Concordia's Plum Creek Literacy Festival marks 15th year

The 15th annual Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival hosted by Concordia took place Oct. 7-9. The event gives children and adults the opportunity to connect with nationally acclaimed authors and illustrators in order to enhance literacy enjoyment and education. Overall nearly 9,000 children and adults took part in this year's festival.
"The festival is a celebration of books and the people who love them!" said Dr. Janell Uffelman, festival director and one of its founding members.
Nine featured authors and illustrators were part of this year's festival: Ashley Bryan, Alyssa Capucilli, Dan Gutman, Ralph Masiello, Patricia Polacco, Pat Schories, Sarah Weeks, Carmen Agra Deedy and John McCutcheon. The presenters visited students in Seward-area schools on Thursday. On Friday students from all over the Midwest will attend sessions with the authors and illustrators and participate in a variety of literacy activities. Three special sessions by Concordia students and staff were part of this year's program: Music Alive! by the music department, Color Celebration by the art department and Folktales and Fractured Fairytales by the theater department.
The adult conference included workshops presented by authors, illustrators and literacy experts.
2010 Plum Creek Children ’s Literacy Festival Committee members:
- Dr. Janell Uffelman – Director
- Vikki Gremel – Coordinator
- Marilyn Bork – School packets, CEU certificates, mailings
- Dr. Ron Bork – Fiscal agent
- Fran Ehlers, Karyn Backhus – Literacy on the Lawn
- Lila Thompson – Transportation
- Gretchen Gebhardt – Author hostess
- Diane Holtorf – Author hostess
- Sue Imig – NSRA liaison, author hostess, registration
- Clark Kolterman – Language arts quiz bowl, NCTE liaison
- Dawn Navis – Author hostess
- Pat Ohlmann, Sue Imig, Marj Komenda – Book sales
- Lavonne Riemer – Emeritus
- Dr. Leah Serck – Hospitality
- Barb Wallingford, Tricia Herbel, Katie Wright – Endowment dinner auction
- Karen Chittick – Endowment dinner
- Pam Langewisch – Author Hostess