Franc D'Ambrosio

Last night my family attended a performance by Franc D'Ambrosio titled "Broadway." It was fantastic. I and my children were entranced. Franc performed as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera for five years. When he sang "Music of the Night" it brought tears to my eyes.

About once each year Monticello has a performer of Franc's ability perform in the high school auditorium. A coalition of businesses and individuals in Monticello, together with the Utah Fine Arts Council, bring performers to Monticello about six times through the winter. We were thrilled to experience Franc's performance in our little town.

Wanted: Great Leaders

Where are leaders worth following today? It appears to me that the silent majority is trying to decide on a candidate which is the "lesser of two evils" to lead the United States. Why can't we be choosing from two great candidates? Tocqueville said that great men don't want to be president because they have more power and autonomy in business. Bryce wrote that truly great men aren't electable because they make too many enemies along the way. He espoused that political parties are simply looking for the least offensive candidate.

But we need great leaders! The Kondratieff wave or cycle indicates quite clearly that we are headed for another economic winter. This is compounded like never before by the staggering amount of national debt the US currently has and will likely add nearly a trillion dollars to by bailing out privately owned businesses - again. The "Tytler" cycle shows that we are headed towards political bondage. Can we really consider supporting leadership which is less than adequate for the coming difficulties?

So, is it that great leaders aren't willing to lessen themselves by dabbling in the political smear or it is that there really aren't any great leaders available?

Perhaps a more critical question: where are the leaders of tomorrow? Dr Oliver DeMille addresses this question in his book A Thomas Jefferson Education which I have been re-reading for the GWU Hour radio program for tomorrow. Dr DeMille writes that great leaders can be created through leadership education and that now is the time to give that education to our children and youth - and ourselves. This book is well worth your time as it teaches us that there is great hope for our future if we are willing to put in some significant effort now.

Whew - No Ike Here

Yesterday my husband informed me that hurricane season was half over. Then Ike struck Texas. Is is just my imagination or are there more catastrophic natural disasters this decade than last?

I am certainly glad to live in a place that has four seasons and only four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. It's rather dull actually - nothing like hurricane season, tornado season, monsoon season, rainy season, dry season or tourist season.

Well, it's pretty tame around here unless you count beauty and outdoor recreation. If that is what you're looking for then the Colorado Plateau/Four Corners Region is an extreme place to live.

Project Management with a Wiki

I'm working on an internet marketing project and decided to use a wiki to help keep the project organized. I found pbwiki and set up an account. I am really enjoying being able to collaborate without keeping track of dozens of emails and any meeting notes go straight to the wiki to be seen by all. The wiki has also added a lot of organizational structure which is visible to my collaborators instead of being kept to myself.

Carry On, Mr Bowditch

"Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" is a wonderful youth classic which I read this week in preparation for next Monday's GWU Hour. Jean Latham's book is an example of a math and science classic or as Charlotte Mason calls it: a living book. Living books are engaging books for children which teach a concept or series of lessons.

Nathaniel Bowditch grew up in the sailing town of Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1700s. He was indentured as a bookkeeper at the age of twelve. Nat watched as his brothers and other men sailed the seas and he stayed home. Meanwhile, he "sailed by ash breeze" (sheer tenacity) and became an educated man by reading and studying mostly on his own during the evenings. The books goes on to tell of his life of nautical navigation and mathematics.

There are many opportunities to teach children math, science and geography as you read the book together. This is also an inspiring book for the parent/mentor because Nat teaches through freedom and sees the fruits of an education through increased peace and opportunity in the lives of those he touches.

GWU Groundbreaking

This past Friday and Saturday were the Groundbreaking for George Wythe University's Monticello Utah campus. It was delightful to see so many friends and meet more wonderful people. The highlight was the actual groundbreaking ceremony.

This is Station 5 on the GWU tour. This is where I spent most of the day on Friday serving as a tour guide. The flag is positioned at the northeast corner of the 42 acre campus. Nearby is the site of the first building which will be built. It will be a 9,000 square foot building which will eventually be administrative, but will meanwhile house much of GWU Monticello, though I understand that the Hyland Hotel/GWU reception center will still be maintained. Construction is slated to begin a year from now.

Diane Thomas was the Master of Ceremonies for the Groundbreaking.

Our children are fully engaged in the building of George Wythe University.
This (the GWU logo) is what Rachelle did as she was listening to the ceremony.

Dr Shanon Brooks, President of George Wythe University



Douglas and I received the "Founder's Award" for our "example of Public Virtue" for helping GWU. Joseph, our youngest, is holding the award. The thought came to me as he stroked the award that he knows nothing other than parents who are very involved in promoting liberal arts education and that in many ways he has given all he has to the cause as well.




Left to Right: Laney Cheney, Nels Jensen, Russ Skousen, Symbria Patterson,
Jillayne Thomas, Russell Clarke, Dr. Andy Groft (Cedar City Campus President),
Dr. Shanon Brooks (George Wythe University President), Gary Arnell,
Doug Allen (Mayor of Monticello), Brad Houston (Campus Architect),
Rachel DeMille (wife of GWU Chancellor Dr. Oliver DeMille),
Dr. Shane Schulthies (Monticello Campus President), unknown, and Douglas Harkey.




Shanon & Doug



Diane Jeppson, GWU Board Member is fundraising again - she is great!



The log sawing competition at the GWU party on Saturday.
Rachelle and Mark (far end of the log) win!

It was an incredible day for me. This is something that I have dreamed about for years and it seems unreal that it has already come and gone and the hard work of raising the funds to build the first building is upon us. I look forward to many great things in the future.