January 1, 2011
…I wish to say thank you to a few friends who have helped me get this website going…
* Carl Honore– Author of In Praise of Slowness. He supported and encouraged the campaign for handwritten letters for the past 2 years via timely emails from London.
* Kitty Burns Florey– Author of Script & Scribble. My always supportive, like-minded sister-in-spirit who opened doors for me with a wealth of connections and knowledge. And what’s most amazing, she lives in my neighborhood!
* Daryl Troxler– A gentle, understanding co-worker who listens patiently to my rants. He was the one who nudged me towards…
* Mike Sistrunk– “Sharp Mind,” the genius behind this website. He formulated the design and volunteered endless hours to make it work.. I have moved into the world arena with Mike’s gifts and encouragement.
* Barbara Getty (& Inga Dubay)– The handwriting experts from Portland, Oregon. Barbara’s beautiful postcards and letters are always so enthusiastic. Her emails led me to…
* Adam Schwartz‘s article on “Keeping Alive the Lost Art of Letter-Writing” which introduced me to The Letter Exchange, 16 Sparrows and Donovan Beeson! This article solidified my belief that letter enthusiasts do exist worldwide!
* Jim Rose– “My scout”. The well-read, well-informed letter carrier who works at my elbow in the post office. He is always telling me of books and articles that support the cause.
* Margaret Shepherd– Author of 3 of my favorite books- The Art of the Personal Letter, The Art of the Handwritten Note, and The Art of Civilized Conversation. Margaret is the “Miss Manners of Letter Writing Etiquette”. She leads the charge to maintain this “civilized communication” into the 21st Century. Her standards are very human, and very classy!
* Sheldon Hosen– My friend and lawyer, who rarely writes a letter but has written one since he’s been involved with this project. My non-profit status is his part of the effort.
* Ariana Maya Buckley– An enthusiastic high school teacher who has used some of the website’s ideas in her lesson plans, with wondrous results. She has her whole class “Writing to Soldiers.”
* Jan Barber– My best friend and creative partner who listens and studies the computer alongside me. She checks my grammar and is a tireless art director.
* Peggy Jo Ackley, Daniella Woolfe and Frank McAuliffe– 3 artists who have graciously permitted me to use their art in my posts.And the 2 journalists who gave me the OK to reprint their articles-Wendy Bounds – “How Handwriting Makes You Smarter,” and Amy J. Barry– “Don’t Write off the Art of Letter Writing.”
* Qin Guan– A supportive co-worker who tells me how the website is guiding him.
* Andrea Hernandez– My sister who has supported me from the start. “Chaseandy”.
* My Subscribers– who felt strongly enough about the cause to register. And All the Visitors Worldwide who keep coming back..
Thanks to you, one and all for making www.writealetter.org such a “write gift!”