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Show C-3 77M Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/TUes, February 26-March 1, 2005 First time author Ellis donates books BRIDAL BOUTIQUE \ Author gave up real\ estate to writer series i of children's books Impeccable Wedding Gowns and Accessories for the Contemporary Bride : By MATT JAMES Appointment preferred Of the Record staff I.aRcnc Klhs said she never really iiHended to a write a book, let alone a whole series of them. Hut an interesting sequence i>\' events pushed the Summit County-born Hllis into the situation where she became an author. "About four years ago, I sold all my inventory as a real-estale broker." said Hllis. fler intent, she said, was to get out of the business and find something else to do. But shortly after that happened, before she had started anything else on her plate, she was struck with a bad cold. That left her laid up for days, leaving her unable to talk or get out of the house. l:llis' motivation for starting to write was, she said "being bored out of my gourd." So one day she sat down at her computer and began to type. "1 thought, 'I wonder if 1 could write a story about something I , know,"' she said. So her task started easily enough, but then it began to expand. She said she ended up writing full-time for the next four years. Originally, Hllis said she intend' eel the manuscript to be a screen ; play, but her children and grandkids • started pushing her to make it into a novel. She relented, and "Stones" • Quest" was born. 'Hie first book in ; the series, "Stones' Quest: In • Search o\~ Us Master" was released ! in October, 2004. I l ' s for ages 10-17. and I think ; boys might enjoy it a little more," -said Hllis. ; She said she made it a children's 1 book because oi' the lack of science ; fiction writing for kids recently. "You can't find brand new stuff .that's m that genre." she said. \ "You could easily make it an ; adult book," she continued. "But 1 • decided to make it for kids." ."I have a rule, that if my kids can't 'watch it, I can't watch it," said Hllis 'about movies. So, as she was writ• ing the book and letting her chil. dren and grandchildren read it, she 'said that following that rule only / made sense. *The series follows the story of 801-5664100 6775 South 900 Bast Salt Lake City Visit our website for detailed Event and Designer information www.sevenoakshridnl.com ENJOY FAMILY FUN ABOARD T H E HEBER VALLEY RAILROAD (20 min. from Park City) Tube 'N Train Adventure (Snowtubing fu til) Comedy Murder Mystery Scenic Winter Excursions Private Charters EBER VALLEY RAILROAD '; 45O SOUTH 6OO WEST HKBFK CITY, VI K4O32 www. heber val lcyrr.org PHOTO COURTESY OF LARENE ELJJS In Salt Lake City: (8oi) 581-9980 LaRene Ellis is shown here with the books she donated to the public school districts within Utah. Her novel, "Stones' Quest: In Search of its Master" is the first in a six-volume series, which tells the story of a quest for four mystical stones which can bring harmony to a waring galaxy. the search for four mystical stones which give the "Master of the Galaxy" his power. Set in the fictional and civil war-embroiled Ellisarius Galaxy, the first story follows an I-Force commander who rescues a young boy from a battle and finds himself as the keeper oi' the boy and the secret he contains in his pocket. Hllis said she chose to set the book in a completely fictional setting to avoid (he trappings of realism. "It just seemed liked the right thing at the time," said Rllis. "Then you didn't have to worry about history or anything like that" Ellis said that making a story populated by humans but set in a place entirely apart from the Earth served two purposes. In the entirely fantastical setting, she said she hoped her readers could more easily suspend their sense of disbelief. By using humans, she could still deal with human issues - such as finding one's place in the world (or series of worlds) and how people solve their problems. The best part of the experience of writing the books, said Ellis, has been seeing children react to them. "Il's really rewarding when you have the kids get excited about it," she said. To that end, Ellis has been working to make her book more accessible lo kids. Recently, her publishing company, Gathering Place Publishers, announced that she was donating 300 copies of "Stones' Quest: In Search of its Master" to 40 Utah school districts and all six branches of the Salt Lake City Library. For Ellis, who grew up in Coalvillc and Wanship and now lives in Farmington, Utah, it was a chance lo contribute something lo the Utah school system. "I've just lived here my whole life," she said, "and this is a great chance to give back lo the schools." Outside S I C : (435) 654-5601 the season <J to be openl FOR YOUR DINING PJ.HASUIU;: BREAKFAST BRUNCH LUNCH DINNER Monday - Saturday Sunday - Five Courses Monday - Saturday Every Evening 'Viva \foce!' presents women's choirs Event will bring together 466 singers from northern Utah "Viva Voce! Women's Choir" will present the 7th Annual Women's Choral Festival: A Spring Girl. Showcasing women's choirs from along the Wasatch Front, the event will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 7:30 p.m. at Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah. In addition lo providing a fine performance venue for women's ensembles from school, community, and university levels, the festival informs young singers of choral opportunities available atler high school. The choirs featured in this festival are as follows: Viva Voce!, Brigham Young University Women's Chorus, Brighton High School Ladies' Ensemble, Lehi High Bravo, Taylorsville High Graces, American Fork Junior High Women's Choir, and Timberline Middle School Smg-a total of 466 singers involved. Featuring an array of musical styles, the program includes a number of entertaining and inspirational pieces. Each choir will perform a short set of music, and the evening will culminate with a mass number performed by the combined choirs. Under the direction of Jean Applonie, Viva Voce!. which means "live voice," has been creating its unique choral blend since 1994. Stunning performances and a richly varied repertoire have easily earned the group its reputation as one of Utah's premier performing groups. Viva Voce's women's choir and newly organized (2002) men's choir rehearse and present separate programs, but collabo- rate on occasion. Viva Voce! women host an annual women's festival for school, university, and community choirs, encouraging collaboration of fine women's choral ensembles. The weekly rehearsals and public performances fulfill the choir's purpose: lo uplift and inspire communities Uirough the healing power of music, to provide a forum of artistic growth for singers, and to facilitate life-long learning. Viva Voce! women liave released two CDs: Tune My Heart and A Viva Voce! Christmas. Jean Applonie lias served as Viva Voce! co-founder, conductor, and artistic director since 1994. As Viva Voce's artistic director, Ms. Applonie has nurtured ihe growth and musicianship of individual members in order to expand the choir's capability and tap the human potential for artistry. Her ability to maximize the power of choral artistry is evident in performances that consistently inspire and uplift. "There is nothing one dimensional or dull about a female vocal group," said Ms. Applonie. "The nch tonal palatte of a women's choir allows us to perform extensive repertoire that incorporates a wide range of styles." The women's choir accompanist, Kern Green, received her bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from BYU. She maintains a private piano studio in Salt Ijike City. For additional information, visit www.vivavocechoir.org. Tickets are currently available from choir members and will be available at the door. Ticket prices are S5 for adults and S3 for seniors, students, and children 12 and under. Children age eight and up are welcome. For further information, contact Jean Applonie at (801) 486-7995. Remember, our Chef's Wednesday dinner is $19.95for three courses'. Thanks Jean Louis KINGSBURY HALL PRESENTS '[V?. ^CJfiii u Purchase'The Way Up" beginning January 25. The latest album is a continuous 68-minute masterpiece. The Breeze 97.9 Fondue & Crerne Brulee... Watch Goldener Hirsch Executive Chef jean Montecot and Realtor Hong McDonald prepare a gourmet meal all month long on PCTV. Call for recipes and airing schedule! MARC ^:30PM KINGSBURY HAL .TICKETS: 581-71Q| •*•* M kingsburyhall.org ll'i kuer FM90 "Play & Own Park City" Starting at $8000 Sale 75%* 'off developer list price ,r.rr • • r. * x •5455 sq. ll & A car oversize garage •5 enormous bedrooms &• r.r«>n floor plan •Panoramic views of resorts & mountain •On a cul-de-sac will) trails out front door •Amenities include swimming pool and tennis court 4656 McKinney Court Hong McDonald Realtor Associate Je88 R e i d R e a l Efltate Office: (435) 647-3264 Cell: (435) 901-0533 hong@hongBhomes.COm www.hongBhomea.com |