2017 is racing to a fantastic end! For me, this was a milestone year for my companies and for me, personally. At the top of the list of great accomplishments, I became Dr. Joan Cartwright, after six long years of study, research, writing, and submitting my dissertation in Business Administration/ Marketing. Several things are on the burners for 2018. But the cherry on the Holiday cake was attending the matinee of A Civil War Christmas written by Paula Vogel and directed by Herman LeVern Jones of Theatre South at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. What was excellent about this stage play was the set design, background visuals, actors, and the music! Ahhh, the music ensemble was such a treat. The string quartet led by Kizie Washington, featuring Marie Manuel and her brother Davon Manuel who conducted and sang, accompanied by pianist Stephanie Colman and vocalist Porshia, set the tone for a tremendous rendition of Vogel's play that included several traditional Christmas songs. Jo