A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young authors at the La Ronge Public Library. They were students at Pre-Cam Community School in La Ronge, and they were there to read the books they had written and illustrated as part of an Arts Smarts project led by local author and artist Miriam Körner. The Wild Rice Writers Group was a community partner for the project and the Library helped organize a display of a sample of publications by past and current members of the group. I have been blessed to be part of the group since I first moved to La Ronge in 1996. I told the students that we meet to share our writing with each other, to work at improving our writing, and especially to encourage each other! A big thanks to all former and current members – and keep on writing!

Of course, the La Ronge Public Library is closed until further notice as forest fires threaten our communities in northern Saskatchewan.  Grateful to all who working so hard to protect them, and hoping everyone stays safe!