From:  Marlowe Olson Arnold, President
 
    Our Vero Beach branch was struggling for survival two years ago.  We had lost many key members and the branch was almost inactive.  It definitely needed to be revitalized, so a few of us decided to have a summer tea and invite many potential members from the larger community.  We explained benefits of being a member of the Pen Women organization.   We passed previous Pen Women magazines around to illustrate activities which members have accomplished; we gave printed information from the national web site, and encouraged them, if they became members, to enter the many contests; we talked about the upcoming programs which were planned for the year and gave them the program schedule. Then we offered them membership forms if they wished to join.

    Interest was created.  This interest has been sustained by a varied program.  Two programs, each year, are centered on music, art, or writing.  For example, the Lutheran church organist gave a program on organ playing in Europe.  A young actor from the Theatre Guild gave a power point presentation of musical theatre.  In the field of art, we had a prominent artist illustrated the art of water coloring. Also each year, as a group we go to the Vero Beach Museum for a docent tour with lunch following. In the writing field, a college professor gave a power point presentation on how painting can inspire poetry.  For one meeting we had a poetry sharing from many members who write poetry.

     Hopefully in the future we will grow stronger so we can do more community Services.  Presently a few of our members are teaching painting classes at the local assisted living facility and one of our members is giving book reviews. We would like to have a children’s story reading hour at Hibiscus Children’s Center and a writing time for their stories. 

     We hope to share our talents and time with the old and the young in our community as we promote the universal need for creativity.