Wednesday, November 20, 1985 She Uarren Hecnri)
Sculptor Sidney Simon works on a black-walnut
statue in his studio as two of his seven children look
on. Simon, 68, is the youngest of 14 artists whose
work was displayed in a recent show at the National
Council on the Aging in Washington, D. C. "The
older you are, the more options you have," Simon
says. He and the other exhibitors, whose ages run as
high as 95, share a continuing zest for their art,
despite their advanced years.
Paperwork, Outside Activities
Concern Of Tar Heel Teachers
Too much paperwork,
too many non-teaching
duties, and a lack of
commitment among
students are the three
most significant
barriers to educational
excellence in North
Carolina schools, say
the state's teachers.
A total of 40 percent of
those responding to a
statewide survey by the
North Carolina Associ
ation of Educators
ranked "too much
paperwork" as the
number one barrier to
excellence in public
school education.
Another 34 percent of
the respondents ranked
EDDIE G.
Hamm, Jr.
257-4264
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312 Church St.
Warrenton, N.C.
"time spent on non
teaching / non-admin
istrative duties as a
barrier while 31 percent
ranked lack of commit
ment or motivation
among students as a
major barrier.
"We are not surprised
at the results. We have
been telling the people
of this state that teach
ing conditions must be
improved if we are to at
tract the best young
people to the profes
sion," said Gladys
Graves, NCAE presi
dent.
Graves said it is her
opinion that the
"barriers" uncovered
by the survey contrib
uted to the fact that 38
percent of the respon
dents say they would not
choose teaching if they
had it to do over again
and 23 percent are "un
sure" about such a
choice.
The survey also found
that 14 percent of those
responding would highly
recommend teaching as
a career.
"In recent years, the
state and nation have
begun to respond to the
need for higher salaries
in teaching, but the
response to providing
better conditions has not
been good," Graves
said.
The NCAE survey,
which included 136
questions, went to
members and non
members alike, Graves
said. She said more than
14,368 surveys were
returned.
"We feel this is the
biggest total survey of
teacher opinion yet
made in North Caro
lina," she said.
Other highlights of the
survey:
?Seventeen percent
of those responding to
the survey say they plan
to teach 20 years or
more, but 24 percent
plan to teach only five
years or less.
?Lack of a local salary
supplement (40 percent)
and "inadequate facili
ties (36 percent) headed
the list of specific
barriers to educational
excellence.'
Graves said the
typical teacher respond
ing to the NCAE survey
is white, holds a bache
lor's degree, has 11-15
years of experience and
is teaching in a large
rural or county elemen
tary school.
Promoted
Sandy M. Alston, son
of Sandy and Dorothy
Alston of Rt. 3, Warren
ton, has been promoted
in the U. S. Army to the
rank of sergeant.
Alston is a cannon
crewman with the 72nd
Field Artillery Brigade
in West Germany.
His wife, Lisa, is the
daughter of James P.
and Bertadean W.
Baker of Rt. 3, Warren
ton.
He is a 1982 graduate
of Warren County High
School.
PUBLIC NOTICE
DISPOSITION OF
WARREN GENERAL HOSPITAL
The Warren County Board of Com
missioners will make a decision on the
disposition of Warren General Hospital at
their regularly scheduled monthly
meeting to be held on Monday, December
2,1985, at the Warren County Courthouse,
Warrenton, N. C. The meeting will com
mence at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited
to attend this meeting.
This the 18th day of November, 1985.
EVA M. CLAYTON, Chairperson
Warren County Board of Commissioners
NOV.J?,?
Walter Gardner
Sam Padgett
W. Monro* Gardner
We represent meny fine Insurence
companies, but we are indepen
dent Agents, who, first of all, are
obligated to our policy-holders.
Whenever you want a quote or
have any questions regarding in
surance, call us.
Warranton Insuranca
* Raal Eatata
131 S. Main St. 257-3104
dank Employees
Receive Awards
Two employees of
First Citizens Bank in
Warrenton have been
recognized for their ser
vice to the bank and its
customers.
Recognized for 10
years of service was
Leon Cheek.
A pin designating five
years of service went to
Mary Fulghum Roberts.
Researchers have found
that careful shopping can
trim as much as IS percent
off the family food bill.
Calendar Fails To Diminish
Vitality Of Older Artists
ay MlMHtM UKUSS
National Geographic News Service
"What's special for me now is feeling a new sense
of respect for myself," said 73-year-old Mary
Hackett. "It took years of analysis to get to this. I'm
enjoying saying what's really on my mind. My head
is in the best shape it's ever been. I'm busy living."
Her words hung on the wall of the small gallery,
beside her photograph and one of her oil paintings.
She was one of 14 artists whose works were
displayed.
All of the exhibitors, 13 of whom are living, are
recognized artists whose paintings and sculptures
have been seen in some of the country's major
museums.
But what set them apart in this particular show,
besides their summer residences in Provincetown,
Mass., was their age. The oldest is 95; the youngest,
68.
Facility Unique
The exhibit was held recently in the Washington
gallery of the National Council on the Aging, which
claims to have "the nation's only exhibition facility
devoted exclusively to aging and the creative ac
complishments of older Americans."
The art, a mixture of styles and media, reflected
the skills and experiences born of long years of
dedicated effort and often of privation.
Equally eloquent, however, were the accompany
ing words of the artists, who explained in interviews
their feelings about themselves and their work.
One fact shone through: While their bodies may
be running down, their mental vitality is going
strong. As Mary Hackett put it, "My physical self
isn't in great shape. People are always helping me
walk straight. My balance is off, but I'm not
retiring; I've just started really living. My old-age
afflictions are nothing compared to the suffering of
growing up at all."
The enthusiastic producer of the exhibit was
Priscilla McCutcheon, director of the council's
National Center on Arts and the Aging. Among her
goals is a continuous run of art shows by the elderly
in an improved exhibition hall.
"I feel that for people who either pursue a life
long creative interest, or take it up after they've
retired from another field, it's a life-giving ac
tivity," she says. "It's a constant discovery. You're
always looking for a new way of doing things."
Mrs. McCutcheon also would like to see more
studies on the life-imparting quality of the arts. She
likes to quote two aging actors. One said, "I ache
every minute mat I'm not acting." The other said,
"If it weren't for my drama class, I'd be dead."
These sentiments were underscored by the com
ments of two 85-year-olds in the exhibit. They are
painters Raphael Soyer, the oldest survivor of a
family of illustrious artists, and a woman, Shelby
Shackelford.
'No Time To Waste'
"I have no time. Time is precious," said Soyer.
"I'm in good health; I'm lucky. Sometimes I'm
depressed by how many of my artist friends are
gone, especially my two brothers. Perhaps it's not
that I've slowed down, but that I waste less time.
When I was young, I would often waste weeks
dreaming. Now I concentrate on working, not on
fame and wealth. I have enough."
Mrs. Shackelford admitted being slowed down by
cataract operations, arthritis and two hip replace
ments. "But now I feel better and am anxious to
work," she said. "I'm experimenting with soot as a
medium...I'm feeling happier all the time."
At 68, sculptor Sidney Simon was the youngster of
the show. "The older you are, the more options you
have," he ruminated. "The more options, the
greater the decision. Play it safe, cop out, or take a
chance ? even if you fail."
Another sculptor, Chaim Gross, 80, said: "I still
put in a day's work every day. I draw, I carve.
Maybe it's a shorter day, not 10 to 15 hours plus
teaching at night, like I used to. I don't always have
the energy. Many days I feel no more than 40.1 still
like to look at young girls."
"Age gives one more depth, better judgment,"
said painter Sally Michel, 81. "It's a change for the
better. It's impossible to remain stagnant; one's
ability keeps evolving...Starting a painting is like
taking a trip ? all sorts of exciting things happen
along the way and I'm always sorry when the jour
ney's over and I can't wait to start a new one."
Mischa Richter, 74, a longtime cartoonist for The
New Yorker as well as a serious painter, concluded:
"When you start, you think everything you do is the
best that ever was. As you age, while you don't lose
confidence, you see yourself in relation to others.
Your ego is contained."
And the 95-year-old? Ferol Sibley Warthen makes
wood-block prints. "I've always been painting,
since I was a young girl," she said. "I had a lot of
energy; I don't have as much now...I was so
serious. But now that I'm old, it doesn't make so
much difference. Life of necessity slowed down."
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