As many of you know, we lost a dear friend, Kristen Klint, to ovarian cancer four years ago this June. She was 46 when she died, so we feel like we were cheated out of at least 40 years of her company. Ever since she died, we've been thinking about ways to honor her memory. To celebrate her spirit, really. A year or so ago we started to think about a scholarship fund, and after a few personal hurdles that needed to be cleared, we're finally ready to start.
We're still working on a name, and there are many details to be ironed out, but we intend to award the scholarship annually to a young woman graduating from MDIHS to pursue an artistic endeavor, be it further education, a well-thought out project, or travel for inspiration. Kristen had a real talent for writing and film, but followed a different path in her formal education, so it seems a fitting tribute to her.
We hosted the first fundraiser in tandem with a first anniversary party for Spruce & Gussy. Friends and local caterers and restaurants provided the food, and many local businesses and individuals provided a plethora of fantastic items for bid in our silent auction.
It was a lovely evening, one that Kristen herself would have enjoyed very much, surrounded by her friends and sipping sparkly wine. We reached our goal for the evening, and are looking forward to planning more fundraisers and working out the details so that we can award the first scholarship in June of 2012.
One ongoing fundraiser at Spruce & Gussy will be this jewelry case. All of the pieces were donated either by the artist or by Spruce & Gussy, and 100% of the proceeds from sales will go to the scholarship. Come by and see what's in the case now, because it is sure to change often. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, you can stop by Spruce & Gussy and talk to Michelle or Patti, or you can chat with Kate Macko, Barbara Maffucci, or Julie Harris.
We are also happy to be helping a group of MDI High School students to participate in the People to People program, the goal of which is to promote peace through understanding. The students will be traveling to Australia this summer, and to raise money, one of them has designed these cards, inspired by Australian aboriginal art. You can buy them here at Spruce & Gussy for only $2 each, and all proceeds go directly to the students.
Memorial Day weekend is nearly upon us. We'd like to send out a thanks in advance to the veterans of our Armed Services for all of your hard work and sacrifice. We are both daughters of veterans, and though we would be grateful regardless, the day has special meaning for us. We wish a peaceful weekend to all.
–Patti & Michelle
