Muskoka Novel Marathon writers back together for the first time since 2019

After five years and four entirely online Muskoka Novel Marathons, the locally famed literary hothouse and literacy fundraiser will be a physical gathering once again in 2024. A maximum of 30 writers will occupy the Port Sydney Community Hall for 72 hours of unfettered creativity July 11-14, vying for the Best Novel Award, which includes a viewing of the manuscript by a Canadian publishing house, as well as the Remington Award for the writer who raises the most money for adult literacy in Muskoka.

“We didn’t miss a single Marathon because of Covid,” says convenor KM Wehrstein, a full-time writer best known in Muskoka for the “Cottage Country Cuisine” culinary feature in Unique Muskoka magazine. “We’re just lucky that we have an event that translates well onto Zoom. The online Marathons were all on the usual weekend in mid-July. But everyone’s been wanting badly to get back in person, and now we’re very excited to be doing it.”

Wehrstein notes that the 2024 Marathon is actually a hybrid event, with online participation still welcome at the discount price set in 2020. “We didn’t want to leave out the new online friends we made from 2020 to 2023, who are as far away as Hawaii.”

Founded in 2002 by five Muskoka writers, the Marathon has raised an estimated $240,000 in total for adult literacy education. Its current beneficiary is YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka’s Huntsville-based literacy program, which is now also active in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Parry Sound as well as Huntsville. Over the years, Marathon funds have been used for sustaining literacy, numeracy and computer skills classes, extending hours, expanding staff, and upgrading IT equipment necessary for the program.

In recent years they have been allocated for the Y’s well-attended English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, empowering Syrian, Ukrainian and new Canadians from other nations to enter into and thus strengthen the local economy. “Our ESL programs continue to be accessed at high volume across all three YMCA Learning Services locations,” says Ashley McGee, Team Leader of Learning Services at the Huntsville Y office. “Fundraisers like the Muskoka Novel Marathon allow us to continue a very robust ESL Program while additionally responding to the growing needs beyond the classes themselves.” The YMCA is now able to offer language assessments and help prepare ESL students for their final exam, she notes.

Are you interested in getting involved in local theatre?! LOOK NO FURTHER! 

The Port Colborne Operatic Society is hosting a pre-registration night on Wednesday, June 26 2024 and invites anyone and everyone to come out, see what we're all about, meet our creative team and board of directors, and hear more about how YOU can participate, either onstage or behind the scenes! 

Anyone interested in becoming a member of our organization for the 2024-25 season is encouraged to attend the event.  If you'd like to register ahead of time and skip the line, you can do so here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiPgSPzZ4UWPvCKL6MFqDN0Yq6abo_rHdco9R5MkHpvzfMIA/viewform

We hope to see you all at Pre-Reg!

Experience the magic of cinema at Movie on the Docks—an unforgettable outdoor movie night unlike any other! Situated on the scenic waterfront, a classic film unfolds on a double-sided screen, offering audiences the unique choice of watching from the water or on shore. Grab your own chair, sleeping bag, or floating device, and settle in for a free film under the twinkling stars.

Film will start at sunset. HfA will be selling popcorn, chocolate bars and cold drinks on site.

SCHEDULE:
JUNE 29 | 9PM | JAWS
AUGUST 3 | 8:30PM | SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE
AUGUST 31 | 8PM | LUCA