Ligonier Valley Writers Update August 30, 2024

 

September 15 Program:

Freelance Writing for Fun and Profit

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​What’s more fun than writing? Getting paid for writing! Jim Busch will lead us in one of his inspiring programs: “Freelance Writing for Fun and Profit.” That’s from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, at St. Michael’s of the Valley Church in Rector.

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This class will discuss how to turn your creativity and writing skills into dollars and cents. Not only is freelancing a profitable way to spend your time, but it will give you an opportunity to polish your writing skills and build your resumé. We will cover where to sell your work, how to approach potential buyers, and what basic techniques to practice. The class will be interactive and will allow plenty of time for your questions.

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The program is free to LVW members and $5 for nonmembers. St. Michael’s is at 2535 Route 381 in Rector. Please email me (jgallagher@LHTOT.com) by Thursday, September 12, to register.

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Jim Busch has written columns for the Tribune Review, Post-Gazette, Valley News Dispatch, and Fox Chapel Herald. He has published a number of articles on Western Pennsylvania people and events. He has given talks all around the country on subjects from creativity to sales skills.

 

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The Ruth McDonald Award for Fan Favorite​

 

We are pleased to announce the winner of the first annual Ruth McDonald Fan Favorite Award for the most popular poem, prose piece, or piece of art published in this year’s Loyalhanna Review.

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To honor Ruth for bringing us such a wonderful magazine for the past 21 years, we invited all its readers to vote for their favorite item in the 2024 issue. The ballots have been counted, and the winner is the poem “Sit” by Jean Podralski.

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Jean was awarded her prize of $50 at LVW’s picnic at Jamison Farm, where Sukey and John Jamison invited LVW to celebrate this year. We had beautiful surroundings in perfect weather for the festivities.

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Jamison Farm is famed for the lamb it produced for fine restaurants all over the country. Since they retired from sheep farming, John and Sukey have published a memoir called Coyotes in the Pasture, Wolves at the Door.

 

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​Loyalhanna Review Donors

 

​Our drive to raise enough money to print 1,000 copies of the Loyalhanna Review succeeded beyond our wildest hopes. Thank you!

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In July we told you that it would cost $3,100 to print 1,000 copies of the Loyalhanna Review and we needed to raise $1,100 to close the gap between LVW’s cash on hand and the printing cost.

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The LVW community went far above and beyond: You raised $3,990 in July! Several LR donors had already donated to LVW’s general fund when they paid their dues back in January. Now we have a nest egg for 2025 expenses.

We did indeed print 1,000 copies of the Review. If you’re on the donor list below and you didn’t pick up a copy or receive two in the mail, please email me (jgallagher@LHTOT.com) and we’ll send you two.

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We’d especially like to thank Mary Ann Mogus, who served several terms as LVW’s president and several more as its secretary. She also taught many writing workshops for us over the years. Her background as a college professor and the author of novels, plays, and short stories made her an ideal teacher. And this year, continuing her long support of LVW, she was by far the biggest single donor to the Loyalhanna Review. Thank you, Mary Ann!

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And thank you to all of our donors. We are very grateful for your support of LVW when we needed you most.

 

Loyalhanna Review Donors, Summer 2024

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​$1,000 and Up

Mary Ann Mogus

 

$101-$500

Nancy and Tom Clark

Louisa and Ron Fordyce

Caddy Harper

Ruth McDonald

Joe and Susan Potts

Sally Shirey

Louise Vrable 

 

$51-$100

James Busch

Michele Jones in memory of John and Mary Naccarato

John and Connie Rusnak

Alicia Stankay

Judith Sturges

 

$20-$50

Kelly Ankney

Linda Sue Baugh

Rebecca Dunn

Don Ellenberger

Jamison Farm

James Hardin

F.J. Hartland

Jan Kinney

Bernadette McDonald

Keith Neill

Walter and Josephine Peterson

Janet Sady

Helen Sitler

Marjorie Tavoularis

Michelle Toohey

Paul Turtzer   

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LVW Calendar 2024
 

September 15, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Workshop on “Freelance Writing for Fun and Profit,” led by successful freelancer Jim Busch. St. Michael’s of the Valley Church, Rector.
 

October (dates TBA). Readings of the winning Flash Fiction stories at local venues.

December 8, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Annual LVW holiday party. Potluck and readings from guests’ writing. St. Michael’s of the Valley Church, Rector.

Please check www.LVWonline.org or https://www.facebook.com/Ligonier-Valley-Writers-124601614313835/ for the latest info and date confirmations.

Judith Gallagher
Publicity Director
Ligonier Valley Writers
jgallagher@LHTOT.com
www.LVWonline.org