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| THE COLONY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2023 | 27 Colony Chorus By Ken Luekens Christmas and Music… Christmas and music go together like few other things. We do not have Easter carols, Memorial Day songs, Independence Day ditties, or Labor Day harmonies (though maybe "Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's Off to Work We Go"?). But just about everybody knows a Christmas carol or Hanukkah song. So, when December is here, sing or listen, it's time for music! To help start the holiday season, this year the Colony Chorus will perform familiar songs and carols as well as some tunes that are newer for its concert, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 pm and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 pm. The theme is "By Dickens, We're Scrooged," and will provide a different take on Christmas music. Tickets are on sale now! See any Chorus member, or see Katie in the HOA Office, or contact Carolyn Smith at 909-286-9163. Or best of all, attend the Craft Fair and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Auditorium where tickets will be on sale. Checks only please, made out to "Colony Chorus." Come celebrate the season with your Colony neighbors. Joy to the World! For more information about The Colony Chorus, contact Connie O'Brien at 619-332- 0144 (obriencr@verizon.net) or Jeri Huestis at 951-265-8857 (jjhuey@aol.com). Look at all the pretty pumpkins! Our Chinese brush painting class was changed from September to October, and we thought some festive pumpkin paintings would be fun. Taka Ritchie taught those wishing to learn this beautiful technique. Everyone made their painting personal by adding extra leaves and /or pumpkins to their composition. Wet into wet and wet into dry techniques were used. Aside from painting, this technique is very useful in making greeting cards. Her classes are always so educational and fun. Thank you, Taka. Everyone from beginner to advanced is always welcome to join our classes. Taka and I wish all of you wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. October was our last class of the year. I hope to see all of you in January 2024. Happy Holidays to all of you! Watercolor Classes By Sylvia Maxwell, 818-667-1766 For November, I am honored once again to be the featured artist of the month and have my work displayed in the Clubhouse. I started painting in the '90s as a self-taught oil painter. My paintings were of the Old Masters style and Impressionistic. I have lived in The Colony for more than nine years and joined Taka Ritchie's Watercolor class shortly after moving in. Thanks to Taka's help, who is a Master Painter, I have excelled as an award-winning artist in Watercolor painting. My subjects consist of flowers, landscape, birds, fish, insects, still life, abstract portraits, architecture and animals. I have been an Executive Board member of Gem of the Valley Art Association and have had my work displayed at The Chef 's Grille. I am a member of the Hemet of the Valley Art Association (HVAA), where I have won numerous awards, including first place and "Best of Show." Currently, I maintain a panel exhibiting several of my pieces in the Hemet Art Gallery, and I am taking advanced Watercolor classes in the HVAA classroom, conducted at the Hemet Art Gallery, with award-winning Master Artist and instructor, Betty Pilley. With the help of Taka Ritchie, and as I continue to develop my teaching skills, I am also teaching our Colony Watercolor class. I hope you enjoy my paintings as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. Thank you. Artist of the Month By Sylvia Maxwell, 818-667-1766