Julie Ginther | Chair , Communications Committee

During a year of uncertainty , many of us wondered if ARTA members would feel inclined to submit entries to the contest . As usual , we did not have to be concerned . We received many entries . On the other hand , this year ’ s new category , Comics , did not seem to capture the interest of our members . The judges in the categories of Flash Fiction and Poetry , however , truly had their work cut out for them . The Flash Fiction entries were outstanding and were surprisingly not about the pandemic . The judges in the Poetry category faced a number of excellent entries making judging very difficult . The judges want to encourage all those who didn ’ t win to submit their writing to other venues , as they may have success there .

WRITING CONTEST WINNERS

Poetry

First Place Tie : Cottage Symphony by Colleen Sayer

First Place Tie : Elegy for Lost Pets by Dianne Harke

Second Place Tie : An Echo in Time by Bette Gray

Flash Fiction

First Place : A Little Paradise by Lorrie Morales

Second Place : The Fugitive by Michael Watson

Honourable Mention : Supply Grandparents by Ernest Jurkat

Second Place Tie : Neighbours by Marianne Cole

POETRY : FIRST PLACE ( TIE )

Dianne Harke

Signs appear on bulletin boards , and posts , often with a picture — of a cat , or a dog , or , once , a dragon lizard . I am compelled to read and to note their names , their defining characteristics : Chairman Meow , with the shaved underside who disappeared on his birthday ; Rocket and Weenie , kittens , one grey , one black . All much-loved and missed , a few small rewards offered . Big Ben , Blossom , Ginger , Ripple , and Baxter , moseying , multi-coloured tabbies . As for Pez , the lizard , approach cautiously with a blanket . Mostly felines , but , occasionally , a canine like Nugget , a “ chihuahua with big black eyes .” Sadly , I never catch a glimpse of these lost souls , although I do keep my eyes open and a blanket at the ready . news & views SPRING 2021 | 35