It was billed as being the last author's banquet, the final fundraising dinner with writers and friends by the Estevan chapter of the Canadian Confederation of University Women. Now, there may be second thoughts.
"It would be a shame to lose this dinner and this chapter and all the great work they do," said Marlene Chatterson, regional director for the Canada-wide organization that boasts a membership of over 9,000 including chapters in Weyburn, Prince Albert, Regina, Yorkton and Saskatoon.
The Friday night event in Estevan was a sell-out dinner featuring a presentation by Saskatoon author Karen Edwards (Brosinsky) who entertained her audience with some childhood memories of growing up in the Energy City. She also read excerpts from her children's novel, One Cold Armpit.
While the annual dinner sponsored by the University Women's group is in a state of flux, the annual Book Festival Day at the Estevan Comprehensive School, featuring Saskatchewan authors, will continue full steam ahead said Laurel Reimche, the driving force behind that series which featured two more Saskatchewan authors, Linda Aksomitis and Vincent Murphy who spoke to students throughout the day, reading from their works, or telling stories and exchanging ideas with emerging writers.
Mary Rose Boyer, president of the local chapter of University Women, acknowledged the assistance the event receives annually from Canadian publishers who donate several books that are then featured during a silent auction at the dinner.
The banquet is also a prime opportunity for the women to announce the recipient of their annual scholarship. The winner of the $600 award this year was Haley Lingelbach of ECS, who is heading off to the University of Saskatchewan this fall. Arlene Anderson made the announcement but Hayley was unable to be present due to a regional badminton final in Yorkton that she was competing in that weekend. She did send a note of thanks to the group.
Edwards said she loves to research stories and her work as a graphic artist and communications specialist allowed her to do that. She also has the discipline to write every day and noted that her manuscripts have "grown up" a lot. She is currently writing a young adult novel.
"I got the idea for One Cold Armpit after witnessing the results of an evening of vandalism in our neighbourhood," said Edwards, talking about how the concepts for a story come to her.
She said growing up in Estevan provided her with a rich history to call on as well. She said her wedding reception was in the same Days Inn that she was in again that evening. It was known as the Beefeater Inn then.
"I remember the marching band, the Co-op doughnuts, playing around the lagoons which wasn't recommended, but we did anyway. I remember giggling at St. Paul's United Church during choir practice and getting heck from Shirley Andrist, so my friend and I developed a sign language that we used to communicate. I guess you might say we were among the first people to text message. There were swimming lessons at the outdoor pool at Woodlawn and I also remember doing my early writing here," she said.
Pointing to one of her two daughters, Sydney, who was in the audience, Edwards said she knew she might have a good story in One Cold Armpit, when she saw her reading it.
"Sydney hated to read, but she actually read this, so I knew it could be a good one," she said with a laugh.
She was right since the story captured the Saskatchewan Book Award for children's literature this past year.
Edwards said she gets inspiration from running and photography. Whenever she writes herself into a corner, she'll go for a jog, take photographs and generally seek re-inspiration from another source.
Edwards showed a montage of some of her photos at the end of the presentation and was then thanked by Boyer and Marguerite Gallaway.
Boyer said the local club may continue to stay active, but they do need new members if they are to remain that way. She said the fact they received 25 applications for the scholarship meant that there was still a lot of good work to do in the community.
"A woman who is thinking of joining should be aware that they don't have to hold a degree or anything like that," she said.
"I'm just saying to Estevan, don't let this club go away," said Chatterson. "It's much too valuable."
