When CLAW closed its clubhouse doors on August 31, 2000, I wanted to preserve my memories of what this organization meant to me. On November 4th, CLAW reopened with a new mission. I am proud to be a member of the new CLAW, but I shall always treasure these experiences.
I was accepted for membership in CLAW on May 16, 1998. It was an honor to be a member of this prestigious organization! CLAW offered entertainment and educational opportunities to cats of all ages. It was a wonderful place to meet new friends, share experiences, and work towards building a better world for all cats. After CLAW closed, CLAW Theater and other areas remained open to visitors.
Many groups and guilds became independent or affiliated with other organizations. Even though everything has changed, we will carry the traditions of CLAW in our hearts forever.
My membership was approved just in time to participate in the Meowing-in Ceremony! Queen Midnight, our esteemed leader, conducted this very meaningful and impressive event.
CLAW encouraged its members to further their education and to actively participate in CLAW activities. CLAW's faculty was composed of Level II members who completed the requirements for teaching positions. As in other universities, certain classes were required for completion of a degree. There were also a wide variety of electives to choose from. I earned two degrees at CLAW University, a Batchelor of CLAW Catship and a Master of Fine Arts. I received my BCC at the April 1999 graduation ceremony.
During the ceremony, inspirational speeches were given by Queen Midnight, University President Rhett Kincaid Butler, and the University Deans. Our Valedictorian, Ringtail, presented each graduate a flower to symbolize the theme of her speech:
Ally, in her Salutatory message, invoked us to, "take the lessons we have learned from CLAW, go forth into the world, and let effuryone know why Cats ruLe AlWays!"It was a challenge to complete the requirements for a MFA, but how proud I was to be a member of the Class of August 2000!
As I listened to the speeches of our leaders and teachers, I knew that I'd never forget the lessons that I learned at CLAW ... not only in my course of education, but through the friendships that developed during the past two years.Our eloquent Valedictorian, Tequila Sunrise, ended her speech with these remarks, "We leave here with enlightened minds, enhanced knowledge and wonderful new friends. We will be forever grateful to CLAW University for broadening our horizons!"
The true value of friendship cannot be taught in a classroom, but it is one of the most important lessons that any of us will ever learn.
Members earned service points by participating in CLAW activies. We were rewarded with titles which reflect the number of points earned. During the August 2000 Awards Ceremony, I received the title Duchess of CLAW!
CLAW Theater was filled to capacity as we eagerly awaited the announcement of awards and special presentations. Guild leaders made beautiful awards to present to their members. Realizing that this would be the final Awards Ceremony, made this a very poignant occasion. There wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium when the Memory Quilts were presented to our beloved Queen.
I am currently enrolled in the Introduction to Paint Shop Pro Guild conducted by Nikki and Nichie. As we complete our lessons, we learn new skills and techniques that help us be more creative. We can work at our own pace and we enjoy sharing our completed assignments with each other. I will try my best to live up to the awards that I received during the Awards Ceremony.
Please click here to view my completed PSP Lessons
I am a member of CLAW Thespians and the Friends of the CLAW Theater, which will continue to operate under the CLAW banner.
Friends of the CLAW Theater members help publicize the productions and events that take place in our theater. In the past, we also participated in other activities such as the annual CLAW Book Fair. Aladdin was Chaircat of Friends of the CLAW Theater until November, 2000.I'm proud to have a small part in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, now playing in CLAW Theater. This wonder-filled production is fun for kitties of all ages!
The CLAW Thespians' production of Cinderella is still receiving rave reviews! Can you guess which role I'm playing? Here's a hint: I carry a magic wand!
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After the performances, you'll enjoy a sumptuous seafood buffet at the Friends of the CLAW Theater's Bar & Bistro!Titanic, starring Sir Triffan GentleKat and Furball, is an outstanding success! It's being held over to give every kitty an oppurtunity to see it.
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Returning for a special engagement at the theater is a CLAW Concert featuring the works of Clyde Big Paws. Clyde crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 4, 1997, but his memory and his music live on.
Other events taking place at CLAW Theater include revivals of previous plays, awards ceremonies, graduations, and other special events. Back by popular demand are several earlier performances, including "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs." The next production to look forward to is "Peter Pan!"
Note: After CLAW closed in 2005, CLAW Theater re-opened in a new location. Although some productions are no longer playing, many are still being performed in CLAW Theater.
Jinx the Cat and his human, Sarah Davis, created an entertaining cartoon show, MouseKaroos, that was originally featured in CLAW Theater.
I enjoy participating in the Older Cats Society activities. This Guild was founded by Frisky Tat in 1998 and led by Emmy Miller from January to August 1999. Blackie Jamison is our current Guild Leader; he and his assistants, Spike, Sasha, and Sammy Brewer, have many ideas for future activities. [note: Blackie resigned and Spike assumed leadership of OCS in October, 2000.]
Many OCS members volunteered to be in the CLAW Purr Scouts Adopt-a-Grandkitty program. The Scouts earn their badges by completing requirements with the help of their Grandmews and Grandpaws. My GrandKitties are Brother Oswin, Toby Manchester and Simon & Pepper Poisson. Please visit my GrandKits' Page and I'll tell you why I'm so proud of them. Both the Purr Scouts and the Older Cats Society will continue independently.
The Older Cats Society Candle Page honors the memories of OCS members who are at the Rainbow Bridge. It also provides links to a selection of other memorials to CLAW members who have crossed the Bridge. Gert and Eddie's beautiful composition, "CandleSong," plays gently in the background.
At the suggestion of Noelani Misty "BabyCat" Milliken and her family, the memorial page also includes a tribute to The Unknown Kitty.
BabyCat and I were co-editors of the Older Cats Society Memory Book which is now in CLAW Library. It was a privilege to work with her on this project, which was completed shortly before she went to Rainbow Bridge. BabyCat inspired me to set my goals higher and to work to fulfill them. I know that she was smiling down on me, as I accepted these awards.
The Victorian Cats Society was founded by Sir Wally. He has created an atmosphere that brings back the elegance of the Victorian Age. I enjoyed myself so much that I could hardly wait to submit my application for membership. Members earn points by creating Victorian web pages and participating in a variety of activities. Levels are determined by the number of points earned. I became a Level 1 member when I joined the Society and have now reached Level 4. The members have furnished and decorated rooms in our Victorian Bed and Breakfast. You'll often find me in the turret, relaxing with a good book or entertaining friends. Please stop by my
