Pen Women: Please be sure to review the Fall 2025 issue of The Pen Woman.

There’s valuable information about the 2026 Biennial event for LETTERS (19 categories!), ART, and MUSIC. PLUS all sorts of tips for booking your hotel, etc.

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Judy Crystal (Letters) and Doris Mady (Art) combined efforts and were declared Finalists in the NLAPW’s first-ever Cross-Genre Competition with Judy’s haiku matched with Blue Bayou and “First Monday in September” partnered with Autumn’s Tree. Their entries will be set up in the Boutique at The Darcy hotel. Prizes will be awarded at the 2026 Biennial.

Ekphrastic haiku

Midsummer magic
Perigee moon glimmering
Seventeen summer

Midsummer magic
Moonlight sparkles on the pond
She is seventeen

 

“First Monday in September “

There’s an end of summer feeling
Jewelweed sparkles on the golf course
Hay is bundled in the meadow
Butterflies as orange sparkle
As they dance among the zinnias
They’ll be gone tomorrow morning
Heading south

Time to wash and dry the beach toys
Put away the screened porch cushions
Pull the daisies from the wreath
Seasonal welcome on the mudroom door
Mornings start with woolen sweaters
Oatmeal on the breakfast table
Fireplace glows as evening falls

The children are excited,
As they trade their summer sandals
For the newest, coolest sneakers
Soccer balls instead of golf clubs
Talk of friends they’ll soon be seeing
School opens a week from Monday
The new year, a new adventure

A gentle reminder that
Some endings are
Beginnings

Judith Crystal
Greenwich Pen Woman, 2025
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Lisa D’Amico — Until Nov. 30 – “In The Details” a 2-person art exhibit at The Nyack Library, is featuring small works by Lisa, one of our newest ART members.

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At the invitation from Lisa D’Amico, curator at bluefieldexhibits.com, Maria C. Friscia, Doris Mady, Heidi Matonis, and Heather Sandifer were accepted into the online show “The Color of Water” Art Exhibit. This show runs until Jan. 20, 2026.  When you visit the site, you can also vote in the People’s Choice Award.

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Three Pen Women have had their work accepted at the Bendheim Gallery’s Annual Members’ Juried Fall Exhibit, 2025. 299 Greenwich Avenue, 2^nd floor. Showing until Nov. 20th. Hours: M-F: 10-4, Sat. and Sun.: noon – 4pm.

• Maria C. Friscia with her acrylic paintingThe Distance Between
• Barbara O’Shea with her photograph On The Lookout
• Margaret Simon with Portrait of Brandon

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Both Maria Friscia and Doris Mady have paintings accepted into the 45th Annual Faber Birren National Color Show, Townhouse Gallery Stamford Art Association, 39 Franklin St. Nov. 16 – Dec. 18. Reception: Sun., Nov. 16 from 4- 6 pm. Maria: Silent Meadow and Doris: Snow Whites.This show is held in galleries all over the world and draws artists internationally.
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The National League of American Pen Women spotlighted Letters member, Catherine Horn on their website (front page) for her hard-fought accomplishment and journey that she took to get her book published. Hardy Congrats to you!
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Hazel Jarvis invites all Pen Women to:

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Reminder: Part III of Lonesome Dove will be held at the Perrot Library, Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7pm.

Journey to the dusty little Texas town of Lonesome Dove and meet an unforgettable assortment of heroes and outlaws, whores and ladies, Native Americans, and settlers. Richly authentic, beautifully written, always  dramatic, Lonesome Dove is a book to make us laugh, weep, dream, and remember.

Registration is required. To register, click here.

You may reserve a copy of the book through the Perrot Library catalog or purchase a copy from Athena Books. Or bring your copy from your home bookshelf!

For more information, contact Judy Sgammato at 203-637-1066 x15 or judys@perrotlibrary.org.