peninsula writersJayne Mote
LJ and Jayne
It is with sadness that I remember Jayne Mote who passed away Tuesday morning, April 3. A brief note to Jayne’s good friend, Phyllis Miner, from the manager of the apartment where Jayne lived said:
“I am sorry to tell you that Jayne died this morning around 8:45am, it was very peaceful and she is home with her Lord. Per her wishes, there is no service or visitation and she will be buried next to her husband.”
Jayne was one of the original thirteen teachers from Kent and Ottawa Counties who participated in the New Jersey Writing Project in 1983. When many of that group traveled to Glen Lake the following summer, Jayne was with us. In fact, it was in the cottage she stayed in, Cottage 9, where discussion lasted into the wee hours that led to the formation of Peninsula Writers. Jayne was a Charter Member.
Jayne loved to write and she loved to teach writing. Her students at Highlands Middle School in the Northview district were privileged to have a teacher dedicated to showing them how a writer writes. Jayne spread her influence beyond her own classroom by facilitating the PW Writing Project in Ionia County with her friend Phyllis Miner. After her retirement from the Northview Public Schools, Jayne traveled to Macau where she taught writing to students eager to learn to communicate better in English.
For several years Jayne was a member of the Peninsula Writers Board of Directors serving as treasurer. She convinced her husband L.J. to join her at the Glen Lake Retreat where he also took up writing.
Jayne displayed a lively sense of humor, often directed at herself. I recall one retreat where participants were asked to define themselves as a tree. Jayne described herself as a “flowering crab.” Yes indeed, Jayne, bloom on.
For those who would like to honor Jayne’s memory, it is suggested you make a donation to the Peninsula Writers Scholarship fund. Information about the fund and a form are on the website http://www.peninsulawriters.org.—Shirley Neitzel
Posted by Mark Wolfgang on 04/10/12 at 05:04 PM • (2) Comments
Summer Retreat General Information
Every June, PW members have the opportunity to attend a week-long writing conference/retreat at Villa Glen, on the shores of Glen Lake. For many members, this is the highlight of the PW experience: writers have opportunities to discuss their craft with others who share their passion, daily small group meetings offer help and support with specific pieces of writing, large group gatherings build camaraderie, and ample time for writing is always provided. Several small, optional craft talks by members are offered throughout the week. And there are many opportunities for informal discussion and activities.
In addition, each conference presents a professional writer as a keynote speaker; our 2010 keynote was poet Mary Ann Samyn’s discussion of her writing process. In recent years, presentations from Laura Kasischke, Jack Driscoll, Heather Sellers and Gerry LaFemina have stimulated thought and discussion—and writing. Also, each conference ends with a “read-around,” a gathering allowing a chance for everyone to hear a small sample of each writer’s work.
Writers looking for a break from their work will find plenty of opportunities, from swimming or kayaking in Glen Lake itself to campfires and s’mores on the beach. Leelanau County also has more than its share of natural beauty to explore: checking out the view of Glen Lake from Inspiration Point, hiking Pyramid Point for its stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands, taking Pierce Stocking Drive into the National Park, visiting the bluffs at Empire or the remains of the old farming community at Port Oneida – too many opportunities to list here. And for those who want to shop, there are plenty of art galleries, craft shops and independent book sellers.
But lovely as the Leelanau is, for most PW members it is the writing and the conference atmosphere that bring them back to future conferences. We hope you’ll consider joining us.
Note: The Summer Conference/Retreat is always held during the week in June that begins on the Saturday before Father’s Day.
Posted by Mark Wolfgang on 07/21/10 at 04:47 PM • (1) CommentsCalendar of Upcoming PW Events
Fall Conference: September 2012
Winter Conference at Kettunen Center near Cadillac MI: February, 2013
Spring Fling One-Day Writing Conference, May 5, 2012, at Schuler Books and Music, 2660 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Summer Retreat at Glen Lake (Writing Camp Heaven): June 16-23, 2012 Download the Summer 2012 brochure here
Posted by Peninsula Writers on 07/16/10 at 06:33 PM • (0) Comments
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