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Arts from the Start, March 2025 Column for Iron County Today

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My mother-in-law, Philomena Penny, reading to her great granddaughter, Rachel Lee.   Arts from the Start Pays Off by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President It is a lovely experience to read to a child. My husband and I enjoyed reading to our children from the time they were tiny. A fun family memory is sharing stories, especially the ones we made up in the car. Just as storytelling nurtures imagination and connection, participating in the visual and performing arts fosters important skills as well.  Being engaged in the arts helps with listening skills and attention to detail. These skills pay off for both jobs and relationships. We also enjoyed going to museums and making art at home. One of the more memorable days was the Viking exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Our grandson loved talking with the actors who were telling stories in costume. It was fun to see how the sails on the ships functioned. My mother, Pauline Nelson, had filled our home with beautiful books and I rememb...

Columns for the Iron County Today, Fall 2024 through January 2025

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 I have been helping write the Cedar City Arts Council columns for the Iron County Today newspaper. Here are columns from fall 2024 through January 2025: Julie Griffin Brittania Howe Carylee Zwang Terrific Theater Trio by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President Applause is great, but the friendships made in community theater make all the rehearsals and hard work worthwhile. The Cedar Valley Community Theatre (CVCT) has a terrific trio of leaders for the upcoming musical Freaky Friday that opens Jan. 24 with performances through Feb. 1. Details at https://www.cvct.online .   Julie Griffin leads the theater group as the current president. She and her children have been in numerous productions. Her infectious smile and can-do attitude have helped the 14 year old group present numerous productions. Musicals with live music are becoming a rarity, but the CVCT has continued to have a quality pit orchestra. Julie also teaches at the IMPAC performing arts training center.    Down i...