Curses, foiled again!
Rosa's camera software decided to go on the fritz, so she hasn't been able to send pics from the road. Rest assured that she IS taking lots pictures to document her trip, and we'll post them here once she returns from NY & resolves those pesky tech problems! ;)
More packing for the big trip tomorrow...
If you've ever seen the Bead Quilts, you've probably met their devoted guardian, Rosa Meyer:
August 31st, 2006
(left) ROS producer Kathleen Tonnesen smoothes out air bubbles in the panels on the World Memorial truck.
(right) World Memorial even included images of some of the Bead Quilt squares on their truck.
When they tried to hook the truck to the trailer, they discovered that after putting the ROS sculpture into the trailer, the front end of the truck sunk down in the dirt. The truck couldn't get under the fifth wheel. They had to have some firemen come and lift it with their hydraulic jaws of life. Fortunately, Mitch is a fireman, so the help was readily available ;)
August 30th, 2006
Rosa is a mother, grandmother, bead afficionado, carpenter, stained glass worker, past vice president (and honorary permanent member) of the San Diego Bead Society -- and an all around powerhouse! It is her passion, enthusiasm and stubborness that has kept the Bead Quilt Project visible over the last few years.
While exhibiting at 9/11 events, Rosa met Mitch Mendler:
Mitch is a San Diego Firefighter/EMT who donates a tremendous amount of his time and energy to 9/11 related causes, such as Release of Souls and World Memorial. Mitch has been a huge advocate for the Bead Quilts as well - if it were not for the rides he's offered us, or the introductions he's made, many of our exhibits (including this one) might not have happened. Thank you, Mitch!
Rosa and Mitch will leave San Diego, CA on September 1st, 2006 to make their way to New York alongside World Memorial and Torches Across America. This is an annual ride to honor the victims, the families, and the heroes of 9/11. An estimated 25,000 people will participate (for a detailed itinerary, click here).
Last week, they began packing. When their group tried to put the Release of Souls sculpture into the truck, they realized they'd need more hands. Mitch was able to rustle up a bunch of guys (ironically called the "Strong Angels") to help. It took nearly 30 people working together to get the truck loaded:
We suspect this is going to be an amazing journey for everyone involved, and we look forward to sharing Rosa's pictures from the road!
Please check back over the coming week to read about their trip.
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