http://grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/ en paola@grafmartin.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-09T13:19:12-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/my_god-sized_dream_contest_winners/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/my_god-sized_dream_contest_winners/#When:12:19:12Z Please join us in congratulating Leslie from Elmira, ON and Leslie in Gibsons, BC. They will each receive one Holley Gerth for DaySpring prize pack. What’s in the prize pack? 1) A copy of You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth 2) Holley Gerth- A boxed set of 12 Dream notecards & envelopes 3) Holley Gerth- Dream mug 4) Holley Gerth- Dream magnetic memo pad 5) Holley Gerth- Dream canvas wrapped 6” block Thank you to everyone who participated in our My God-Sized Dream contest! Keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page for future contests and giveaways. Ref: http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/contest/my_god-sized_dream_contest 2013-05-09T12:19:12-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/celebrating_celebrations/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/celebrating_celebrations/#When:15:40:45Z Bestselling authors of Mennonite Girls Can Cook return with a second course in time for Mother’s Day Waterloo (April 2013) - When Mennonite Girls Can Cook released in 2011, the authors had no idea that there would be such an outpouring of support from their faithful readers, or that the book would quickly become a Canadian bestseller. With readers around the world hungry for a second course, Herald Press is thrilled for Celebrations to be available across Canada on May 1, 2013. Drawing on the recipes passed down from their Russian Mennonite ancestors, Lovella Schellenberg along with Anneliese Friesen, Betty Reimer, Bev Klassen, Charlotte Penner, Ellen Bayles, Judy Wiebe, Julie Klassen, Kathy McLellan, and Marg Bartel have selected their favorites for Mennonite Girls Can Cook Celebrations. “Working closely alongside Herald Press to create such a beautiful book has been an absolute privilege. We are so pleased with the finished product and hope that the mouth-watering photos will be just what our readers are waiting for” said Lovella. For the May launch of Celebrations the Mennonite Girls will be appearing on a variety of national and local media outlets. They will also be doing book signings at Ten Thousand Villages locations across Canada. Book signing dates, times and locations can be found on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog; http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca Each of the 118 recipes found in Celebrations are traditional, family favorites made in honor of a specific celebration, from baby showers and weddings to the holidays and celebrations of life. Filled with personal family stories and beautiful photos, this full-color book contains much more than recipes- something that the ladies’ thousands of faithful blog followers appreciate. In 2008, British Columbia-based Lovella Schellenberg began a blog where she intended to post her mother’s recipes, starting with Paska; a traditional Easter bread. She soon welcomed recipes from nine other women from British Columbia, Manitoba and Washington State with Mennonite backgrounds. Today, the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog has received over 6 million visitors- with 7,000 readers coming back daily. Early on in the blogging and book publishing process, the women decided that they would extend their gift of hospitality to feeding hungry children and giving back to the organization that helped their ancestors in Russia and the Ukraine. The overwhelming success of the first book allowed the women to donate a greenhouse to the Good Shepherd Shelter in the Ukraine. All book royalties for the new Celebrations cookbook will be disbursed through Mennonite Central Committee to provide clean drinking water for people in Africa through their Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program. “I never could have imagined that the Paska recipe my husband’s grandmother gifted me in 1978 would be making such a powerful impact today. She could have never guessed that her simple gift that inspired this project might help feed orphans in her native Ukraine, or provide clean drinking water for children in Kenya” said Lovella. ### Herald Press is the book publishing imprint of MennoMedia, a ministry of the Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. Herald Press aims to publish books from an Anabaptist perspective that are honest in presentation, clear in thought, stimulating in content, and that lead to the spiritual growth and welfare of the reader. For more information please visit http://www.heraldpress.com HARDCOVER ISBN -10: 0836196759 HARDCOVER ISBN- 13: 978-0836196757 320 pages, 8” x 10” Hardback, full-colour FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Melody Reese, melody@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x4 2013-04-25T15:40:45-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/my_god-sized_dream_contest_launches/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/my_god-sized_dream_contest_launches/#When:18:53:15Z We’ve got two prize packs to give away to two lucky winners. What’s in the prize packs? 1) A copy of You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth 2) Holley Gerth- A boxed set of 12 Dream notecards & envelopes 3) Holley Gerth- Dream mug 4) Holley Gerth- Dream magnetic memo pad 5) Holley Gerth- Dream canvas wrapped 6” block Each prize pack, pictured above has an approximate retail value of $55.00CAD How do I enter for a chance to win? Finish the sentence below in a comment on this blog post:  “My God-sized dream is to __________.” Can I enter more than once? Please finish the sentence above by commenting on this blog post to enter this contest. However, multiple entries can be gained by: • Posting a comment about You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream on your blog, Facebook or Twitter accounts FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY, YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL… tim@grafmartin.com A SEPARATE EMAIL FOR EACH ACTIVITY There is no limit to the number of multiple entries that can be gained. FULL CONTEST DETAILS ARE HERE PS Open to Canadian residents only. 2013-04-23T18:53:15-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/may_blog_review_event3/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/may_blog_review_event3/#When:18:46:21Z It’s time for the next blog review event! Bethany House Adoring Addie (Book 2 in The Courtships of Lancaster County) by Leslie Gould Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson Revealing Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional by Darlene Zschech Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock Undeniably Yours by Becky WadeRevell When Love Calls (Book 1 in The Gregory Sisters series) by Lorna Seilstad You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. Participation in this blog review event is easy: •      Please reply by the end of the day on Wednesday April 24th, 2013 indicating which book(s) you want to review •      Reviews need to be posted before Friday May 31st, 2013 •      This is an opt-in offer •      Are you interested? 2013-04-23T18:46:21-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/the_uncomfortable_church_blog_review_event/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/the_uncomfortable_church_blog_review_event/#When:19:25:23Z It’s time for a special blog review event! How is a Christian to view same-gender partners? And what is God’s plan for love, sex, marriage, and ordination in the 21st century? Is it possible for Bible-believing Christians and the gay community to reconcile and move toward a place of understanding? Dr. Lawrence Brice, a veteran pastor, television host, and author says Yes. It’s not only possible, but it’s long overdue! The Uncomfortable Church: Can Gays Be Reconciled to the Body of Christ? by Dr. Lawrence Brice Radio interview link: http://www.drewmarshall.ca/listen2013.html#130323  You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Participation in the blog review event is easy: • Reviews will need to be posted prior to Friday, May 10th 2013. • Please reply by the end of day Friday, April the 12th indicating whether you’d like to review this book • This will be an opt-in offer. • Are you interested? Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. 2013-04-06T19:25:23-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/april_blog_review_event1/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/april_blog_review_event1/#When:16:51:07Z Hello bloggers! We’ve got another line-up of great titles for spring-time reading. Bethany House Finding God in the Dark: Faith, Disappointment, and the Struggle to Believe by Ted Kluck and Ronnie Martin Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer What a Son Needs from His Mom by Cheri Fuller Revell The Dance (Book 1 in The Restoration Series) by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley The Gate by Dann A. Stouten Love at Any Cost (Book 1 in The Heart of San Francisco series) by Julie Lessman You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. Participation in the blog review event is easy: • Review will need to be posted prior to Tuesday, April 30th 2013. • Please reply by end of day Wednesday, March the 27th indicating which book(s) you want to review. • This will be an opt-in offer. • Are you interested? Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. 2013-03-24T16:51:07-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/taylors_gift_blog_review_event_a_heartfelt_story/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/taylors_gift_blog_review_event_a_heartfelt_story/#When:15:16:41Z We’ve got a special blog review event for you this month! It was the last run of their first day on the slopes, the beginning of another great family vacation for Todd and Tara Storch and their three children. But when thirteen-year-old Taylor’s life was tragically cut short in a skiing accident, the Storches were overcome by the devastating loss of their daughter. Still in shock, they were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear: “Would you be willing to donate Taylor’s organs?” Taylor’s Gift: A Courageous Story of Giving Life and Renewing Hope by Todd and Tara Storch with Jennifer Schuchmann Their answer would change their family’s lives forever and provide comfort during their darkest moments. It would also save the lives of five desperate people anxiously waiting for a heart, a liver, a cornea, a pancreas, and a kidney. You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Participation in this blog review event is easy: • Reviews will need to be posted prior to Friday, April 19th, 2013 • Please reply by end of day Friday, March 22nd, 2013 indicating that you’re interested in reviewing Taylor’s Gift • This will be an opt-in offer • Are you interested? Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. 2013-03-18T15:16:41-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/as_featured_in_news/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/as_featured_in_news/#When:03:22:49Z Graf-Martin Communications supports “values-based” businesses Ellen Graf-Martin is loving Elmira. Graf-Martin is the founder of Graf- Martin Communications, which has been operating in Elmira since 2009. It was only in the last few months, however, that Graf-Martin Communications has found its permanent home, at 40 Church St. W. in Elmira. Prior to moving into the building at the corner of Church and Dunke, employees at Graf- Martin essentially worked out of their home offices. Now, they have a space to call their own, and they are loving it. “This building was such a gift,” said Graf-Martin. “I love Elmira.” NEW LOCATION — The staff of Graf-Martin Communications is enjoying their new office space on Church Street West in Elmira. From left, back row: Julie Warkentin, Melody Reese, Paola Di Clemente; front: Ellen Graf-Martin. Absent: Tim Underwood. Graf-Martin Communications started out in the Christian publishing business, after local Christian bookstore R.G. Mitchell Family Books went bankrupt. At the time, Graf-Martin was doing publicity work for some of the larger Christian publishers — Baker Publishing, and Thomas Nelson — while at Mitchell’s bookstore. They asked Graf-Martin if she would be willing to continue this work on their behalf, and she took the plunge to start her own business. “It was definitely a risk; instead of going out and looking for work, I was stepping out, and starting a business,” said Graf-Martin. It turned out that it was worth the risk. She made the decision to start her own business in September 2008; by December, she had more work than she could handle on her own. By February, she had hired her first full-time employee. nd while her business started with providing promotional support to publishers, it has since branched out to provide that same support to any number of businesses. Graf-Martin defines her business as a “values-based organization,” meaning that it promotes businesses and organizations that have something of value to offer. “It is something we believe in, that we can get right behind, and want to see grow,” said Graf-Martin. Having customers that are values-based is something that has occurred naturally for the business, said Graf-Martin, who realizes what a privilege that is, when you are in marketing. “I realize I took for granted marketing things I believe in; other people don’t have that luxury.” Graf-Martin Communications provides a range of services for its clients, from improving the online presence of a business, to developing logos and social marketing tools to support other promotional materials. Graf-Martin said that many of her clients may have a good website, but it’s not serving its purpose, because no one is able to find it, due to poor analytics. “If you can’t be found online, you don’t exist, in the current mindset,” said Graf- Martin. “It’s getting more and more important.” Graf-Martin said that her first steps with any new client is to hear his or her story, and determine what makes the most sense to help promote the business. “We look at what fits for them, and what is cost-effective,” said Graf-Martin. “We want to provide high value; we care about our clients and want them to succeed.”This client-centred approach has allowed the company a great deal of success since its inception, with a list of customers from around the world. Graf-Martin said she’s excited about the future. “I can see ourselves growing,” said Graf-Martin. “We’re always getting new clients. I’m really excited about the year ahead.” Graf-Martin Communications is located at 40 Church St. W. in Elmira, and can be reached by calling 519-342-3703, or visiting http://www.grafmartin.com. Gail Martin Independent Editor ELMIRA INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 PG 6 http://www.elmiraindependent.com 2013-03-08T03:22:49-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/mennonite_girls_new_cookbook_nourishes_body_soul/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/mennonite_girls_new_cookbook_nourishes_body_soul/#When:19:46:10Z Mennonite Girls’ New Cookbook Nourishes Body & Soul Bestselling authors serve a second course in “Celebrations” Waterloo, Ontario - When Mennonite Girls Can Cook released in 2011, the authors had no idea that there would be such an outpouring of support from their faithful blog readers, or that the book would become a Canadian bestseller. With readers around the world ready for a second course, Herald Press is pleased to announce the May 2013 release of Celebrations. Each of the 118 recipes included in Celebrations are traditional family favorites made in honor of a specific celebration, from baby showers and weddings the girls share recipes to honor all of life. The book is filled from cover to cover, not only with recipes and beautiful photos, but also with personal stories and devotional reflections entitled Bread for the Journey.“We did not expect that God would use the simple idea of sharing family recipes to speak of His great love. Our stories, devotionals and faith journeys interwoven through our recipe pages has allowed our book, often given as a gift, to not only feed the body, but offer food for the soul as well” said Lovella. Authors Lovella Schellenberg, Anneliese Friesen, Betty Reimer, Bev Klassen, Charlotte Penner, Ellen Bayles, Judy Wiebe, Julie Klassen, Kathy McLellan, and Marg Bartel opened their overstuffed recipe boxes and carefully documented the traditional recipes that their Russian Mennonite grandmothers had memorized or just quickly jotted down without accurate measurements. They have lovingly prepared dishes from traditional to exotic, and honed their photography skills to showcase each dish for readers. In 2008, British Columbia-based Lovella Schellenberg began a blog where she intended to post her mother’s recipes. She soon welcomed recipes from nine other women from British Columbia, Manitoba and Washington State with Mennonite backgrounds. Today, the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog attracts nearly 7,000 readers per day- with readers coming back again and again to this blog that puts hospitality ahead of entertaining, and blessing ahead of impressing. The story behind Mennonite Girls Can Cook reveals a group of women with a heart of extending their gift of hospitality to feeding hungry children. Early in the book publishing process, the women expressed their desire to donate 100 per cent of all book royalties. The overwhelming success of the first book allowed the women to donate a greenhouse to the Good Shepherd Shelter in the Ukraine, the land of their ancestors. All book royalties for Celebrations will be dispersed through Mennonite Central Committee to provide clean drinking water for people in Africa. “The decision was never whether should donate the book royalties. The decision we had to make was which charity to give it to. We wanted to do something that honoured our heritage. Mennonite Central Committee helped our families in Russia and when they came out of Russia. This is a way to give back” said Lovella. While it’s clear that these Mennonite girls sure can cook, it is also clear that their gifts extend far beyond the kitchen, and into readers’ hearts. ### Herald Press is the book publishing imprint of MennoMedia, a ministry of the Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. Herald Press aims to publish books from an Anabaptist perspective that are honest in presentation, clear in thought, stimulating in content, and that lead to the spiritual growth and welfare of the reader. For more information please www.heraldpress.com HARDCOVER ISBN -10: 0836196759 HARDCOVER ISBN- 13: 978-0836196757 320 pages, 8” x 10” Hardback, full-colour Media Contact: Television Media Contact: Ellen Graf-Martin, ellen@grafmartin.com  or 519-342-3703 x1 Print & Radio Contact: Melody Reese, melody@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x 4 Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 2013-02-26T19:46:10-05:00 http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/march_2013_blog_review_event/ http://www.grafmartin.com/index.php/grafmartin/blog_post/march_2013_blog_review_event/#When:17:22:24Z It’s time for the next blog review event! Some great fiction and one feature non-fiction. Check it out and let us know which titles you’d like to review.  Bethany House The Icecutter’s Daughter (Book 1 in the Land of Shining Water series) by Tracie Peterson Swept Away (Book 1 in the Trouble in Texas series) by Mary Connealy Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell Revell Moonlight Masquerade: A Regency Romance by Ruth Axtell Scent of Lilacs (Book 1 in The Heart of Hollyhill series) by Ann H. Gabhart You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God Has for You by Holley Gerth You can find more information like excerpts, press releases, interview questions, images, release dates and endorsements on the books in the hyperlinks above. Participation in this blog review is easy: • Please reply by end of day Friday, February the 22nd indicating which book(s) you want to review • Reviews will need to be posted prior to Sunday, March 31st 2013. • This will be an opt-in offer • Are you interested? Electronic review copies of the books are also available for e-readers through NetGalley. Please mention in your reply if you would prefer an e-version, and I will send you the details. 2013-02-15T17:22:24-05:00