Idaho Writers’ League hands out awards

The Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the Idaho Writers’ League recently handed out special awards and recognized members for their work during the past year.

Special recognition was given to members who had a first book published in 2005 or 2006. Those receiving “first book” pins included: Nikki Arana, “The Winds of Sonoma,” 2005; Yvonne Deitz, “Murder is Only Skin Deep,” 2006; Catherine Gabriel, “Crazy: One Goddess’s Journey,” 2005; Theresa Lunde, “The Trouble with Romance,” 2005.

Recognition was also given to already published authors who had a book published during 2005 or 2006. These included: Nikki Arana, “In the Shade of the Jacaranda,” 2006 and “The Fragrance of Roses,” 2006; Michael Marsden, “The Man in the Closet,” 2006; Mary Smith, “Christmas on the Prairie,” 2005; and Sandy Smith, “The Trouble with Romance,” 2005;

Arana also won the Writer of the Year Award, given in memory of Jessie Cameron Alison, founder of the Coeur d’Alene Writers’ League Chapter in 1943 and a world renowned poet.

Marsden was named winner of the first Betty Rohrscheib Lifetime Achievement Award in appreciation for his years of leadership and commitment to the Coeur d’Alene chapter. The award was established in memory of Betty Rohrscheib, a 35-year member of IWL who served the state and the local chapter in nearly every board position more than once.

The Idaho Writers’ League meets twice monthly: the second Wednesday of each month at the Jewett House, 1501 E. Lakeshore Drive, Coeur d’Alene, from 9 a.m. to noon; and the third Thursday of each month at the Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey, Coeur d’Alene, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.idahowritersleague.com, or call 687-2900.