a way to learn what to do next.  Don't miss either one fo these Guild opportunities! 

Bonnie House and Maggie Gillikin 
 

Thanks to Telephone Chain
 

We wish to extend a sincere thank you to the following members of the telephone chain.  During the past year, they willingly and efficiently contacted guild members and got the message out -- sometimes on v-e-r-y short notice.  We certainly appreciate their efforts!! 

The committee included:  Denise Adler, Julie Barenblat, Albert Bazaldua, Mary Bowman, Mavis Caudill, Joe Drake, Jane Fair, Virginia Harrison, Mildred Hatt, Susie Lowe, Mildred Mayfield, Thea Moore, B. J. Nichol, Rose Marie Siebenhausen, Rod Smith, Hazel Tillson, and subs Jull Adams, Lynn Rutland, and Pauline Sager. 
 

Sepetember Calligraphy Classes
 

Pauline Sager will be teaching Community Ed calligraphy classes at MacArtur High School on Bitters Road.  Phone number for more information is 657-8866.  Or, call Pauline at 494-1881. 

Semi-formal italic for the 5B's -- Beginners, Basic-training, Brushup, Backup, Beatitude (joy).  Classes are Wednesday evening frm 6:30 to 9:00 for 7 weeks beginning on September 30 and running through November 18. There is a $15 supply fee. 

Potpourri for Calligraphers.  In this course you will be introduced to various ways to enhance your calligraphy.  Projects will include writing with color and gold, loading the nib with a brush, creating patterned borders,writing invisible letters, illumination, and making poster pens.  This class meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 and runs from September 28 to November 9.  There is a small supply fee.