Come and Share Some Chuck Wagon Grub With Us This Saturday!

The February ACRA meeting will be held at member Dolores Wilson's home north of Jacksonville.

PLEASE NOTE - this is for the February 22, 2014 meeting only. In March, we'll resume meeting at the library as usual.

The theme is "Dixie Cowboy." Casual dress is welcomed. Jeans, boots, and Western hats encouraged!

Plan on an 11:30 am arrival. A "chuck wagon grub" lunch will be served at noon.

If you plan to attend, please email Dolores to let her know, and for directions. This is important for two reasons:

• So Dolores knows how many of us will be there to consume her fabulous cooking, and she makes enough for everyone;
• So you know how to get there. (It's easy to find.)

Please email Dolores for directions.

Dolores and her pal Vickie King will present a surprise program.

This would be a good time to bring a friend who has admired what you do, and expressed an interest in writing. Joining ACRA (via RWA) is a great first step for anyone who wants to write. Everyone is welcome, but we ask that only those 18 or older attend our meetings.

See you there!

PS: Dolores will make a surprise announcement at this meeting. If you love her writing, you do not want to miss this.

PPS: Seriously, you do not want to miss this! (See Dolores smiling in the above photo? She's going to smile bigger than that when she shares her news.)

A Message from Our Incoming President

by Dolores J. Wilson

In spite of how much I've dug my heels in and tried to keep 2011 from disappearing faster than a Thanksgiving meal which took three days to cook, I have failed miserably.  Time is passing and although I will be ready for Christmas and New Year's, I wish this past year had gone more slowly so I could have enjoyed more of it.

I can take a few minutes and remember the high points that have happened since January 1, 2011 until now.  I can think of each happening, event, or surprise that came my way.  Most of it was great and maybe that is the reason I regret it going so fast.  I want to slow down and savor every moment big, small or in between.  But that has not been the way things have gone.

On my goal list, half of the things have been accomplished and marked off.  Things like: spend lots of quality time with my grandkids (check), find an agent (check), make new writing friends (check), spend a week in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley (check), be more active in my local chapter of Romance Writers of America.  Becoming the president for Ancient City Romance Authors for 2012 deserves a (check and double check).

The things from my list I didn't make happen:  Lose enough weight to make Twiggy jealous (you really young folks look her up) write, sell, and have published the next greatest American novel, and last but not least, master Facebook and Twitter.

Those goals will go back on this year's list along with being the best ACRA president I can, make new friends, and with the help of a lot of special people, make the membership for the chapter grow and grow.

A couple of weeks ago, our 2012 Board had our first meeting to set up goals, to talk about budgets and to discuss the things we would like to see ACRA accomplish next year.  The Board is made up of awesome members full of energy and bright ideas, and we had a very successful  first board meeting.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the first chapter meeting in 2012.