Events and Activities of 2006 - 2007

[See 2005-2006 events here]

May 30, 2007

The Chicken and the Road (the Open Road, that is): Summer Party and a Travel-Themed Open Mike [photos --->]

What did the road say to the chicken? “Don’t cross me, or you’ll be sorry!?” Nah, more likely, “Follow me, if you’re open to new experiences!” A fine cross-section of Coop members followed that road and shared each other's travel adventures, at the Coop’s season finale May 30 in the Jessie Miller Room of St. James Church. Partiers were invited to dress for a summer evening on the deck (of a cruise ship) or the beach (in Sri Lanka, Lisbon, or Rarotonga), to sip a cool beverage and enjoy a variety of summer snacks -- and they responded, 30 strong and in fine form and varied costume.

Coop member and well-known author Shelley Leedahl read (with the help of her daughter Taylor) from a prize-winning travel story about an unforgettable San Francisco visit. Other readers who shared travel stories, poems, and a play included Julianna Dunn, Donald B. Cambell, Jeff Smith, Chander Behl, Curtis Peeteetuce, Lloyd Ratzlaff, Jim Weseen, Jeannette Lavigne, and Elyse St. George.

Popular vote awarded Donald B. Campbell the prize for most exotic costume.

Don Reimer MC'd the event, Joanne Blythe handled registrations, and board volunteers ably handled a variety of tasks to keep the evening rolling smoothly. Thanks to everyone who took part, helped out, or just came out to listen and enjoy.

April 29, 2007

Open Mike Readings

Round six, again an evening event at Mystic Java, featured three new readers (Nicole Bear, Vincent Sakowski, and Jeff Smith) and three seasoned veterans (Jim Weseen, Alison Flensburg, and Mike Flensburg). A small but enthusiastic crowd listened to the readers, and lingered afterward for some enjoyable social time.

Jim Weseen MC'd the evening, and Joanne Blythe handled the registrations.

March 25, 2007

Open Mike Readings

Round five of the year, an evening event at Mystic Java, drew over twenty readers and listeners to enjoy a mix of poetry and prose. New readers (to this season, at least) included Nolan Bucsis, Adrienne Gruber, William Rogers, and Belinda Betker. Returning readers included Beate Epp, Amy Jo Ehman, Alma Wagner Roberts, Mike Flensburg, and Alison Flensburg.

Karen Millard ably performed the duties of organizer and MC, and Joanne Blythe again handled the registrations.

March 22, 2007

AGM; Folk Tales with an International Flavour [photos --->]

As part of a brief Coop Annual General Meeting at The Refinery, Coop web designer Karen Millard demonstrated a working copy of the Coop's new website, which had its official launch this evening.

Following this, storytellers from three different cultures enchanted an audience of thirty with an evening of folk tales. Our storytellers included actor/director/writer/musician Curtis Peeteetuce, Writer-in-Residence at the Saskatoon Public Library, telling Aboriginal stories; dancer and African-dance teacher Kahmaria Pingue telling African stories; and journalist, author and U of S PEN Canada Visiting Scholar Ameera Javeria telling Pakistani stories.

International snacks catered by Calories (with a little help from Amy Jo Ehman) and international punch made by Karen Millard added another dimension to our multi-sensory experience.

Special thanks go to Kamal Parmar, who organized the event and performed the MC duties.

Sunday February 25, 2007

Hot Readings, Continued

Our fourth Open Mike round, again at Mystic Java, featured a mix of new and returning readers and performers. New this time were Susan Hayton, Debbie Hagel and Darla Tenold. Returning were Alison & Mike Flensburg, Julianna Dunn, Wes Funk, Don Reimer, Chander Behl, and Donald B. Campbell.

Edda Ryan once again organized the event and acted as MC, and Joanne Blythe handled the registrations. Thanks to both.

Sunday January 28, 2007

Hot Readings in Saskatoon's Coldest Months

In the new year we moved our Open Mike venue to Mystic Java for the winter sessions. This was the first one at that location, and weather and a few last-minute changes of plan kept the crowd smaller than our usual turnout. Five writers read from their works: Leona Schell, Jim Weseen, Donald B. Campbell, Doris Hillis, and Marie Lovrod.

Thanks to Edda Ryan, who assumed the MC duties this time, and to Joanne Blythe, who handled the registrations.

Beginning January 22, 2007

Writing Picture Books for Young Children

In this 8-week class, held in the Jessie Miller Room of St. James Anglican Church, students learned the art of writing for younger children. They were introduced to a variety of picture books and styles, received personal help in constructing and refining their own stories, and were provided with guidelines for self- and group-critiquing. The course concluded March 26 with a by-invitation-only evening of readings by students and guests. The fee for the course was $130 for Coop members, $140 for non-members.

Instructor Dianne Young is an Educational Assistant with Saskatoon Public Schools, the author of two books of children's fiction (The Abadela Voluntary Firehouse Band and Purple Hair? I Don't Care!), and the non-fiction picture-book, A World of Difference, as well as an early chapter-book, Honey Trouble. Dianne also has contributed to the children's magazines Wild and KNOW.

Tuesday November 28, 2006

(Pre-) Christmas Open Mike Readings

Close to thirty literary enthusiasts joined fellow readers and listeners at City Perk Café for our holiday-themed Open Mike. With the help of our host, Pat, in the decoration and beverage department, we offered this festive evening in lieu of a Coop Christmas party (we were partied out!)

Readers/performers included Curtis Peeteetuce, Jim Weseen, Don Reimer, Alison Flensburg, Julianna Dunn, Deborah Morse, Jeanette C. Montgomery, Edda Ryan, Jane Edgett and Sandy Easterbrook.

A tub of candy canes and a door prize draw for two books that won the 2006 Sask Book Awards rounded out the evening. Thanks to Jim Weseen for handling the registrations and the MC duties.

Tuesday November 14, 2006

A Candace Savage Celebration

The Coop Board had long anticipated the placement of Candace Savage’s portrait beside those of fellow literary luminaries in McNally Robinson’s Prairie Ink Restaurant. Candace is, after all, the author of over twenty successful books on a dazzling variety of topics—probably a Saskatchewan record. Oh, and she’s one of the founders of the Coop, five years ago this month. At this evening event, with a small group of friends and a large cake for company, we were able to unveil Candace’s portrait as it will appear among others who have brought so much enjoyment to Canada’s, and the world’s, readers.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Five Years Old, and Ready to Party! [photos --->]

In the fall of 2001, some visionary local writers got to talking... they imagined a spontaneous, grassroots organization for the education and camaraderie of writers in the Saskatoon area. Five years later, their dream is alive, well, and growing. Not only was the Coop celebrating five terrific years, we were also celebrating Saskatoon’s 100th anniversary as a city—and we marked both milestones with a party at The Refinery.

Winning designer A. E. Matheson unveiled the Coop's newly-commissioned logo. Founding board member Karen Millard summarized the highlights of the Coop's first five years. Historian and writer Don Kerr regaled us with his observations on writing and some readings from his own creative works. Over thirty partiers enjoyed the fun, catered food, drinks, and of course a birthday cake.

October 29, 2006

Open Mike Readings

The Coop Board had been looking for a way to bring our members into regular contact with one another, and a regular series of Open Mikes seemed like the best bet. City Perk Café agreed to host us at no charge, so we went ahead.

This was the first, on a Sunday afternoon, and the turnout of 28 was encouraging. Ten readers/performers were lined up, with a variety of prose, poetry, and musical items. We enjoyed work from Amy Jo Ehman, Beate Epp, Alison and Mike Flensburg, Doris Hillis, Lloyd Ratzlaff, Chander Behl, Wes Funk, Alma Wagner Roberts, and (briefly) Leona Schell.

Thanks to Jim Weseen, who took registrations and MC'd the event, to Wes Funk for finding the location, and to Wes again, and Darwin Wagner, who looked after the set-up.

Beginning September 18, 2006

Words for Sale: a course on freelance writing

A full roster of writers and aspiring writers learned how to sell their writing to magazines and newspapers, over an 8-week course that included exercises, written assignments and personal feedback. The course included a mix of in-person and online classes. Registration fee was $130 for Coop members and $140 for non-members.

Instructor (and Coop President) Amy Jo Ehman loves the freelancing life, and was more than happy to share her insights, suggestions and secrets to success. Amy has worked as a freelance writer in Saskatoon since 2000. Before that, she worked at the Star-Phoenix and at CBC Radio and TV. She has published her work in several magazines including Harrowsmith, Canadian Geographic, Small Farm Canada, Flavours and Saskatchewan Naturally (where she also worked as an editor).