Meet A New Day Contributing Author Amanda Walrath, PT

Amanda Walrath graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1997 with a major in physical therapy. While in school Amanda was involved with arthritis research at the Health Connection in Columbia. She instructed aerobic and strength training exercise classes for seniors who were involved in arthritis research at the center. After graduating, Amanda worked at Columbia Regional Hospital specializing in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation. Since that time Amanda's work has been split between her two loves, geriatric and pediatric physical therapy. She has worked in long-term care facilities and works with children in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. She resides in Southeast Iowa with her husband, two children, and a variety of pets.

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Bernard Price

Bernard Price was born March 18, 1927 and grew up in a tenement in Glasgow, Scotland. He served several years in the Royal Air Force and then immigrated to California in 1950. He returned to Scotland for a short visit in 1952 where he met his wife. They were married and returned to California in 1954 and have lived there happily ever since.

Bernard started writing poetry and short articles for a hobby in his early 70s and fortunately has been regularly published ever since.

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Julie M. Wood, ADC

Julie Wood is a 33-year-old Certified Activities Director from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband, David, and 7-year-old son, Ryan. Julie has been a Certified Activities Director for 11 years, 9 of which have been spent at Springside of Pittsfield. She also heads the Berkshire County Association of Activities Professionals (BCAAP), a satellite group of MassCAP. Julie has been writing for A New Day magazine since March 2003. Her "Ask Julie" column began in January of 2004 and, in addition to this, she has recently begun working on a column addressing sensory stimulation programs to be included in upcoming issues. Julie greatly enjoys her family, career, and writing for A New Day!

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Sylva Mularchyk

Sylva Mularchyk knew since she was eight years old and sold her first story to one of her mother’s friends that she wanted to be a writer. Of course, it was only a nickel, but it was an assignment and it was as though a door was opened for her future. Through the years she studied and tried all kinds of writing. The first short story she sold was a gritty western.

Sylva loves to travel and has found her travel background to be the basis for many pieces about history, religion, architecture, and fabulous palaces, castles, and cathedrals. While in Europe, she was on the staff of several English newspapers and local magazines.

Sylva’s work has appeared in numerous magazines, anthologies, and grade school textbooks.

In order to travel the world as she has done, Sylva needed employment. Here the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force came through for her when they offered her various positions. She retired as an executive secretary while overseas. Now she lives in California, where she always dreamed of living.

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Sherry Timberman

Sherry Timberman has always liked creative writing, reading, and doing research in order to learn new things. She loves doing any kind of puzzle, solving mysteries, painting, drawing, designing, and creating things. Sherry is always looking for something to spark the imagination and challenge the mind. Sherry had planned to become a teacher, but after getting married and building up a full-time working farm, there was little time for anything else. One day she came across an ad from Highlights magazine looking for puzzle submissions for a book series. So in 1985, on a chance, she submitted her first set of puzzles to Highlights for Children. A few weeks later she received a contract to purchase all of the puzzles. That was the beginning of Sherry's career as a freelance writer. Over the course of the past 20 years, she has had work published by a wide variety of magazines and publishers including a number of smaller religious and educational publications. Her writing projects include anything from crossword puzzles and games to trivia and how to's. Sherry likes to think that her writing teaches and challenges others, the same as it does her.

Sherry currently lives in Maine with her daughter where she works full-time maintenance, continues her freelance writing, and strives to someday be a full-time writer.

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Theodora R. Meister

Theodora R. Meister (Teddy) received a BA in Education from the University of Florida and an MA in Education from the University of Central Florida. She was a teacher for grades 2-6 for 23 years as well as a teacher for gifted children. Teddy has published 28 resource books for a variety of educational publishers.

With over 28 years of varied experiences in education and authoring 25 resource/idea books for teachers, Teddy has expanded her writing repertoire to include A New Day’s senior population. She gained much practical experience looking after her parents and in-laws through the years, which also gave her many intergenerational insights. Along with Teddy’s writing,  her grandchildren keep her busy.  Reading and the new "freedoms" retirement offers keeps her life full!

Meet A New Day Contributing Author Ann Richmond Fisher

Ann Richmond Fisher has been an educational writer since 1989. She has written more than 50 books and products for several major educational publishers. Ann likes to make people think and to have fun while doing so! An alumnus of Northern Michigan University, Ann is also a former classroom teacher. Ann’s husband, Keith, and their almost-grown children, Bryce and Betsy, have provided lots of ideas and practical help during Ann’s writing career. The Fishers have lived in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ireland. Their current home is in Ohio. In her “spare” time, Ann loves to write and solve puzzles of all kinds and to do counted cross-stitching.