Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Kurn Hattin Mystery Writing Contest
DATELINE: April 9, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jaimie Scanlon
Rapt Creative
(W) 802-490-2164 (C) 802-579-8545
jaimie@raptcreative.com
Jaimie Scanlon
Rapt Creative
(W) 802-490-2164 (C) 802-579-8545
jaimie@raptcreative.com
Kurn Hattin’s mystery writing contest helps middle-schoolers explore the mysteries of their own lives
April 8, 2012 | Westminster, Vermont – On April 4, 2013, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children held its 12th Annual Ziggy Ostrowski Mystery Writing Contest Banquet. The two contest winners, 7th grader, Brianna Loiacono and 8th grader Evany Rodriguez, each received a $25 cash prize for their mystery stories. Also honored were finalists, 7th graders, Kayley Rogstad and Connor Towsley, and 8th graders Jahyde Bullard and Krysta Gottfriend, along with 8th grader D’Leanne Solovei, who won the 2013 Paul Gordon Memorial Prize, for her love of reading and writing. This year’s stories took themes inspired by the poetry of Robert Frost. The students and teachers were joined at the banquet by special guest poet, photographer, and Landmark College professor emeritus, Dr. Robert Fay.
Twelve years ago, writing coach Ziggy Ostrowski began the contest for middle school students at Kurn Hattin Homes. Ostrowski enlisted the help of English teacher, Kristie Lisai, and the two developed the contest with the goal of showing students that they can rise to challenges and achieve things which at first may seem out of reach. In 2005, when Ostrowski was ill with terminal cancer, he had an important task for Lisai, “Please keep the contest going.” Lisai has honored that wish, renaming the contest in honor of Ostrowski, and inviting many well-known authors, such as Archer Mayor, Karen Hesse, Jesse Haas, and Katherine Paterson, to attend the banquet and inspire Kurn Hattin’s young authors.
This year’s contest prompt, the first to involve poetry, was suggested by Dr. Fay, a personal friend of Robert Frost, who has been working on poetry and literature with Kurn Hattin students for the past year. The students chose one of five Frost poems and developed a mystery story around its theme. Lisai says the contest allows students to express themes that are close to their own hearts and experiences. Contest winner Evany Rodriguez chose “The Road Not Taken” and wrote about a young woman on the verge of making a difficult choice in life. “She has a secret, and no one knows,” said Rodriguez, “Inside, she wants to run. She takes that road at first, but then decides to come back and face everyone and be honest.” Finalist Kayley Rogstad said of the challenge of mystery writing, “It wasn’t too challenging; I liked it. My life has been kind of a mystery so far.”
A place of hope since 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children provides a safe home and quality education for boys and girls, ages 6-15, whose families are experiencing a time of personal or financial need. Its mission: Kurn Hattin Homes transforms the lives of children and their families forever. www.kurnhattin.org
Twelve years ago, writing coach Ziggy Ostrowski began the contest for middle school students at Kurn Hattin Homes. Ostrowski enlisted the help of English teacher, Kristie Lisai, and the two developed the contest with the goal of showing students that they can rise to challenges and achieve things which at first may seem out of reach. In 2005, when Ostrowski was ill with terminal cancer, he had an important task for Lisai, “Please keep the contest going.” Lisai has honored that wish, renaming the contest in honor of Ostrowski, and inviting many well-known authors, such as Archer Mayor, Karen Hesse, Jesse Haas, and Katherine Paterson, to attend the banquet and inspire Kurn Hattin’s young authors.
This year’s contest prompt, the first to involve poetry, was suggested by Dr. Fay, a personal friend of Robert Frost, who has been working on poetry and literature with Kurn Hattin students for the past year. The students chose one of five Frost poems and developed a mystery story around its theme. Lisai says the contest allows students to express themes that are close to their own hearts and experiences. Contest winner Evany Rodriguez chose “The Road Not Taken” and wrote about a young woman on the verge of making a difficult choice in life. “She has a secret, and no one knows,” said Rodriguez, “Inside, she wants to run. She takes that road at first, but then decides to come back and face everyone and be honest.” Finalist Kayley Rogstad said of the challenge of mystery writing, “It wasn’t too challenging; I liked it. My life has been kind of a mystery so far.”
A place of hope since 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children provides a safe home and quality education for boys and girls, ages 6-15, whose families are experiencing a time of personal or financial need. Its mission: Kurn Hattin Homes transforms the lives of children and their families forever. www.kurnhattin.org
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For a high-resolution photo downloads of this event, visit Kurn Hattin's online media resource center.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Dick Nash Interview
Dick Nash is an alum of client Kurn Hattin and returns to campus on Wed. for their jazz invitational.
http://www.hip-bonemusic.com/b2p_nash.html
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Media Release: Kurn Hattin's Jazz Invitational
DATELINE: April 2, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Jaimie Scanlon
Rapt Creative
(W) 802-490-2164 (C) 802-579-8545
jaimie@raptcreative.com
Mark G. Auerbach
Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations
(W) 413-733-7095 (C) 413-427-7352
mgauerbach@gmail.com
Kurn Hattin Homes to host Annual Jazz Invitational featuring trombone legend and KHH alum, Dick Nash
WESTMINSTER, VT| Kurn Hattin Homes for Children welcomes the public to attend its Annual Jazz Invitational Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 pm, with performances by the Bellows Falls Union High School Jazz Ensemble, Kurn Hattin Jazz Ensemble, Northfield Mount Hermon Jazz Ensemble, Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble, and Vermont Jazz Center Youth Jazz Ensemble. The event will be hosted by Eugene Uman, Director of the Vermont Jazz Center, and the evening will conclude with a performance by the Keene Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Scott Mullett.
This year's program features special guest Kurn Hattin alum Dick Nash, Class of 1942. Nash first learned to play the trombone at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, and then went on to gain recognition on the world jazz stage during the swing and big band era. He was Henry Mancini’s favorite trombonist and is featured on 15 of Mancini’s albums, as well as those of other jazz greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. Nash's trademark smooth trombone sound is featured on the soundtrack of Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), and in the solo in the title theme track from the John Wayne film, Hatari! (1962). Mr. Nash said of his Kurn Hattin roots, "Without my time there, my life would have been totally different. The music teacher at Kurn Hattin handed me a trumpet when I was 10 years old. That's what started it all."
***Interviews are available with Mr. Nash, and credentialed media are invited to attend and photograph the event. Interested media are asked to contact Jaimie Scanlon at jaimie@raptcreative.com or at 802-490-2164 to reserve a spot before the event.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Jaimie Scanlon
Rapt Creative
(W) 802-490-2164 (C) 802-579-8545
jaimie@raptcreative.com
Mark G. Auerbach
Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations
(W) 413-733-7095 (C) 413-427-7352
mgauerbach@gmail.com
Kurn Hattin Homes to host Annual Jazz Invitational featuring trombone legend and KHH alum, Dick Nash
WESTMINSTER, VT| Kurn Hattin Homes for Children welcomes the public to attend its Annual Jazz Invitational Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 pm, with performances by the Bellows Falls Union High School Jazz Ensemble, Kurn Hattin Jazz Ensemble, Northfield Mount Hermon Jazz Ensemble, Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble, and Vermont Jazz Center Youth Jazz Ensemble. The event will be hosted by Eugene Uman, Director of the Vermont Jazz Center, and the evening will conclude with a performance by the Keene Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Scott Mullett.
This year's program features special guest Kurn Hattin alum Dick Nash, Class of 1942. Nash first learned to play the trombone at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, and then went on to gain recognition on the world jazz stage during the swing and big band era. He was Henry Mancini’s favorite trombonist and is featured on 15 of Mancini’s albums, as well as those of other jazz greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. Nash's trademark smooth trombone sound is featured on the soundtrack of Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), and in the solo in the title theme track from the John Wayne film, Hatari! (1962). Mr. Nash said of his Kurn Hattin roots, "Without my time there, my life would have been totally different. The music teacher at Kurn Hattin handed me a trumpet when I was 10 years old. That's what started it all."
Kurn Hattin's current music director, Lisa Bianconi, said of the upcoming visit, "The whole Kurn Hattin community is excited to welcome Dick Nash back home to Westminster, Vermont. He'll be performing with our children as a member of the Kurn Hattin family."
This event is open to the public. Admission is a canned/dry good or cash donation for the food shelf at Our Place in Bellows Falls. The concert takes place in Higbie Auditorium in the Mayo Memorial Center at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster (www.kurnhattin.org). For more information, contact Lisa Bianconi at (802) 721-6931.
This event is open to the public. Admission is a canned/dry good or cash donation for the food shelf at Our Place in Bellows Falls. The concert takes place in Higbie Auditorium in the Mayo Memorial Center at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster (www.kurnhattin.org). For more information, contact Lisa Bianconi at (802) 721-6931.
A place of hope since 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children provides a safe home and quality education for boys and girls, ages 6-15, whose families are experiencing a time of personal or financial need. Its mission: Kurn Hattin Homes transforms the lives of children and their families forever.
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Monday, April 1, 2013
NY Times Columnist Jane Brody to Speak at Kurn Hattin
NY Times columnist Jane Brody launches the 25th anniversary Westminster Cares series, April 16 at Kurn Hattin. http://www.ibrattleboro.com/sections/health/ny-times-personal-health-columnist-jane-brody-kicks-westminster-cares-“speaking-agin
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