My first year as president has been very educational and eye opening. I am constantly amazed at the energy that the board members have and the never ending effort by our exhibitions people Ellen Hill and Alice Marie Gravely. We have had several grand showing places over the past year. It is no easy task bringing together the various members, the works and the galleries. Ellen and Alice Marie have traveled to virtually all points of Maryland putting the shows together. I know that others have helped, and I truly appreciate the extra help, but I must give the special grand round of applause to Ellen and Alice Marie.

I would also like to make special note of the fantastic efforts and work of Shireen Holman, our newsletter editor and chief. Shireen has been doing the newsletter now for the past year or so, and without missing a beat she has turned out one interesting newsletter after another. Always packed with information and interesting articles. No small feat at all. She has had to stay on top of the submitters and (hmm) President to make sure that the material was in on time and that all avenues were covered. Believe me not an easy task!

I would also like to make a very special mention of the work that our web folks have been doing. Mary Laur has put in a tremendous amount of work and put us on the virtual maps. We have a very impressive set of web pages and we are connected out there, folks! We have been getting inquires about our organization and what types of things we are doing. It looks fantastic .. we look fantastic and all the credit goes to you all. We can only hope to maintain and keep on producing a fantastic up-coming agenda.

Calvin Custen