Into the Words: LVW's Premier Biennial Summer Event

2023 LVW once again presented Into the Words -  An ALL DAY EVENT at the Jerry Johnson's Beautiful Homestead in Irasburg. 

(The 2021 version of this event was a foreshortened, masked and social-distanced affair. In  2023, it was once again a full-day, in-person program.)

It was held at Jerry Johnson's Restored 1920s Schoolhouse home and grounds at 870 Creek Road, Irasburg, VT. Jerry opened his home and several outbuildings for this memorable event. Our keynote speaker wasbe Paula Munier!

LVW members and friends gathered on a gorgeous day August 19, 2023. The event had been postponed due to July flooding.

The day began at 8:30; had four sessions of workshops with a choice of three presentations each session. 

Click here to see the SCHEDULE FOR INTO THE WOODS

In the earliest days of the League,

programs focused on gatherings for members to share ideas and to spend time together. In 2015 a special summer program planning committee worked to orchestrate a day-long retreat that paid homage to LVW members while still being open to the public. Purposefully named ‘Into the Words,’ playing off the hit-musical and movie "Into the Woods," the planning committee wanted to create that feeling of getting lost in the thing that you love (words) with others who love the same thing (writers).  

For the inaugural event, the day was comprised of members showcasing their skills and talents by leading a variety of half-hour and hour-long sessions (from craft to publishing to the writing life) and exhibiting their work in a designated Member Showcase area.

There was a lunch break that featured a 10-minute play, Fish and Game, written by member, Marge Sharp, and a reading from our host, member, poet, and children’s book author, Jerry Johnson.

Later in the afternoon, following more sessions, LVW offered an ice cream and watermelon social complete with music, written and performed by another member, Mark Pendergrast. Throughout the day there was a fundraising tag sale and a storytelling open-mic lead by member, Recille Hamrill. And this summary only scratches the surface of what kind of energy and enthusiasm the day brought and what level of inspiration was felt by all.

The retreat was a huge success and everyone raved about it at the end of the day, so we have made it a new biennial tradition to happen alternate to the years we are hosting the “Writers Meet Agents” event.