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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Thanks to Lana Hendershott

From Pat Vestal, NCWN Representative for Henderson County, North Carolina

Lana Hendershott, Henderson County NCWN West Representative at the Bookfest 
at Blue Ridge Community College

A few weeks after I moved to Hendersonville in 2011, I attended BookFest at Blue Ridge Community College, a bit nervous since I knew no one in the writing community. By the end of the conference I felt like I really was a part of that community. I was warmly welcomed by several NetWest members and introduced to Lana Hendershott, the Henderson County representative.  

 Everyone obviously liked and respected her, and I soon discovered why. She is a genuinely good person who had already worked tirelessly as representative for several years. She made a point of introducing me to others and inviting me to events. Lana’s helpfulness included caring for her elderly parents, which consumed a great deal of her time and energy.

 I joined Lana as a co-rep. in 2013 and together we developed a monthly Literary Open Mic at the Hendersonville Library, which has become very popular. It was great to have a reliable and efficient partner with whom to facilitate the monthly event and take over when I couldn’t attend. The event attracted many local readers, a number of whom are not network members and didn’t know us.  We soon became like a big family, to which, fortunately, new members are frequently added.                     Lana’s warm, welcoming and fair attitude contributed a great deal to this. 
 
Late in 2014 after many years, she finally decided to relinquish her position in order to spend more time with family.  Obviously, she received warm accolades and appreciation at her last meeting as representative in December.  


As the January “meet and greet” prior to the reading was underway, big smiles and welcomes broke out as Lana quietly entered the auditorium to relax in the audience, still supporting local writers.   
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2 comments:

  1. Living Above the Frost LineFriday, February 27, 2015 at 8:17:00 AM EST

    Thanks Pat Vestal, This post warms my heart and makes me very proud of the service and hard work you and Lana Hendershott have given to the writers in your NCWN West community. We're all out here in the outback of North Carolina, so far from the writing centers of our country, even far from the writing center of our state. Sometimes we do feel alone. Thanks for all. I hope we can get together in the near future for all day writing conference like the one we had last spring in Sylva.--Nancy Simpson

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  2. Bill RamseyFriday, February 27, 2015 at 10:30:00 AM EST

    The smile seen on Lana's face is the one we saw each time she was among us. That smile conveys her acceptance and encouragement of the writers around her. To say we will miss her is to paint a picture of having been abandoned by her and that is not going to be something she will allow. Write on, Lana.

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