Letter to our members, Thanksgiving 09

Dear Friend:

Since our beloved newsletter editor Just an Ordinary Jyo is NaNoing, and it's been a while since I've been in touch, I thought I'd jump on board in Jyo's absence to enjoy reflecting on the upcoming holiday and share a bit of Rising Stars news with you. Before sitting down at my computer, I took a few minutes to go outside to get some fresh air and enjoy a late afternoon walk with the dogs. Our house sits high on a hill surrounded by a huge stand of beautiful tall trees whose leaves have made the transition from green to red, yellow to gold-- and now, brown. The day was cloudy and a bit chilly--a typical November day. It's a beautiful time of year. So far, we've had mostly good weather and have been able to enjoy lots of time out of doors.

While I have you here for these few minutes, I'd like to know what's happening in your world ? What are you doing, and how are you progressing with your writing ? If you have a free moment, I'd like to hear from you. This month I celebrated my birthday with my daughter's littlest one (her birthday is a few days before mine). Larry, my partner, gave me a "distance" course for writers. We tripped over these courses in one of the mountain of catalogues which typically arrive en masse at this time of year ! I've never heard of the Teaching Company until we spotted the catalogue which is filled with interesting looking courses. The course I was given is " Exploring the Writers Craft: Buiilding Great Sentences." It was developed by University of Iowa. The course comes with a DVD and text book. I'm hoping to find a bit of time tomorrow morning to take a look at the DVD ! Having peeked at the text, I can see I'm going to have to do some serious stretching to keep up with Iowa's Professor Landon

How about joining me in an informal reading group ? Last night, as I read the first couple of pages of The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo (a smart, meticulously plotted thriller by Stieg Larsson), it occurred to me to ask if you'd like to join me in reading Larsson's book and a couple of others (approx one every other month from mid-November through June). If you sign up quickly, you'll be able to select one of the book titles. The deadline for completing each book takes into account all of our busy schedules these days ! Let me know if you're interested. No need to respond if not. If you'd like to read Stieg Larsson's book, pick up a copy and get started !

A little help from my friends: there are two fundraisers out there which have been set up to benefit several groups, including Rising Stars. I'm asking you to give a few minutes of your time to check out and support one or both of these fundraisers to help us continue to stoke our Membership Retention Fund. During these tough times economically, we've assisted 50+ Rising Stars who have needed help to hang onto basic memberships and upgrades. Thanks to RAOK's valuable assistance, and the support of a handful of dear, very generous friends, we've been able to keep pace with the need for assistance. With the advent of Thanksgiving, if you can, I hope you'll help us by helping these very special friends whose fundraisers will benefit our program. Here are the links:

ID: 1616952 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 1616976   (Rated: E) $ Love 4 Reviewers Raffle $ CLOSED!!!  Closed! Yeah! Stay tuned for winners! by Omni~pink bubbles r everywhere

Each year during November--the anniversary of our founding--we begin presenting our very special RISING STARS FOUNDERS AWARD to exceptional members of our community who have been generous, patient, and encouraging--building bridges and good will with their time, talent, and and generous personalities to help Rising Stars and serve our community in ways that have been gracious, positive, and inclusive. We have identified a number of individuals who will receive the award during November, December, and January for contributions made during 2009. The first set of awardees are as follows. We'll publish the names of the next group of awardees in our December Newslettter:

Love you, Lyle!
Just an Ordinary Jyo
simply_complex
MDuci
Tornado Day
stacylynn71
Ladyoz
Nicki D89
Kimchi
Jewel Busy Busy Busy!
Anastasia V. Pergakis
* §apph *
ShiShad
SHERRI GIBSON LUVS SP
aeroshika-5 yrs on wdc
♥Andi-here - Finally!

While we're acknowledging great talent, I hope you'll pitch in to congratulate the winner of Rising Stars Shining Bright Contest in October Thanks to the bright, capable Circle of Sisters for making this happen !

ID: 1608779   (Rated: E) The Truth of Life...  Just how are our ideas concerning the truths of life formed? by Robin ~ The Rhyme Maven :-)

AND the Best of Rising Stars:

Special thanks to:
Kimchi , program leader, and our judges:
Web~Witch
* §apph *
Cubby
ShiShad
ReikiScreamer

Best of Rising Stars, October, 2009
Robin ~ The Rhyme Maven :-)
D.L. Robinson
Valentine's Day***groan***
Ceri~hiatus for senior year
Starting over...!
Bad Wolf
Dutch Hill Girl
Rachel, RIP

Condolences:

I am sad to report that Rachel, one of our newest and most enthusiastic Rising Stars, passed away this week. When she joined a little over a month ago, she explained that she was battling Cancer. She was so enthusiastic and bowled over with excitement at having been included in our program, she loved the time she spent on W.Com and will be remembered fondly by a bunch of good friends who have gathered together to honor her. If you'd like to write a note of condolence, here's the link:

ID: 1617157   (Rated: E) Mourning Racheld  Coming to terms with the death of a friend... friends helping friends. by Jay

Last but not least-----

Before I sign off, I'd be so grateful if those of you who are not reviewing as part of your commitment to Rising Stars will consider giving a bit of time to join us in Rising Stars' Member-to-Member Reviewing Forum. All you have to do is post just 3 reviews of work found in the portfolios of your fellow Rising Stars each month. This applies to each and every Rising Star equally. We designed this single obligation for our all of members because we believe it's a lynchpin--vital to building a community of individuals who are mutually supportive and invested. Imagine how much it must mean to our newest Rising Stars to find the many writers they most admire posting reviews in the forum to contribute to the greater good on a regular basis. Our regular reviewers will tell you, the effort to review is a small one. We hope you'll give this a try and discover that you really can do this without taking too much time away from your writing and other activities. The bottom line is you're important to us and we treasure your participation.

Anastasia V. Pergakis leads our Member-to-Member Reviewing Program with such enthusiasm and positive energy. She has been pivotal in it's growth and development. Support her hard work and accomplishments with your participation If you have suggestions to make the program even more successful, contact Harley. She'll be glad to hear from you. Thank you for your help with this

ID: 1555782   (Rated: E) MEMBER-TO-MEMBER Monthly Reviewing   Everything related to Rising Stars Member-to-Member Reviewing Program. by Gabriella

Wahooo....these are the rockin, rollin, great n' generous Rising Stars who have consistently reviewed the past three months

Connieann
embe
Nicki D89
Stephens burnt toast
Magoo
HannaMissesHerHero
Maria Mize

Happy Thanksgiving to all---including our Rising Stars from other countries. You're important to us and to the effort we make at this time of year to give thanks for the many valuable individuals, activities, writing help, and other resources that contribute in strong positive ways to the quality of our lives here on W.Com.

My best to Just an Ordinary Jyo --we look forward to your return next month !

Warmest best,

Gab




Thanks to Riot™ for creating some exciting new Rising Stars sigs !