Good people sharing time and talents

Raising money for children
The Westside Shrine Club had a successful first-time fundraiser Sept. 13. Shriners and guests met for dinner at the rural Patterson home of Carla and Kevin Nelson raising $1,150 for children.

Shriners set out to raise money for the Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento and decided to put on a steak and oyster feed. Tom and I were honored be two of the 70 people in attendance, visit with folks in the Nelson's beautiful yard and have a delicious meal.

"Everyone has called me during the week and told me they were very happy with the event and look forward to repeating it," Kevin, who is the local Shrine president, said. "Many people worked together to make it a success."

The entire Nelson family worked hard on the event, and along with volunteer cooks and bartender, helped raise funds for kids who need medical care.

The Westside Shrine Club is one of the units of the Aahames Shrine Center in the Pleasanton/ Livermore area.

Kevin said the money will first go to the Shrine Center, be added to the money raised by other Shrine Clubs and then be passed on to Sacramento to Shriner's Children's Hospital.

There are plenty of great people with great causes out there who work hard for what they believe in -- this dinner is just one of example of what dedicated folks working together can do.

Hansen shares artwork; play depicts life issues
When former Patterson resident Lois Hansen was asked to display her artwork depicting women at the Prospect Theatre in Modesto she said "Yes."

Local resident Colton Dennis is directing an Edward Albee play,"Three Tall Women" at the Prospect. He thought of Lois' artwork and gave her a call. Now, five of her paintings are displayed in the lobby of the theater and ready for Friday's opening night.

Lois, who moved to Hughson 1½ years ago, lived here more than 40 years and she and her husband, Charlie, raised four children here.

After her children grew up, she began classes at Modesto Junior College and then at California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock, where she studied art. After many years, Lois graduated in 2000 from CSUS with a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts.

"I would lke the viewer to identify with my paintings as they trigger different memories for each of us," Lois said in her artist statement. "In my body of work, a recurrent theme for me is the ageing process. These feelings are ones of loneliness and isolation, as well as the very joy of life and its rich rewards."

Lois, who comes to Patterson often, is also a member of the Del Puerto Art Group here. Her paintings, along with other local artists in town, are on display at various businesses around the Circle and downtown.

Meanwhile, Colton is ready for a long run for the Pulitzer Prize winning play, which will be presented from Sept. 26 to Oct. 19 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A Thursday performance will be Oct. 16. Evening performances are at 8 p.m and matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person.
For information: 549-9341 or