Shara was recently featured in the Commercial Appeal! Article below.
Text mightier than pen
Contest seeks to boost recognition for value of good handwriting
By
Nikki Bussey (
Contact), Memphis Commercial AppealThursday, July 17, 2008
In a world dominated by typing and texting, it may seem like old forms of communication are disappearing.
Carole Foster of Bartlett is doing what she can to make sure that doesn't happen by sponsoring a contest that judges penmanship.
"Right now, there are a lot of people who can't read handwriting because they don't write," Foster said. "It's such a personal way of communication. People don't send letters of communication anymore. They just e-mail and text each other."
The Handwriting Contest was created in 2003, when Foster received more than 100 entries. But in 2006, only 10 people submitted sentences.
Deadline for entries is Aug. 1. The top 25 will be displayed at the Delta Fair and Music Festival at Agricenter International Aug. 29-Sept. 7.
"It's just a skill that people really need," Foster said. "I am doing what I can to bring awareness that it's a skill worth having."
In years past, students were taught handwriting extensively, but Foster said teachers are now so busy preparing for tests, they just don't have the time to teach it the way they used to.
"I've heard for 15 years handwriting is dying," said Steve Graham, professor of education at Vanderbilt University.
Graham says texting, typing and instant messaging have created other bad habits, such as poor spelling and bad grammar.
Graham said he sees this new technology as a challenge, but also as a way to increase the amount of writing in the world.
"If it is here to stay, I'm happy kids are communicating, but they need to know when they can use it," he said.
Carly Culbertson, Carolinas-Tennessee public relations manager for Verizon Wireless, said texting is gaining popularity because it's more discrete than taking a phone call and is faster than a letter.
"I still think its great to get a letter in the mail, but I do think we have become a society where we want an instant reaction," Culbertson said. "To some degree it's kind of fun. It gives you that instantaneous lift."
Shara Danziger, owner of Shara's Paperie, said she hasn't noticed a decrease in sales at her store, but rather a rising interest in making sure "Thank You" notes and invitations are sent.
"People are almost backlashing against the messaging and e-mails," she said. "There are so many events you don't want to see in a text message. You don't want to announce the birth of your baby in an e-mail."
Danziger said wedding and graduation invitations, baby announcements and shower invitations are all still important to customers.
"Here in the South, I think, manners and etiquette, to do things 'the right way,' is important," she said.
Mary Ruth Colvin, owner of Just Write, said she doesn't think e-mail will ever replace handwritten letters and notes.
"You read it, delete, and it's gone," Colvin said. "Writing a thank-you note, you know the person sat down and took the time to make it."
-- Nikki Bussey: 529-2609
Pick up a pen
To register for the Handwriting Contest, go to deltafest.com and click on "Contests." Scroll down to "Crafts, Culinary, Collectibles" and go to the page for the Handwriting contest guidelines.
