YORK — Nebraska State Poet Twyla Hansen of Lincoln will be the featured speaker when Nebraska Press Women host their 2014 fall convention Oct. 4 at the York Country Club.
Hansen will lead a writing workshop, “For the Love of Words: Poetry, Prose and the Creative Writing Process.”
Her newest book, “Dirt Songs: A Plains Duet” (with Linda M. Hasselstrom), won the 2012 Nebraska Book Award and was finalist for both the 2012 High Plains Book Award and WILLA Literary Award. She has published five previous books of poetry, including “Potato Soup,” winner of the 2004 Nebraska Book Award.
Hansen’s program has been arranged through the Nebraska Humanities Council. Other conference sessions are in the planning stages.
The morning business meeting will feature the election of new officers and appointment of new board members. The 2014 NPW Communicator of Achievement will be announced during the noon luncheon.
After lunch, the group will car pool to Wessels’ Living History Farm, just a couple of miles south of the York I-80 interchange. The 145-acre farm features the home David Wessels shared with his brother. It also features a red, timber frame barn, corn crib, machine shed, garage, chicken coop and a large windmill typical of the 1920s. These structures were chosen to begin the “living history farm” experience. To the south, is a modern tractor display building with many of the tractors, stationary engines and combines that Wessels restored. Surrounding the buildings is a modern farm operation. A historic church was moved onto the property last year and is quickly becoming a popular site for weddings and other functions. The farm has won state tourism awards over the years.
The board will meet Friday night at the Chances R restaurant in York.
A block of rooms will be reserved at a local hotel; stay tuned for details.
Be sure to mark Oct. 3 and 4 on your calendars and plan to attend the board meeting and convention. Just in case you’re wondering: the Huskers play at Michigan State Oct. 4 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. so you should be home in time to watch the game.
Convention organizer is Terri Hahn of Grand Island. For more information, call (402) 747-4191 or email her through the Contact page.
