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November 2, 2009

Novel idea | T-D wants readers to become authors

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Mon Nov 02, 2009, 11:57 AM EST

THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT

She drove across the Pennsylvania winter landscape, and the years seemed to peel away.

The road signs counted down the miles to her hometown, and her anticipation grew.

She knew Johnstown had changed much in the time she’d been gone.

And, of course, so had she.

Would she even recognize the once-gritty place known as the “Flood City”? Would there be a rush of old feelings and familiar emotions?

Or would she now be the outsider, a stranger intruding on the peaceful Conemaugh Valley?

Night was falling as she crossed into Cambria County for the first time in a decade. The highway carried her through town names from her past as lights of the season twinkled from houses along the quiet countryside.

On the radio, a holiday song was playing. “White Christmas.” One of her favorites.

The dusk was broken by bright lights from a shopping center, and her mind again returned to Johnstown.

And to the day she left.

What would happen after all these years? That question caused the nervous excitement to grow within her.

Bing Crosby gave way to Nat King Cole, singing of chestnuts on an open fire.

Outside the wind shook the pines above the highway.

She shivered – not from the chill of the wind, but from the memories of that sudden parting, from thoughts of the circumstances that led her to leave.

As if to punctuate her thoughts, Karen Carpenter followed Nat, and declared: “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

Despite her anxiousness, she smiled at the irony.

She was sure of only one thing. This Christmas was taking her home in many ways, back to the town she had left and back to confront the past she had left behind.

With snowflakes swirling before the headlights of her car, she exited the highway and turned toward downtown Johnstown ...

Write the next chapter

Here is your chance to help write the story.

Beginning today in the Living section and continuing every other Sunday leading up to the holidays, The Tribune-Democrat will publish an ongoing serial story written by you, the readers.

We’ve provided the first chapter here.

The final chapter will be published on Christmas Day.

“Your Story” will contain five chapters, which must have a holiday theme or time frame and be set in Greater Johnstown. To submit an entry, pick up the story thread where it ends today and take the story wherever you like.

Please submit your entry for the second chapter, up to 750 words, by Friday.

Entries can be e-mailed to Renée Carthew, Features Editor, at rcarthew@tribdem.com; sent by fax to 539-1409; or mailed to The Tribune-Democrat, 425 Locust St., P.O. Box 340, Johnstown, Pa. 15907.

Or you can submit your story on line at Story Form

The winning second chapter will be published on Nov. 15, and a short story about the author will also appear.

At that time, new entries can be submitted for the third chapter to continue the story.

The ongoing story will appear on The Tribune-Democrat’s Web site – www.tribdem.com.

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Events

Kick up your heels | Three-day Friendly City PolkaFest will offer different styles
The area’s ancestral music and ethnic food will be key components as the Friendly City PolkaFest returns to Johnstown’s Cambria City neighborhood.

May 26, 2012
Religion in brief | First Lutheran pastor will speak from Acts
Pentecost will be celebrated at 5:30 tonight and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., Johnstown. The Rev. Eleanor Abarno, pastor, will focus on Acts 2. Communion will be served at both services.

May 26, 2012
Events | What's on tap locally
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” opens the season at Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.

May 25, 2012 2 Photos
Hats take center stage at Art Works
Hat Ladies of Johnstown are about to strut their stuff again. The 15th annual Hat Show will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Art Works, 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
Tribute group will have audience on 'Cloud Nine'
Members of the audience will be tempted to think it’s just their imagination that a top Motown act is onstage. The Legacy of The Temptations will bring the sounds of Motown to the area at 8 p.m. June 2 at Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.

May 24, 2012
Memorial Day services planned throughout area
Soldiers and sailors who served America will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Lively musical to open season at Cresson Lake Playhouse
Audiences at Cresson Lake Playhouse have been infatuated by musicals written by Roger Bean, and its newest production of “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” should be no exception.

May 21, 2012
Dance students will present recital
The annual recital for students of Sharon’s Dance Studio will be held at 7 p.m. June 2 and 6 p.m. June 3 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, 450 Schoolhouse Road, Richland Township.

May 21, 2012 1 Photo
'A community event' | Frank Filia will kick off Jazz Along the River series on Friday
Cool jazz and hot food will keep flowing for the 14th year. Jazz Along the River series will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church Pavilion, Fifth Avenue and Power Street in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

May 19, 2012
Stonycreek Rendezvous, Sci-fi in the Valley, highlight event schedule
The 2012 Stonycreek Rendezvous will be held today through Sunday at Greenhouse Park near Tire Hill. The three-day event, sponsored by Benscreek Canoe Club, will feature kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting, boating vendors and music.

May 18, 2012 4 Photos
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Novel idea | T-D wants readers to become authors

Should the speed limit on sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and related highways be raised to 70 mph from 65 mph.

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