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The Journey

    After starting late beginning school, and being "exhibit A" as she was taller than her classmates, Ruth finished high-school graduating with the class of 1927.  She went on to study fashion design and illustration at Traphagen School of Fashion and Design, NYC in the late twenties.  Finding employment opportunities scarce due to the depression, she returned to her native Malone to help her sister care for their aging mother.

   A self-taught  photographer, mastering the art of color adaptation by paintbrush before color photography during the 1930's, she would return to this media a half century later to preserve her hometown history.
 
   A successful gift shop owner for 29 years,  "My Sister & I" (1942-1971), the shop and town of Malone would gain national recognition through her contributions as a gifted writer, penning "From a Gift Shop Diary", a monthly column featured in The Gift and Art Buyer trade magazine for 19 years. (1950 - 1969)

   During this same time, she was a sculptor of famous designs of Continental lamps and figurines sold nationwide, manufactured by Chapman Manufacturing and Museum Pieces, Inc.

   Author of the book "Star of the North Country", a history of one towns rise from the wilderness to become the County Seat of Franklin, as well one family's story being a third-generation heritage of the town, beginning in 1842.
  
   An eleventh generation Mayflower Alden, and a continuation of the founding fathers, Ruth helps shape Malone's future by honoring its history through her art and writings.

Now 93, a dream born of childhood finds release and reward.
Share the dream.

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