Mon. afternoons John Philips leads a creative writing class where participants produce short stories, essays and poems. It's all about having fun, accomplishing that most-requested task of 'getting things on paper' and learning about writing. John is a retired English teacher, published author and just a real nice man. Here's a sample of a poem that Lydia Ehmcke wrote that describes her feelings about the class. (Hit "read the full story" to see complete poem.)

Let's Write by Lydia Ehmcke

I want to write a poem,
What shall it be about?
I have to put my mind to it
and maybe think out loud.
There is this writing circle
it meets each Monday noon
at Askennonia Seniors'
in the Computer Room.
Six people, sometimes seven
have lots of things to tell.
They're all so very different
and interesting as well.
They listen to each other,
some stories are quite true,
some are written poetically
and there are funny ones, too.
The writers are quite eager
to come and meet each week.
they share what they have written
and each one gets a peek
of other people's interests,
of mountains high and streams,
of good and bad experiences
and of each other's dreams.

The class is no charge and all members are invited to attend.