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 Greetings! I'm hunkered down in a condo in the mountains as I write this, working on the fourth book in the Home-Front Heroes series. It's always cold and always windy and always quiet when I come up here in the winter to write. That's why I do it. I know I'll buckle down and work. It's too cold to do anything else. With e-mail and cell phones and ongoing projects, it's hard to get away,even when you get away. But that's why it's more critical than ever that we sometimes remove ourselves from the daily grind and really focus. It wasn't easy to leave for a week.There was so much work to get done before I left and there will be more to catch up on when I get back, and I had to get the kids settled and the husband prepped and the errands run before I headed out. But remember that we make what matters, matter. And for this week, the writing matters most. What matters most to you right now? Did You Know: After watching a video interview with our nation's newset Medal of Honor winner, Salvatore Giunta, I came across this quote,"Since the beginning of World War II, only 854 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Over half that number died in their moment of heroism. Today only 86 of them are still with us." Click Here to read more. Did You Know: The majority of elementary-aged children I speak to in schools have never heard about Pearl Harbor. The National World War II Museum is offering an essay contest for middle school and high school students on the subject, "Why Should We Remember Pearl Harbor?" Read Here for details. Thank you Brad Hoopes for sending this information. Did You Know: In January, I launched my new Read A Hero Literacy Program in several Colorado Boys & Girls Clubs. I'm very excited to be working with such a great organization. According to a recent survey of Boys & Girls alumni, 90% have earned diplomas or their GEDs. In 2010, more than 800 Bronx teenagers found work after taking a job-readiness program at their local Boys & Girls Club. Denzel Washington, a former B & G kid himself, said, "The hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. are critical. That's when kids need homework help, tutors, and mentors, but many are going home to empty houses...or no houses at all." .................................................................................................................................. |
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Readers
And Writers
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Readers:
Announcing my
new E-Book Versions!
I'm super excited to report that
Dancing in Combat Boots and
Remember Wake are now
available for download as e-books on Kindle and Nook readers or for download to your computer. Watch for them soon on iPad and Sony readers as well!
Look Who I Met:
Over the holidays, I had the
pleasure of visiting the Reliance
Fire Museum in Estes Park,
Colorado. Doug Klink (shown here) showed us their collection of vintage fire engines, (which they also restore) including this one, a 1938 Ahrens Fox Model HT. Also on the property was an old Packard dating to the 1930s.
As a writer, I always learn so much from people like Doug, details that help bring my historical fiction to life, but also fascinate and inspire me! To learn more, visit their website.
Tell Me Your Stories:
Readers, please don't forget to send me your stories or your family's stories from World War II. We've made it super easy for you to submit your short memories or anecdotes from the war to my website. Simply visit my Readers Stories page.
We have numerous stories currently posted, so please feel free to visit my site to read these very special remembrances. |
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Writer's Tips
That Book Inside You!
My Most Popular Workshop:
Saturday February 26 and Saturday, April 9
It all starts with an idea--a middle-of-the-night brainstorm or a concept that's been building--and you know you've got a book inside you. But how do you begin? Click here for more information on this popular, one-day workshop and to sign up.
Teresa's Quote of the Month "How does a book get written? One line at a time." I'm making two points here. One, that writing a book is work. It takes time and effort and dedication and the only way to get it done is by writing it word by word, line by line. But I'm also pointing out that EVERY line in a book matters. Every single one of them. No exceptions. Click here to read more.
Send Me Your Writing Questions:
And I'll do my best to answer them in this column. Your questions can be on the craft of writing or the business of publishing or the challenges of marketing your finished work or anything in between. I'm eager to hear your questions! |
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Pass It On!
Every month we work hard to include as much helpful information as we can for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and students. If you like the activities you see here, please pass this newsletter on! To see our archived activities Click Here. |
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Educators
And Students
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Educators:
Author Visits!
Book me soon for an author visit to your school! My spring schedule is filling fast, but I love doing school visits and would be happy to work with you. I know recent cuts have reduced speaker budgets, but talk to me. We might have sponsors who can help you afford a visit. Meeting and hearing from a live author, one who is also a practiced speaker, has numerous benefits! Click Here to learn more.
Homemade Valentines:
The 1940s were marked by the events of World War II. Soldiers, rationing and big-band music were the norm. 1940s greeting cards and Valentine's Day cards were made with brightly colored images such as children, animals and even war vehicles. Because materials were scarce, many children made their own Valentine cards using all kinds of recycled paper and materials.They would add creative sayings to their cards.
Make your own cards for Valentine's Day. Use Valentine images from the 1940s or draw your own. Use your imagination and creativity to come up with fun sayings.
Celebrate V-Day:
Dancing the night away to the romantic Big Band sounds of a 1940's-style Hangar Dance could be the ultimate Valentine Day experience for your students. Hangar dances were held in airplane hangars among WWII airplanes and other vintage craft.Hangar dances were usually put on as fundraisers for the war effort.
In the Classroom or as a Party Idea:
Step back in time and play Big Band music for your students. As a group, ask for the kids' reactions. What did they like about the music? How is this type of music different from the music they listen to now?
Download or copy pictures of WWII planes that might have been in the hangers at the dances, such as the A-26 Invader and DH89. Research varieties and how the planes were used.
Google children's Valentine Cards of the 1940s or videos of people doing popular dances from the Swing Era.
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Students
1940s Valentine Waffles
Any meal, even the simplest, can be "spruced up" for Valentine's Day. Because of the rationing during this time, many ingredients were hard to come by, so these waffles were a popular dessert. Click here for the recipie.
Mind Bender
Keep a look out each month for a mind bender. It could be some sort of activity or a trivia question. Check out the next month's newsletter for the answer. Good luck and have fun!!
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News
And Events
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Events:
Dancing in Combat Boots
Come see my popular one-woman show on March 9 & 10 at Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins. Click here to buy tickets. Check back soon for performance dates in Loveland, Berthoud and Estes Park. To learn more about Dancing in Combat Boots-the Performance Click Here.
Boys & Girls Club
In January, we launched our new Read A Hero Literacy Program through Boys & Girls Clubs in Larimer, Weld and Pueblo counties. We are so pleased to be working with this amazing group of kids and helping to fill their after-school hours with reading, writing, history, art, and so much more! If you'd like more information about this program or are interested in sponsoring our summer literacy program through Boys & Girls Clubs, please contact me by clicking here Teresa or by calling 970-215-4155.
Catch Me At:
February 13, 2011
Speaker
National Charity League's Annual Mother/Daughter Tea
Fort Collins, CO
March 3, 2011
Featured Author
Preston Reads 2011
Preston Middle School
Fort Collins, CO
To see details on these and other speaking engagements, check out my events page. |
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Do Your Part
Contact me to find out how you can team with Teresa Funke & Company and our partner organizations to help improve literacy, education and the arts in 2011. Our innovative programs bring new solutions to old problems.
Programs like:
The Read A Hero Literacy Program
The Do Your Part School Kit Program
The Teresa Funke School Visit Program
The Great Book Giveaway
The Teresa Funke & Company Arts Appreciation Program
And more . . .
If you are looking for ways to benefit your community and get good exposure for your group or business, I'd be happy to send you our Partnership Opportunities packet. Join us in making the things that matter, matter.
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Contact Us
Teresa Funke & Company
116 W Harvard Suite 1
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
970-223-4484
tfcinfo@teresafunke.com |
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Teresa Funke & Company provides book, programs, and resources to Readers, Writers, Teachers, and Students. Teresa is a Speaker, Presenter, Writers coach and author of five books based on true stories from World War II. To learn more, please visit www.teresafunke.com | |
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