Ojibwe is the largest group of Native Americans in the North American continent, living predominately in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada. Ojibwe refers to the Algonquian-speaking bands and their puckered moccasins. Manoominike-giizis or August, and in some places September, is the moon of ricing. Military commander Seth Eastman painted Ojibwe women ricing in 1857. Ricing is a beautiful and ceremonial process. I was blessed when I helped parch the manoomin, or rice.
Seth Eastman painting of Ojibwe women ricing, 1857
My mother, Paulene LaBelle Phillips, tells how her grandparents would walk three miles from the Old Indian Village in Lac du Flambeau, Wisc., to visit her family in “town.” Mom remembers her nokomiss, grandmother, and nimishomiss, grandfather, would remove their traditional moccasins as well as strips of cloth from around their calves for warmth.
In school, we were asked who we would want to visit or interview in history. Classmates named the likes of Albert Einstein, Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, or an athlete. I said I would want to spend time with one of my great-grandparents.
Grandparent’s day is Sept. 10. See below how we are celebrating and remembering.
September Meeting
Bring a picture or memento of a grandparent for the Sept. 7, meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Free Public Library, 1250 Bardstown Rd. The second grandparent-related event is a workshop on writing history. See the details below.
July Meeting & September Workshop
During July’s meeting, Sue K. Ballard spoke on the history of personal writing. WWW is sponsoring Ballard’s workshop, “Conquering the Challenges of Writing a Historical Novel,” on Sept. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, 1722 Bardstown Rd., Louisville. Registration is open online at womenwhowrite.com. Everyone over 18 is welcome. The cost is $10 for WWW members; $20 for non-members.
July readers were Janet Finger with Aunt Polly, Liz Nickley read Grace and A Walk in the Park for her blog “Love Guts and Really Good Cake,” Jenn Franklin had The Forest of Diamonds, Cheri Powell presented her Flash Fiction Tomato Envy, and Kimberly Esteran delivered Confessions of a Flower Thief and Flying Lessons. Visitors included Marty Hoover, Sherry Emery, Ellen Kotheimer, and Jaqueline Klein.
August Meeting
Three visitors included TV writer and grade school assistant principal Katie Williams. Caroline Randall is working on a BFA at Spalding, and Sunday Abel is always writing. New July members Marty Hoover, Sherry Emery, and Jaqueline Klein also attended.
The critique process was reviewed. Readings included Irene Sulveyvich’sHow I Cheated on the Black Sea, Cheri Powell’sSnowflakes, Kathy Sandman’sAfter the Circus, Diane Cruze’s segmented essay Intersection of Life, and Marty Hoover’sSwimming. Writers worked on writing prompts What’s in your fridge? and Write about how you drive.
New Member Brunch
The new members’ brunch at Joan Dubay’s home in August was a resounding success. Thanks to Joan for hosting and to IreneSulyevich and Debbie Chartoff for cleaning up.
Reminder
Membership has privileges. Visitors may attend two meetings before they need to join. Reading is reserved for members who have paid or updated their membership fees.
October Retreat
WWW annual members-only retreat is scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The retreat is at the Hopscotch House on Wolf Pen Branch Road. A limited number of beds are available for overnight. Come for all or part of the weekend. Cost is $15. For more information and to register online see womenwhowrite.com.
November Meeting
The WWW Nov. 2 meeting will be at The Bards Town, 1801 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, at 6:30 p.m. WWW members may sign up to read by e-mailing Selene Phillips at . Readers should have read at least once at a meeting during the past year. Preferences will be given to those who did not read at last year’s November event. Readings need to be under 10 minutes. We will gather at 6 p.m. to order food and beverages.
Member News
Irene Sulyevich published stories she has read at WWW meetings at Medium.com. Like or recommend her at medium.com/over-the-bridge/over-the-bridge-15952c851f1e or medium.com/atonement/atonement-10adcd9b021a. Irene saw free web tools for writers at medium.com/@tamarapearson/an-authors-list-of-some-of-the-most-useful-creative-free-web-apps-for-writers-a00982c52cb7.
Selene Phillip’s article, written with colleagues Scott Sanders and Cecelia Alexander, “Native” Advertising: An Evaluation of Nike’s N7 Social Media Campaign, is scheduled to be published in the American Indian Culture and Research Journal 41:1.
WWW member Kim Snead was recently diagnosed with cancer. Encourage Kim with a note to 2914 Bowman Ave., Louisville 40205.
Let me know if you have any news at .
Coming Events
Writers and poets will gather as Louisville Literary Arts host a literary trivia night on Thurs., Sept. 14, 5:45 p.m., at the Goodwood tap room, 636 E. Main St. Literary trivia categories include Shakespeare, poets, writers, and film adaptations. If you’re interested in forming a WWW team, contact a WWW board member. For more information, contact Kim Crum at safws.com or 502-417-3424. www.louisvilleliteraryarts.org
Writer’s Block Festival, sponsored by the Louisville Literary Arts, will be Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tim Faulkner Gallery, 1512 Portland Ave., Louisville.www.louisvilleliteraryarts.org/writersblockworkshops
The Kentucky Book Fair will be Nov. 18 at Alltech Arena, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington. Children’s day is Nov. 17. www.kyhumanities.org/kentuckybookfair.html
Enjoy the back-to-school routine and happy ricing! Selene Phillips
