Pumpkins Galore

Or should that be "Pumpkins Gilmore"? Gene and Tubie Gilmore donated 80 big, beautiful pumpkins from the patch on their farm outside of Ada. The Cook Arts Center's pumpkin-decorating activities took place on Tuesday, and yesterday the Cook Library Center kids decorated theirs. Stickers, yarn, and markers were used to make some unique pumpkin people. The kids were thrilled that they could take their pumpkins home, and we sent along instructions for roasting pumpkin seeds in case any family carving activities take place.

Thank you, Gene and Tubie, for making 80 kids very happy!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Dana, Claire, and Janelle did a wonderful thing last school year. Through t-shirt sales to their fellow students at Forest Hills Northern Middle School, these enterprising young ladies raised a whopping $411 to support GAAH's music program at the Cook Arts Center. These funds will be used to purchase half-size violins for some of our pint-size students.

In the photo (left to right) are Janelle, Claire, Dana, GAAH Executive Director Marjorie Kuipers, and Dana's mother, Hope (back row). The girls presented the check as well as a donated violin and music just prior to Maria Royce Hesse's harp performance at the Cook Library Center on October 12.

On behalf of all present and future violin students at the Cook Arts Center, I thank Dana, Claire, and Janelle for their tireless efforts in support of GAAH's music program.

Maria Royce Hesse at Cook Library Center

It doesn't happen very often that our young patrons at the Cook Library Center are mesmerized, but Monday, October 12, was an exception. Harpest Maria Royce Hesse gave a performance and demonstration which kept several dozen children and a handful of adults enthralled. She even invited the children to play her harp.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your beautiful music with the patrons of the Cook Library Center.

Benefit Screening A Resounding Success

Close to 120 people attended our benefit screening of "Fame" at Celebration Cinema North on September 25. This event raised $4,700 to support Grupo Tarasco and the Mexican folkloric dance program at the Cook Arts Center. Grupo Tarasco gave an energetic dance performance in the theater lobby before the movie.

We would like to thank Celebration Cinema North for making this event possible. A number of theater employees went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed both before and during the event, and we are grateful.

Thanks also to our sponsors for their generous support:

Varnum (Gold Sponsor)
State Farm Insurance (Silver Sponsor)
Gene & Tubie Gilmore (Bronze Sponsor)

Benefit Screening Supports GRUPO TARASCO and Mexican Folkloric Dance

Don't miss this opportunity to spend an enjoyable evening at the movies AND support a good cause. On Friday, September 25, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities presents a benefit screening of the movie FAME at Celebration Cinema North.

The movie begins at 7:30, but if you get there by 7:00 you can catch a performance by Grupo Tarasco in the theater lobby. Grupo Tarasco is a Mexican Folkloric dance troupe composed of fifteen children and youth ages 8 to 18. It was started in 1989 by Josie Guillen who still leads the group. The Cook Arts Center has been home base to Grupo Tarasco since 2001.

Tickets are $20 and include a medium popcorn and soft drink. Proceeds will be used to support Grupo Tarasco and the Mexican Folkloric Dance Program at the Cook Arts Center (formerly the Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts). Call Marj at 742-0692 to purchase advance tickets.

Thank you very much to our event sponsors:

GOLD LEVEL: Varnum
SILVER LEVEL: State Farm Insurance
BRONZE LEVEL: Gene & Tubie Gilmore