Midwest Writing Center Calendar

Midwest Writing Center

Fostering appreciation of the written word, supporting and educating its creators.

"Hot flashes, Hot pads, and Hot dishes -
a humorous look at growing up in the
late '50's" with author Janet Martin

Janet Martin

Janet Martin is the co-author of "Growing up Lutheran:
What Does This Mean" which inspired the popular Church Basement Ladies musical comedies.

Where: Radisson Hotel, Downtown Davenport
111 East 2nd Street, Davenport IA

When: Wednesday, August 18, Noon

Price: $22 per person

Checks for registration can be mailed to:
Midwest Writing Center,
225 East 2nd Street, Suite 303
Davenport Iowa 52801.

Registration can also be made over the phone with a Master Card or Visa credit or debit card by calling 563-324-1410.

This program is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Funds raised through this event will help support the Midwest Writing Center's youth programming.

About Janet Martin:

Janet Letnes Martin grew up in Hillsboro, ND where the words "Norwegian and Lutheran" were synonymous. It was no surprise she graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN and married Neil Martin, a 100% Scandinavian-Lutheran from Newfolden, Minnesota.

Janet started writing books in 1983. She wrote three books, co-authored three books with Allen Todem, and one with her sister, Ilene Lorenz, before she teamed up to write and perform with a college friend, Suzann Nelson. Suzann and Janet have written nine books relating to their Norwegian-Lutheran-rural background. Their book, Growing Up Lutheran, What Does This Mean? won the Minnesota Book Award for Humor, and is the inspiration for both Church Basement Ladies musical comedies. Janet switched gears and teamed up with author/artist, David W. Cook II to write a fabulous new humorous book entitled, Lemonade for the Lawnboy: The Executives' Wives Cookbook Committee. Janet, Suzann, David Cook and Greta Grousch have recently released a new DVD entitled, The Lutheran Ladies Jiggle their Jell-O.

Janet has been speaking to churches and organizations for 22 years. She often teams up with her co-author Suzann Nelson to perform a comedy routine entitled "Those Lutheran Ladies."

Janet lives in Hastings, MN and feels blessed that her family is involved in their Scandinavian/Lutheran heritage. She is the co-owner of Scandinavian Marketplace with her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Steve Green; and her daughter, Sarah, is a national rep for the Norwegian Fjord Flatware Company. She is thrilled her daughter, Katrina Benedict is the costumer of the musicals "Church Basement Ladies 2", and "Away in the Basement", and that her husband, Andy, knows how to make egg coffee. Her granddaughters, Sophia, Ariana and Myana Green, and Nora Benedict are the love of her life. She dearly misses her husband, Neil who passed away in 2006.

She is presently trying hard to be a non-interfering mother-in-law.

Musicals Produced by Troupe America and based on the writings of Janet Letnes Martin & Suzann Nelson:

2005 - Musical One: "Church Basement Ladies"
2008 - Musical Two: "Church Basement Ladies, A Second Helping"
2009- Musical Three: "Away in the Basement"

Musical Four: Sequel to Church Basement Ladies - scheduled to open in 2011.