Mansion Activities director Julie Smith spends a lot of her day unpacking the boxes of art supplies that are coming in in advance of the first Mansion Art Show And Workshop, which is running through the entire month of April. On April 25, the art of the residents will be displayed in the big common room, and will be judged by me, Maria and Scott Carrino.

There will be a lot of winners.

All kinds of supplies have been coming in – thank you again, it can’t be said too often – paper art boards, brushes, sketch pads, colored pencils, paint kits, design books and tracing pads.

Julie says she has just about everything she needs except for some mat board mats to frame photographs and paintings (smaller ones), she says she is blessed to collect your letters and packages, she has never seen anything like your generosity. The art show is ready to go, thanks to you.

I came by in the morning to drop something off, and there was a yoga class in the room, then a round of Deluxe Scrabble. Starting in April, a number of artists will come to the Mansion (Maria too) to talk about their work and help the residents make their art.

There is always something going on in the activity room. (Julie says thanks for the names for the parakeets, they will choose one soon. Someone suggested Bonnie and Clyde. It is a haven, a place to make contact with others and be safe and stimulated.

I have a new list of residents, be advised that it changes constantly, this is not a place of constancy:  Every day is a whole new experience, two people I visited were gone today, three more had arrived.

The first names of the residents who wish to receive your cards and letters are Bruce W., Allan H., Sylvie B., Jean G., John Z., John R., Alanna M., Peggie O., Ellen B., Joan H., Brenda S., Connie M., Alice G., Madeline G., Mary B., Barbara N., William H., Brother Peter., Diane D., Helen L., Jean A., Tim R., Gerry B., Dennis R., Anita H., Richard H.