We have been chatting about a wide variety of subjects and our membership continues to grow. Some of the topics we have discussed are e-mail and computer questions, voice, what sources we write from, receiving messages in Microsoft folders, the proper way to use ellipses, and how to properly depict one side of an oveheard telephone conversation.

Jenny Turner did a chat at Coffee Time Romance in January.

Patty Miler had two poems published in the winter edition of The Wisconsin Regional Writer. Don Schablow and Marsha Jordon were also published in that edition.

Welcome to three new members to the group—Jason Fairtueather, Dana Von Haden, and Sharon Thatcher.

If any of you are interested in discussing various writing topics or have a question feel free to join our group. You will be glad you did!

Happy writing everyone!

Members enjoyed a post-Christmas get-together in January at the Jade Dragon restaurant in Grantsburg, ordering Asian specials off the menu plus many pots of tea. Pat Solomonson read a Christmas story to the group.

Kathy Krantz was asked by her pastor to write devotions for the monthly church newsletter.

Alice Ford had an essay about her father in the “Yarns of Yesterday” section of The Country Today, published in Eau Claire (http://www.thecountrytoday.com). Bernice Abrahamzon had a Christmas essay in that newspaper, too. She also had a Christmas story in the Evergreen Shopper published in Spooner.

One of our newest numbers, Josie Fisk, had two letters to the editor published in The Inter-County Leader, Frederic.

Bev Handy made her debut in print by writing an article about a benefit event in her church and it was published in the Burnett Sentinel.

Four of our club members have weekly columns in local newspapers including Sally Bair, Eunice Kanne, Russ Hansen, and Bernice Abrahamzon. Eunice, a retired teacher and historian, just turned 99.

Carolyn Marquardt and Boyd Sutton have had several in-depth articles on the editorial page of The Inter-County Leader.

Edna Thorp is a longtime member of the Janesville Area Writers’ Club and our correspondent for the WRWA Newsletter for many years. On December 9th, Edna was struck by a car while walking across a street. The impact severely broke both of Edna’s legs, several ribs, and a bone in her hand. She is still in Mercy Hospital in Janesville, although she is on the mend and hopes to go home in early March.

Sherry Derr Wille will attend the Electronic and Small Press Conference in Virginia Beach in March. She will present a workshop on “Writing the Older Heroine.” Sherry is also up for an Eppie Award for Outlaw’s Daughter. Her latest book, Double M: The Kendricks, was released in January. Sherry has written 32 books in 3 years.

Raymond Klitzke was awarded second place in Oregon State Poetry Association Fall Contest in the Light Verse category for his poem, “Twister,” with possible publication in the Verseweavers anthology.

Fay MacKenzie of Butler had her answer to the Journal Sentinel question of the week published.

Carol Ortmann reports an honorable mention in a Haiku contest, with publication in Free Verse, (published in Marshfield).

The annual Banquet and Golden Crow Contest was held at the Blankenhaus Restaurant in Portage with members of The Writers at the Portage and Pauqette Wordcrafters participating. Idella Anacker wrote the story of the golden crow. Her husband designed and built it. All winners were members of Pauqette Wordcrafters.

First place and winner of the Golden Crow went to Sarah Mautz for her essay, "The Delineator." Second place went to Idella Anacker for "Strawberry Pie." Third place was awarded to Lou Roach for “Filmmakers Best Flourish In a Most Unlikely Place”. Lorelee Sienkowski won First Honorable Mention for "The Cats Who Walked With Jesus." Second Honorable Mention went to Bea Heberlein for "Survivor."

Lou Roach has attended several poetry workshops presented by Barbara Cranford at her home near Hancock, Wisconsin.

Elayne Hanson had a poem in Free Verse "Excuses, Excuses."

The following people had articles in the “Writers' Write” column of the Portage Daily Register: Idella Anaker, "Keep In Touch," Lou Roach, "Everyone of Us Faces New Year Challenge," Charlotte Clarke, "Memorable Trip to Las Vegas," and Millie Stanley, "The Cradle of Our National Parks."

The Pauquette Wordrafters meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Portage Public Library. New members are always welcome.

In the eighteen years this reporter has been a member of St. Croix Writers, I can’t recall a time when we cancelled our weekly meetings any season of the year. Writing the spring news on this frigid, February day warms my cold fingers.

The seasonal weather didn’t deter these new members from attending our meetings: Louise Meitzner, Gary Hetts, Ron and Bobbie Pearson, Kurt Holtz, Cheri Hillsdale, and Mary Beth Arett.

Our monthly Thursday morning readings at the Joan Salmen Memorial Library in Solon Springs continues with the following local authors: January 25, Susan Litehiser; February 22, Cathy Swanson; March 29, Kay Karras; April 26, Thomas W. King; May 31, Jo Stewart; June 28, Barbara Pavcovich.

Tom King and Jo Stewart wrote essays for the Dailey Telegram, Superior, “Senior Class” published in January and February. “Photo shoot for a Star,” written by Jo appeared in the December/January issue of Reminisce.

Mary Ellen Ryall’s articles, “Life is a parade” and “Santa’s helpers,” were published in January 2007. The Washburn County Register published the inserts as part of a weekly column, “Lakeland Manor” by Janice Organ. Recently, Mary Ellen published the “Colonization of maize: History, culture, biodiversity, and society,” on Happy Tonics, an educational Web site at http://www.happytonics.org.

For their February 11 issue, the Duluth Tribune invited readers to submit what “crazy” thing they did for love. Agnes Kennard wrote about the time she bonded with her future in-laws by joining them in eating a snack of pickled pig’s feet.

The March 2007 Dust and Fire (a writing and art anthology published by Bemidji State) included two charcoal and pencil drawings by Vi Labounty. We look forward to reading the WRWA Spring Issue. Just saying the season makes me feel warm.

Al Ansorge attended the conference, "Love is Murder," in Chicago. Karen McQuestion signed with an agent for her current novel, EASILY AMUSED. Her agent is Jim McCarthy with Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Chapter One meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 PM at Martha Merrell's Books in Downtown Waukesha.

Curtis L.Brown, published a new book, Encounters of the Absurd Kind, copyright 2006 M.I.M.E. press, Neenah, Wisconsin.

Earl Gates, January 5, The Post Crescent, "Family Values Vary Depending On Who's Talking."

The Sheboygan County Writers’ Club held a 50th Anniversary Event at Mead Public Library on February 10th. The club is the second oldest writers’ club in the state of Wisconsin. The public celebration was co-sponsored by Mead Public Library through the Everhard-Forrer Fund. The event showcased readings from a special anniversary booklet. A Collection of Words, Wit, and Wisdom features poems, essays, and book excerpts contributed by club members. After the presentation, guests had an opportunity to peruse displays of books, publications and other works by club members along with an informative exhibit about the writing club’s history and current activities. Irene Luethge Jane Kocmoud, and John Textor had book sales at this event.

The second annual “Write Stuff” writing contest for middle school students co-sponsored by the Writers’ Club and The Sheboygan Press is currently underway. This year’s theme is “The Power of Words.” The contest deadline is February 28th. Winners in three categories—poetry, personal essay, and short story—will be announced in April. Winning entries will receive monetary awards along with having their work published in The Sheboygan Press.

A number of club members reported sales and special events. Sylvia Bright-Green’s piece, “A Christmas Bible,” was published in the Winter 2007 issue of Priority Magazine put out by the Salvation Army. Syliva also had her story, “A Truly Memorable Christmas,” published in the Classic Christmas anthology. Jane Kocmoud had her pantoum,* “Today and Tomorrow,” published and critiqued in the Winter 2006 volume 13 number 3 issue of the New England Writers’ Network. John Textor gave a number of presentations to high school students in Gdynia, Poland, on the Phoenix the subject of his book, Phoenix: The Fateful Journey. John is scheduled for a “Phoenix” presentation and book signing on March 12th at the Mequon, Harry W. Schwartz bookstore. He will also be interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio on March 12th regarding his book. Mary Kuhnert’s poem, “Journey,” a tribute to Father Gene Neuman, was published in the Blessed Trinity church bulletin and worship folder. The poem was read, with flute and guitar accompaniment, at a special mass in honor of Father Gene. Sy Regan reported sales of a dozen of his “Whittling” books. Paul Hanson’s photos were featured as a backdrop to the Sun Blind Lion Concert held at the Sheboygan Theatre. Charmaine Kneever’s biographical piece on Sister Thaddine Chopp was published on the David Scott Writings.com website—
http://www.writing.com/?rfrc=writings.com

[*Editor’s Note: The pantoum is a rare form of poetry. Originally Malaysian, the form was adapted in France. French and British writers were particularly fond of the form in the nineteenth century. Victor Hugo is credited with introducing it to European writers. American poets such as John Ashbery, Erica Funkhouser, Marilyn Hacker, Colette Inez, Donald Justice, Carolyn Kizer, and David Trinidad have done work in this form. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantoum for more information.]

One of our members, Nate Grimm, has just published an article in Wisconsin People & Ideas, Winter 2007, concerning one of our other members, John Gardner, and his early involvement in diversity in broadcasting. Gardner was the first black anchorman in the Milwaukee area, and Nate Grimm wrote a lengthy, well thought-out and documented piece.

Other members are finishing early novels, poems, and classes in the art of writing.

Rae reports, “Our membership in WRWA has encouraged new contacts to our group, so thank you for that.”

[Editor’s Note: This isn’t, strictly speaking, a WRWA “membership” issue. No club or club member needs to be a “member” of the WRWA in order to have the club listed on the WRWA’s Web site, www.wrwa.net. Nor do club members need to me members of the WRWA to have their achievements noted in the Club Reports. But, as Rae Brown notes, being listed on the Web site and having club activities and members’ achievements reported in The Wisconsin Regional Writer does encourage new contacts. And there are other benefits to WRWA membership—this newsletter, two annual conferences, participation in the Online Discussion Group where you can get immediate help with writing issues, and the pure pleasure of associating with fellow writers.]

The Gems are reading original short stories at Barnes & Nobel Appleton through May. Readings begin at 7:00 p.m. the third Monday of each month. A nature theme was read in January. To come are: Romance for February, Murder & Mayhem for March, then Humor, and Nostalgia.

Jan Elias and Don Wydeven were published in Irish Stew’s winter edition. Titles of their work are “Engaged” and “What A Time We Had”, respectively.

It’s been slow. Groups from Hudson and the Aspiring Authors of Steven Point are launched, actually airborne! Two groups in Stevens Point; I learned about the Ya’anmi’il. E-mail me and I’ll tell you all about it.

It’s sad but Rhinelander and Seymour are no longer active. Seymour is close to Green Bay and had over a dozen members, so the opportunity is there. Brown County writers should get organized again. In Rhinelander members should open the door for empty nesters singing the winter blas. How about Manitowoc, Madison (we have one) and a dozen more groups in Milwaukee?

Writers are readers who write! Remember WRWA membership is not required in order for a club o be listed on the WRWA web page. It is a good investment. The only cost is in letting me know. WRWA offers help; a sample Writers’ Club set of rules, a set of prompts to set the agenda along with bits of humor, epigrams and tongue twisters.

Anna Quindlen, the columnist with Universal Press, writes about the Freedom Writers and the power of writing in our lives, the opportunities for all ages. WRWA is willing to help!

Jerry Kiesow, a Member at Large for several years, who is regularly published in many state and national outdoor magazines, has written his first book, Tales of The Peshtigo Putzer. An outdoor book that does not focus on hunting and fishing, as many such books do. Jerry, through the (mis)adventures of Putzer, his family, and his friends, relate tales of skiing, canoeing, rafting, birding, as well as fishing and hunting, all of the events that make the outdoors so enjoyable. (You can almost taste the maple syrup as it is being cooked.) You can get your copy at: www.PublishAmerica.com. (Note: If you would like to hear Larry Meiller interviewing Jerry, go to www.wpr.org, and click on the Larry Meiller show, archives, and scroll down to December 27th.)

Jennifer Turner, who writes the “Just the FAQ’s” column in The Wisconsin Regional Writer, hosted a chat on the online Web site, Coffeetime Romance. Her book, Stark Knight, received a five-angel review at Fallen Angels Reviews, a Web site that reviews romance literature. One of her short stories, "Balloons Away," was turned into an audio podcast for Texas Public Radio. It's through the "Fear of Writing" program. Go to this link for more details: http://www.tpr.org/programs/fearofwriting.html. And if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you'll see the podcast titled "Free Spirits"—where Jenny’s story is located. “I can't tell you how WILD it is to hear a professional reading your work!! It gave me goosebumps. Very, very cool,” Jenny reports, with her usual enthusiasm. She also notes that the Fear of Writing Program takes submissions. So there is an opportunity for WRWA members who might be interested.

Margaret Longenecker Been was the featured writer in the Fall 2006 issue of WestWard Quarterly. Her poem, "Recalling Mr. Crowe," was published with the feature article. Margaret's poem, "A Day in B Flat Minor," was accepted for publication by Time of Singing. Margaret will present two poetry workshops at the April 21st Wisconsin Fellowship of Christian Authors' conference in Appleton. (Please note: Poets interested in forming a group within a 35 mile radius of Phillips, Wisconsin, are welcome to call Margaret Been at 715-339-6734. It would be great to have a "Live Poets' Society" to schedule readings, literary teas, and other poetry-awareness events in the area.)

Marsha Jordan’s story, “If He Only Had a Brain,” was chosen for the new Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers book (coming out in October). She also had articles published in Christian Voices, Power to Share, Good Life News, Christian Mirror, and Wild Violet magazines. Marsha is also known as the Peanut Butter Queen, humorist, and all around fun lady, as seen on Wisconsin Public Television and WGN TV, Chicago. Check out her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter at www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm.

Mary Ann Sparks, fromerly a member of Writers’ Ink, but now a Member at Large, announces her blog at www.westallisNOW.com, a division of CNI papers owned by the Journal Sentinal Corp. “I'm very excited for this opportunity. My blog is named “East End Views.”

Thomas Cannon was the lead author in the book, Cup of Comfort for Parents with Children with Autism, (April 2007). His story about gaining acceptance of his son’s disability was the grand prize winner in this installment of the best-selling anthology series of true stories. The foreword of this book is by Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, whose son has an autism-spectrum disorder. Part of the proceeds from the book’s sale will be donated to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Thomas was greatly helped in preparing his manuscript by the members of Oshkosh Area Writer’s Club.

Charles P .Ries received his fourth Push Cart Nomination from Cezanne’s Carrot for his short story entitled, “Albino Prunes.” This story also received the Editor’s Prize by Cezanne’s Carrot. He was the featured reader at the Wired Wash Café in Santa Cruz, CA. His poetry will appear in the Voices of Israel Anthology, and was selected by the Gorilla Poetics Project for a Broadside. His poetry reviews and essays have appeared or will appear in: Fire Weed, ESC!, On The Bus, Over The Transom, Ashville Poetry Review, Bathtub Gin, Small Press Review, Working Writer, Fullosia, Free Verse, Strange Road, Zen Baby, Remark, Wilderness House Review, Pass Port Journal and Poetry Market. His poetry has appeared or has been accepted for publication in: Active Underground, Clara Venus 2, Poetrystet, Strange Road, St. Vitus Press.

Ruth I. Sellnow had an item published in The Lutheran Digest and has submitted to Town Square magazine.