My response to YMCA President & CEO Jill Tettmann
Dear Madam President & CEO:
It took a little while, but Iโve recovered enough from shock to provide a proper response to your video message of Saturday.
Writers Helping Readers for 21 Years
My response to YMCA President & CEO Jill Tettmann
Dear Madam President & CEO:
It took a little while, but Iโve recovered enough from shock to provide a proper response to your video message of Saturday.
Update: This position has been filled!
Dear Friend of the Muskoka Novel Marathon:
So as to inspire those to excel at raising funds for our beneficiary, YMCA Literacy Services in Muskoka, we offer prizes donated by local businesses to our writers. We are currently in need of a person to contact these donors and organize the prize gathering and awarding. This is a key role in our committee, and integral to the success of each Marathon. [Read more…]
Congratulations to the 2019 Winners of the Muskoka Novel Marathon! This is the short list, details and photos will be added later as I get them.
Most Prolific: Michael Codato
Rookie of the Year: Haley Turney
Spirit Award: Colum McKnight
Techie Award: Krystyne Taylor-Smith
Bum in Chair (BIC): Michael Codato
Remy: Shellie Westlake
Adult Category
Shoes, Socks and Other Body Parts โ Jennifer Turney
Runner Up
Ghost of a Chance โ Lenore Butcher
Honourable Mentions
Disquietude โ Hannah Briggs
The Other Home โ Kathleen May
YA/JUV Category
A Chain of Broken Hearts โ Sharon Frayne
Runner Up
No Visable Damage โ Kevin Craig
Muskoka, Ontario, July 2nd, 2019โWith the days ticking down to the marathon getting fewer, preparations are underway, and that means itโs time to buckle down for a lot of the volunteers involved in making this event happen.
Convenor, Karen Wehrstein, has been writing in the marathon since 2006 and took over the role of convenor in 2009 along with Paula Boon. Wehrstein has been a volunteer solidly since 2010 as co-convenor, convenor, registrar, writer liaison, t-shirt co-ordinator and odds and ends such as signage and badges, rotating in and out of positions. When asked why she does it, this is what she had to say:
โI love contributing to literacy trainingโa gentleman I met at my first marathon who learned to read at the age of 96 was a big inspirationโand I also love giving writers the opportunity for a communal retreat like this, which generates so much good workโa lot of marathon projects have gone on to be published, most famously Amy Stuartโs first novel, that became a bestseller. The big fundraising successes have been a huge charge. We change lives, both for literacy students and for writers. It doesnโt get better than that!โ
Another participant turned volunteer; Jennifer Turney says the reason she keeps coming back is simple, โThese are my people!โ said Turney. โAs a writer, there is an incredible energy at the novel marathon. Youโre challenged and inspired to do your best, but not necessarily in a competitive way. Youโre surrounded by people who share the same passion you do, the environment is almost electric with creativity. I joined the committee because this event not only means a lot to myself, but the people in our town. The literacy programs weโre helping to sustain with our fundraising have helped so many.โ
This yearsโ marathon is scheduled to kick off July 12th at the Active Living Centre in Huntsville. Each year, the event draws in forty seasoned and aspiring authors, and this year, due to a last- minute turn of events, there are two empty seats among the ranks. For an event that has historically filled all seats within twenty-four hours, that is no small thing, and could be an incredible opportunity for anyone who has a free weekend in July and the urge to write.
For more information and to donate visit muskokanovelmarathon.com.
PRESS CONTACT
Name: Lea McKee
Mobile: 705-715-8713
Email:
In 2016, Syrian families starting trickling into Muskoka as part of Canada’s generous acceptance of thousands of refugees during the crisis in Syria. Although many great groups of people sprang into action to receive and give support to these families, it became apparent that there was no formal ESL organization to assist these refugees with language training to support their integration into their new communities. When the YMCA was asked if some MNM monies could be directed to somehow supporting these refugees, they jumped at the chance.
Solely through MNM funds, the YMCA started offering ESL classes in Huntsville. The Syrian refugee crisis was the catalyst – but as you can see from the video – we are now reaching a more global audience!!
To date the YMCA has helped 42 ESL learners through Muskoka Novel Marathon funds. And this year, the YMCA is now starting to offer English classes to newcomers in Bracebridge as well!
Thank you to the dedicated MNM writers who diligently raise funds every year to help support this cause. You truly make a difference. Enjoy the video!
~ Nancy West | Team Leader, Literacy and Special Projects | YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka