Winter Retreat 2020
Thirteen Peninsula Writers gathered at Kettunen in February for the annual Winter Retreat. There was much writing, sharing, laughing, and educating. The Kettunen staff made us a wonderful cake and, of course, fantastic food. Read around, fabulous as always, was attended by some of the Sun Bonnet Sue quilters who share the Center with us during the retreat.
Our presenters this year were PW members. On Friday, Shirley Neitzel’s discussion was “What I Learned from Rejection.” She told us how to read letters from editors without becoming terminally depressed. Then Angela Christian-Sweet presented “Balderdash–the Game that Cures Writer’s Block (maybe).” With a challenge to write a convincing response to a prompt in 60 seconds– with prizes!
And on Saturday PW’s Sarah McElrath discussed ways to design, describe and develop characters in “Must Have Character,” followed by Dick Tipton and “Wholistic Framework for Conflict,” with ways to approach the many elements involved in conflicts.
Even the staff at Kettunen got into the spirit of the weekend, following Cerise’s lead in celebrating National Frozen Yogurt Day, National Wear Red Day, National Kite-Flying Day (we didn’t try that outdoors), and ending with National Pizza Day (there were hints of breakfast pizza on that departure Sunday, but alas it was not to be).
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s retreat. Mark your calendars for the 2020 Winter Retreat—February 10 (pre-conference day), February 11—14, 2021 for the conference.
PW Art-a-Day Final Show and Tell 2019
Around fifteen Peninsula Writers and guests gathered at Schuler Books and Music in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Feb. 2, for the Art-a-Day Final Show and Tell. There was much variety in the art that people did during the month. Quilting, painting, writing, journaling, and other endeavors were shared. And we were well represented from the various parts of the state where PW members reside: Spring Lake, Grand Rapids, Hubbardston, Mason, East Lansing, Middleville.
Many of us gathered for lunch before the event at Schuler’s Café. It was an enjoyable day, and once again showcased the multi-talented group the PW members are.
Look for Art-a-Day to again in January, 2020
PW 2019 Winter Retreat
The weather outside was frightening, but Kettunen was so inviting.
Despite the ice storm, all but one of the 2019 Winter Retreat participants managed to wend their way to Tustin and the Kettunen Center for the 2019 Winter Retreat. In fact, this was the first year that the majority of winter retreat goers arrived on Wednesday. We also were, unfortunately, down one due to a family emergency, so our group dwindled to thirteen. However, even with our reduced numbers, there was still much writing, sharing, laughing, educating, and good eating. Read around, fabulous as always, was also attended by some of the Sun Bonnet Sue quilters, who managed to sew and listen at the same time. Too bad writers can’t write and listen at the same time. Think of all the eavesdropped conversations we could transcribe!
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s retreat. Mark your calendars for the 2020 Winter Retreat—February 5 (pre-conference day), February 6—9 for the conference.
PW Spring Fling Writing Thing of April 21, 2018
