Man donates artwork to aid people with ALS


ALS boutique on Nov. 23 to benefit association
By WENDI WINTERS, For The Capital
Published October 15, 2008


As a member of the U.S. Army's 222nd Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Rainbow Division, Larry Kendrick stared down into what is now known as World War II's Battle of the Bulge.

Now, while Mr. Kendrick, 82, faces another battle, this time against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, he is reaching out to help others.

Recently, Mr. Kendrick and his wife, Marianne, heard of the 6th annual ALS Boutique, founded by Arnold resident Leslie Schwartz and several friends.

Now Mr. Kendrick is donating to the boutique 100 of his notecards bearing copies of his artworks, each with an envelope, and priced at $3.50 each.

Mr. Kendrick will be among the more than 55 regional artists to offer handcrafted jewelry, original children's clothing and accessories, pottery, paintings and more at the boutique.

The boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel.

It is free and open to the public.

Mr. Kendrick is in the latter stages of ALS. It is known as the incurable disease that killed baseball legend Lou Gehrig in June 1941.

It is also a disease that is currently striking servicemen at twice the rate of the general population. It is not known why. About 30,000 Americans have the terminal disease, and 5,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly.

Speaking slowly in a soft voice amplified by a headset that Mrs. Kendrick adjusted, Mr. Kendrick explained that it took years to diagnose his illness. "Symptoms began eight years ago," he said.

"They called it 'dropsy of the foot.' I used to walk in Westfield (Annapolis) mall every morning at 7 a.m., but after a while my foot would slap against the floor. Then, I began tripping on carpets and uneven surfaces." One fall sent him to the hospital and through a maze of doctors, medical specialists and technicians.

Eighteen months ago, they finally learned he has ALS. "At least they have defined what I have. I take every day, every week as it comes," he said. "I've told my pastor and my friends 'Thank God you don't have it.' No point in saying, 'Why me, God?' I have it and that's it."

A decade ago, before his symptoms began to appear, Mr. Kendrick discovered his inner artist. A year-round resident of Sherwood Forest since 1984, and a summer resident since 1971, he idly joined an art class in progress at the O'Malley Senior Center in Odenton.

He took another course and another, progressing from sketches to sensitive watercolor renderings to more vigorous oil paintings. He was quite good and very prolific.

Several walls are decorated with his art - landscapes, still lifes and animal portraits - in their comfortable home overhanging a forested canyon with views of the Severn River.

Mrs. Kendrick discovered that, at American Art Printers, his works could be digitally scanned to re-create his paintings as notecards. The couple had some made and sent them out as Christmas cards to their three grown children and their large circle of friends.

Three years ago, Mr. Kendrick lost his ability to create more art. Donating the cards was his idea. And he will try to attend the ALS Boutique.

So far, the boutique has raised more than $125,000 for the ALS Association's regional chapter to fund free programs for ALS sufferers and their families; to increase awareness of the disease; and, ultimately, to help find a cure.

The group's symbol, designed by children's book illustrator Lisa McCue, is a jeweled wand, representing faith, love, courage, spirit and combined dream that a cure is on the horizon.

In addition to the artisan offerings, the event will include door prizes, raffles, a silent auction, refreshments and a book-signing appearance by Ms. McCue, who illustrated the popular "Corduroy" book series.

Mrs. Schwartz's youngest daughter, Annie, is making special cheesecakes to sell at the event.

"There are stages you go through with ALS," Mrs. Kendrick sighed deeply. "You simply adjust."

For more information about the event, e-mail Mrs. Schwartz at ALSfundraiser@verizon.net.

Donations checks can be made to The ALS Association. Mail them to: 1221 Buckingham Road, Arnold, MD 21012.

For more information about the disease, call the ALS Association at 301-978-9855 or visit www.ALSinfo.org.

Wendi Winters is a freelance writer living on the Broadneck Peninsula.



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