Let's try something new...
...join us in Okoboji remotely on Monday morning
First, welcome new subscribers. We have had a big wave of newcomers in the past week (could this be the Dudley effect?). I’m glad you’re here. Although I don’t intend to turn this column into an all-Dudley space, I have created a new column that will be all about Dudley. I started it for family members, but open it to anyone who wants to keep up with two aging baby boomers tackling raising a puppy: J. Dudley Gilbert. We pick him up next Thursday. They say there is comedic gold in disasters.
It’s a tad chaotic here this week, but I wanted to welcome our newbies and let you know this community is friendly. It’s called a ‘potluck’ because it’s a sample of various topics, primarily but not exclusively for an Iowa audience (we have readers in most states now).
I’ll be back in the swing of things after the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat next week. (see the agenda listed below).
Typically, I host a Monday Zoom Lunch from noon to 1 p.m. featuring a notable guest. For example, here is a recent session we held with our Iowa Writers’ Collaborative member, Food Writer Wini Moranville: Julie’s Zoom Potluck Guest.
On Monday, September 25, psychotherapist Meredith Stahl will join us to talk about school bullying and how to talk to your kids about the subject.
Speaking of the Collaborative, member Robert Leonard has a real doozy this week about a jousting he and an Iowa legislator are having. Trust me, one does not want to wage a war of words with the anthropologist, former wrestler, and writer from rural Iowa. Check it out. Grab some popcorn, as they say: Iowa State Senator Ken Rozenboom Loses His Cool…and show’s Iowans who he really is
Another wonderful Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnist, Steph Copley, has a scathing reaction to media coverage of a big sports story:
SUBSCRIBER PERK - JOIN US VIRTUALLY ON MONDAY
If you are a paid subscriber to this Potluck column, you will be invited to participate in the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat's opening hour starting Monday, 7:45 a.m. You will hear one-minute introductions by our speakers and the topics they plan to present. PAID SUBSCRIBERS will receive the Zoom link on Monday morning.
If you are not a paid subscriber, you can become one now. These funds allow partial and full scholarships to be awarded so emerging writers can attend OWR. Thanks to this effort, 30 individuals are participating in OWR 23 who might not otherwise be able to attend. This brings a valuable perspective to the entire group.
Also, as a paid subscriber, as a thank-you, you will be invited to attend a holiday party on December 7 in the former governor’s mansion, 2900 Grand Avenue.
Okoboji Writers’ Retreat Agenda! Check it out!
IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE
Have you explored the variety of writers we have in the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative? They are from around the state and contribute commentary and feature stories of interest to those who are care about the Iowa. Please pick five you’d like to support by becoming paid. It helps keep them going. Enjoy:
Hi Julie,
I have wanted to write you and tell you about a Niece of mine who wrote a book that got published called "The Saigon Sisters''. Google it and you can see some of what the book is about and some reviews of the book. I thot you might have her as a guest on your Monday mornings Zoom meetings. She has some roots in Iowa especially work as a Legislators secretary (Bob Anderson) in mid 1970s when I was a legislator. Take a look and see what you think.. Lowell Norland
P.S. I enjoy listening in on Monday!!!
I’m sorry to be so dense, Julie, but is your Potluck column not a part of the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative which I pay $75 to receive? Or, do you have a separate column for the benefit of your scholarships?