Page 34 (Poetry continued) sings a consistent music from beginning to end. We are carried aloft toward the heavens with the same delight and power sensed by Icarus himself and we experience with him his final triumph rather than the usual apparent tragedy. Second Place: “The Clutter Brothers” This seriocomic narrative proceeds well toward its conclusion within the amazingly tight structure created by the poet. The line repetition from stanza to stanza and returning to the beginning, a kind of rondel or rondeau, can be a stifling straight jacket, but it works very successfully here. Third Place: “Crossing A Great Distance” These four stanzas present images which very effectively reflect its title in a manner reminiscent of Wallace Steven’s “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” Honorable Mention: Honorable Mention One: “Summer of Horses” I love this strange, almost haunting story, in many ways reminding me of John Keats’ “La Belle Dame Sans Merci.” Honorable Mention Two: “Origins” I feel that this very successful litany perfectly unites form and content, carrying the reader along in the musical droning of the chant. Honorable Mention Three: “A Proper Farewell” Some rather prosaic introductory remarks develop into an interesting middle, an almost sacrificial offering, and lead the reader to a very poignant conclusion. The chance to dine with fellow writers and discuss all we had learned over the past two days made The Jade Ring Banquet an apt wrap-up for the 2006 Fall Conference. Postbanquet honors began with the presentation of the Robert E. Gard Foundation’s Award for Excellence to Ben Logan, author of <strong>Wisconsin</strong>’s all-time best selling book, The Land Remembers. LaMoine MacLaughlin, board member of the Robert E. Gard Foundation, introduced former Award for Excellence winner, Harvey Stower (current Mayor of Amery, WI). Stower presented the award, thanking Logan for showing us all how the land remembers. During his acceptance speech, Ben Logan reminded us that history reveals itself by the telling of stories, and if we stop telling our stories, we cease being a people. Cary Fellman took over mistress of ceremony duties to announce the Jade Ring contest winners. ARTICLE Jade Ring, Dorothy Lund, “Cameo of Dad” 2 nd Nancy Bauer-King, “Tobacco Ties” 3 rd Mickey Burgermeister, “The Crick” Honorable Mention: John Friedell, “Call the Question” Lou Roach, “Filmmaker’s Best Flourishes In a Most Unlikely Place” Betsy Foley, “A Woman Ahead of Her Time” Contest Judge: Jenny Brantley ESSAY Jade Ring, Judy A. Kolosso, “One Less” 2 nd Julie C. Eger, “La Que Sabe’s Bag of Tricks” 3 rd Sylvia Oberle, “An Afternoon and Evening at the Free Clinic” Honorable Mention: Dee Trein-Jucius, “Am I Old” Mary Farley, “Perennial Springtime” Nancy Schultz, “Lady Bratt Ashley” Contest Judge: Carolyn Wedin NOSTALGIA Jade Ring, Barbara Megna, “No Proper Goodbye” Jade Ring Awards Banquet by Pat Fitzgerald 2 nd Harry Sarazin, “A Close Shave” 3 rd Ramon A. Klitzke, “The Switchyard” Honorable Mention: Ruth G. Smith, “Our Way of Life” Margaret Nelson, “The Dutch Knew How” Lola M. Huber, “Grandpa Added The Spice” Contest Judge: Wilma Bedmarz JUVENILE SHORT STORY Jade Ring, Brenda Nelson-Davis, “Elena and the Worries” 2 nd William G. Ladewig, “Turtle Hunting on the Bayou” 3 rd Cathy Conger, “Having Hula” Honorable Mention: Mary Jo Stitch, “The Bakery” Steve Betchkal, “How the Bear Ran Out of Patience” Rachel DeRosa “The Sock-Nest Monster” Contest Judge: Cornell M. Brellenthin ADULT SHORT STORY Jade Ring, Les Huisman, “The Ice Cream Man” 2 nd Neela K. Suklhatme-Sheth, “Two Tigers Cannot Share One Hill” 3 rd Rebecca K. Blemberg, “After the Shooting at 12 th Street Station” Honorable Mention: Charles P. Ries, “Albino Prunes” Mary Jacobsen, “The Red Patch” Richard E. Carter, “Reunion” Contest Judge: Anthony Bukoski POETRY Jade Ring, John Manesis, “The Ascent of Icarus” 2 nd John L. Campbell, “The Clutter Brothers” 3 rd Berit Aaker Pietsch, “Crossing A Great Distance” Honorable Mention: Margaret Been, “Summer of Horses” Sandra Tully, “Origins” Judy Kolosso, “A Proper Farewell” Contest Judge: LaMoine MacLaughlin #
More Pictures from the <strong>WRWA</strong> Fall Conference Page 35 We did it again, friends. We came, we talked, we listened, we read, we networked, we enjoyed each other’s company. There is something very special about the fellowship of writers. We are blessed to be able to enjoy it whenever two or more of us get together. Let us all look forward to seeing each other again at the Spring Conference in Manitowoc. #
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