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.