From time to time, members write notes when they renew their memberships. And, from time to time, I'll pass them on for the ideas, kudos, and insights they offer.

Inez Stewart of Baraboo writes: “What I have always liked about my writers' club is that we each have our own type of writing that we enjoy doing and we appreciate the choice of each of the other writers. This is important for any writing club since each person is there to increase his or her ability in writing and is at a different level of ability. We're eager to read our own and, therefore, willing to listen to another person read what he or she has written. Reading one's own writing out loud to others, we are able to hear mistakes we have made or at least know what it sounds like to others. This is helpful too.”

Inez also commented on how difficult it must be to pick poetry judges for the Jade Ring contest since there are so many different types of poems. She suggests that readers (and judges) of poetry should always ask: “What is the purpose of the poem?”

“I've been a member for many, many years,” writes Betty Jane Kloehn of Appleton. That reminds me to say I appreciate folks telling me the year, just the year, when they first joined WRWA. A lot of that information has been lost through the years and I'm trying to reconstruct as much member history as I can.

Jeff Reichenberger of Oshkosh writes: “I'm not what you call an active member. However, I enjoy reading the newsletter. I am in the process of writing a book currently. Are there any sources for research assistance? Any members in Trempealeau County?”

Margaret Houk of Appleton writes: “If some of the board or regular members wonder why I continue to pay my membership dues year after year, even though I rarely attend meetings, they should know that this is my continuing support for the agency through which I got my best help in the 1970s and 80s, when I was learning the craft. I'm past that now, but I want to similarly help others grow and become successful writers, as I did. It is one way of appreciating the great gift WRWA gave me.” What a wonderful thing to say and do. Thanks, Margaret.

Jane Ellis of New Berlin writes: “In the 1992 Yarns of Yesteryear Contest for Wisconsin residents 60 or older, my entry placed 11th out of 342 entries! My award was a year's membership in WRWA. I've been a member since then. I am constantly enrolled in Creative Writing and Workshop classes. I love writing non-fiction and poetry.” Perhaps WRWA should consider giving out memberships as prizes again. We sure got a winner in Jane, who has a Jade Ring and other prizes to her credit.

Joyce Loeck of Appleton writes: “I really like this reminder for membership renewal. The nice letter and form is so efficient.” Ah, gee...

Barbara Germiat, also of Appleton, writes: “Thank you for sending this very professionally presented reminder. I belong to too many things to keep track of when renewals are due without reminders. I enjoy and benefit from reading the newsletter.” Well, Barbara, sometimes I have to be reminded to remind...

Bernice Abrahamzon of Frederic writes: “I am glad there is a Family Rate as we have a very talented couple in our NW Regional Club, and they asked about it. As retirees, $50 would be a bit high priced. They belong to a camera club too, as they are talented photographers. One of our monthly assignments was to write something about one of their photos of a young, beautiful Asian girl. We had a great diversity of manuscripts!”

Bernice also sent me a copy of one of her regular columns in her local newspaper. It was titled “Life in the 1500s” and I wish I had enough room to include it. If you want to know the origin of such phrases as “don=t let the bedbugs bite,” “chew the fat,” and “saved by the bell,” Bernice is the resource. She started doing newspaper features in 1968 and says: “Time goes fast when you're having fun, to coin a cliché.”