Artist of the Month: Dolly Michalczyk

Posted on July 7, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Dolly Michalczyk

Painting classes at the DCC have provided us with a creative outlet, contact with other like-minded folks, and friendships. For a year-and-a-half our classes had been cancelled.

At first, classmate Bev Petrini and I would paint outside, while a few of our braver classmates painted as a group. Then it just got too cold.

One would think that with all our free time we would have been painting up a storm, but in reality, most of us did nothing on our own. Perhaps that speaks to the power of the group, or the need for our teacher’s input, or in my case, my laziness to drag out all I would need to paint in my dining room. I did take a few online drawing and watercolor classes through The Greenhouse Project, as well as creative writing.

I missed my friends and colleagues and our terrific teacher Jill Swersie. May was my first time back. Returning, it was wonderful to see a few dedicated painters, a few new faces, and even greater to hear of the return of our class on June 6.

In reality, my only work in oils during this quarantine was touching up a huge commissioned piece of Long Island, as seen in the photo. It is an abstract representation of that seaside area. This is my first attempt at abstract painting, and while I enjoyed the freedom, I enjoy realism or impressionism best.

I am currently working on a painting of my grand-puppies, my youngest granddaughter, Kara, in a dance recital, and my oldest granddaughter, Maura, running cross country.

Being back at the Dunmore Hub has been a joy. We truly motivate each other.

Dunmoreans Running Trips for 2021-2022

Posted on July 6, 2021 by The Dunmorean

Joe and Dolly Michalczyk of Dunmore are offering the following trips for 2021-22:

SOUTHERN CHARM – October, 2021. Experience the history, gardens, charm and singular hospitality of the Low Country in Georgia and South Carolina. Overnight at the exclusive Jekyll Island Club, and discover Savannah and Charleston. (Wait list)

CHRISTMAS ON THE DANUBE- December, 2021. Cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best. Includes Vienna, Wachau Valley, Benedictine Melk Abbey, a German holiday party with mulled wine, Nuremburg, Würzburg, and beloved riverside towns, and end the cruise in Prague. (Only a few cabins left.)

COSTA RICA – January, 2022 Aan amazing, tropical paradise, it is a land of amazing diversity with a huge variety of flowers, birds (including hummingbirds), sloths and monkeys.Travelers will stay at a beach resort, a hotel in the rain forest, another near a volcano, and end with a jungle adventure. This trip can be as active as you want it to be: zip lines, nature walks, rope bridges, boat rides and more! Or just relax! It is a photographer’s dream! (Register by July 10.)

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF FINLAND – February, 2022. Join us on a search for the elusive Northern Lights. Tour the fascinating capital Helsinki before heading north to Lapland; enjoy 2 nights in a Finnish log cabin with saun;. try a dog sled ride, visit Santa’s workshop; spend a night in your private glass igloo, and meet the famous reindeer from Lapland. (Sign up by July 10)

ITALY: THE AMALFI COAST TO PUGLIA – April-May, 2022. This special trip to Southern Italy begins in Naples and includes 4 nights on Amalfi Coast before heading east to explore Matera’s hidden caves; Alberobello with its cone-shaped trulli homes, Lecci and Monopoli on the Adriatic Sea, along with Italian cuisine and wines.

PASSION PLAY – May, 2022. Once every ten Years! Visit Oberammergau, Berlin, Hamburg, Marburg, Rothenburg, Munich, and more. (Wait list)

THE EMERALD ISLE – July, 2022. Travel with us on this journey to beautiful Ireland to visit Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Garnish Island, Dingle. Visit the Irish National Stud farm to see its gardens and thoroughbreds. See the Cliffs of Moher before sailing to and spending the night in the remote and famous Aran Islands! Great sampling of the many Irish traditions.

ADRIATIC/CROATIA CRUISE – September, 2022. Enjoy a memorable 7-night cruise on the Adriatic to Old City of Dubrovnik, the island of Biševo, home to the mystical Blue Cave, Brac Island- “Golden Cape” of Bol, the ancient palace of Emperor Diocletian in Split, and more. This journey includes a few days on land and the cruise on a new yacht!

JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHERN FRANCE – October, 2022. This is not the typical French trip. We begin in Saint Remy in Provence for 3 nights, then travel west to explore medieval Carcassonne, the Dordogne Valley with 2 nights in a chateau, ending Bordeaux and its wine region for 2 nights.

SPAIN AND MOROCCO – November 2022. On this tour, we spend 5 nights in Spain visiting Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. Then we cross to Morocco to explore this exotic country. Tangier, Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca with their variety of cultures, customs and cuisines await us!

Collette offers 4-star hotels, a variety of meals, excellent tourmanagers, great guides, airfare, and all the “must sees” at our destinations, plus the best travel insurance in the business.

Contact Joe and Dolly Michalczyk at 570-961-3691 or at TravelingJoeM@yahoo.com

Artist of the Month: Maria Augelli Grudeski

Posted on November 3, 2020 by The Dunmorean

Dr. Maria Augelli Grudeski, shown here with a painting entitled Holiday Door, which leaves a legacy timeline.

By Maria Augelli Grudeski

Most of us “featured artists” now are on our second profile here at The Hub. Kudos to Dolly Michalczyk for making this happen, as her organizational skills and goodwill are responsible for this monthly feature in The Dunmorean.

My array of paintings in the photo are centered around holidays, including a fall pumpkin, Christmas tree, Easter egg, a flag representing patriotic days, my featured painting of a Holiday door, and Valentine hearts which represent my favorite holiday.

In the fall of 2014 I realized a beautifully ornate Christmas card and went with it as my holiday painting. What a dream! Fast forward to spring of 2015–I will still painting “the door.”

Jill Swersie, our supportive art instructor, motivated me to complete the door. Her famous saying is “There are no mistakes in art–you can paint over oils.” Her words still resonate with me.

Summer 2015 saw the final completion of the painting, although sometimes I still wonder. How about painting snow in 95 degree weather? The painting would be ready for our Fall Art Show that year, one of many social gatherings we have as an art class. They are so much fun. We are “Astro Artists.”

Together, we celebrate Christmas/December holidays with superb entertainment, since we are talented musicians and vocalists as well. Jill is also kind enough to open her inviting Pocono home, letting us gather at her domain for our annual barbeque. We are also “Astro Chefs.”

Some of our paintings are available for purchase by contacting the Dunmore Activity Hub directed by Allison Boga. The price is right to buy one of our paintings! We also thank Allison for her dedication!

My classmate and friend Marie Barbuti has been a support in my artistry, giving so many helpful art tips.

Attending oil painting classes at the Hub has many dimensions. We have realized great friendships and social circles. The hub offers myriad activities year-round, including winter walking in the gym, yoga, knitting, sketching, ballroom dancing, and bus trips.

So I say, :Stop by, audit a class or two, and maybe you will join us. You will be so glad you did.