A Sucessful Transition

Hello to all!

After continually advising folks to read "The Blog", I apologize for being remiss in getting a post-meeting comment up here. Upon finally, being able to have a fully functioning E-Mail service, I'm afraid I got caught up in dealing with the backlog of piled up correspondence.

Our first meeting at the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department was well attended. First, I'd like to welcome all the new faces and thank everyone for coming. I was thrilled to see the growth of attendance by the poets. Other than the normal wrinkles which always seem to accompany the unpacking from a trip, along with the venturing home through Nature's display of fireworks, all went well. I'd like to thank all the readers for their great contributions, and reiterate my praise for Rita Barry, who I believe impressed everyone after of months of relative silence and rapt attention to others.

I've received a suggestion that we have a 'suggestion box' of input and possible questions to be discussed in a question and answer segment. Upon pondering that idea coupled with others suggesting smaller critique groups, I do believe we'll try something new at the July meeting. In the beginning with Ed's return, we'll lead off with Ed's Story Time read by Linda White, which is a tradition now. Then, we'll break up into smaller groups of genre-type writers and devote an hour to critique of small portions or excerpts so that more can be involved. It will be up to each sub-group how they want to do it. Each group can select their own leader or set time rules and procedure. I will keep my role out of that portion.

At 7:45, we'll re-join as one group and the last hour will be devoted to whatever is in the suggestion box, or asked on the spot. With an agenda of this type, more will get to take part, more time will be spend on the craft of writing, and camaraderie will increase as people get to know each other better.

I would appreciate comments of a yeah or nay nature on this proposed agenda without expectation of reply. I am entirely too bogged down with individual emails. If you have a specific question of a general nature, please write it on a piece of paper and toss it into the suggestion box when you arrive. If it's of a private nature, then of course, feel free to email me.

At discussion time, I'll just start reading them at random. You needn't sign your name if you'd rather remain anonymous. The only thing I wouldn't address is a critical remark about someone else's work, or using someone else to illustrate a negative. We aren't there to desparage each other, but to encourage. Yet, we are also there to learn! Sufficient time for both these elements is going to have to be allotted or people will lose interest.

I have arranged for a guest speaker for the month of October when everyone returns from summer traveling. More on that later.

Susan

Another Barry Recipe Published

Rita Barry, one of our group's new and talented writers, has had another one of her international cuisine recipes published on the "Where and What In the World?" blog. This blog is published by well-known writer and food expert, Bree Hill, and is aimed at a world-wide audience interested in extraordinary destinations, food and wine, and assorted topics related to travel.

Bree says Rita Barry's Spicy Almonds recipe "has a Moorish feel about it, reminds me of the Andalucia region of Spain. ... The rich color of the soy sauce and the flavor of cayenne pepper bring together a delicious mix of tastes." The entire mouth-watering recipe is available on the "Where and What In the World" blog at http://www.noralyn.com/blogger/blog1.

Rita Barry's Dessert Blueberry Cups is also available on the same website as a June 1st blog entry. Try both recipes for your next get-together. You're sure to get rave reviews from all your guests.

Rita is also working on a book of recipes that she expects to publish in the near future.

Congratulations, Rita! And consider yourself a valuable addition to our Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Writers Association! We'll look forward to hearing more about your writing progress at our next meeting.

Posted by
Russ Heitz

New Meeting Place

Just a reminder: our new meeting place starting Wednesday evening, June 17th, will be the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department's conference/training room. The Fire Department is located at 111 Pavonia Road in Nokomis just off Route 41 (Tamiami Trail). The meeting will start at 6:30 and end about 9:00.

For those coming from Sarasota and north county, Pavonia Road is just south of Albee Road at the flashing yellow emergency vehicle lights. Turn right onto Pavonia Road.

For those coming from Venice and south county on Route 41 (Tamiami Trail), cross the Shakett Creek Bridge and turn left at Albee Road and then come south again on Route 41. Turn right onto Pavonia Road. There is an opening in the median at the flashing yellow emergency lights for north-bound vehicles but that is for emergency vehicles only. It should not be used to turn left off Route 41 onto Pavonia Road.

A prominent landmark at the Albee Road crossing is the large Matthews-Currie Ford dealer on the east side of Route 41.

The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department is on the left side of Pavonia Road. Our meeting room will be in the second tan building. One of our members will be outside of the building to give directions. There is plenty of parking space just beyond the second building.

This is an excellent facility for us and we are very fortunate to be able to reserve it for our Wednesday night meetings. As Susan told you, our group as a whole has donated $100 to the Fire Department for the use of this facility for the coming year. This is an exceptionally low price and one that we should all be grateful for. The room will also be available to us for special events at other times, as needed. Bring your suggestions to the next meeting.

For those of you who would like to donate $5.00 to help us pay for this room, please bring the money to our next meeting on June 17th. For those who have already made their donation, a big THANK YOU to each one of you!

See you June 17th.

Susan Haley/Russ Heitz