E-Calendar December 2009
LSW Activities and Events | LSW Kudos | Area Events | News/Contest/Submissions | Lake Superior Writers Information | About the LSW Calendar |
Compiled by LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS

[Editor’s note: All submissions of upcoming
events—one-time events and regularly scheduled
events—must include in this order day, date, time, name of
event, specific location, name of organization or merchant,
contact person, and contact information if available. Events
are arranged by date rather than lumped together by store,
agency, or person. Normal Ariel 10-point is the font used in
the newsletter. No html formatting is used. Proofreading is
greatly appreciated. Remember that this is a calendar and
not a newsletter, so brevity is important. Thank you.]

LSW member Phil Fitzpatrick is the e-calendar editor. Send your info to him at calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org.

Picture all of this in white, red and green colors! Here –
decking the halls and dashing through the snow – is your
Lake Superior Writers E-Calendar for December.

LSW LITERARY EVENTSback to top

Lake Superior Writers, the sponsoring organization for the
Duluth Poet Laureate program, announces that applications
are now open for the selection of the 2010/2012 Duluth poet
laureate. Poets who have lived or worked in the Duluth,
Minnesota area for five of the past ten years, and who
provide the requested application materials according to the
guidelines, are eligible. The 2010/2012 Duluth poet laureate
will be selected by a committee of representatives from
Duluth's literary community, related businesses, colleges
and universities and those interested in the field of
poetry.

The Duluth Poet Laureate project was established in 2005;
Barton Sutter was chosen as its first poet laureate in 2006;
Jim Johnson was selected as Duluth's second poet laureate in
2008.
Since the establishment of this award, several Minnesota
cities have selected poet laureates, including Saint Paul
(Carol Connolly), Red Wing (Robert Hedin), and Winona (James
Armstrong). Robert Bly was appointed Minnesota's first state
poet laureate in February,2008.

The 2010/12 Duluth Poet Laureate will be awarded a $3,000
honorarium for a two-year term. Funding for the poet
laureate project is provided by area organizations that are
represented on the poet laureate selection committee.

Applications guidelines and more information about the
2010/2012 Duluth poet laureate project can be found at the
Lake Superior Writers website, www.lakesuperiorwriters.org,
or by writing to: Duluth Poet Laureate Program, c/o Lake
Superior Writers, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth,
Minnesota, 55811, telephone number 218-722-3904, or by
e-mail: pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org. Application guidelines
are also available at the Reference
Desk of the Duluth Public Library. The application deadline
for the 2010/2012 Duluth Poet Laureate program is
mid-February, 2010. A crowning ceremony and reception for
the new Duluth poet laureate will take place in Spring,
2010.

AREA LITERARY EVENTS back to top

** Friday, Dec. 4, 7 pm Clover Valley Press will have a
vendor table at the Northcountry Women's Coffeehouse annual
Holiday party on Dec. 4 at the Unitarian Universalist
Church. The potluck will start at 5 p.m., and the talent
show at 7. Jen Wright will read a short excerpt from “Big
Noise: A Jo Spence Mystery.” Call 218-525-4552 for more
information.

** Saturday, Dec 5, 11-12pm Book signing: Aaron Brown
Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range at Northern Lights
Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267

** Saturday, Dec 5 from 1-2 pm - Author Mary Linda Sather
will sign copies of her book Boo Boo Bear's Mission: The
True Story of a Teddy Bear's Adventures in Iraq. Illustrated
by children from military & civilian families. The Bookstore
at Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman 218-727-9077
bookstore@fitgers.com
** Saturday, Dec 5, 12-1 pm Booksigning: Gail de MarckenThe
Nutcracker and the Mouse King at Northern Lights Books &
Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 5, 1-2 pm Booksigning: Mitch Omer Damn
Good Food at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park
Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 5, 2-3 pm Booksigning: Sally Bair Williwaw
Winds at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr,
Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Sunday, Dec 6 12 noon – 4 pm. Two Duluth publishers
whose 2008 releases were honored as finalists at the
2009 Minnesota Book Awards have decided to combine their
efforts for a Holiday Book Sale they hope will both help
clear their shelves and raise some money for C.H.U.M. Holy
Cow! Press and X-Communication will be setting up shop at
the Spiritual Deli, 3 West Superior Street, and they are
inviting some friends along. Authors from Holy Cow! Press,
including Anthony Bukoski, Jim Perlman, and Duluth’s Poet
Laureate Jim Johnson, will be on hand to sign copies of
their books, as will authors Jim Heffernan, Chuck Frederick,
Denny Anderson, and Tony Dierckins. Refreshments will be
served.

** Sunday, Dec 6, 2-3 pm – Booksigning: Shirley
WuchterSermons for the Seasons series at Northern Lights
Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Sunday, Dec 6 from 1-2 pm Author/Journalist Jim Heffernan
will sign copies of his book Cooler Near the Lake:
Fifty-two Favorites From Thirty-four Years of Deadlines. The
Bookstore at Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman 218-727-9077
bookstore@fitgers.com

** Sunday, Dec 6 at 2:00 pm, Nature photographer Jeff
Richter will sign copies of his new collection, Pure
Superior at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600
Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

** Friday, Dec 11 at 10:30 a.m. Tracy Nelson Maurer, author
of "Storm Codes," reads at the Duluth Children's Museum, 506
West Michigan Street in the Historic Union Depot. FREE with
Membership or Depot Admission. The award-winning "Storm
Codes" follows a little girl sending her special code to
bring her father home safely to Duluth from a stormy
freighter trip across Lake Superior. Children can make a
paper sailor¹s flag after the reading, and copies of
³Storm Codes² will be available for purchase and signing
by the author. More info at
http://www.duluthchildrensmuseum.org/ or
http://www.stormcodes.com.

** Saturday, December 12 from 1-2 pm Author/Illustrator
Chris Monroe will sign copies of her award-winning
children's books Monkey With a Tool Belt, and Monkey With a
Tool Belt and the
Noisy Problem. The Bookstore at Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill
Lyman 218-727-9077 bookstore@fitgers.com

** Saturday, December 12 from 2-3 pm Author/Commercial
Fisherman Stephen Dahl will sign copies of his fascinating
book Knife Island: Circling a Year in a Herring Skiff.
The Bookstore at Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman
218-727-9077 bookstore@fitgers.com

** Saturday, December 12 from 2-3 pm Music Performance by
Stone Circle: GeorganneHunter~Harp, Kevin Oftedahl~ Hammered
Dulcimer, Mark Boggie~Fiddle& Guitar
The Bookstore at Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman
218-727-9077 bookstore@fitgers.com

** Saturday, December 12 from 3-4 pm Author Christine Berg
and Illustrator April Berg will sign copies of their
children's book Finniginand the Star Jar. The Bookstore at
Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman
218-727-9077bookstore@fitgers.com

** Saturday, Dec 12, 11-12 pmBook signing: Claudia Myers A
Passion for Piecing at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307
Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 12, 12-1 pm Book signing: Karin
WinegarSaved: Rescued Animals & The Lives They Transform at
Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth,
(218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 12, 1-2 pm Book signing: Cheryl
DannenbringBeaver, Bear, Snowshoe Hare at Northern Lights
Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 12, 2-3 pm Book signing: Christina Donnell
Transcendent Dreaming at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307
Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Sunday, December 13 from 2-3 pm Author David Holmes will
sign copies of his new mystery Secrets. The Bookstore at
Fitgers. Free. Contact Jill Lyman
218-727-9077bookstore@fitgers.com

** The Book Group at FitgersThursday, January 14 from 7-8 pm
will meet in the historic Fitger's Inn Board Room. Our
selection is Twelve Below Zero by Anthony Bukoski. We will
meet every 2nd Thursday of the month to discuss books
written by Minnesota and Wisconsin authors. 20% off of the
monthly selection at The Bookstore. Free parking in the
Fitger's ramp. Contact Jill Lyman
218-727-9077bookstore@fitgers.comPlease RSVP

** Sunday, Dec 13, 1-2 pm Booksigning: Richard
OjakangasRoadside Geology of Minnesota at Northern Lights
Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Thursday, Dec 17, 2-3 pm Tuesday, December 22nd, 3-4pm
Pure Superior: Lake Superior Photography at Northern Lights
Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, Dec 19, 12-1 pm Booksigning: Lois
DuffeyZillah’s Gift at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307
Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

** Saturday, December 19th, 1-2pm Booksigning: John
KoblasThe Phantom of the North Shore (BYOB) at Northern
Lights Books & Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218)
722-5267.

** Tuesday, December 22nd, 3-4pm Booksigning: Brian
DurenWhiteout at Northern Lights Books & Gifts. 307 Canal
Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267.

LSW MONTHLY GROUPS back to top

Editor’s Note: Since there are at least
two or three different sources for “monthly group”
information, all monthly groups must submit announcements
each month in order to be included in the LSW e-calendar. Thank you.

** Sunday, Dec 6 at 1:30 pm MEMOIR GROUP. We'll meet at
Mara’s. Call for information: 218-728-1253.

PLAYREADING GROUP. We will not meet in December and will
resume in January.

** Wednesday, Dec 16 from 6-8 pm Third Wednesday
Fiction/Poetry Writing Group, at Chester Creek Cafe, 1902 E.
8th Street. Contact Jill Hinners (349-6431) or Cheryl Reitan
(creitan@d.umn.edu), 218-728-3154.

** Thursday, Dec 17, 11:30 am, WRITERS' SQUARE TABLE at
Chester Creek Cafe. The topic: RITUALS we had in our
families of origin.

** The Childrens Writer's Group will not meet during the
month of December due to busy schedules. Happy Holidays, and
keep on writing. The next meeting of the group is scheduled
for Monday January 11, 2010.
Other Monthly Groups

** Tuesday, Dec 1, 7pm In-Store Book Group: The Guernsey
Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer We’ll
be discussing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Discussion is led by
Anita Zager. Group is free and open to the public. New
members always welcome. The December meeting will feature a
Holiday Dessert, please RSVP at Northern Lights Books &
Gifts. 307 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, (218) 722-5267

Other Book Groups

** Sunday, Nov 1 at 5:30 pm Mystery Book Group at Barnes &
Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller Trunk
Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

** Thursday, Nov 5 at 1 pm New Fiction/Non Fiction Book
Group at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600
Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

** Wednesday, Nov 11 at 6:30 pm Classics Book Group at
Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller
Trunk Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

** Monday, Nov 16 at 7:30 pm Sci Fi Book Group at Barnes &
Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller Trunk
Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

** Tuesday, Nov 17 at 6:30 pm Notable Books at Barnes &
Noble Bookstore, Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller Trunk
Highway, Duluth. 218-786-0710.

LSW KUDOS News about LSW Members back to top

** Eric Chandler's short story "Talk Normal" was published
in the Nov/Dec "Fall Fiction" issue of Oeuvre Magazine.

** On the 2009 Best Seller List at Northern Lights Books and
Gifts is Michael Wuchter's fourth book in the series of
books by season: Walking with Christ, Sermons for the
Summer Season. Consider the set of four as a gift for $43.
His widow, Shirley Wuchter, of Duluth will be signing books
on December 6 from 2-3:00 P.M. at Northern Lights Books &
Gifts, 307 Canal Park Drive near the Clock Tower in Canal
Park. Place orders by calling 800 868-08904.

** Liz Minette had her poem "Four Crows" published in the
literary magazine Blood Lotus. http://www.bloodlotus.org

** CECILIA LIEDER Annual Solo Exhibit November 21, 2009
through January 9, 2010 OPENING HOLIDAY TEA: Saturday,
November 21, 3 to 7 pm Northern Prints Gallery 318 North
14th Avenue East Duluth, MN 55805 218-724-5212/3089
http://www.northernprintsgallery.comhttp://www.cecilialieder.com
Hours: 1 - 6 Friday through Sunday & by appointment Contact
person: Cecilia Lieder FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC This
exhibit is an annual celebration of the original prints of
Cecilia Lieder, one of our region's preeminent artists. It
will be on display at the Northern Prints Gallery, the
artist's studio gallery, from November 21 to January 9.
Lieder's woodcuts are known for their celebration of the
northern landscape. Her richly colored images evoke the full
experience of life in our region - from the smallest
wildflowers on the forest floor to the oldest pines in the
Lost Forty, or the Lake at moonrise. The gallery is in a
vintage Duluth home. Stop in for refreshments and a warm
fire, and meet the artist.

** Very few trees have been destroyed in the publication of
a travelogue by MickyMcGilligan, Last Chance to Travel with
Charley. Completely free, it’s an online book found at
www.lastchancetotravel.com. Worth a look just for the
beautiful design by Jacob LeBeau and the accompanying
photographs by the author.
MICKY MCGILLIGAN
814 5th AVENUE
TWO HARBORS, MN 55616
mmcgilligan@frontiernet.net

Blogs & Sites back to top 

** Join other members of Lake Superior Writers in our new
blog on the lives of area writers. Contribute to our blog
athttp://lakesuperiorwriters.blogspot.com/

** Visit http://scottedelstein.com/ for easy access to
Helpingwriters.com, a site for emerging writers.

Workshops/Submissions/Conferences/Opportunities/Deadlines back to top 

** ARAC Seeking Nominations for the Arrowhead Arts Award
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is seeking
nominations of individual artists and arts advocates who
have had an impact on the Arrowhead Region. The annual
Arrowhead Arts Awards were developed in 1998 to recognize
individuals who have made important contributions to the
arts in the Arrowhead Region. Each year the ARAC presents
two awards to deserving individuals in the region.
The annual Arrowhead Arts Awards were developed to
recognize the work and contributions of individual artists,
arts administrators and arts advocates in the Arrowhead
Region. Robert DeArmond, Executive Director of the
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, explains that "although
these artists and administrators may have been working in
our region for some time, their accomplishments often are
not widely known or appreciated. By recognizing these
individuals, the awards will raise the profile of the arts
in their communities and validate the importance of the arts
throughout the Arrowhead Region."
The George Morrison Artist Award recognizes an individual
artist whose body of work has made a significant
contribution to the arts over an extended period of time.
The selected artist receives a certificate and a $2,000
award. Past recipients of the George Morrison Artist Award
include: George Morrison, Native American visual artist,
Grand Portage, for whom the award is named; William Bastian,
operatic tenor, Duluth; Louis Jenkins, prose poet, Duluth;
Gladys Koski Holmes, visual artist, Angora; Ellen Olson,
Native American bead artist, Grand Portage; Allen Fields,
dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the
Minnesota Ballet, Duluth; Barton Sutter, poet and essayist,
Duluth; Carl Gawboy, Native American visual artist, Duluth;
Cecilia Lieder, printmaker, Duluth; Jim Brandenburg,
photographer, Ely; and Connie Wanek, poet, Duluth.
The Maddie Simons Advocate Award recognizes an arts
administrator, arts educator, volunteer for a non-profit
arts organization, or artist whose involvement in a project
or programs has substantially contributed to the arts in the
Arrowhead Region. This award honors an individual for their
work on a single project or for long time involvement with
arts organizations in the Arrowhead Region. The selected
individual receives a certificate and a $1,000 award. Past
recipients of the Maddie Simons Advocate Award include: Jay
Andersen, former Executive Director of Grand Marais Arts,
Inc.; John Steffl, former Artistic Director of the Duluth
Art Institute; Michael Ricci, former Artistic and Managing
Director of Theater at Hibbing Community College; Dorian
Beaulieu, art instructor at Lake Superior College; Betty
Brown, art advocate, artist, and teacher, Carlton; David
Marty, Executive Director of the Reif Art Center in Grand
Rapids; Eileen Keen, artist and arts advocate, McGregor;
Marek Fuller, founder of the Two Harbors Folk Festival; Paul
Deaner, founder of the Silver Bay Area Community Theater;
Betsy Bowen, artist and arts advocate, Grand Marais, MN; and
Patricia Feld, artist and arts advocate, Effie, MN.
The ARAC is seeking nominations of individuals who have
resided in the Arrowhead Region for at least one year whose
art work or whose involvement in the arts has been important
to the Arrowhead Region. An individual may receive an award
only once.
Nominations may be submitted by letter or email. An
eligible nomination must include a cover letter, a completed
nomination form, a copy of the nominee's resume, and
documentation of the nominee's art work and/or involvement
in the arts. Up to three letters of support may be included
with the nomination. Self nominations will not be accepted.
Nominations for the Arrowhead Arts Awards must be
postmarked by November 27, 2009. Nomination forms are
available in the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council office or
by calling 218-722-0952 or 1-800-569-8134 or emailing
info@aracouncil.org

** A Call to Writers: You are invited to participate in the
first annual Greater Wadena Arts League's Festival --
Affaire des Artes -- Friday June 18 and Saturday June 19,
2010, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Burlington Northern Park,
Wadena. We anticipate 3,000 to 5,000 people will visit
Wadena this weekend for the planned Wadena High School All
Class Reunion. We plan to have a tent completely devoted to
writers. We are looking for a commitment of two hours or
more for sales, book signing, storytelling, or your own
personal presentation. If interested in participating,
please contact the Writers' Coordinator, Gillette Kempf,
with your requirements of further information by December
31, 2009.
Email: glkempf@borealisbookstore.com
Phone: 218-632-2665

** INTERESTED IN OUTREACH WITH LAKE SUPERIOR WRITERS??? Lake
Superior Writers presently provides outreach classes for men
and women in the county jail in Duluth. We are exploring
other possible outreach programs including the Safe Haven
Women’s Shelter, the Northwoods Children’s Home and
other venues. If you are interested in working with a fellow
volunteer to provide a monthly or one-time writing workshop
in poetry, memoir or short story, please contact Gary
Boelhower at 218-724-4985.
Wish to become a member? Visit us at
http://www.lakesuperiorwriters.org/lswmem.html

Respectfully cast forth upon the early winter winds and
thee,
Phil Fitzpatrick, Editor

LSW INFORMATION back to top

Lake Superior Writers prohibits discrimination in its programs, membership, and board of directors participation on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status.

ABOUT THE LSW BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE LSW MEMBERSHIP Member Involvement: We value our membership and encourage your involvement in LSW. An annual meeting for LSW members is held in the spring. All members are invited to participate. Financial reports and a summary of the year's activities are presented to the membership at the annual meeting for review. The LSW board meets monthly throughout the year. Members are invited to attend board meetings, review minutes, and look over financial statements.

Lake Superior Writers Calendar back to top

THIS CALENDAR is a benefit of your membership in Lake Superior Writers. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the literary arts. We welcome information from you regarding events, classes, kudos or announcements to be included in upcoming calendars.We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

Your editor for this issue of the e-calendar was LSW member and volunteer Phil Fitzpatrick. Thank you for contributing and for reading. Address all calendar events to calendar@lakesuperiorwriters.org. Address all concerns or questions about the calendar to Phil Fitzpatrick c/o fitztrick@gmail.com.