Celebrating Senior Women

Mary Boyle doesn’t just write children’s books; she actually sells them! In February alone, she was at five farmers’ markets and book fairs in the Sacramento-Roseville areas. Wow, Mary! How do you do it?     “I go to lots of book fairs, festivals, and farmers’ markets. Most require a fee–and even an interview–so the real payoff is not just in money. I get ideas that tweak my creativity—like translating my books into Spanish, developing ‘board books’ for toddlers, and combining books with stuffed toys as ‘gift packs.’ Plus, we vendors become real friends. I admit, it’s only now, after three years of marketing, that I’m financially in the black. My real payoff is knowing I’m encouraging a love of books in children. There’s really no price tag on that kind of marketing.”    Writers agree—writing is the fun part; marketing is the real work. Obviously, the secret to Mary’s marketing get-up-and-go is her love for the children her books are written for.  

While Suzanne Dings hardly knows me, I have many musical memories of her. For decades I watched her perform with her violin or viola, seated in the center of the Auburn Symphony orchestra. From my balcony vantage point, she was always such a vision of musical grace. Recently, I was privileged to interview Sue for Bright Ideas. Here’s what I learned: beginning with piano at 6 and violin at 8, her musical journey includes: music therapist at DeWitt State Hospital; Director of the Volunteer Center of Placer County (17 years;) Coordinator of “Music for Humanity” (34 years;) and loyal AAUW member (50 years!) Sue won the McCann Award for community service in 1998 and was celebrated as a founding member of the Auburn Symphony (1982-2011.) Sue and Bob Dings were married 34 years before he passed away in 1991. (Bob was also an Auburn Symphony musician.) Sue is proud of their children, Karen and Bob, Jr.  —-Now I realize, Sue, you are a vision of hard work as well as musical grace!

Dr. Betsy Schwarzentraub lives a spiritual life. After earning Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degrees, she served as a Methodist pastor. Her pastoral experience led to the position of Stewardship Director, offering encouragement and counsel to churches in California and Nevada, and then across the U.S. During her “working” years, Betsy published more than 1,000 Christian articles, contributed to many devotional books, and served as editor for various publications.”God has certainly blessed me,” she said, with her bright smile. What are the three blessings you hold most dear?  “My number one blessing is my marriage to Ken. We met in a Methodist singles group and married in 1983. We believe the light of God guided us to each other. My second blessing was helping people find meaning in life through my ministry. My third-best blessing? Retirement, with the freedom to write, and write,  and write! —-So far so good. Since she retired, Dr. Betsy has written five spiritual books! 

Wendy, when did you discover your creativity? “When I was a small child, my creativity burst out with dance lessons, choir, and drawing pictures in my writing assignments. Girl Scouts challenged me, so I stuck with it throughout high school, eventually receiving the ‘God and Country Award.’ Finally, though, I was happy being a stay-at-home-mom.” Raising kids requires lots of creativity. True … I did lead the kids’ 4-H group. I also worked parttime as a nurse after getting my RN license. While you were still a stay-at-home mom? “Yes … but it was only after my kids left home that I really followed my artistic dreams. With my husband’s encouragement (he passed away after 49 wonderful years) I got a ‘three-pronged’ BA degree—in metal, fiber, and wood. So, what are your artistic mediums? “Let’s see … fused glass, macrame, picture quilting, watercolors, ceramics, wood … oh, and fiber.” Here Wendy shows us a few of her Bright Ideas—in watercolor, ceramics, wood, and picture quilting. See why I say she’s a whirlwind? 

One fine day I walked into the Golden Swann jewelry store on Lincoln Way, just to feast my eyes on sparkling rubies, diamonds, and gold. Lucky for me, I was the first customer of the day, because owner Margareta Swann had time to tell me how Golden Swann Jewelers was established. Here’s her story: In 1969, newlyweds Margareta Swann and her husband arrived in Virginia City, Nevada, straight from Germany. When Margareta’s beloved mother (still in Germany) said: “Please find me some turquoise,”  the Swanns were eager to please her. They went to Carson City to visit a renowned turquoise minor, Ted Johnson. Through Ted, they met the local jewelry artists—nearby Apache Indians!  With Ted’s talent for “chopping” turquoise, the Native Americans’ artistry in combining turquoise and silver into breathtaking jewelry, and the Swann’s gift for marketing jewelry with honesty and goodwill, Golden Swann Jewelers was established. Drop in, feast your eyes on the sparkling jewels, enjoy Margareta’s warm welcome—and tell her Sheila sent you. 

Robin Orack, an American, and Brionnee Miller, a South African, became friends through a series of serendipitous events. Robin was in Jerusalem, on one of her sojourns working for Bridges of Peace, an organization dedicated to building relationships between Christians and Jews in Israel and around the world. Brionnee found her way from her home in South Africa to Bridges of Peace through events that could comprise a novel—a spiritual awakening; a decision to retire and see the world; winning a trip to Turkey in a contest; then following a church outreach to Panama, Holland, and finally, Jerusalem, serving at Bridges of Peace with Robin! Brionnee stopped off to visit Robin on her way to L.A. to receive a degree in Bible Theologyy. Robin welcomed Brionnee with a tour of our area, and I got into the act by featuring Brionnee on Bright Ideas! Yes, indeed. It is a wonderful, mysterious, and loving world!

I met Greta at a craft show. She was sitting behind her wares: huge paper sunflowers, crocheted shawls, chocolate dipped apricots—more creative endeavors than I have words to list! I knew I had to feature her on Bright Ideas—so we quickly became friends.  Greta, red hair and all, is a registered Chickasaw-Choctaw Native American. Her family’s name is odd but true: “Maytubby.” In her younger days, she attended tribal council meetings, danced around huge bonfires at pow-wows, and was as much at home riding her horse bareback as she was working in her long career for Bank of America. Her beautiful red hair? Well, there are redheads in her family (German is mixed with Chickasaw.) Her daughters are redheads, as is a grandchild. Greta is perfect for Bright Ideas. She lets her little light shine—proud of where she came from and decorating her world with her imagination. As you can see from this picture, we really hit it off!

Meet my three writer-friends, all born and raised in Germany. I introduced them to you previously, but seeing them together at a Gold Country Writers meeting made me want to introduce them again. First, remember Dorothy Kress? In her book, The Risk, Forbidden Love Behind the Iron Curtain, we are amazed by her courage, inner strength—and writing talent. I’m so proud to have her friendship. Pretty Elke Mckee, seen here smiling in the middle, wrote His Story is My Story, combining diary entries written by her father in a slave labor camp, with her experiences growing up in Nazi Germany. After coming to America, she became a teacher, an artist, an author, and, of course, my friend! Finally, meet Heike Kutchikov. Having read her soon-to-be published memoir, I know her heart and truly love her. She, too, grew up in Germany, dancing her way through Hollywood. I’ll let you know when her book is finished. See what I mean? I didn’t have to leave Auburn to make international friendships!

     Last summer, cheerful ladybugs painted on small stones in bright red and black, appeared here and there, in front of our Rock Creek mobile homes. “Who’s doing it?” we asked each other. No one knew—but we all appreciated the delightfully thoughtful gesture. Eventually, our mysterious ladybug artist confessed. Holding up a ladybug rock, Heather Waite said, “I did it … I’m so glad you approve!”     Heather has always been creative, good-hearted, and lovely. In her younger days she was a model, even running for Miss California. Then, indulging her intellect, she earned a degree and became a psychotherapist and writer, publishing an inspirational book for women and a well-researched book on California. Stay tuned—her memoir is completed and ready for publication. Oh, I almost forgot … Heather is also an adventurer, having toured Europe and Japan, solo. Speaking for myself and my neighbors: “Thank you, Heather! Even now, in the midst of the storms, your (waterproof) ladybugs are reminding us: Spring is just around the corner!” 

Sometimes I feel like I might be nagging the busy women I pursue for Bright Ideas. Take my new friend, Wendy Black, for example. She was ever so apologetic when she had to beg off meeting with me right away, because, having moved to Rock Creek recently, she was busy “getting back to her commitments.” I took one look at her To-Do list and I knew I had my post. Here’s Wendy’s month: Placer County docent; Colfax Elementary School art docent; State Theatre volunteer; Spiritual Book Club; exercise at Senior Center; supervising home repairs; landscape maintenance in her new yard; personal art projects. Oh, yes—she also say she wants to finish her genealogy, “before I die.” Did you notice how Wendy’s name matches her personality? Perhaps her parents perceived she was a whirlwind at the get-go. Don’t worry, I will catch her for an interview next year.  In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll read several posts on Wendy in 2026!