FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Waterston, Director
The Nature of Words
Phone: 541.330.4381
Email: info@thenatureofwords.org
Website: www.thenatureofwords.org
The Nature of Words Welcomes Five New Board Members
Organization Also Names 2008 President and Vice-President
Bend, Oregon. February 26, 2008. The Nature of Words, Central Oregon’s premier literary festival, inducted five new members into the Board of Directors at its February Board meeting. The new additions, all appointed to three-year terms, complement the existing Board’s skills and expertise and bring valuable experience and perspectives to the literary organization.
The new Board members, all from Bend, are Leslie Conley, former technology marketing executive and past president of Art on Awbrey; DeeAnn Hoff, Internationally published writer, editor and academic researcher: Ancient Egypt & Imperial Russia; John Martin, President, John Martin Landscapes, Inc.; Sandra Miller, Award-winning art gallery owner (Sunbird Gallery, Bend) and private art consultant; Margie Robberson, International Baccalaureate English teacher (retired).
These individuals join six existing Board of Directors members under the leadership of Board president Peter Lovering, writer, and owner of a residential construction consulting business. Other officers include David Bilyeu (vice-president), Library Director, Central Oregon Community College; Hilary Garrett (secretary), MS, PT, Physical Therapist; and Susan Humphrey (treasurer), Accountant, Greer Mahr & Associates LLP. Neil Browne, Assistant Professor of English, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, and Angelina Montoya, Psychiatrist and immediate past president, round out the Board of Directors roster.
“We are thrilled to welcome this group of talented people to The Nature of Words Board,” said Peter Lovering. “They are a highly motivated group with a roll-up-the-sleeves attitude. Their commitment to sustaining the organization and continuing its history of success will be invaluable as we move forward in 2008.”
The Nature of Words literary event is scheduled for November 5-9, 2008. This annual literary celebration, now in its fourth year, includes acclaimed guest authors and poets in readings, workshops, book signings, receptions and a dinner and panel discussion. The organization also conducts the Rising Star Creative Writing Competition for high school- and college-age writers, and offers an open mic as the concluding event of the literary festival.
More information about The Nature of Words is available at www.thenatureofwords.org, via email at info@thenatureofwords.org or by calling 541.330.4381 or 541.480.3933.
About Our Sponsors
The Nature of Words 2007 was made possible thanks to the generous support of Central Oregon Community College, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, The Shops at The Old Mill, Starview Foundation in support of SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) and the Writing Ranch. Additional support was provided by Bend Visitors & Convention Bureau, Brooks Resources, Cascades East and Cascade Publications, Deschutes Public Library Foundation, The Kinsman Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation and Smart Solutions. Other valued donors included Bank of the Cascades, Clear 101.7, Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, Express Personnel Services, Ray Lansing and Angelina Montoya, Mike and Susan McKnight, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Bend, Marcel and Sally Russenberger, Sun Forest Construction, The Bulletin, The High Desert Museum, The Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, The Source Weekly and Umpqua Bank. Additional support was provided by Devores Good Food, Emily Bonavia, Deschutes Cultural Coalition, Ron and Molly Foerster, Karnopp Petersen LLP, Mike and Sue Hollern Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Greater Bend, Shelk Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Dorris Coombs Thomas Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Don and Judith Thornburg, Nancy and Trent Tyler and William Smith Properties.
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