StoryFest News
November 2009 Sunday marked the end of StoryFest's month-long journey through Hudson celebrating writers, readers and storytellers. Featured guests Jane Urquhart, Donna Morrissey and Jan Wong were the big names hosting this year's events, filling the Hudson Village Theatre three times. "Greenwood Centre is a non-profit charitable organization," said Audrey Wall, Executive Director. "Three years ago, StoryFest was still being operated under a deficit. With hard work and dedication from the committee, we made the move to the theatre and other larger venues hoping to draw bigger crowds with higher profile guests," she adds. Next year's lineup, already in the making, tentatively includes Nino Ricci, MG Vassanji and Claire Rothman. Applications for funding were submitted to the Canada Council for the Arts in September. "There are many expenses associated with putting on StoryFest, our biggest annual event. It's nice to finally come out ahead. It's a testament to the hard work of so many invaluable volunteers," says Wall. The committee of volunteers for Greenwood Centre's StoryFest includes Audrey Wall, Jane Havard, Sharon Sullivan, Diane Ratcliffe, Donna Seaman, Sandy Racicot and Christine Coté, each bringing a unique talent to the table. It was Havard's idea to introduce a season pass for all of the events last year. "It gives us a core group of people to count on and encourages them to come to all of the events. It's also a nice way to save on entrance fees with the discounted price. We sold 50 passes this year and expect to do better next year," says Havard. Greenwood's volunteer support also includes students from the Young Canada Works summer program, whose contribution is also invaluable. "This year Caroline Cawley and Katie Scotcher gave us 14 weeks of their time making tickets, posters, website updates, and virtually anything else we asked of them," said Havard. United by a passion for words and educating, the ladies of Greenwood hold fast to StoryFest's motto: "Our stories are your past, your stories are our future" when planning what has become the second biggest fundraiser for Greenwood after Treasures in the Attic. Jane Urquhuart said it best when she hosted the special opening event for pass-holders, "Every story needs a place to start from. The Greenwood home is a wonderful place." Fundraisers like StoryFest work to promote and preserve Greenwood in the hearts and minds of the community while at the same time merging place with festival. Sponsorship from both individuals and companies has been generous. "Theatre Panache made it possible for StoryFest to have a printed booklet this year, on-line ticket purchases, and allowed us to ride on their coat-tails reserving three evenings for Greenwood in their theatre schedule," says Wall, noting one of many contribution to StoryFest's success. "Maria Loggia was also very gracious," she adds, "in donating the ticket price from her lunch event at the Community Centre to Greenwood." Tickets sold for $20 per person and the event was hugely successful with eight full tables of 10. Loggia's new cookbook, launched last week, has already sold just over 120 copies at A Temps Perdu since the luncheon. "We want to thank the community, the passholders, and everyone who took time out of their busy schedules for their support," says Wall. "We are extremely pleased with the turnout and look forward to making next year's event bigger and better." September 2009 Dear StoryFest fans, October and StoryFest are coming fast! We are thrilled to have a full monthof events planned for you. For a complete list of events and times, see theattached poster, or go online to www.greenwoodstoryfest.com to read all thedetails about each of our guests. Have you heard about the big names in theliterary world who are coming to our little town? We are excited, and hopeyou will be too. The Festival Pass offers the best value: for $60, you can attend $100 worthof events. Pass holders are invited to a special private tea at Greenwood tomeet Jane Urquhart on Tuesday, Oct. 6th at 3:00pm. This year we're holding our first Books and Breakfast- Saturday, Oct. 17that 9:00am at St. James, with guest authors Robert Wright and Jeff Heinrich.A delicious cooked breakfast awaits you. The new book "At Home with Maria Loggia", will be launched at our CommunityCentre event along with more delicious food. Book your tickets early forThursday, October 29th at 1:30. A Temps Perdu, 76 Cameron, is selling tickets and will be hosting achildren's storytelling event and an open poetry reading. Please pass this along to anyone you think may be interested. We hope to see you there! Audrey and Jane Historic Hudson museum puts out welcome mat Hudson, June 2008 In recognition of StoryFest - Playing With Words as a joint Greenwood & Westwood project, Westwood Senior won First Prize in the Prix de Reconnaissance of the Ministere de l'Education, du Loisir et du Sport among 294 schools in the Greater Montreal region. The Prix de Reconnaissance is awarded to projects that promote books, develop reading habits and contribute to student success. Kindly submitted by Gwen Murray, |
