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 Beth Streeter Aldrich Traditions

“Journey Into Christmas” Holiday Open House

A year’s worth of activities celebrating A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich as the One Book One Nebraska selection for 2009 will conclude with the annual “Journey Into Christmas” Holiday Open House at the Bess Streeter Aldrich House.  Located at 204 East F St., Elmwood, NE, the event runs every Saturday and Sunday in December from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Eleven rooms in the author’s historic home have been dressed for the holidays.  Rooms are decorated by local clubs and families, each with its own tree and unique theme.  Visitors are invited to enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cider after their tour.

Admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 6-12.  Visit www.BessStreeterAldrich.org for more information. 

Original short stories by Nebraska authors are currently being accepted for the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation’s 2010 short story contest.

A new division for Intermediate School Students, Grades 3-5, is being added this year.

Story length should be 1,000-2,000 words (there is no minimum word requirement for the Intermediate category) and submissions should be written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works. No essays, please. Books by the author that writers can read to get ideas about content and style are:

Short Works 1907-1919 Mother Mason

Short Works 1920-1954 The Rim of the Prairie

The Cutters A Lantern in her Hand

Spring Came on Forever A White Bird Flying

Miss Bishop Song of Years

The Lieutenant’s Lady Journey into Christmas

The Drum Goes Dead The Man who Caught the Weather

Prizes will be awarded at the annual Spring Banquet of the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation. Cash prize amounts are: Adult: 1^st Prize $100.00, 2^nd Prize $50.00, 3^rd Prize $25.00. High School (grades 9-12) and Middle School (grades 6-8): 1^st Prize $50.00, 2^nd Prize $25.00, 3^rd Prize $15.00.

Intermediate School: 1^st Prize $25.00, 2^nd Prize $15.00, 3^rd Prize $10.00.

Writers, please send a cover sheet with your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, title of story, and two copies of your story, one with your name and one without. Include a line telling how you learned about the contest. For students, add age, grade, school, and teacher’s name to the cover sheet. Please enclose a SASE for return of contest results. Stories will not be returned. Families of Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation Board Members are not eligible.

The due date for submissions is the author’s birthday, February 17, 2010 (postmark date). Send submissions to: Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, P.O. Box 167, Elmwood, NE 68349. A complete list of rules can be found at www.BessStreeterAldrich.org