2003 Member News, Kansas Authors Club

December 2003

    Mark Bouton, District 2, Carbondale, a new KAC member who has attended District 1 meetings, signed copies of his brand new mystery novel Max Conquers the Cosmos at a book party on Dec. 3, 2003 at The Raven Bookstore, Lawrence. Mark was a veteran FBI agent who loves to study the universe. His protagonist, Max Austin, an ex-FBI agent turned private eye, solves crimes through his knowledge of astronomy. The book is published by Five Star, Waterville, Maine. Other authors at the party included Sally Goldenbaum, Pok Chi Lau, Frances Kite, and Deborah Roden. 12/7/03
    Greg German, District 2, Kansas City, Kansas, has a poem “The 7th Day of Harvest” in the December 2003 issue of Comstock Review , Vol. 17, no. 2. 12/2/03
    Claude Lee, District 1, Topeka, had a letter to the editor published in the December 9 Capital Journal headed “Sebelius is leader.” It was very supportive of her performance in office. 12/20/03
    Tom Mach, District 2, Lawrence, gave a brief presentation on “Bleeding Kansas” and the Quantrill Raid and signed copies of his new novel Sissy! on Dec. 6, 2003 at Framewoods of Topeka. Sissy! is set in Kansas during 1862-1863. One woman’s anger at the brutal murder of her parents leads to an encounter with a slave child’s guardian angel on a Civil War battlefield. The cover of Sissy! features a painting of this scene by Kansas artist Ernst Ulmer. 12/7/03
    Mary Alice Parmley, District 1, Topeka, signed copies of Seasons, her new book of poetry, at R J Carr’s Family Bookstore, Fairlawn Plaza, on December 13. Her book includes sections of seasonal poetry, haiku, and “On My Way,” written in response to life events. 12/13/03

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November 2003

    Connie Beckett, District 4, Wabaunsee County, has recently had an article, “A Newbie’s Point of View,” published in the Wheathearts chapter newsletter of Women on Wheels Monthly Wheater and picked up by the national organization for the November/December 2003 issue of Women on Wheels. Connie, a member of Women on Wheels, wrote the article about how it felt to be a “newbie” at her first Women on Wheels convention held in July in Prescott, Arizona. Unfortunately Connie’s article doesn’t appear online, but a photo of Connie on her Harley is published online. 11/11/03
  Katrina V. Clark, District 1, Topeka, has been published for the first time. Her poem “Halloween Story” appeared in Reader Poetry, Kansas Plus, Topeka Capital-Journal, Friday, October 31, 2003. 11/02/03
   Sandra Detrixhe, District 4, Concordia, has written three non-fiction books for Adams Media. The Everything Quilting Book is now in stores. The Everything Sewing Book will be out next spring, and Zen and the Art of Quilting will be out next fall. 11/23/03
  Greg German, District 2, Kansas City, Kansas, will have his poem “Seasoning” published in the Kansas City Star's ARTS section's “ Poet's Corner” on Sunday, November 30, 2003. 11/21/03
   Robert C. Hagan, District 5, Goddard, author of Joint Eagles, was featured in the October 2003 Active Aging in an article “Life experiences provide inspiration for local authors.” Hagan retired in 1996 from Wolf Creek as a vice president of engineering. He used his experience in the nuclear field to devise his suspense novel about a nuclear terrorist threat. Hagan's book was released in January 2003 and has sold 500 copies. 11/23/03
   Leland Johnson , District 5, Wichita, had a letter to the editor printed in the October 24th Wichita Eagle under the heading “Look Beyond Landfill for Trash Solution.” Leland suggested ways to convert organic waste material into salable byproducts. 11/24/03
   Nancy Julien Kopp, District 4, Manhattan, is a regular contributor to www.writecraftweb.com, a writer's monthly e-zine that features articles on writing, reviews of books about writing, fiction, short stories, and other items of interest to writers. 11/23/03
  Trudy McFarland, District 1, Topeka, had a letter to the editor in the Topeka Capital Journal on Saturday, Nov. 15, including reminiscences of the National Smokehouse, a pool hall on Kansas Avenue once visited by Carrie Nation. (See: She enjoyed the book). 11/15/03
  Robert D. McManes, District 2, Scranton, is featured in an interview with a few selected haiku online in Simply Haiku. Mac also had a poem “The Catalog” published by Poem Niederngasse in its Oct/Nov issue. Another poem “Each memory, a fading poem” appeared in the first issue of a new e-zine Swooping Hawk Quarterly. 11/23/03
  Judie Miller, District 1, Topeka, took second place in the Autumn Haiku Contest sponsored by Horse Fly Magazine, Taos, NM. Her winning haiku will be published in the next issue. 11/06/03
  Elizabeth Nichols, District 1, Topeka, had a letter to the editor in the Topeka Capital-Journal on Monday, November 10. “Don’t focus on frills” encouraged solving the problems of downtown development. 11/10/03
  Roxie Olmstead, District 5, Augusta, will have a fictional story “A Christmas Eve Expose” appearing in the next issue of Active Aging. 11/23/03
   Don Pady, District 1, Topeka, and his book Poetry of William Allen White (Leathers, 2002), a complete collection of William Allen White’s poetry, were featured in the Topeka Capital-Journal on September 14, 2003. Pady has collected approximately 200 of White’s poems published in newspapers as well as unpublished poems from White’s personal papers in the library at Emporia State University. Pady also provides copious notes on the poems, which help to explain the politics of the day. 11/01/03
   Bobbie J. A. Pfeifer, District 1, Topeka, signed copies of her suspense novel Hush Little Baby, Don’t You Cry at The Secret Place in Gage Center on Saturday, November 15. 11/15/03
    Sam Pierson, District 2, Lebo, who regularly attends District 1 meetings, recently read “Margie Blue Pockets” by Anne McCourtie, District 1, Mayetta, at Eugene Field Elementary School. She also shared the illustrations she is drawing for the picture book that Anne hopes to publish soon. 11/11/03
   George Schiller, District 5, Wichita, wrote a letter to the editor in favor of wind farms. “Harnessing Wind” was published in the October 17, 2003, Wichita Eagle. 11/24/03
   Karen Stokes, District 6, Larned, has released her latest novel Talion: A Medieval Mystery, published by Mystery/Suspense Press. Darkess, a twin disowned at birth by her father, seeks revenge and suffers betrayal to claim her birthright. 11/24/03
   Debra Guiou Stufflebean, District 1, Dover, signed her new book Good Night, Mary Ann at on Wednesday, November 19 at Barnes & Noble, Topeka. Her newest book weaves oral history and imagination in a tale about the Sage family who founded the Sage Inn in Dover. 11/20/03
   LeNore Stumpf, District 4, Axtell, has a new illustrated humor book Life, I Think, Is Like a Watermelon published by Publish America, Frederick, MD. 11/23/03
   Ruth Stunz, District 5, Wichita, this year's winner of the Nelson Poetry Book Award for Contrails in the Wind had a book signing November 6th at Delano Book Co, 1919 West Douglas, Wichita. 11/01/03
   Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, recently had articles in Small Business
Opportunities, Start Your Own Business (2) and Capper's, as well as her regular column “How Does Your Garden Grow?” which appears on Sundays in “Active Life” in the Wichita Eagle. 11/24/03
   James D. Yoder, District 5, Hesston, signed and sold over 230 copies of his novels in October. He conducted three hours of lectures on Simone Weil, based on his book, Simone: A Saint for Outsiders, in a Sunday school class at Bethel College Mennonite Church. He also reviewed his novel A Branson Love (inspirational) in the Catacombs Class at the same church on October 19. Jim signed books at the Fall Fest in Arkansas City, October 24-25; in Emporia on November 8; and at the Burlington Christmas Fest on November 22. He will appear at a sale and signing sponsored by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on December 10 at the Lowell Elementary School in Winfield. 11/24/03
   Max Yoho, District 1, Topeka, took part in a Holiday Open House sponsored by the Kansas State Historical Society Museum Store, Topeka, on Oct. 30, 2003 and signed books at Northland Kansas City Border Books on Nov. 1, 2003. Nov. 6 he spoke at the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. 11/05/03

KAC members Gary Clark, Tom Ellis, Max Yoho (District 1, Topeka), Sam Pierson (District 2, Lebo), and Dorothy Masters (District 4, Harveyville) signed books on Sun., Nov. 23 at Waldenbooks at West Ridge Mall, Topeka, at "Simon Evening of Giving," a fundraiser for Topeka non-profit service organizations and the Simon Youth Foundation. 11/23/03

Several KAC members were featured book signers at "Christmas in the Country!," Nov. 8 and 9 at various stops around Southwest Topeka. Writers included Dorothy Masters (District 4, Harveyville) and Anne McCourtie (District 1, Mayetta), Naomi Patterson, Bobbie J.A. Pfeifer, and Debra Stufflebein (all District 1, Topeka). 11/10/03

Kansas Authors Club District 5 received the CityArts 2003 Arts Organization Award for outstanding contributions to the arts in Wichita and the surrounding area. Nancy Glenn, President, accepted the beautiful inscribed glass sculpture from Karg Glass on behalf of District 5 members. Several members attended the ArtsAwards event on October 17th: David Cloud, Roxie Olmstead, Cindy Ross, and Annette Wood. 11/01/03

Left to Right:
Roxie Olmstead, Nancy Glenn, and Cindy Ross

Standing: Nancy Glenn Seated:
Annette Wood, Cindy Ross, Roxie Olmstead and David Cloud

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October 2003

   Barbara Brady, District 1, Topeka, has just published her third novel Seasoned With Salt with iUniverse. It is a sequel to A Variety of Gifts and Smiling at the Future. Fannie Pekum, who zips around on an artificial leg, proves life is never dull in a small town. 10/01/03
   Tom Mach, District 2, Lawrence, has a poem, "Life Tunnels," published recently on poetry.com. Poems are listed alphabetically by title or search for the author's name. 10/01/03
   Dorothy Masters, District 4, Harveyville, had a letter to the editor headed "Difficult Choices," concerning proposed windmill farms in her county, published in the Topeka Capital-Journal on September 24, 2003. 10/01/03
   George W. Schiller, District 5, Wichita, had a letter to the editor titled "Sunflower Glory" published in the Wichita Eagle on Sept. 24. 10/01/03
   Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had an article, "Dreams of things to come--Tulips, daffodils ray of sunshine during winter months," published in the Oct. 2, 2003, Wichita Eagle, Active Life, How Does Your Garden Grow. 10/031/03

September 2003

   Dr. Harold Converse, District 5, Newton, was featured in an article in the September 2003 issue of Active Aging. When he agreed to help his wife Anne with a teddy bear tea party at a Newton art gallery, Dr. Converse didn't know he was going to become an author. But when he couldn't find a suitable story recounting the origins of the teddy bear–or a catchy tune to go with it–he decided to write his own. His daughter-in-law and granddaughter presented his book I'm a Little Teddy Bear (Grandview Gallery, 2000) at Botanica's Teddy Bear Picnic on September 6 in Wichita. Guests were invited to bring their favorite bears to stroll along Botanica's Woodland Walk. 9/4/03
   Insight Out, an anthology of prose and poetry including work by Kansas Authors Club District 1 members Karen Brown, Bob Carey, Edna Ferguson, Evie Green, Agnes Kazminski, Trudy McFarland, Judie Miller, Mary Lou Stein, and Rosemary Torrez, and Carolyn Gibson and Barbara Waterman Peters, who also contributed the art work for the volume, is now at the printer and will be released at the KAC Convention. All are members of The Write Stuff writing group. 9/19/03
   Toby Elster, District 5, Wichita, had a letter to the editor titled "Economics 101" published in the Wichita Eagle Sept. 2, 2003. 9/4/03
   Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had an article "Dazzling Dahlias Rowdy Riot of Color" published in Active Life, a supplement of The Wichita Eagle, on September 4, 2003. 9/4/03
   Max Yoho, District 1, Topeka, recently signed a contract with Books In Motion of Spokane, Washington, to produce his two novels as audiobooks. Both The Revival and Tales from Comanche County will be produced, unabridged, in cassette and CD formats. Production may take up to a year. Kansas authors Irene Bennett Brown, Don Coldsmith, and writing-team Vicky Britton/Loretta Jackson also have had their work produced as audiobooks by Books In Motion. 9/4/03

August 2003    Roxie Olmstead, District 5, Augusta, had an article, "Some Hospitals Use Humor to Heal," published in the Fall 2003 issue of Brave Hearts. 8/15/03
   Naomi Patterson, District 1, Topeka, now has her column appearing on the fourth Sunday of each month in the Hers section of The Topeka Capital-Journal. 8/15/03
   Sally Taylor, District 1, Tecumseh, recently received a finalist award for Best Reference Book at the seventh annual 2003 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards for On My Own: The Ultimate How-To Guide for Young Adults (published by Silly Goose Productions, LLC). Awards were presented to winning publishers at BookExpo America in Los Angeles on Friday, May 30th, 2003. 8/15/03
   Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had an article "Sunny Faces of Summer" about sunflowers published in Active Life, a supplement to the Wichita Eagle, under How Does Your Garden Grow? on August 7, 2003. 8/15/03
   Max Yoho, District 1, Topeka, spoke on Sunday, August 10th at "Second Sunday at Lakeview Village," 9100 Lake Street, Lenexa, Kansas. Max entertained with humorous stories and discussed his two novels set in Kansas, The Revival and Tales From Comanche County. 8/15/03
On Sunday, August 24 Max participated the grand opening of Northland Kansas City's Border Books Store in Kansas City, MO. On August 25 Max made a guest appearance on Kansas City Public Radio station KCUR's "Walt Bodine Show" (89.3 FM). You can listen to Max on-line, even if you've missed the broadcast. At the Archive web site select: Walt Bodine 08-25-03 Author Max Yoho. 8/26/03

July 2003
Dorothy Masters, District 4, Harveyville, had an article “Keeping Comforts of Home Means Everything” published in Beyond 50 in The Topeka Capital-Journal on Sunday, July 27, 2003. She also had a letter to the editor “Profound Message” published on Wednesday, June 4. 7/29/03

June 2003
Edna Ferguson, District 1, Topeka, has recently had two letters to the editor published in the Topeka Capital Journal: "Privacy in Peril" on May 30 and "Wildlife Over Retail" on June 6. 6/3/03
Max Yoho, District 1, Topeka, has been nominated for a Kansas Arts Commission 2003 Governor's Arts Award by Susan Marchant, director of the Kansas Center for the Book, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Also, on June 2 Max was kick-off speaker for the Pittsburg Public Library's adult summer reading program. This year's state-wide youth and adult reading program theme is "Laugh It Up @ Your Library." 6/15/03

May 2003
   Toby Elster, District 5, Wichita had a letter "Use the public's language" published in the Oil & Gas Journal, March 31, 2003. 5/5/03
   Dave Halle and Lydia Gonzalez, District 7, Garden City, were awarded top honors in the 2003 District 7 Kansas Authors Club Literary Contest.
   Halle’s free verse poem titled “Look, Stop Being Stupid and Turn Around Already” was selected from forty-four entries in the poetry division. Gonzalez’s short story titled “Gringo/Ringo” was selected from ten entries in the prose division.
   The awards ceremony took place at the annual spring meeting on April 19 at the Wheatlands Convention Center in Garden City.
    The literary contest is an annual event for the Kansas Authors Club. The District 7 contest is limited to writers residing in western Kansas, and the district encourages all writers to enter the statewide contest later in the year. 5/2/03
   Sam Majdi, District 5, Wichita, will sign copies of Lover's Paradise: Book of 222 Love Quotations, 7-9 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 2003, at Borders Book Store, 1715 N Rock Rd, Wichita. 5/2/03
   R. D. McManes, District 2, Scranton, has a poem "Mountains of the Mind" in the May/June Baroque Review, a new e-zine focusing on art, photography, and poetry. Each issue has a specific theme. There's a forum where you can place your work for consideration. "Clone-a-poem" is also scheduled to appear in Newtopia in May. 5/28/03
   Vicki Miller, District 7, Satanta, gave a presentation at the spring meeting. Miller is the co-author of two books of children’s sermons--Children’s Sermons to Go: 52 Take-Home Lessons About God and More Children’s Sermons to Go. 5/2/03
   Raymond Nelson, District 5, Wichita, retired Dean of Language and Literature at Friends University, was nominated by Dorothy M. Ternes, District 5, Wichita, for the "Poets of the Plains" series compiled by Arlice Davenport of The Wichita Eagle in observance of National Poetry Month. Dorothy's letter, quoting from the title poem of Ray's book ...and the Kansas Wind Blows, appeared on Sunday, April 27, 2003, page 7E. 5/2/03
   Roxie Olmstead, District 5, Augusta, is published in the June 2003 Good Old Days Magazine. Her article "Looking Hollywood Way" is about the silent screen star Phyllis Haver. Roxie gives presentations on Haver. 5/9/03
   Ruth Stunz, District 5, Wichita, author of Contrails in the Wind, had a book-signing at Delano Book Co., Wichita, on Sunday, April 27, 2003 5/2/03
   Irma Wassall, District 5, Wichita, who received the Kansas Governor's Award for individual artistic achievement in the literary arts in April of 200l at age 93, was nominated by both Lee Streiff, Wichita, and Grace Becker, District 5, Wichita. Streiff quotes from Irma's poem "Zebra Sky." Grace mentions Irma's dedication to mentoring other aspiring writers. The "Poets of the Plains" series was compiled by Arlice Davenport of The Wichita Eagle in observance of National Poetry Month and appeared on Sunday, April 27, 2003, page 7E. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/travel/5725035.htm
   Davenport particularly recommended B. H. Fairchild, who now lives in California but still writes about Kansas in his new book, Early Occult Memory Systems of the Lower Midwest, which recently won the National Book Critics Circle Award for 2003. Other Kansas poets mentioned were David Beard, Jeanine Hathaway, Michael Poage, and Jeff Worley. More letters will appear next week 5/2/03
   Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had an article "Popular Peonies" published in the "How Does Your Garden Grow" section of Active Life, a Wichita Eagle supplement, on May 1, 2003. 5/2/03

April 2003
   Harold Converse, District 5, Newton, author of How the Teddy Bear Got Its Name, and Robert Hagan, District 5, Goddard, author of Joint Eagles, have recently been added to the local shelves at Delano Book Company.
   Local writers are encouraged to get their books to Delano Book Company so they can be available to the public! Contact Nancy Glenn, nancyglenn@cox.net, for more information and to schedule a book signing! What a great help in promoting and marketing your books. 4/16/03
    Evie Green, District 1, Topeka, has a letter to the editor "Cheers for History Series" the April 10, 2003 Topeka Capital Journal. 4/10/03
    Bob Lawson, District 1, Topeka, has recently signed a contract for his book Bridge of Dreams to be published by Creative Arts Book Co., in Berkeley, CA. Bob plans to sell and sign books at the 2004 Convention to be held in Topeka. 4/10/03
    Donavene Brian Liggett, District 1, Topeka, had a booth at the HERS Kansas Expo, 10 am to 7 pm, April 22, 2003, at the Expocentre. Donavene featured her latest book, Our Quiet Heroes (about caregivers and long-term care giving), and other works. Among them are Generations, a small book of writings by eight generations of women from one family from 1895 to 1992, and I Remember the 1930's, including the plains of Kansas, the Depression, the back door vendors, from a five-year-old’s perspective. 3/25/03
    Dorothy Masters, District 4, Harveyville, has an excellent article, "Life goes on in spite of arthritis," published in the Topeka Capital Journal's "Beyond 50" magazine (Sunday, April 27, 2003 issue). Dorothy attends District 1 meetings regularly. Congratulations, Dorothy! 4/28/03
    Dorothy Masters, District 4, Harveyville, has her new book back from the printer. A Day on the Trail, is now available from the author. Dorothy attends District 1 meetings regularly. 4/24/03
    Trudy McFarland, District 1, Topeka has a story about "The McFarland Bakery and Cafe" appeared in the May Specials issue of Good Old Days Magazine.(District 1, Topeka) 4/10/03
    Elizabeth Nichols, District 1, Topeka, known as Grandmother Fluteplayer, is a renewing KAC member who recently moved back to Topeka from Colorado Springs. She presented a program of Indian legend and love songs, a benefit for the Unity building fund, at Unity Church of Christianity, Sunday April 27, 2003. 4/28/03
    Donald Stuart Pady, District 1, Topeka, a new Kansas Authors Club member, gave a presentation about his new book, Poetry of William Allen White, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Topeka, on Friday, April 11, 2003. William Allen White was an early member of Kansas Authors Club. Donald has collected and edited nearly 200 poems with annotations and detailed explications of the famous newspaper editor's poetic intentions. 4/12/03
   Cynthia Ross, District 5, Towanda, will be giving a first person characterization, in costume, of Gene Stratton-Porter at the Clearwater Public Library, Thursday, April 24th at 6:30 pm. Along with the presentation there will be a book display of Gene's books written in the early 1900s, such as Freckles, Girl of the Limberlost, The Keeper of the Bees, and many more. Gene was not only an author, but also a poet, naturalist, and photographer.
   Please contact Cynthia if you'd be interested in booking a performance in your town. Her address is different than what is listed in the KAC yearbook due to a recent move: Cynthia Ross, 11464 SW 48th Terrace, Towanda, KS 67144-927, phone # 316-778-1619, birdwoman@powwwer.net 4/16/03
    Mary Lou Stein, District 1, Topeka, had a letter to the editor "Time for Renaissance" published in the February 23, 2003 Topeka Capital-Journal. 4/10/03
    Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had two articles published in the April 7th Active Life, a supplement of The Wichita Eagle. "Diagnosis: Write a Book" was about the non-fiction book From House Calls to High-Tech: Memoirs of a 20th Century Woman Doctor by Doris Griffin North. "Perfect Vegetable for Spring: Asparagus," which appeared in the “How Does Your Garden Grow?” section, spoke of the planting, tending, and use of the hardy perennial. 4/10/03
    Max Yoho, District 1, Topeka, spoke at the Annual Dinner of the Friends of the Burlingame Community Library, on Thursday, April 24, 2003. Listeners laughed as Max expounded on his short career as a farmer, how he fell in love at the library, and how he came to write his humorous novels, The Revival and Tales from Comanche County. 4/28/03
    James Yoder, District 5, Hesston, has a new book A Branson Love: An Ozark Romance recently released by St. Kitts Publishing. 4/16/03
    Margory Bassett is chair of the literary committee of the National Arts Club in New York. Her book, Never Say Stark Naked, ISBN 1-56649-246-7. Publisher Contact: Chuck Kim, Welcome Rain Publishers, 23 W 26th Street, New York, NY 10010. 4/16/03

March 2003
   Roxie Olmstead, State Financial Secretary, District 5, Augusta, was featured in the Wichita Eagle on December 26, 2002, in an article about her research and writing for a Butler County annual contest. She has had several articles published recently. “The Old Swimming Hole” (nostalgia) appears on the Kansas Natural Resource Council's home page. “Motivation Came from Afar” (Inspirational) was published in Brave Hearts, Winter 2002. “The Day the Washer Took a Hike” (nostalgia) appeared in Mature Living, January 2003. “Generation Gorge” (humor) was published in Citizens in America, February 2003. 3/1/03
    Annette Wood, District 5, Wichita, had an article published in Active Life (a supplement of The Wichita Eagle), March 3, 2003. "It's Almost Time to Plant Potatoes" appeared in the section titled How Does Your Garden Grow? "Have you planted your potatoes crop yet? If you're like Gail and Clyde Martin, you'll wait until St. Patrick's Day to start your planting. Last year, after waiting for the right conditions—not too muddy or too cold—the Martins planted 200 pounds of potatoes. They harvested 1,500 pounds, some to eat and the rest to sell at the local Farmers' Markets." Gail Martin, District 5, El Dorado, reports that they just enjoyed some of their delicious Yukon Gold hashbrowns for breakfast this morning. 3/18/03
    Carol Yoho, District 1, Topeka, had two photographs featured in Inscape, the literary magazine of Washburn University, published in March. This, the 2002 issue, also included a short story, "The Invitation," by Tulora Roeckers, District 1, Topeka. 3/24/03
    A book signing was held on Saturday, Mar. 15, at Hastings in Topeka for KAC members Annette Hope Billings, Robert D. Carey, Tom Ellis, Duane L. Herrmann, Agnes Kazminski, Dorothy Masters, Sam Pierson, and Max Yoho. Topeka Capital-Journal article • Photos of event 3/13/03

February 2003
   Annette Hope Billings, District 1, Topeka, won the First Place Olive Ann Beech Award in the Kansas Factual Stories Contest, a statewide contest sponsored by The Native Sons and Daughter of Kansas. In her story, “Occasions to Laugh.” Annette turns a potentially embarrassing incident as a schoolgirl at Clay Street Elementary to humor and a valuable life lesson. 2/21/03
    Dr. J. E. Block, District 3, Coffeyville, is published often in Integrative Health and Healing. 2/21/03
    Luanne French, District 6, Great Bend, has written a novel, Cruising Toward Romance, which will be published by PublishAmerica. 2/21/03
   Nancy Glenn, District 5 President, Wichita, has recently opened Delano Book Co., a bookstore for new, used, and unexpected books, at 1019 W. Douglas, Wichita. Nancy will feature readings and signings in her local author section. Call 316-263-8336 to schedule. 2/21/03
    Evie Green, District 1, Topeka, has received publication offers for two memoir pieces from Good Old Days Magazine. “The Spooks, the Wire, and the Ogre” will appear in the November 2003 issue. 2/21/03
    Tom Mach, District 2, Lawrence, recently has had columns published on the internet. Tom’s theme, something all of us could heed, is “How Not to Get Published.” Check out his most recent column at www.hazelst.com/writer/column.htm. The page also provides a drop-down list to help in finding his previous columns. You’ll laugh and maybe learn something, too. 2/21/03
    Trudy McFarland, District 1, Topeka, won an Honorable Mention Olive Ann Beech Award in the Kansas Factual Stories Contest. In “McFarland’s Bakery and Café,” Trudy tells the story of McFarland’s Restaurant from its very beginning in 1934. Trudy’s story will be published in the May issue of Good Old Days Magazine. 2/21/03
    Ivan Pfalser, District 3, Caney, writes a weekly column on southeast Kansas history for the Caney Valley Historical Society. Ivan’s column appears in Good News, a weekly newspaper in Caney. 2/21/03
    Tulora Roeckers, District 1 Vice-President, Topeka, recently won a Midwestern Psychological Association award for research on "Effects of hair length and symmetry on perceptions of attractiveness and age,” and a Psi Chi research grant for "Effects of hair length, hair color and facial symmetry of perceived attractiveness." Tulora will head for the MPA conference in Chicago in May. She is a psychology student at Washburn University. She is also a poet. 2/21/03
    Frankie Roland, District 3 President, Coffeyville, was published in Capper’s and Happiness in January 2003. 2/21/03
    Tracy Simmons, District 7, Dodge City, has been selected as one of the recipients for a Kansas Arts Commission mini-fellowship in fiction writing award. 2/21/03
    LeNore Stumpf, District 4, Axtell, was recently interviewed by Ron Harbaugh on Channel 13 Topeka about her book, Branded with Love. 2/21/03
    Rosemary Torrez, District 1, Topeka, has a poem published in the March/April Saturday Evening Post. "You Gotta ‘Hand’ It to ‘Em” appears on the Post Scripts page. 2/21/03
    Ursula Turner, District 3, Coffeyville, has sent off the manuscript for her first book. 2/21/03
    Marvin Wambsganss (State Treasurer) and Jean Di Paulo, District 6, Hutchinson, were happily married on New Year’s Day. Afterward, they traveled around the state to give classes for the AARP tax consultants. Near Concordia, Marvin noticed some health problems. It was found he had a brain tumor. He was airlifted to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita where surgery was performed January 25. The tumor was not malignant, and he is progressing well. He has been in rehab in Wichita and will return home on Saturday, February 15. Jean will continue to help him with his therapy. 2/21/03