Todd Rank -Photo provided

Todd Rank lives in Toledo. Todd is a consumer at the CIRSI?Opportunity Center in Tama where he creates amazing pieces of art daily. Todd enjoys sharing his paintings with others and says “Painting makes me feel alive”! Som,e of his work is now on display through December at the Toledo Public library. He is the son of Jeanene Rank and the late Don Rank.

A display featuring items relating to Pam Wood’s life in England are on display at the Toledo Public library through December.

PAMELA?WOOD.

THIS DISPLAY WILL GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE INTO MY

LIFE GROWING UP IN ENGLAND: THANK YOU TO THE

Pam Wood -photo provided

TOLEDO LIBRARY FOR ASKING ME TO SHARE.

Pam Wood was born in 1933 on the Isle of Wright, which is located off the Southern Coast of England; it can be reached by Ferries, Hovercraft and Catamarans. Pam’s parents owned the Devon Restaurant and a Butcher Shop in the city of Shanklin, a seaside resort where a great many English families spend their holidays. Pam and her brother Dudley also spent many hours enjoying the beaches, and the surrounding chine, and then in 1939 all this changed when war was declared between Germany and England.

Rationing of food and clothing was set in place, tin helmets and gas masks were issued and these were to be always on your personage when outside; bombs dropped daily around them and numerous hours were spent in air raid shelters, also evacuations to safer locations were implemented when deemed necessary. The Devon Restaurant was commandeered by the military in 1940 so that meals could be prepared for troops stationed in Shanklin.

1945 was the year to pick up the pieces and start life anew; Pam attended “Bush Davies Dancing and Arts Boarding School” located in Sussex, England, she was trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Acting. Academics and languages were also an integral part of her education; examinations were given by the Royal Academy of Dance. Pam began her career in the entertainment industry when she finished her schooling at age fifteen and joined the Herbert de Vere dancers, performing in Theatres in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. At the Savoy Hotel in London it was a privilege for Pam to work with many celebrities and on occasions the Royal Family would be present. Pam met her husband Dwayne when he was stationed in England whilst serving in the United States Air Force; they have two children, five Grandsons, and two Great Grandchildren. Pam and Dwayne moved to Toledo in 1971 and both have been, and are currently active in many civic activities, fund raiser, serving in organizations and on various boards.