2016 NATIONAL POETRY MONTH EVENTS IN NORTHEAST KINGDOM

Northeast Storytellers Host Three Fantastic Poetry Events

St. Johnsbury, VT - March 16, 2016—The Northeast Storytellers host a a Robert Frost remembrance (April 12), a haiku workshop (April 24), and a reading of maple-related verse and prose (April 30) during the St. Johnsbury World Maple Festival as part of National Poetry Month activities in the Northeast Kingdom.

“Remembering Robert Frost”: On Tuesday, April 12 from 2-3pm the regular Poetry Tea Party will be a special gathering dedicated to the memory and poetic works of longtime Vermont poet laureate Robert Frost. Residents of the Good Living Senior Center, members of the public, and members of the Northeast Storytellers will share readings, biographical sketches, anecdotes, scrapbook items, and experiences they’ve had learning from this great poet. This gathering will take place at the Good Living Senior Center (formerly St. Johnsbury House) located at 1207 Main Street in St. Johnsbury.

Haiku Workshop: On Sunday, April 24 starting at 1pm, the Northeast Storytellers will host for the second time a workshop on writing the Japanese style of poetry known as haiku. This year's themes are brevity and the Vermont, haiku, and zen minds. The concepts of oneness, intimacy, emptiness, uniqueness, and naturalness will be discussed using examples from the traditional masters and classic Vermont conversations. Participants are asked to bring haiku that you are working on and your own writing materials. Coffee and refreshments are available nearby. Workshop attendants will go on an inspirational walk. West Burke Library at 123 VT Route 5A in West Burke.

Maple Poems and Stories: On Saturday, April 30 from 2-4pm, during the 2016 St. Johnsbury World Maple Festival, readings of maple stories in prose and verse will be hosted by the Northeast Storytellers and emceed by group founder Brooke Cullen. Those who wish to read at this event should contact her by March 23rd via brookequillen@yahoo.com or on 802.751.5432. This event will take place on the lawn outside the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center (weather permitting) at 394 Railroad Street in St. Johnsbury.

All events are free and open to the public. Everybody is welcome to attend. For more information, or to participate, please email brookequillen@yahoo.com or call 802.751.5432.

National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 and is held every April throughout the country. It is the largest literary celebration in the world—with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital role in our lives.

The Northeast Storytellers—a group of writers, readers, and appreciators of prose and verse—meet regularly the second Tuesday of each month from 2-3pm at the Good Living Senior Center at 1207 Main Street in St. Johnsbury. The public is welcome to attend and new members are always encouraged to join.

Contact Brooke Quillen for more information.