The Finch and Rose State Literary Society cake decorating contest was a "smash" this year.  "Nothing Compares" to the fun we had.  Our guest judge was author Mary Kay Shanley.  We had four entries this year which was double what we had last year.  Just think what we will have next year!

This contest is really fun.  Contestants are challenged to bake (from scratch) and decorate a birthday cake to celebrate Iowa!  The contest is called, "Decorate Iowa".  We hope you enjoy the pictures of our contest winners, judges, and the blue ribbon cake.  First Place or our Blue Ribbon winner received $100.00 and a signed copy of Mary Kay Shanley's book, "Our State Fair - Iowa's Blue Ribbon Story".  Second place received $75.00 and a signed copy of Mary Kay Shanley's book.  Third place received $25.00 and a signed copy of Mary Kay Shanley's book.  Each entry received a beautiful Finch and Rose bookmark.

Our Blue Ribbon Winner by Jenny Slight from Des Moines.

Contestants and Judges from left to right....Brenda Becker from Pella, Honorable Mention, Cristen Clark from Runnells, 3rd Place, Judge Mary Kay Shanley, Amy Fuson from Indianola, 2nd Place, Jenny Slight from Des Moines, 1st Place, Judges Michelle Bliss and Adele Ver Steeg.

On Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 Finch and Rose State Literary Society hosted the second annual “Happy Birthday Iowa” celebration at the Thoreau Center in Des Moines.  This year 8 Iowa authors honored Iowa's 164th with their special readings about our great state!

The 2nd Annual Iowa High School All-State Poetry Festival was held on Saturday afternoon, April 17th, at the Des Moines Central Library. Fourteen all-state poets were selected, also known as making The Sonnet's List, and invited to attend and read from the repertoires at the festival. Also honored were poets Steve and Barry Benson with the Service-in-Verse Award. Ames high school teacher Joe Brekke received the Iowa High School Poetry Teacher of the Year Award. Over 75 high school students from around the state entered this year's competition.

We would like to thank all of the students who submitted their repertoires and to those students, teachers, and family who attended.  Pictured are those in attendance at the close of the festival.

Back row, left to right: Trent McMahon, Centerville (repeat all-state selectee); Tommy Kuhl, BCLUW; Cole Crawford, Whalert Catholic/Dubuque (repeat all-state selectee); Derek Ahlers, Remson-Union.

Front row, left to right: Andrea Tate, Ames; Jennie Simpson, Fort Madison; Jackie Havens, Valley/West Des Moines; Katie Gatzke, Northview/Ankeny.

Not pictured: Mackenzie Dickson, Ames; Monica Dreasher, Ames; Sarah Jentz, Gehlen Catholic/LeMars; Andrew Moore, Ames; Mackenzie Nelson, Ames; Lindsey Wyckoff, Ames.

The Festival Committee honored Steve and Barry Benson with the Service and Verse Award


Ames High School teacher Joe Brekke was honored with our Poetry Teacher of the Year Award

John D. Thompson
County Poems of Iowa &
On Holiday

Michelle Bliss and Kathy Holdefer
Finch & Rose State Literary Society

Jan Kaiser
Des Moines Public Library

John Busbee
The Culture Buzz

It was a beautiful summer Sunday at the Iowa State Fair, but there was fun, indoors, too. Inside the Elwell Family Food Center we had a great time judging the Finch & Rose State Literary Society's first-ever State Fair food contest.  The name of the contest was "Decorate Iowa" Celebrating Iowa's Birthday.