I was privileged to witness an unexpected side to our business last night. I was visiting my friend & compatriot and his wife during the celebration of their community's 100th birthday.
It was interesting to see how one man's vision & talent could impact his community in such a positive way. He has helped shape the look, feel & class of this community with his talent and passion..(and the town recognized him for it).
He used his art (in the form of a mural) to show how the community lived and prospered even through it's failures. And during the recap of the citizens his murals & signage were highlighted.
What a difference this man Pat welter & his wife and partner Ruth have made not just here in this community of Unity, Saskatchewan, but also in my life and I'm sure many of yours too.
I felt blessed to be here to witness the celebrations and was humbled at the impact our business and art has on the world around us.
Thank you Pat & Ruth
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Great post Cal,and so very true. I too am priviledged to call Pat and Ruth friends. They are true gems of the prairies who have definitely given Unity a golden touch! Pat has been a wonderful mentor to me and Ruth is worth her weight in gold. Kel
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Cal Trauter ??? ...is that YOU !!??!!
It must have been a extraordinary happening to get you to post !
Seriously, ditto what you said. Pat and Ruth are the greatest and if it wouldn't be for the size of this country, we could see more of one another. I'm glad for Pat, he deserves the spotlight!
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Geez Brother Rene, Cal must have had an epiphany for him to post. Unity is certainly a great little community touched everywhere by the hands of the Welters. Ruth and Pat are a perfect team. After my first meet at Banff, where I was terrified to pick up a brush again, Pat and Ruth hosted the first Paint the Prairie Meet. Highly talented people from across North America had gathered in small town Saskatchewan. Seeing mentors like Murray MacDonald, Bill Riedel and Mike Meyer effortlessly laying down one shot was inspiring, yet intimidating in my little brain. That feeling soon passed though. Kelly was painting an illustration on the back of the van project and she literally put a brush in my hand and said, "Dunc., I'm not much of a letterer, can you please finish this up for me." Holy Cwap, I said to myself, "What have I got myself into now?"
The rest is history, I love getting the brushes out again and I do it at each and every meet I attend. I don't produce works of art, but I really enjoy it and it's a thrill when a nubie comes up and watches. I owe it all to Pat and Ruth, whom I proudly call friends.
[ July 04, 2009, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: Duncan Wilkie ]
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
A few years ago I had the pleasure of dropping in to a small gathering the Welters had at their place. As I drove the seemingly endless prairie road to their place I was amazed at just how remote the town of Unity was. It makes Yarrow look BIG!
I had to ask directions to Pat & Ruth's place for they live on an un-named road with no street address. It's OUT THERE!
And yet here they are selling the quality signs they do... plenty of gold leaf and very creative dimensional signs.
Better than all that Pat & Ruth are the very kindest folks I know... shining examples for all who come in contact with them.
To hear they pulled off a great mural and celebration honoring their little community is no surprise. In doing so they also honored our craft and all of us who create our art.
Congratulations !!
-grampa dan
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
Congrat's Pat & Ruth. I didn't know Cal could type! Thanks for the old pics, Duncan. That was taken back when Bill Riedel was only 75.
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Pat and Ruth...congratulations on your Community Recognition....Cal, nice to see you here, thanks for posting this news.
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Pat and Ruth, you deserve all the recognition! I'm so glad I got to know you both, you personify the very best of Letterheads to me.
Cal, great to hear from you! That's a wonderful first post.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Well, it looks like Cal can go more than 5 words at a post!! ;o) he's much more talkative on the phone!! Pat, I found a book on Van. Is. that should have your name in it...don't you love used book stores...soon to be in the Post...
don't let Cal get to big a Head out there in the Prairie... he's got to come back here and be Real in Summerland...funny name for a place that's freezing most of the year...( or, i'd like to think so... it's a beautiful place , i'm just jealous ...) Hi to Ruth... and...get ready for the NEXT 200 YEARS!!! ;o)
jb
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Pat and Ruth are very special people, what an experience to have been there at the Paint the Prairie meet. They are without a doubt, the nicest couple you could have the pleasure of meeting. There is no end to the amount of talent out there in the middle of nowhere. Proud to know them. Bill
Posted by Marty Happy (Member # 302) on :
What can I say that hasn't already been said about Pat and Ruth? They're the best!
Posted by Cal Trauter (Member # 10938) on :
Here are a couple of handsome guys. Pat had to dress in his tux, as the Centennial Celebration included the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. Cal got to be himself.
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
That last post was from Ruth, but I didn't know how to sign off of these new fandangle machines
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