“Memories and Musings” Book Signing

BOOK LAUNCHING EVENT TO BE HELD AT WHITNEY SENIOR CENTER

A grant award received from the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB), has allowed two dozen area senior citizens an opportunity to publish a literary work of their memorable stories and creative poetry into a treasured anthology. The Book Launching public event is being held on Thursday, May 11th, at 6:30 pm in the Clemens Hall at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr. in St. Cloud, MN.

This unique Book Launch event will include a few of the authors and poets giving voice to some of their life experiences, wisdom and humor from their own stories and poems. The book, entitled “Memories and Musings, An Anthology by Vintage Minnesotans” will be completed by April 2023. The Whitney Writers and Poets are a group of older Minnesotans who have been active at the Whitney Senior Center over the past few years involved in either the Guided Autobiography (GAB) classes instructed by Dr. Steve Hoover, or having attended the monthly Poetry Group led by Jerry Wellik. At the book launch, the book, available in either soft cover or hardcover, will be sold for the first time to the public that evening. The authors and poets will be in attendance to sign books and to share more with the audience. The Master of Ceremonies for this evening occasion will be Dr. Steve Hoover, Healthy Aging Coordinator, Central Minnesota Council on Aging.

After attending two GAB classes at Whitney Center, the idea came about to publish a book of stories and poetry written by area senior citizens as an arts project, two women came forward to help complete this project. Project co-managers are Cathy Peterson, Waite Park, and Rachel Johnson, of St. Cloud. Upon surveying the past two years of attendees at GAB classes and Poetry group meetings, the Whitney Writers and Poets group was formed, the grant application was written and the grant was awarded for $5,910 to help fund this one-of-a-kind achievement. The book includes 114 submissions in more than 250 pages, printed by Bublish Publishing company from South Carolina. The memorable book allows for this group of senior citizens to walk down a path for leaving a cultural legacy on a variety of topics for current and future generations. These golden agers have had the unique opportunity to share their cherished life lessons and distinctive life transitions from childhood to an older age to create this moving anthology.

In addition, free refreshments are being provided at this exciting occasion. To make this event more accessible for all, a sign language/hearing impaired interpreter, Leanne Reay, will be in attendance to sign during the program. The Americorp Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is also partnering for this night by providing volunteers as ushers and servers.

Anyone of any age is welcome and invited to join in this entertaining and enjoyable event. Please come and meet the many writers and poets in this special night who have made this book project a success.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.