2008 Candace Allen & Bob Richardson Benefactors' Award Winners

Gail Madden Wins 2008 Benefactor's Award

The Whidbey Island Writers Association recognizes Candace Allen and Bob Richardson by naming the 2008 Benefactor's Award in their honor. A founding member of the Whidbey Island Writers Association Conference, Candace Allen served as the first coordinator of the Author Fireside Chats. Since then she has been involved in nearly every aspect of the conference including recruitment of presenters, scheduling, public relations, administration, training and presentations. She founded the Association’s online newsletter in 2001 and served as editor for more than three years.

With the departure of the Association’s first director in 2004, Candace recognized the need for a formal, centralized record-keeping system. Under her administrative guidance, her husband, Bob Richardson, a retired actuary and talented programmer, developed a comprehensive administrative database system that continues to serve the conference and the Association’s membership well. Also in 2004, with a volunteer team known as the Websters—Linda Jedlicka, Nancy Bartlett and Candace Allen—Bob built the current Web site for the Association. He continues  to provide programming expertise when needed, but recently converted the Web site to Contribute, a software program that allows WIWA to update the site without having to constantly rely on the technical services of a Web designer or programmer.

A freelance computer programmer and Web designer, Bob is the owner of Bridge Captain, www.bridge-captain.com, a computer bridge game. He’s also a partner and developer of Bridge Klasse and other bridge programs targeted for Scandinavians. Bob still enjoys building Web sites for WIWA members.

Candace, a former member of the Association's board of directors and Strategic Planning Committee, currently serves as webmaster and content manager. In her tenth year on the Conference Team, she is also a member of the Communication Committee and is the associate editor of the upcoming magazine Soundings Review.A freelance editor and writer, Candace’s latest projects include working with the South Whidbey Commons on the publication of the book “Hometown Heroes” and this March, the publication of her feature article “Still Cruisin’ After All These Years” in the sailing magazine 48˚ North. Her articles have appeared in Cruising World, Sail, Log Home Design, Log Home Living and other newspapers and magazines as well as business publications and books.

Gail Madden receives 2008 Benefactor's Award from Candace Allen

Fiction Winners

First - Gail Madden,Finding Out
Second - Rowena Williamson, Charlie Is My Darling
Third - Dick Warwick, The Sandwich Shop

Children's Winners

First - Penny Holland,Sam and the Sunflower Thief
Second - Carolyne Ruck, Snake Song
Third - Cassondra Brewster, My Mommy Wears Combat Boots

Nonfiction Winners

First - Ron Rhinehart,View from Europe
Second - Dot Read, Before the War
Third - Roger Cannon, Goodwill Has No Price

Poetry Winners

First - John Paxman, It Happens That I Am Tired
Second - Sharon Nicholson, Cowgirl from Genoua
Third -Susan Gradzielewski, Blind Faith