Muskoka Chautauqua’s Signature Event & The 1812 Essay Writing Contest

Muskoka Chautauuqa’s Signature Event

Muskoka Chautauqua is a vibrant arts-based community established in 1916. This year, the group’s signature event will focus on the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812. Hosted once again by TVO’s Steve Paikin, our panel this year includes author and journalist John Ibbitson (Jeremy’s War: 1812) along with award winning author Richard Gwyn (John A, The Man Who Made Us; Nation Maker).

The event is being held at JW Marriott’s The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa and at Clevelands House Resort in Minett, Muskoka, ON, from June 1 – 3, 2012. 

To learn more about Muskoka Chautauqua and the group’s Signature Event, visit www.muskokachautauqua.ca

Contest

To commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812, Muskoka Chautauqua – a vibrant arts-based community established in 1916 – has launched its first annual writing contest.

Open to residents of the US and Canada, the contest hopes to challenge writers of all ages and abilities with their choice of one of the following essay topics:

·         The War of 1812: Who really won?

Without celebrating war or being anti-anyone, this theme recalls the struggles of each of the adversaries during this watershed conflict.

·         Our Canada: Rocks and Roots

Whether it’s rock music, the rock that dominates much of the landscape, your ancestral roots or our magnificent forests, we want to know what makes Canada so special…

Essays will be judged on both style and content, and should be between 500 – 2000 words.

Deadline for submissions is Fri. Aug. 31^st at 5 pm.

Entries should be sent to: muskokachautauqua@gmail.com

or via mail to PO Box 172, Port Carling, ON. P0B 1P0.

One winner from each category will receive two (2) VIP passes to the Muskoka Chautauqua “Weekend With Joseph Boyden” event being held at the luxurious JW Marriott’s The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa this fall.

Joseph Boyden, winner of
the Giller Prize for
Through Black Spruce

Joseph Boyden is the Giller Prize winning author of Through Black Spruce, and Three Day Road. The weekend will include opportunities to discuss writing and novels in small, intimate groups, with industry professionals such as Boyden and representatives of Penguin Canada.   

For information about all the annual writing contests in Canada, order the Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar, just $23.50 including all taxes and shipping. For details, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including creative writing courses and workshops in Kingston, Peterborough, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Georgetown, Hamilton, Dundas, St. Catharines, Guelph, Kitchener, Woodstock, Ingersoll, London, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barries, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario, and beyond.