ARTS Obispo has named the winners of the 2016 Ingrid Reti Literary Award, first place to a Los Osos woman and a second place to a San Luis Obispo man.

The Ingrid Reti Literary Award was established in memory of writer and teacher Reti in an effort to continue her work mentoring SLO County writers, ARTS Obispo said in a news release. This year short stories were the genre and a panel of five judges chose a first and second place winner (see: https://artsobispo.org/ingrid-reti-literary-award to download the pdf files for both).

Los Osos writer Kita Mehaffy’s “Blame it on Mexico” won first place. The story revolves around a widow’s trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and a healing discovery. “Kita’s exceptional writing made this story come alive for the judges.”

Second place went to Walter Sanville of San Luis Obispo, with his story, “The Nuns at Starbucks.” “All of the judges were surprised by the fitting ending and found the writing delightful.”

Cash prizes went to the winners. The writers were feted at ARTS Obispo’s fundraiser, “Back to the Future,” on March 12.