IT'S a first for the Rotary Club Mount Beauty.

Members Linda Hall and Ian Cohn, who met at Rotary meeting nine months ago, were married in May this year in an intimate ceremony in a beautiful setting with family and friends.

The immediate honeymoon was COVID central – both house-bound while recovering.

However, they will be enjoying the real honeymoon when they leave soon for a trip to Amsterdam and Vancouver to meet Ian’s children and grandchildren.

It’s a perfect match and a very happy ending.

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THE Mount Beauty Writers Festival planning is well underway, ready for the event on October 12.

Bookings will be available in mid-July on their website.

The festival conducts a writing competition for school age kids 10-13 and 14-18 that is now open; to check details please contact email mtbyouthcomp@outlook.com.

This gives the young writers three months to come up with a story consisting of no less than 1000 and no more than 2000 words.

Prize money is an extremely generous $350 for winner of each of the two age groups, with a second prize of $150, donated and sponsored by AGL.

So if you know of a storyteller or a budding journalist, let them know about this great opportunity.

This is open to all school age children (in the two age groups) living in the Upper Kiewa Valley.

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FOLLOWING the successful Brighter Days Festival, Darker Days Festival was held at the Bright Brewery last Saturday.

Alpine FM was there with an outdoor broadcast featuring the team from the Beats and Banter Program, along with many of the station’s talented presenters.

Station manager Michael Ahearn said: “It was a fantastic chance to get to hear from so many guests, including all the beer brewers that were in attendance.

“The station also had the chance to speak with many of the local and national musicians that performed on the day.

“The weather was perfect, and everyone had an amazing time.”