In a private reception held at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum on October 18, 2014, at 6 p.m., 295 West Avenue in Norwalk, CT, NY Times bestselling author Steve Berry will join the museum's Education Committee in celebrating the six students chosen to participate in the LMMM Young Writers' Competition award ceremony. When asked whether there were any future members of his organization, the International Thriller Writers, among these students, Mr. Berry replied: "The winner of the 8th grade portion could be published right now. There's some real talent there. The second place was outstanding too. It's written through an effaced narrator in total dialogue, which is a feat few published writers could accomplish. I was blown away."
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum launched its first Young Writers' Competition in the spring of 2014. More than 1,200 students visited the Mansion as part of its Education Program and 75 participated in this competition. By launching this new program, the museum hoped to encourage creative thinking and writing and introduce a National Historic Landmark and mid-to-late 19th century history and the arts to students throughout Fairfield County.
The award presentation will be followed at 7 p.m. by Mystery at Elm Park: The Mansion's Pen and Inkwell Gala featuring Mr. Berry as keynote speaker and the exhibition preview, Hidden Treasures: Artifacts from the LMMM Collections. During this event co-chaired by Michael DiScala and Joseph Passero, guests will have the opportunity to meet the author and hear about his latest novel,The Lincoln Myth. Steve Berry and his wife Elizabeth are the creators of the History Matters foundation dedicated to historic preservation. Mr. Berry and his foundation will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from his appearance to the Mansion.
The Museum’s 2014 cultural and educational programs are made possible in part by generous funding from LMMM’s Founding Patrons: the Estate of Mrs. Cynthia Clark Brown; The Museum’s Distinguished Benefactors: Klaff’s, The Xerox Foundation, and The Maurice Goodman Foundation; LMMM Sustainers: Spinnaker Real Estate Partners.
The black-tie evening includes cocktails, a silent auction and dinner, catered by Michael Gilmartin of Outdoor Cookers. Gala tickets are $200 for Rotunda seats and $150 for the Adjoining room. For information or to purchase tickets, call 203-838-9799 ext. 4, or email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.
Awards for the Young Writers' Competition ceremony will include cash and other prizes including 10 bound copies of their story (for first prize winners), donated by Education Committee members Jon Rothenberg and his 15 year old son Robert. Other prizes include gift certificates generously donated by My Three Sons, Toys R Us, Sono Academy, Angel Nail Spa, and Pump It Up.