Hackmatack Writers present “A Literary Tea”

May 13, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Marni Walsh

The Hackmatack Writers, formerly the Dufferin Art Council Writers’ Group, will gather Sunday, May 15 at the Shelburne Public Library for their third literary reading.

Group member Jane Cooper says local writers will present some of their short stories, poetry and memoirs, followed by tea and treats, and a time for questions and comments.

The event, which costs $10 to attend, will help cover the cost of self-publishing the Hackmatack Writers’ book “Voices.”

Writers include Marg Hogben, Iain Richmond, Rosemary Molesworth, David McRae, Teressa Gold, Bridget Lawson, and Jane Cooper.

Each of the seven Hackmatack Writers will read a short excerpt from their writing and copies of the book will be for sale for $15 each.

“We never really had an official name,” says Ms. Cooper, “We just referred to ourselves as the Writers Group or the Dufferin Arts Council Writers Group. When we decided to publish we felt we had to have a proper name, so picked Hackmatack, the name of a tree that is native to Canada. We wanted something that was evocative of the local landscape.”

The group is supported by the Dufferin Arts Council, a community organization dedicated to assisting artists and art students in all disciplines, as well as providing arts programs and arts-oriented social programs for members and the community.

Hackmatack had its beginnings in a workshop on creative writing, organized by the Dufferin Arts Council Art School, in the fall of 1998, says Ms. Cooper, with Edith Van Beek, a local poet, as the facilitator.

After the workshop ended, Mrs. Cooper says, “some of the participants asked Edie to continue to meet for the purpose of pursuing their writing efforts. Over the years, she met with the small group to discuss and critique their short stories, poems and memoirs.”

The membership of the group has changed over the years, she says, and although Edith Van Beek retired from her leadership position in 2013, six or seven people still meet once a month.

On two occasions, the writing group held “Literary Teas” for Arts Council members, where they read some of their work.

“One was held in 2009 at the Globe restaurant in Rosemont, the other in 2011 at the Shelburne Public Library. In the 2006 winter issue of “In the Hills” magazine, an article on writing groups included three pieces written by members of the group,” says Jane.

“Voices” is the group’s first effort at publishing their work. They gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Dufferin Arts Council “who has always been supportive of our efforts,” says Mrs. Cooper.

The Hackmatack Literary Tea takes place from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at the Shelburne Public Library on the northeast corner of Owen Sound St. and First Ave. To reserve a seat, please call Jane Cooper at 705-435-0535 or email her at arielcroft@hotmail.com.