Greetings:

We need your help. But first, let us deviate to give thanks to the many people who contributed to the success of our Fall Conference and Jade Ring Contest.

We need your help. As successful as the Fall Conference and Jade Ring Contest were, let's strive to increase participation in our conferences and contests. Every body, organism or organization that continues to grow and live depends upon each member's essential contributions. Help us discover and implement changes that will encourage you and others to participate. Please share your suggestions with me, Board Members, someone. WRWA is your organization. You are a vital, invaluable, irreplaceable member. Nonparticipation lessens WRWA's ability to reach its potential and jeopardizes its growth. Help us help you by making WRWA an even more effective and helpful organization, for you and for other members.

Responding to members' requests to hear/read winning entries in the Jade Ring Contest, we are assembling, printing, and distributing booklets containing winning entries from the 2006 Contest. As we benefit from reading past issues of publications to which we plan to send submissions, it is also beneficial to read and study Jade Ring Contest winning entries.

Due to editors' differing interpretation of what published/previously published means, some winners opted not to have their entries included. The following have indicated their willingness to have their manuscripts included: Mickey Burgermeister, Nancy Bauer-King, John Friedell, Dorothy Lund, and Lou Roach - Article; Mary Farley, Sylvia Oberle, Nancy Schultz and Dee Trein-Jucius - Essay; Cathy Conger and Bill Ladewig - Juvenile; Lola Huber, Ramon Klitzke and Ruth Smith - Nostalgia; Margaret Been, John Campbell, and John Manesis - Poetry; and Rebecca Blemberg and Neela Suklhatme-Sheth - Short Story.

The booklet will be an exquisite but economical 81/2 by 11 paperback. Bill Heins is assembling and printing them. Nancy Rafal is designing a suitable cover. I have established a special bank account for the Jade Ring Booklet. If you choose to purchase a booklet for $10, please make out your check to Jade Ring Contest Booklet and mail to Don Schambow, 18045 W. Crab Tree Lane, New Berlin 53146-2702 by December 30th.

To help keep our Web site current and relevant, I'm looking for volunteers to form a committee to identify deserving members and generate short articles recognizing their achievements for inclusion on the “Spotlight On Our Members” page of our Web site.

Keep up the good writing and enjoy the holidays.