Not quite a native Ripley Countian - she attended only her last year of high school in Doniphan though she taught in the R-1 system for 32 years - Teresa (Pearson) Lee delights in surprising readers and herself with anecdotal observations of life in general. Maybe you can blame her St.Louis roots for a quirky humor and some slightly-askewed opinions, but never doubt she writes from the heart.

Current River Writers

Posted Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 8:56 AM

Current River from KC's take-out after an extended rainy spell

This group meets every first Thursday at 6 PM in the Bingo Hall of VFW Post #3485 at 1866 Ripley 160E-4. Access to the smoke-free area is (1) through the canteen, which is the side entrance with the awning, or (2) at the opposite end of the building from the canteen. NOTE: The access to 160E-4 is closed in town so to get to the VFW, access Ripley 160E-4 from State Highway 160 at Faith Life Community Church across from the US Forest Service. Next Meeting: September 7

If you are a writer or want to be, or a reader or proofreader or one who likes to edit, join us! Each month we randomly select a genre and a topic for a writing activity with a maximun word limit of 300. For me this is akin to putting one foot in Current River. I don't write fiction but I'm getting my feet wet, 300 words at a time.

Writing Prompt for September 7: Genre: Mystery/Thriller; Topic: The morning after a blizzard you make your way outside and slowly start to realize everyone has disappeared. (Poetry or prose - 300 words maximum) We have added a fun writing option - Drabble: Topic: Cypress or Cyprus (prose of EXACTLY 100 words)

We are becoming a bonafide organization! In September we will make a decision on a logo, so members are donning creative caps to design a striking, easy-to-recognize-and-produce brand. Member Julie Braschler is the director of the local museum so she filled us in on Heritage Days activities later in September. We have decided to have a booth to advertise our presence in the community.

AND we are sponsoring our first writing contest!

Current River Writers Heritage Days Writing Contest

(For Students in Grades 6 -8 and Grades 9 - 12)

Everyone has a story! Feel free to share yours.

Step 1 - Pick a year from 1849 to 1979.

Step 2 - Create a character.

Step 3 – Tell us about your life in Ripley County during the year you have chosen.

Guidelines:

Word Count: 250 – 500 words. Legibly handwritten or typed. Stories must be original. No AI!

Attach contact information to your entry. (Name, Address/Phone, Parent/Guardian, Teacher)

Entries due by September 15, 2023. Turn in your entry to either your school’s office or the Current River Heritage Museum.

Winning stories will be published in The Prospect News!