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PENLAND SCHOOL • PENLAND, NORTH CAROLINA 28765-0037
SPRING
CHRONICLE
We had winter this year at Penland now it's
summer. In between there was a Spring Program,
but no spring. In early May, the Fellows were
doing clean-up with snow flurries whistling
between all 47 of Penland's buildings.
for two years in Housekeeping.
The biggest and best news of the spring that
wasn't, is the new kitchen—2800 square feet of it
opened on schedule thanks to an incredible last
minute push to get the dust swept away and the
equipment operational in time to welcome the
spring students on March 20. The thanks go to
Hunter Kariher, Harold Jones, Dennis Jones,
Judson Guerard, Chuck Smith, Jane Lefevre and
Jim Neal.
Patryk thought about using roller skates when he
first came back to work, but decided it made more
sense to put everything he needs on wheels. So he
loads up a cart and pulls it along to wherever he is
working. 'The new kitchen has taken the stress out
of the work at Penland for several reasons," Patryk
said.
TENTING TONIGHT!
The new dream kitchen has windows that open,
fresh air to breathe, light, some new appliances, a
state-of-the-art exhaust system, lots of space. Pearl
Grindstaff is back for her 56th year and thanks to
the expanded crew of three. Pearl has enough time
and space to do lots of wonderful baking. Patryk
Battle is back teaching his tricks with spices, herbs
and unusual greenery to Matt Kusynski, an oboist
from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Completing the crew is Tony Alvarez, who is
taking over the ordering. Tony has had valuable
experience working at Western Steer (actually, he
is still holding down a job there). He is married to
Hazel Alvarez who has worked at Penland now
First, it has now been possible to add another cook.
Before there was simply not enough space for the
needed staff. This space is more functional and
enables the cooks to be more efficient. Several proj
ects can be in progress at the same time in different
spaces. 'This space seems about eight times
bigger," Patryk said, "and I feel now we can cope
with anything. The old kitchen was torture!"
An additional part of the kitchen project was the
new lounge for smokers (and non-smokers who
don't mind polluted air). Other construction at
Penland this spring included a new salt kiln built
by a class under the direction of instructors Tracy
and Catherine Dotson, and the ICE House which
is also the work of a class (more about this on Page
7). New Construction always involves new land
scaping and part of that includes new outdoor
stairways, ramps and paths to make it a bit easier
to get around.
We always knew Penland was a circus of sorts and
now we have the tent to prove it. One of the recurrent
problems at Penland has been the lack of space large
enough to assemble all students, instructors, fellows,
residents, staff and extras in the same place at the same
time for any kind of an event except meals! For the
Benefit Auctions we've experimented with renting a
tent. It actually worked very well and even lent a
festive air to the event. Sound problems are handled
through amplification and barring a really ferocious
storm, it works fine in the rain
The new blue and white circus tent was leased for the
Iron Symposium, held at Penland in April, and then
purchased after everyone was satisfied that it would
meet the need at least temporarily. It does indeed hold
everyone on campus with room for extras. It's used for
the opening meeting of each session, nightly slide
shows, special presentations and the scholarship
auctions.
Speaking of those auctions, that is a good time for those
of you in the area who've not yet seen the new
acquisition to come by. The scholarship auctions are
held the last Thursday of each session in the tent at 8
pm. (Call the office to check on dates.) Bring cash,
checkbook, VISA or MasterCard. We'll also accept your
donated work to be auctioned.
And while we are on the subject of auctions, Penland's
Fourth Annual Benefit Auction is scheduled for August
12th this summer. If you are on the Penland Line
mailing list, but do not receive an auction invitation in
the next few weeks and would like one, please contact
Sally Morgan Guerard for details. Board member Jane
Kessler is working with the auction pieces and at last
count, there were about 100 pieces on the list. -mm