It was obvious that writing excellence abounds in Foster City by the quality and number of participants honored at the Annual Foster City International Writers Contest Awards Ceremony on Sunday May 1, 2011.

Awards were given in five categories. In the Fiction category, John Villar took first place for his story “The Door Beside the Stairs” while Richard Luftig received second place for “The Comedian.” Ann Foster took the first place award in the Personal Essay category for “Smashing Pumpkins” while Tia Creighton was honored with second prize for “I Blame Dorothy Hamill.” Poetry first prize went to Robert Covington for his inspirational “The Mountain” piece while Mary Ellen Wolfers’ Haiku “Rain” received second place. Alice R. Hollinbeck’s “Helen’s Home Run” took first place in the Children’s Stories category with Jean Wong’s “The Crescent Moon is Like a Boat” coming a close second. Finally, in the Humor category, C.J. Clark wowed the judges with “The Fandango Tango” while Greg Erion was honored with the second place prize for “My Granddaughter the Banker.”

The overall quality of this year’s entries was excellent and all submittals deserved to be recognized. The Writers Contest Planning Team expressed its sincere thanks to Jack Russell and the other members of the San Francisco Press Club Board of Directors who served as judges, tackling the tough job of choosing just two winners in each category.

At the awards ceremony, winners were congratulated by Eileen Shaine, Chair of the Writers Contest Planning team and Foster City Councilmember Rick Wykoff. An inspirational keynote message was delivered by accomplished writer, Linda Frank, author of After the Auction.

For more information about the International Writers Contest, please contact Foster City Parks and Recreation Department at 650-286-3380.