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52 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | AUGUST 2021 Ceramics Class If you need a cool place to hang out in August come join us in ceramics class. Ceramics class has something for the novice crafter looking for a new hobby, or someone who has experience and wants to create unique designs or pieces for friends and family. In addition to individual projects, we offer class projects throughout the year to teach new techniques. Come and join in the fun; drop by the Arts & Crafts Room to see our monthly ceramics class schedule and learn more about our upcoming class projects. We meet Wednesdays from 1 to 4 pm. Please see the class schedule for any exceptions. A certified instructor and/or an experienced class team lead is available to support your crafting needs; participation is at your own pace and frequency. Call Loretta Ramsey at (714) 803-6744 or Brenda Ystrom at (909) 910-1100 for more information. ~ Brenda Ystrom Knit & Crochet Group We are now meeting in the Arts & Crafts Room Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 am. Knitters and crocheters of all levels are welcome to join us. Many of us like to work on community service projects, so I contacted the newly reopened Animal Shelter in Banning and asked them if they would like some small knitted or crocheted animal blankets for shelter animals. They said yes and requested small blankets for cats in the shelter pods. This is a perfect project for our leftover yarn! Of course, we are also working on other projects. Feel free to contact me with any questions. ~ Marlene Doyle, marlened3333@gmail.com We are very excited to be back in The Lodge for our card classes! We meet on the second and fourth Fridays at 1 pm in the Arts & Crafts Room and make three cards. The cost is $10 to cover materials. You only need to bring your own glue and scissors and you will leave with 3 beautiful cards ready to mail. If you haven't tried our classes, please think about joining us for a fun-filled afternoon! It is important to RSVP by Monday before the Friday class so we will be sure to have enough kits for everyone. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at chorbaparadise@yahoo.com, (951) 849-6336 (home), or (410) 903-1706 (cell/ texts). ~ Maryalice Chorba Crafty Cardmakers Writers' Club The Wonderful World of Books Growing up, I visited numerous countries, met intriguing individuals, and had adventures one can only imagine. Reading and my love of books was my passport into this magical world. At a young age, I became a certified bookworm, and the library was my happy place. In my hometown, the Public Library was a stately brick building with large pillars and numerous steps. The massive doors proved difficult to open when my arms were laden with the books I needed to return. I always took out the maximum number possible lest I run out of reading material. Once inside, the librarian's desk was front and center for returns and sign-outs. This gatekeeper looked foreboding to us youngsters. I obeyed all the rules, especially No Talking, to avoid her wrath. The center of the library floor housed the Dewey Decimal System Catalog Files. I felt powerful once I learned to decipher this classification system to find books for my reading pleasure, or the reference books necessary for my school report. I was further relieved that I did not have to ask the librarian for help but could navigate the building's inner map by myself. Later, other city and school libraries and numerous bookstores continued to be resources for my love of reading and learning. Nowadays, I sometimes listen to audiobooks or read digitally, but I still maintain a hefty pile of TBR (to be read) books on my bookshelves. Book clubs have opened my mind to various genres and authors I would not have selected of my own accord. Reading is a hobby that does not require any special gear, can be free, and you do not have to be physically fit to participate. It helps you grow mentally and emotionally and expands vocabulary and language skills. You glean knowledge on various topics and become more intelligent. These are additional benefits aside from the fact that reading is enjoyable and provides a pleasant escape from everyday life. A good novel is stress-reducing—reason enough. My love of reading was a catalyst to begin writing, and now both are an integral part of my life. Writer workshops say to read all you can. Some avid readers have a writing goal, and others simply love to visit the wonderful world of books. Enjoy some summer reading! Our club meets the second Tuesday every month at 1 pm, location to be determined. For info, email andreazehner20@gmail.com or mlarchibald@mac.com. ~ Andrea Zehner

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