Robin Rose has graciously provided copies of Evans News, newsletters that were sent for Mary Beth's fans from 1998-2001.

1998

Mary Beth Evans
Newsletter #1

Hello, this is Franni. First, we would like to thank everyone that requested the newsletter. We were really overwhelmed by the response we received. Mary Beth, Debbie and I have really enjoyed putting this first newsletter together for you. We are interested in hearing any suggestions you have about what you would like to see included in future newsletters, so please let us know.

Mary Beth is so pleased with the tremendous response and for all your help getting the Aliso Academy off the ground. She’s really passionate about this program. Here’s what she says about that.

“In the late eighties while playing Kayla on Days of Our Lives, I experienced the enormous challenge of acting deaf after an explosion took my hearing. As the storyline continued I began to realize how much hearing plays a part in our every day lives and, especially, how difficult life must be for those profoundly deaf or hard of hearing. I learned sign language and met several people from the deaf community whose friendship changed my life.

I asked my sister, Debbie, to find a way to pay back the fans and do some good for the deaf community. She coordinated a half dozen charity events for the Providence Speech and Hearing Center and we were able to raise some awareness of this communication disability. The great need for a school which could teach these students prompted Debbie and I to help the Rancho Viejo School found the Aliso Academy for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a non-profit organization.

For deaf and hearing impaired children, school can be a place where they become discouraged, rather than encouraged. Kids with these challenges may be very bright; they simply have trouble processing language at their level of intelligence. The Academy doesn’t modify curricula or introduce new methods of teaching. Instead, they want to really change the learning environment.”

Stephen and Mary Beth hosted the first fund raising gala in November of 1996 at the home of her brother Rick and his wife Pilar. There was a $100 donation asked in return for dinner and cocktails. In March of 1997, Stephen and Mary Beth went back on stage in a performance of “Love Letters” to benefit the Aliso. The play was directed by Rick Biggs (who is an actor as well as being hard of hearing). Many of you might remember him as Marcus Hunter on DOOL or currently from playing Dr. Franklin on Babylon 5. After the performance, there was a champagne reception. Another different and exciting thing that we did was an on-line auction of soap memorabilia. They auction went beyond our wildest expectations and we raised over $12,000 for the Aliso. The money from the auction was used to help fund the construction of the Aliso’s playground. Rick Biggs is hosting a Babylon 5 Convention at the Aliso on March 28. Rick is a great friend of the Aliso. Of course, we are always working on some new and exciting things as fund raisers so we will make sure to keep you posted. Again, this is another thing that we would like your input on, if you have any suggestions for fund raisers for the Aliso, please let us know.

The school had its grand opening on January 20th. It is a brand new 6200 sq. foot facility. The children range in age from 1 1/2 to 7. There are 26 students currently attending there. We have hung many quilts in the atrium of the school. They have been getting plenty of oohs and aahhs from the visitors and parents. The quilts are hung up high to help cut down on the noise. The quilts are so beautiful that they even got a mention in a local newspaper article. Many of these quilts were donated to the school by fans of Mary Beth’s and other Mary Beth has loaned to the school herself. (For those of you that aren’t aware, Mary Beth collects quilts.)

We would like to give a big thank you to everyone who has supported the Aliso. You have shown support in so many ways. Your support has helped raise money for the playground, has put quilts in the atrium, as well as given us books and computer software. I am attaching two photos along with the newsletter so that you can all see the wonderful play structure that was built in the playground. Pictured in the photograph is Lisette Olamendi (one of the co-founders of the Aliso), Debbie Evans and Mary Beth.

Well, we hope you enjoyed your first newsletter and are anxious to hear any comments/suggestions that you might have.