Sunday, August 14, 2016

The Clearing


Ruth and I have just returned from Door County, where I taught a writing workshop at The Clearing, located on the bluffs above the waters of Green Bay, just north of Ellison Bay.  This is my 26th year teaching at The Clearing, which was founded in 1935 by Jens Jensen, a Danish-born landscape architect.  Jensen was 75 years old at the time, and had recently retired from his Chicago business.

Jensen believed that everyone should have an opportunity to have direct experience with nature, have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, and realize the importance of “thoughtful study and contemplation.”

I have taught week-long, and currently teach day-long workshops on what I call “Writing From Your Life,” a focus on one’s personal stories.  This year, 32 students met on Friday to plumb their memories, write their stories, and share them with each other.  There was laughter, lots of laughter, and yes, some tears, as people wrote and shared.  It was an invigorating and productive day.  And such wonderful stories.

We used my new book, TELLING YOUR STORY (Fulcrum Press) as a guide for the work.

For those who would like a similar experience, I will be teaching a similar workshop at The Clearing on Friday, October 28.


The Old Timer Says: It’s never too late to tell your Story..

Writing From Your Life:  Writing From Your Life Workshop. Offered at The Clearing, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 28.  Call 920-854-4088 to learn more and to register.

Upcoming Events:

August 20, 10:30-11:30 am.  Waupaca Annual Arts on the Square.  Story telling.

August 22, 7:00 p.m., Twin Cities Public TV. Live appearance.  The Land With Jerry Apps

August 29, 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Public TV. The Land With Jerry Apps

August 30, 7:00 p.m. Milwaukee Public TV. Live appearance. The Land With Jerry Apps

September 8, 7:00 p.m.  McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids. Workshop on memoir writing. Participants should have a copy of TELLING YOUR STORY as it will be used in the workshop. Book will be available for sale the evening of the workshop.

September 15, Midwest Master Gardeners, Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells.  Dinner Speaker, Whisper and Shadows.

September 18, 1-5, Markesan Heritage Days, Markesan, WI.


Purchase Jerry’s DVDS and his Books from the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fundraiser for them): 
The library now has available signed copies of Jerry’s DVDs:
 Emmy Winner, A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps (based on The Quiet Season book.)
 Jerry Apps a Farm Story (based on Rural Wit and Wisdom and Old Farm books.)
 The Land with Jerry Apps, (based on the book Whispers and Shadows.)
Also available are several of Jerry’s signed books including: Jerry’s newest novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County. and Wisconsin Agriculture: A History.
Jerry’s newest books, Roshara Journal (with photos by Steve Apps) and Telling Your Story—a guide book for those who want to write their stories—are also available.
Contact the library for prices and special package deals.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
920-622-3835







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