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August 1, 2020

National League of Pen Women Denver Branch

Minutes of the Zoom Meeting on August 1, 2020

Present: Ann Klaiman, Raymond Cober, Andrea Antico, Beverly Chico, Atlanta Sheridan, Kay Taylor, Diane Chambers and guest Aimee Geurts

Atlanta opened the meeting at 9:45 am.

Inspiration – Ann read an inspirational piece from Amy Wallen in Dear Writer:  An anthology of letters of encouragement from successful women writers to fellow writers, in which the author compared the art of writing to neurosurgery. Beverly noted that it reminded her of the current research she’s doing on medical headwear.

Atlanta told our guest about the role of a provisional member in our branch. Ann added that one way to become a member of the National Pen Women group is by submitting news articles for which one is paid. She also mentioned the three subjects of writing, art and music which Pen Women undertake to be members. She added that Virginia Campbell is a composer and that composing music is her area of expertise as a member of the national group.

Minutes of the July meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Diane reported that as of the close of July the branch had a balance of $958.54. The July report was approved.

Website -Diane noted that Virginia took down our old calendar on our website and that she was in the process of figuring out how to put up the new improved calendar.

As an aside Ann noted that she had received a note from Carol about getting three poems published and that Ann’s review of Carol’s second book of poems had been received without any revisions.

Membership – Diane reported that she received numerous responses from our posting on Colorado Writers’ Cafe Meet-up and had expected 8 to 10 guests. She sent the zoom link but she said there might have been a problem getting on the zoom link for the meeting. There was a brief discussion about having men as members since several men had responded to the Denver Meet-up notice. Diane noted that the National Association of Pen Women does not permit male members but that our branch had accepted Ray, a notable exception.

Tapestry Update – Diane reported that the Award letter had n=been sent to the winner of our contest and that the school is excited to be getting the prize, a section of the Tapestry.

Programs – Andrea has been volunteering to coordinate the monthly branch programs. Since no one else volunteered for this position, Andrea said she would review the existing list of programs. Atlanta will look into the cost of an unlimited Zoom account for future meetings.

Diane explained how we did in-person meetings in the past. She’ll continue to try to set up Zoom meetings for the group. Diane also noted that there has been some interest expressed in setting up Wednesday evening critique group sessions possibly to begin in September. Andrea suggested looking into other platforms on Google or Microsoft. Ray suggested the possibility of using Skype. Kay will check with Anthony Powell, the Artistic Director of Stories on Stage, about doing the January program. Diane suggested that Ann consider putting on a poetry workshop for our chapter.

Announcements – Diane gave news form National. She reviewed the rules and benefits of membership. Diane added that there was some great news to report concerning National. The gallery of the Pen Women’s Building in Washington D.C. has been featured on the First Friday Dupont Circle Art Walks. Some 650 people visited the Pen Women’s building to view paintings exhibited there and to listen to concerts and lectures held there. These events bring much needed revenue to National. In addition 220 new members joined the group in the last two years. Lastly, Diane announced that after 20 months or arduous work the National organization influenced the District of Columbia to pass a new law giving property tax relief to the NLAPW for the Pen Arts building, for as long as the League is the owner and operator of the property and uses the building for the purposes and activities of the League. The law is retroactive to 2016. This relief will greatly aid the financial state of Pen women and allow them to keep the much revered building housing the organization. Diane reminded the group that the Biennial celebration of the National League of Pen Women has been postponed from April, 2020 to April, 2021.

The next meeting of the Denver Branch will be Saturday, September 5th on Zoom. Diane will send the link to the meeting out the morning of the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40am.

Respectfully submitted:

Kay Taylor

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January 4, 2020

NLAPW Denver Branch

January 4, 2020

Minutes

  1. President, Diane Chambers, called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.II
  2. Guests, Elaine Harding and Shara Oliman were introduced.
  3. Diane read an inspirational piece by Elizabeth Gilbert on how to shake off failure of a project in order to keep living a creative life. The key is to “forget about the last project, and go searching with an open heart for the next one.”
  4. Approval of the minutes and treasurer’s report were postponed until the next meeting due to secretary/treasurer, Kelly Ann Compton, being out sick.
  5. For committee reports:
    1. Budget: Kay Taylor reported that she will work on a budget to report on at our next meeting.
    2. Website: Diane reminded everyone to make sure to get their bios and photos to Virginia Small to post on our website.
    3. Membership, Diane was pleased to announce that our two guests today, both found out about our organization by on-line searches, which shows that we are visible and people are finding their way to us, as well as by way of word of mouth.
    4. Diane announced that the position of Historian is vacant, and asked if someone would volunteer to take photos. Ray volunteered.
    5. Tapestry Contest: Diane reported that the tapestry contest is underway, although Ruthy was not present to report as to what kind of response she has received so far.
    6. Programs: February program will be by Larry Yoder. March will feature a workshop by Aexandra O’Connell, and April will be our Guest Critique.
  6. Old Business: Ray Cober gave an update on his grant search including deadlines. The Chinook Fund is one we will apply for. Ray asked for assistance with writing the grant. Andrea and Diane volunteered.
  7. New Business: Diane reported that the National Organization achieved raising over $25,000, and was awarded with a matching grant of $25,000 by the McGrath Family Trust. Also, of significance is the announcement by president Evelyn Wofford, that our organization is finally gaining more members than we are losing. Diane reminded everyone to vote in the election for the National officers.
  8. Announcements: Karen Gonzalez announced the Denver Women’s Press Club Unknown Writer’s Contest.
  9. Meeting adjourned at 10:50. Presentation on critiquing was by Sally Stitch.

Respectfully Submitted, by Ray Cober, and Diane Chambers

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Nancy Peterson wins 2014 CAL Writing Award

Not To Be Forgiven: A novel by Nancy PetersonOn May 6, Nancy Peterson’s first novel, Not to be Forgiven, received The Colorado Authors’ League’s 2014 award for adult mainstream fiction(book). The historical novel, which focuses on the home front during World War II, tells how the war impacted the Greggoroy family of Hiram’s Spring, Nebraska, which is awash in fear and hatred .Before it is over, the passions the war arouses will forever mar the lives of Sis Greggory, her soldier-brother, Danny, and Horst, a German prisoner of war.

Published by Hugo House, it is available at nancympeterson.com and wherever books are sold. See more about Nancy Peterson– and her several works of non-fiction– by clicking the Members tab above.  Congratulations, Nancy!

 

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Joines Family offers A Lifetime of Poetry

Denver Branch member Elizabeth “Beth” Crawford Joines passed away in 2013. a month before her 102nd birthday.  She was a prolific author of both poetry and prose, who contributed to multiple magazines, including The Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping.  Into her nineties, she attended Pen Women meetings, joyously sharing her hugs and ready wit.  In her nineties, Beth also presented poetry workshops for The Poetry Society of Colorado.

The Joines Family has now compiled a sizable collection of Beth’s poetry entitled A Lifetime of Poetry, available for $25 through the Joines Family Trust.  Contact lauriewolfe@comcast.net or aeklaiman@aol.com for details about the book.  In 2001, Beth wrote:

Now is a Latchstring

There is
no going back.

The tree
can never be
a sapling,
pliant,
bending to the wind–
no more than ash may
turn to flame–
and who would have it so?

Remembering
is touching
fragile cloth with fingertips.
Now is a latchstring
of tomorrow
to hold, to lift
with confidence.

Beth Joines, July 30, 1911 – June 18, 2013.  She loved knowledge of the simple and everyday, as well as the great complexity of all humankind.

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Beverly Chico debuts headwear encyclopedia

bev'sDr. Beverly Chico’s new book, Hats and Headwear Around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia, is now available from Amazon.com.  The 592-page work, available in hardcopy or as a Kindle download, features an amazing variety of the world’s hats, headcoverings, and hair decorations from Native American’s use of feathers to the headwear of Islamic women.   A Denver Branch member, Dr. Chico will present “Hair, Halos, and Hats: Women’s History Through Headwear” at our May 3rd meeting.  Meeting details on our calendar; see also Chico’s member page.

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