The "It's A Small World" Story

It was an ordinary day. I had just dropped Sally off at her house. I took her to the Parish Resource Center tonight to see the art show they were having. My wife suggested I should take her since she doesn't enjoy driving at night. Sally was my wife's boss when she was the head of the Parish Resource Center. After Sally retired a few years ago, she and Carol and I remained close friends. I still remember when Carol applied for the job at the PRC. She came home from the job interview and told me she was interviewed by the Director of the place. Her name was Sally B. She said Sally liked her outfit and her nails and thought she had a good chance of getting the job. "Does she have a daughter named Renee?" I asked. Carol replied, "How would I know, I just met the lady." The reason I asked her was I had a girl in class years ago who had the same last name, and there can't be many people by that name in Lancaster (Actually Google lists 3 in the country). Well, Carol got the job and Sally did have a daughter named Renee. The same Renee that I had in my Graphic Arts class in the late 80s. Renee was extremely talented artistically and created a calendar of her artwork which she printed on the offset press, assembled, and bound for her project in my class. I submitted it in the Susquehanna Litho Club student printing contest and she won first place. The Susquehanna Litho Club is a professional printer's association in Lancaster and the surrounding area. My Graphics class was the only Industrial Arts class that Renee took in her senior year. I nominated her for the Steven Humphreville award at the end of the year which is given in honor of Steve who was a high school student who died working at a lumber yard. His parents established the award for the senior with the most promising future in the Industrial Arts area. Since Renee had only my recommendation, I didn't think she had a chance to win, but after reviewing the other candidates whose names were submitted by other teachers, she was picked to receive the award at graduation. Renee was the first female to ever win the award at MTHS. Renee entered Rochester Institute of Technology and majored in Graphic Arts. After graduation she worked in the industry, but didn't enjoy the experience because of the unionization of the workers. She then entered Marywood College and got a degree in Art Therapy. She has a studio in Norristown where she now works primarily with children. Still using her artistic skills in her work. Sally, Carol and I visited with Renee a few years ago at her studio, then went to lunch together. We all had a great time reminiscing and talking about what was in store for Renee's new studio. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos are from Renee's website at www.alchemyopenstudio.org - check it out and see what she is doing with her artistic talent.