Watercolors by Briden and Sopko

Art reception at Chant twice as nice in June LORDS VALLEY — Hemlock Farms-Chant Realtor’s office in Lords Valley invites the public to come on Saturday, June 5, for a ‘Meet the Artists’ reception from 5 to 7 p.m., and enjoy refreshments while viewing the watercolor paintings of two great ladies, Elaine Sopko and Barbara Briden. Both Briden and Sopko’s paintings are widely popular, and each of the women has shown their works at various events in the area, including the Hawley Winterfest 2009, and Chant Realtors in 2008. Their works will be showcased at the Chant Realtor’s office in Lords Valley throughout the month of June. “We are excited to have these two wonderful ladies back with us,” says Joan Polishook, who puts together the monthly events. “Their ‘en plein air’ style of paintings, are a special treat indeed. To have them both at the same time makes this month’s show truly twice as nice.” Barbara Briden Barbara moved from her native New Jersey to Lake Wallenpaupack seven years ago. Her passion for the arts is deeply rooted, inspired by her great-grandmother, whose watercolor sketch books from the mid 1800’s have graced her family’s walls for decades. Barbara has studied under prominent New Jersey artists such as Jim Gallagher, Diana Wilkoc Patton, Paul McCormack, and Ruth Wilson, with whom she continues to study. Barbara has a giving heart and compassion, having donated her artwork to benefit the family of ten-year-old Emily Bates of Hawley, who had surgery last year to help alleviate the affects on her legs from Cerebral Palsy. Elaine Sopko Sopko and her husband of fifty-years relocated to Tamiment in 1991, from their native New Jersey. The artist’s portrait and landscape paintings are included in public, private, and corporate collections across the United States and in Europe. However, this humble lady states ‘Ancora imparo’, which means ‘still I am learning’, a quote from famous artist Michelangelo, is her personal motto. In 2006, she was involved in a serious car accident, and discovered the power of healing through her work by completing a floral painting with a broken right wrist and being temporarily wheelchair bound. Elaine now willingly and eagerly shares that message, to transform anyone who is hurting from a victim to a winner with the healing power of art. Elaine has donated her artwork to be auctioned off to benefit non-profit organizations, such as Safe Haven, a center to help domestic violence victims in Pike County. “We welcome the return of Mrs. Briden and Mrs. Sopko,” says George Schmitt, Manager and Associate Broker of the Hemlock Farms Chant Office. “Their originality and talent is extraordinary, but their heart to help others in need is legend.” For more information or to see these beautiful masterpieces throughout the month of June, stop in or call the Lords Valley office at 570-775-7337. Elaine Sopko, 570-588-7036 or esopko@verizon.net; and Barbara Briden-570-226-8231. Chant Realtors is the area’s largest independent real estate brokerage company and maintains offices throughout Wayne and Pike Counties, Pa.; including Milford, Hemlock Farms, Lake Wallenpaupack, Honesdale, Rileyville, and Hamlin. Visit www.chantre.com for office locations, information, and to search available listings in northeast Pennsylvania.