If you haven't attended an Excel Special Interest Group class with Pamela Tabak, you're missing an exceptional education. Preparation, dedication and attention to detail are this charming lady's credos. She joined BRCS less than two years ago when she and husband Ernest settled in their home in Boynton Beach from Toronto, Canada.

Pamela was born in Kent, England, "The Garden of England" in December 1941. Here she learned to appreciate the beauty of nature and acquired a love of painting, majoring in fine art.

In 1961, Pamela met and married "the love of her life" Ernest. They have truly spent every day of their lives since then working together in the field of Art and Interior Design. They immigrated to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with their two children. Pamela wrote a "Recipe & Remedy" column for a local newspaper, and continues this interest presently, creating a similar "Online Recipe Book" website, now under construction. She was mediator for the National Council for Jewish Women's TV program, "Shalom Ottawa." She and Ernest also hosted dinner parties in their home to raise funds.

After a few years they moved to Toronto where they owned and operated four art stores in downtown hotels as well as continuing work with design, assisting businesses and homes with interior design and consulting, including the office showrooms of the Sunlife Insurance Company. She always used computers in their business to make tasks easier.

Pamela devours books-heavy computer manuals, that is. She took courses and exams at FAU, earning a certification for Computer Knowledge.

She speaks about BRCS with great affection: "I wanted to say 'Thank You' to the USA for making it possible for Ernest and I to live in this Paradise called Florida. By hosting the Excel SIG I feel that I am giving back and helping other members to discover the joys of learning programs that will make their lives easier and more enjoyable. I also continue my own learning by attending other SIG meetings, i.e. Hardware, Paint Shop Pro 7, Windows XP, etc."

"Many of my friends and acquaintances have asked me to help them with their computer problems. I encourage all of them to join BRCS where they will benefit well beyond the things they learn. They will meet an interesting and friendly group of people, willing to help in every way possible. I feel BRCS should include a SIG for beginners. While I love to cook for large dinner parties, paint and tend my garden, most of all I love to teach and share my knowledge with others. I strongly believe when we teach, we learn. In the field of computers one never stops learning."

APRIL 2003