GOOD NEWS
My brother Adam and his wife Traci are pregnant
My brother Lee and his wife Maya are pregnant with baby number 2
They are BOTH DUE OCTOBER 20th 2007
(I am soooooo gunna need a handheld camcorder (preferably with night vision) so I can run back and forth between hospitals when that day comes. I am accepting camera donations *hint *hint)
SAD NEWS
My Great Aunt Helen Walter Gerson passed away, at age 92, on Thursday March 1st 2007. The celebration of her life will be held on the Calamigos Ranch (which she owned and operated) on Sunday March 11th 2007, in Malibu CA.
THEY’VE FOUND A FRIEND:
Artist turns love for children into crusade
Byline: Victoria Giraud
An artist, businesswoman and educator, Helen Walter Gerson says its all peripheral compared to her love of children.
Earlier this year, the co-founder and chairman of Calamigos Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains turned her own birthday celebration into “a party with a purpose” for Free Arts for Abused Children. The nonprofit group offers creative art experiences to victims of abuse and neglect.
At the party, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recognized Helen for her longtime work with and for children, and the first annual Helen Walter Gerson Humanitarian Award was presented to Elda Unger, President Emeritus of Free Arts.
“We raised $9,000 at my birthday bash, and the Helen Walter Gerson Humanitarian Award was set up. We’ll pick a local humanitarian each year,” Helen enthused.
The youngest of seven siblings, Helen was born in New Jersey on New Year’s Day. Her brothers and sisters entered creative careers in acting, art and music, and Helen was no exception. By 16 Helen was working as a commercial artist in advertising for the art director at Macy’s New York City. “I was skinny, freckled and long-legged. Drawing was my long suit. They gave me a studio and I posed for myself in kid’s clothes. I drew long-legged, gangly kids and teen-agers,” Helen remembered.
Her talent was recognized by Walt Disney, and Helen was brought to Los Angeles to work on preliminary sketches for the animated “Alice in Wonderland.” Because of delays with the Disney project, she was snapped up by advertising agency Foote, Cone and Belding to do sketches for Cole of California swimsuits.
Not long after, Helen met Grant Gerson, who had created his own traveling summer day camp, Covered Wagon Club.
She helped him with an early brochure and soon found herself married and living on 18 acres in the midst of the Santa Monicas, which she named the Star “C” Ranch.
“I bought his dream. It was very difficult and very lonely, but I knew how to be alone,” Helen remembered of those early days when Calamigos was an hour’s drive from Los Angeles. Son Glen was raised on the ranch, attended school in Agoura and graduated from Agoura High School.
Through the years, Calamigos grew into a 120-acre spread with a facilities that catered to children from throughout the world plus corporate and organization picnics.
In the late 1970s, Helen took a sabbatical and turned her attention toward creating a sculpture. Under the oaks outside her Calamigos home, she created a 30-ton children’s play sculpture made of crushed rock encapsulated in resin.
Measuring 10 by 10 by 20 and originally called “Touch and Experience” by Calamigos campers, Helen said the sculpture – featuring cave spaces, sitting places and slides – “involves the child’s emotions, imagination and motor skills.”
The Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department bought the sculpture and moved it to Westwood Park, near the Federal Building.
“The piece is kept alive because of the things said and sent to me about it,” Helen said fondly. She has a large scrapbook filled with children’s letters, clippings and photos relating to the children-friendly sculpture.
After the disastrous Kanan Fire in the early 1980s, which destroyed much of the ranch – including Helen’s home and her art work – the ranch was rebuilt into a conference and events center that today hosts businesses from all over the world.
Although she continues to be involved in Calamigos, Helen remains committed to art and her work with children. “I feel truly blessed to work with children,” she says, her eyes bright with purpose.
Photo (color) Artist Helen Walter Gerson, who has spent her professional life helping children, sits by a Western township replica at her Calamigos Ranch. Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News
