Brown County Writers Group to commemorate 10-year anniversary

     The Brown County Writers Group is 10 years old. There will be a celebration from 6-8 p.m. on June 24 at the Mt. Orab branch of the Brown County Public Library (the 'birthplace' of the group in June 2000). Former members are invited to celebrate. 

     Beginning that first year, they co-sponsored, with the library, guest speakers, writing contests, and have acted as outside judges for another writing competition. 

     Even after becoming an independent not-for-profit organization in their second year, they continue working closely with the Brown County Public Library. During their third year, the Brown County Writers Group created a newsletter, The Twig, which was available locally. They hosted two free seminars during the month of October, bringing in writing professionals to speak to the group and guests. Their fourth year saw the launching of the seasonal publication, "Through The Window", and a venture into romance publishing with the "Uplifting Romance" concept. Both series have been suspended but not canceled.  The fourth year also saw the group venture into the public service field when they presented "Uplifting Yourself", a woman's health program. This program was sponsored by funding for Women's Health Month from the Ohio Dept. of Health, Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction, Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Prevention Program (SADVPP) administered by UC Health and the University of Cincinnati AHEC Program. 

     For a time, the group did poetry readings at local coffee shops on the first Thursday of every month. Thanks to Sharon Miller's Cuppa Coffee Café and Cookies Creamery for hosting these events. 

     Many of the original members still belong, but others have come and gone. Two members have passed on, Mary Pitzer and Needra Fischer. They are missed, and remain a presence with the group. 

     The group meets every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mt. Orab Library, Guests are always welcome, and new members sought. There are no dues and no minimum requirements -- just a love of writing. The Brown County Writers Group takes its name from the place it meets. It is not for Brown County residents only, but also has members from Clermont, Adams, and Highland counties -- and all others are welcome. The only requirement is a desire for fellowship with other writers and a willingness to give and receive constructive critiques.

     Critiques, workshops and public readings are offered on different Thursdays, depending on the productivity of the writers and number of members able to attend meetings.