The 2014 Muskoka Novel Marathon is complete! 72 hours, 40 writers, a record-breaking $21,000+ raised for the YMCA Muskoka/Simcoe Literacy Programs (last count is not available yet), and 3090 pages written (that’s approximately 618,000 words!). Thanks to all of the writers and everyone who sponsored them in this amazing event. Want to know the writers? See the list here.
Special thanks to 2014 Convenor, Paula Boon and the three organizers of this year’s Marathon Planning Committee: Dawn Huddlestone, Karen Wehrstein and Lori Twining. They brought this year’s marathon to life and it was bigger and stronger than ever. A huge thank you goes out to our many volunteers: Wendy Dingman, Karen Elliott, Britta Gerwin, Alison Hall, Dawn Huddlestone, Sue Kenney, Eileen Lee, Brenda Liddle, Laura Litchfield, Noreen Mitchell, Wanda Sawyer, Helen Takarabe, Lori Twining, Marlene Vettorel, Karen Wehrstein, our many judges and the enthusiastic YMCA helpers for all their hard work. It was also terrific to have alumni, Jacqui Morrison as a volunteer for part of the weekend.
Huge thanks to the overwhelming support of the many sponsors who provided food, prizes and other necessities for the marathon. There is a complete list of sponsors here. Anytime, within the next year, if you happen to be visiting these businesses, please be sure to tell them you appreciate their generosity.
There are a lot of people and businesses who help make the Muskoka Novel Marathon a success. From our volunteers and sponsors, to our advocates and supporters, to our amazing writers, there are an astounding number of people who step forward in ways both large and small (and all greatly appreciated). Let’s hear a great big round of applause for:
Our writers: Martin Avery, Nora Bartlett, Nancy Beal, Noelle Bickle, Paula Boon, Sandra Clarke, Michael Codato, Cheryl Cooper, Kevin Craig, Carol Daize, Sherry Davis-Galvao, Connie DiPietro-Sparacino, Alison Doucette, Tobin Elliott, Lizann Flatt, Pat Flewwelling, Joanne Galbraith, ME Girard, Alison Hall, Alyssa Hawn, Yvonne Hess, Emma Hogg, Dawn Huddlestone, Louise Hypher, Tara Laing, Tena Laing, Laura Litchfield, Paula Mazzocchi, Monika Moravan, Jacqui Morrison, Caroline Pattison, Brenna Pinckard, Dyoni Smith-Page, Brenda Storrie, Urve Tamberg, Lori Twining, Karen Wehrstein, Raphi Wehrstein, and Shellie Yaworski. You’ve really outdone yourselves this year! Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined raising almost $20,000. Every year you set the bar higher. Thank you for helping us support adult literacy.
Our sponsors: aMac Signs, Algonquin Outfitters, Best Western, Bulk Barn, Canadian Tire, Cavalcade Color Lab, Coles Books, Comfort Inn, Granite Engineering Services, Huntsville Honda, Kelly’s Home Furniture, Lindgren Pottery, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Marni Martin Fibre Studio, MBRP Performance Exhaust, Metro, Motel 6, Muskoka Roastery Coffee Company, Robinson’s Your Independent Grocer, Rodeway King William Inn, Rolston Home Building Centre, Schat Bakery, Spencer’s Tall Trees, Springhill Freshwater Company, Sunlife Financial Services (Alan Paton), That Little Place by the Lights, The Great Vine, The Love Tree, The Wellness Place, Town of Huntsville, Treasures and Trophies, West Side Fish and Chips, Wheat-Free Delights, Withey Insurance Brokers, and Yog’s. Thank you for providing delicious food, amazing prizes, and a place to write or rest weary heads. We appreciate your generous support.
Our volunteers: Linda Black, Susan Blakeney, Paula Boon, Alison Brownlee, Mieke Byl, Nichole Caracciolo, Peter Carver, Karen Cassian, Nancy Cousintine, Wendy & Al Dingman, Karen Elliott, Nancy Fischer, Lizann Flatt, Joanne Galbraith, Barb Hallam, Sam Hiyate, Dawn Huddlestone, Sue Kenney, Eileen Lee, Laura Litchfield, Heather Lloyd, Susan Lowe, Linda McLean, Amber McNair, Anne Millyard, Noreen Mitchell, Carol Oke, Cathy Olliffe-Webster, Loraine Paré, Betty Porter, Leanne Radtke, Marlene Robson, Rachel Sa, Wanda Sawyer, Edie Stroud, Erin Thomas, Lori Twining, Marguerite Urban, Michael Wain, Candice Warner, Karen Wehrstein, Nancy West, Kirsty Williamson, and Beth Wright. Thank you for taking on your various roles with gusto. Many hands really do make light work.
Our supporters: Club 55 (Evelyn Wagg), Huntsville Festival of the Arts (Rob Saunders), Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce (Kelly Haywood), Huntsville Public Library (Debbie Duce and Julie Manczak), Nuit Blanche North (Dan Watson), and the Town of Huntsville (Teri Souter, Scott Ovell and the Community Services Committee). Thank you for your encouragement, advocacy and support for adult literacy.
Our media partners: Hunter’s Bay Radio, Huntsville Forester/Weekender, Moose FM, Muskoka Magazine/What’s Up Muskoka, and TVCogeco. Thank you for helping us spread the word far and wide.
Our beneficiary: YMCA Muskoka Literacy Services staff, volunteers and students. We are inspired by the work you do and are proud to support your efforts.
The YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka thanks everyone for the part you played in making the whole event the success it was in 2013.