Townships P.I.: The Real Scoop, Short Story Contest

Are you in Grade 5 or 6? This is for you! Know someone who is? Pass this on!

The Eastern Townships is a region with many stories to tell. Ever since people began settling in the area, Townshippers have been famous for their good (and sometimes bad!) behaviour.

WHAT DO WE WANT FROM YOU?

We are asking you to be a P.I. (that’s a Private Investigator, in case you weren’t sure) for a few days. Your job? To investigate a famous event (or mystery) that happened in the past, here in the Eastern Townships. Ask around to learn more about the stories of the Townships. Learn about some of the strange, funny, scary or cool things that happened here. Choose an event or mystery for your story. Get information about the people who were involved in it, find out what they did and how the story ended (if it ever actually ended!). I’m sure that your grandparents, parents, teachers and older family friends will have lots of information to share with you, if you ask them.

We at Townshippers’ Association want to learn all about the things that happened here in the Townships that ARE NOT talked about at school. As a Townships P.I., it is your job to investigate a story about something that happened here. Tell us what went down in YOUR town and help us solve some of the mysteries of our past!

In an illustrated short story (2-10 pages), tell us all about the event or mystery you’ve investigated. Although we’d like for there to be a little bit of truth in your story, feel free to make up some details as you write...that’s the fun part about writing stories!

WHAT WE WANT YOU TO DO

Choose a famous story to tell us about the past of your town or the Townships (ask your grandparents, parents or teacher for some good ideas!), and then choose at least one famous Townshipper to star in your story. This character can be a real person, a ghost, a monster… it’s your choice! Create a short, illustrated story (2-10 pages) telling us about your event or Townships mystery. The story must have at least ONE drawing and some text (there is no minimum or maximum number of words).

This contest is for young Townshippers in Grades 5 and 6. The text in your story must be in ENGLISH. It can be handwritten or typed. Your illustrations must be done BY HAND, but can be drawn in pencil, crayon, marker, paint, etc. The DEADLINE is Friday, April 23, 2010, by 5 p.m. Fill out the application form (which can be found at http://www.youthtownships.ca) and send both the form and your story to Michelle Lepitre, Make Way for YOUth/Desjardins Migration Agent, Townshippers’ Association, 100-257 Queen, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1K7

One winner and one runner-up will be chosen in each of two categories: (1) colour illustrations and (2) black and white illustrations. Each winner will receive: a bound copy of their story, a $100 gift certificate to a local art supply (or book) store, and publication of their story in the September 2010 issue of the Townshippers newsletter. Each runner-up will receive: a $50 gift certificate to a local art supply (or book) store, and publication of their story in the September 2010 issue of the Townshippers newsletter. ALL entries will be displayed during a special reception on Friday evening, June 4, 2010. This event will be open to the public.

Photo Credit: Eric Akbar Manolson

Photo Cutline: The City of Sherbrooke (Borough of Lennoxville) holds an annual event to recognize the volunteer involvement of its citizens. The recipient of this year’s Citizenship and Volunteer Work award went to Melanie Cutting, Townshippers’ Association’s Secretary, Chair of the Membership Committee and Board member, pictured here with other Board members Gerry Cutting and Jim Kanner. We at the Association rely heavily on her generosity, her open mind and her sense of humour. Kudos to the Borough for selecting her, and kudos to you Melanie! You richly deserve it!