NC Poetry Society Spring 2005 Spring Meeting From Page THE NEWS INSIDE Saturday, May 21 to Stage… Weymouth Center 2 President’s message & Southern Pines A note from Contest Chair No, it’s not 3 9:15 a.m. Registration and annual dues payment slam poetry Order lunch until 10:15 a.m. but on 4 Spring meeting May 21

Coffee and tea on the patio May 21 5 Election of 2005-06 winners officers and vote on 10:00 a.m. Business meeting of the NCPS Election/installation of officers revised constitution 2005 and by-laws Adoption of revised by-laws and constitution Adult and 6 Festival Student 7 Poetry Day/Greensboro 10:20 a.m. Pinesong dedication Poetry Sharon Sharp Contests 8 Welcome, new members! take center 10:30 a.m. Poet Laureate and McDill Award 10 Endowment Campaign stage and read Sandburg Fest; workshops winners read their award- Lee Ann Gillen, Adult Contest Chair winning 11-13 Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series Student Contest winners read poems at our spring 14 Student Contest judges Margaret Parrish, Student Contest Chair meeting at 15 A poet-in-residence Noon Lunch Weymouth in experience Southern Pines 1:15 p.m. Adult Contest winners read 16-17 Webmaster update Notices; KUDOS ! Lee Ann Gillen, Adult Contest Chair see page 4... 18 Change in editors Poetry Society quiz May 21 Lunch instructions Request for reservations Kathryn 19 Brockman-Campbell Stripling Byer Book Award guidelines 195 Eclectic Cuisine will provide a box lunch for selected as 20 Officers & committees $8.50 (includes tax), or bring your own lunch. The box lunch offers a choice of chicken salad or tuna salad sandwich, or vegetarian salad. Box lunches include Poet Laureate Please note contact information on back page potato salad, dessert and iced tea. To make your reser- see page 3... vations, specify the number of lunches and your choice and on page 5 of chicken, tuna, or vegetarian and send a check for the correct amount ($8.50 each) made out to: 195 Eclectic Cuisine (NOT the Poetry Society) to: Pat Riviere-Seel, On May 21 107 Maple Drive, Asheville, NC 28805. Election of officers Please make your reservations by MAY 6 and vote on revision of Advance payment is preferred, although you may pay constitution and by-laws $8.50 by cash or check on May 21 For information: [email protected] see page 5 or phone: (828) 298-5413

Spring 2005 North Carolina Poetry Society

President’s Message — from Ann Garbett

As I write this, daffodils are blooming through the sleet in Virginia, but by the time I see you again, spring will be in full blossom. That’s a good way of reminding myself—and you too, I hope—that our present actions plant seeds for the future. You know how it works—you send poems to the NCPS contests in the winter, maybe in the midst of the after- Christmas blahs; in May we all see the fruits of those plantings in our wonderful Awards Day festivities.

And we make other plantings for the future, too. When people send contributions to the Poetry Society, if the money is not otherwise designated, it goes into a fund that builds an endowment for our programs. It’s a little like planting fall bulbs, but with this extra ele- ment: we don’t necessarily know how we will need to spend that money in the future, but we know our commitment to excellence in our programs will remain the same (and we know that prices tend to go up, not down) and so we plant today, looking forward to beauty—maybe surprising beauty—in a season to come.

And we plant for the future in the Poetry Society’s programs that nurture young po- ets, from the student contests (and isn’t it fun to hear those young winners read at Awards Day?) to our newest seed bed—the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poets program, which offers special mentoring to promising young writers.

I believe that everyone who writes plants for the future, believing that art gives a kind of permanence to thoughts and experiences that would otherwise evaporate. And each person who helps the North Carolina Poetry Society, from contributing to programs to help- ing clean up after meetings, is likewise cultivating a safe place to grow poems. I think of Weymouth’s poets’ garden and of the young people and their teachers on Awards Day and of members reading at open mike and of the buds which are forming in the Distinguished Poets series—what a greenhouse we’re running here! Let’s keep it going. Plant deep. Write away!

A note from Lee Ann Gillen, Adult Contest Coordinator

The Poetry Society's Adult Contest has been closed and judged. There were 422 entries this year, with the Thomas H. McDill and the Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage contests gathering the most entries. The winners were notified in March and are invited to read their poems at the Poetry Society Awards Day meeting in Southern Pines on May 21.

Thank you so much to all the entrants and to the judges who gave their time and effort to this contest. We look forward to hearing many of the winning poems read in May.

Spring 2005 2 North Carolina Poetry Society Kathryn Stripling Byer appointed North Carolina’s Poet Laureate

Members and friends of the North Carolina Poetry Society, as well as poets across the region, are celebrating Governor Easley’s recent appointment of Kathryn Stripling Byer as the state’s Poet Laureate. Byer, who replaces , will serve a two-year term. “Being the public representative of the many fine poets in North Carolina is both a huge honor and a huge opportunity,” Byer wrote in an e-mail message to the Poetry Society’s Corresponding Secretary. “I welcome the opportunity and challenge to bring North Carolina's literary treasures to greater public awareness and encourage people to read more poetry and even try writing it themselves. Groups like the North Carolina Poetry Society will be among my topics of conversation as I travel around the state during the two years of my tenure. The impor- tance of language, of using it with care, precision, and passion, will be my theme, and my ex- amples will be taken from the treasure trove of North Carolina poetry.” Kathryn Stripling Byer was born in south Georgia, but feeling the call of ancestral voices who at one time lived in western North Carolina, she moved to Cullowhee to teach at Western Carolina University in 1968. She served as Poet-in-Residence there, as well as poetry instructor in the UNC-Greensboro M.F.A. Program for Writers. Her books of poems include The Girl in the Midst of the Harvest (Texas Tech University Press, 1986); Wildwood Flower (LSU Press, 1992), Lamont Poetry Selection of the Academy of American Poets; Black Shawl (LSU Press, 1998), winner of the Poetry Society’s Brockman-Campbell Book Award; Catching Light (LSU Press, 2002), Southeastern Booksellers Book of the Year Award in Poetry; and Wake (Spring Street Edition, 2003). Byer is currently working on a novel. In addition to sending NCPS the message above, Byer selected this poem, which previ- ously appeared in poetryfish.com, for this issue of the Poetry Society's spring newsletter:

Big Tease

Little by little, the earth sheds her veils. Lets her white blossoms tremble. The river shakes out her blue

shimmy and scrubs it to smithereens over the singing rocks, leaving her sunny side up, such a tease that I sway to her music

as if I am Salome’s sister, and not an old woman who knows that the inkblot of sky on this page of my daybook will soon begin fading,

because how can anyone, even Great Granddaddy Death, stay asleep amid so much awakening?

Spring 2005 3 North Carolina Poetry Society 40 Years of Award-Winning Poems Celebrate on Saturday, May 21 by Pat Riviere-Seel

Happy Birthday, Pinesong! of poetry and a fine book of poems. No fewer than six committees are involved in Any way you look at it, forty is one of conducting the contests and publishing Pine- those milestone birthdays, and this year song. NCPS is publishing the fortieth edition of The process began with 3rd Vice President our book of award winning poems. The pub- Margaret Parrish managing the Student lication – and NCPS – has come a long way Contests and Lee Ann Gillen chairing the in the last forty years. Poet Laureate and Adult Contests Commit- Our annual May Awards Day meeting has tee. Publicity Chair Kathy Ackerman become the best attended, and this year helped spread the word about the contests promises to continue that tradition. Student and Carolyn Norris and Joy Acey Frelin- Contest winners will read their poems in the ger found judges for the Adult and Student morning, along with the Poet Laureate and Contests. Former NCPS president Sharon McDill winners. The afternoon will be de- Sharp chaired the committee that selected voted to the winners of the other Adult Con- this year’s Pinesong dedicatee. tests. Pinesong editors Joanne Nelson and Ce- The NCPS annual poetry contests began as lisa Steele put in many hours working dili- a way of recognizing the best poems, and the gently to produce this year’s beautiful edi- first book of winning poems was published tion. Thank you all! in 1965. It was an “in-house” publication, produced by NCPS members on their dupli- Thank you to the 2004-2005 officers cating machines and named Award-Winning Each year’s elections bring the mixed Poems (AWP). Over the years, it evolved blessing of welcoming new officers and say- into a professionally printed perfect-bound ing good-by to those who are leaving the book. In 2003 the anthology was renamed board. During the past year NCPS has been Pinesong. fortunate to have the calm and steady leader- In 1987, NCPS began the tradition of dedi- ship of President Ann Garbett. Ann, who cating the book to a member who, through has previously served as the chair of the years of service, has made outstanding con- Pinesong Dedication Committee, as well as tributions to NCPS. This year the dedication the Brockman-Campbell Book Award Com- will again be made during the morning pro- mittee, stepped up to the presidency last year gram. at a time when she was needed as a seasoned From contest to publication — board member to move into that role. thanks for making it possible! Ann brought a steady hand and a fair and inclusive leadership style to NCPS. Her After you pick up your copy of Pinesong quiet and deliberative manner has steered the and congratulate the contest winners, take a board and NCPS through an important year moment to thank the numerous members when the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished who worked diligently to bring you this day Poet Series realized its goal of having active

Spring 2005 4 North Carolina Poetry Society committees and distinguished poets in all Priscilla Webster-Williams, the corre- three regions of the state. This year has also sponding secretary who produces the NCPS seen the initiation of a student Web site and newsletter, will also be leaving the board the first meeting where NCPS and the this year. For two years Priscilla has pa- Friends of Weymouth worked together to tiently sent gentle and often humorous re- offer a program at Weymouth. minders about the deadline for submitting The revision of the Poetry Society’s con- material to the newsletter. More importantly, stitution and by-laws tops the list of Ann’s she’s been nothing short of a “miracle numerous achievements. The Revision Com- worker,” managing somehow to pack all the mittee worked diligently for three years re- news, announcements, and features into a vising our outdated by-laws and constitution beautiful newsletter that arrives on schedule. to reflect how NCPS really does business. Thank you, Priscilla! I only hope you’ve en- However, submitting their recommendations joyed your work as editor as much as we’ve to the board was only the beginning. Ann enjoyed reading the newsletter. used her substantial diplomacy skills to As the outgoing 1st VP, I owe a deep guide the ten-member board through an in- debt of gratitude to the members of the Pro- depth discussion about the documents, in- gram Planning Committee: Janice Sullivan, cluding a special all-day board meeting to Maria Fire, Sara Claytor, and of course, hammer out the details and fine tune the Ann Garbett. It has truly been a team effort documents. She made sure that everyone had and you all have gone the extra miles. Many a chance to be heard and help shape these thanks. important documents. Thank you, Ann.

Membership vote on revision of NCPS 2005-06 Slate of NCPS officers constitution and by-laws for May 21 election

The committee for revision of the NCPS consti- President: Pat Riviere-Seel tution and by-laws has completed its work, and 1st V.P., Programs: Carolyn Norris these amended documents will be presented to 2nd V.P., Student Contests: Margaret Parrish the general membership for a vote at the regular 3rd V.P., Membership: Guy and Carolyn York meeting at Weymouth, Southern Pines, on Satur- Recording Secretary: Sue Farlow day, May 21, 2005. Corresponding Secretary: Ed Cockrell Treasurer: Bill Griffin The Website Committee has posted these revised Member at large: Joann Bishop documents on the NCPS webpage at Member at large: Sara Claytor www.sleepycreek.org/poetry. Offered by the Nominating Committee: Bill Blackley, Susan Meyers, Sharon Sharp The NCPS constitution requires that any pro-

posed amendments to it, the constitution, be given to the general membership for examina- Contact information for the 2005-06 slate of officers can tion at least thirty days before they are to be be found on the last page of this newsletter, except for: Carolyn Norris: 406 Allen Ruffin Ave., Hillsborough NC, voted on. Poetry Society members unable to ac- 27278; 919-732-6996; [email protected] cess the Web posting of the revised constitution Ed Cockrell: 102 Cameron Glenn Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, may obtain a copy by mailing a request, along 28516; 919-967-5834; [email protected] with a $1 postage fee, to: Bill Griffin, 131 Bon Joann Bishop: 415 Walnut Dr., Jacksonville, NC, 28440; Aire Road, Elkin, NC 28621 Telephone: 910-455-1184

Spring 2005 5 North Carolina Poetry Society

Saturday, June 25, at Weymouth

Pull out your bow tie, don your most festive straw hat, and join in the fun, music, and poetry at the annual Sam Ragan Poetry Festival

This year, the North Carolina Poetry Society celebrates poetry by saluting Pinesong dedicatees—members who have devoted years of generous service, inspired great inter- est in the study of poetry, and nurtured novice poets. Each year since 1987 the Poetry Society has dedicated an issue of the annual Pinesong anthology to one of them.

We’re fortunate that at least ten of the dedicatees are planning to share their poems, music, and memories with us at this year’s Sam Ragan Festival. These talented poets, along with the other dedicatees, are truly the North Carolina Poetry Society’s “Hall of Fame.”

Margaret Booth Baddour (accompanied by Donald Thompson on his blues guitar) Ron Bayes Sally Buckner Ray Dotson Marie Gilbert Leon Hinton Ellen Johnston-Hale Dave Manning Sallie Nixon

Bring your own poem to share (musical accompaniment encouraged!) because open mike will be sprinkled throughout the day. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and festivi- ties start at 10 a.m. Please note: Usually the Sam Ragan Festival is held the third Satur- day in June. However, this year it will be held on June 25, the fourth Saturday, because the Weymouth Center is involved in festivities surrounding the U.S. Open.

Spring 2005 6 North Carolina Poetry Society

Poetry Day in Greensboro Cosponsored by NCPS and the Greensboro Central Library Saturday, April 16, 2005 Greensboro Central Library, 219 Church Street

“You cannot get the news from poems, yet men die every day for lack of what is found there.” — William Carlos Williams

9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Registration, coffee, purchase lunch (optional)

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon • What Are Poems For? • A dialogue with Betty Adcock and Gerald Barrax The poets will ponder what can be found in poetry and discuss the uses of poetry, why we write it, why people read it, and why (all too often) they don’t.

12 noon to 1 p.m.— Lunch

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.— Readings by Betty Adcock and Gerald Barrax

2:00 to 3:00 — Open mike

Betty Adcock is the author of five collections of poems from LSU Press, most recently Intervale: New and Selected Poems. Twice she has been named a Pushcart Prize winner. A Guggenheim Fellow in 2002-2003, she has held fellowships in poetry from the National Endowment of Arts and the state of North Carolina. She has been writer-in-residence at Meredith College since 1983 and teaches at the Warren Wilson M.F.A. Program. During 2003 she was Visiting Distinguished Professor at NC State University.

Gerald Barrax is Professor Emeritus and Poet-in-Residence at North Carolina State University, having retired in 1997. He continues to teach creative writing in NCSU’s new M.F.A. program. He has published five volumes of poetry, most recently From a Person Sitting in Darkness: New and Selected Poems. He has received a Ford Foundation Graduate Fellowship, a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, writing awards from Callaloo and Prairie Schooner, the Sam Ragan Award, the Indies Arts Award, and a Raleigh Medal of Arts; and he was a North Carolina Writers Conference Honoree.

There is no charge for Poetry Day. Purchase a box lunch or bring your own. Please make reservations for lunch by April 12 by sending a check for $8.50 payable to Greensboro Friends of the Library Send the check to: Leon Hinton, 4618 North NC 62, Burlington, NC 27217. Indicate if you want turkey, or roast beef, or vegetarian sandwich. Box lunch also includes potato salad, fresh fruit, brownie, and beverage.

For additional information about Poetry Day in Greensboro, contact [email protected], or Beth Sheffield at the Greensboro Central Library, [email protected]

Spring 2005 7 North Carolina Poetry Society

Welcome, new members !

On the Road to Poetry by C. Pleasants York Would a road by any other name lead to such fascination and poetic inspiration? As Member- ship Chairs since 1997, Guy and I have given a lot of attention to road names – copying them from Poetry Society membership applications, typing them into the data base, mailing packets to them. Over the years, the clever and beautiful names have offered some interesting diversions. Two of my favorite road names belong to long-time Poetry Society members Sally Buckner and David Manning. A piece of literature I love to teach is Macbeth, so Birnamwood, where Sally lives, intrigues me. (Do three witches lurk there, stirring a cauldron, reciting, “Double, double, toil and trouble”?) For many years, David lived on Summerwind. I must admit, I felt a twinge when he moved and I had to take that lovely street name off the membership list. Some other names that bring out the poet in all of us are White Mist Lane, Sugar Pine Drive, Hedgeapple Court, Firefly Road, and Tree Top Place. Lazy River Road, the home of Ellen Turlington Johnston Hale, always relaxes me, as does Nassau Boulevard, bringing its memories of the Bahamas. Marylin Hervieux lives on Indian Rock Road, and Lynn Veach Sadler makes her home on Wood Wedge Way, in the golfing community of Carolina Trace. Then there is Lavender Avenue, Loblolly Court, and 14 Matchwood, the home of Ruth Moose. Gypsy Travis has the notoriety of living on Gypsy Drive. A few of the names seem to go together: Moonshine Lane, Margarita Drive, and Jonathan Rice’s home on Rumstone Lane. Then there are Hillandale and Riveredge, and Ridgeview Place. North Carolina’s Indian heritage is evident in Apache Drive and Cherokee Trail, home of Reverend Augustus Ransom. When new member Elizabeth Caine Natale joined the Poetry Society, I was thrilled to see the name of the road where she lives. It’s Pleasant Drive. I’m also rather fond of Lela Chesson’s address; she lives on York Street. The road names of Poetry Society members are just as diverse and exciting as the poets them- selves. Our membership list is a poem in itself!

PAUL AARON in 1977 and her MSW from SHIRLEY D. JONES 6916 UNION GROVE UNC-Chapel Hill in 1989. Her 13140 ANDREW JACKSON CHURCH ROAD areas of expertise include de- HWY HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278 pression, panic, and anxiety dis- LAURINBURG, NC 28352 (919) 942-4442 order, family therapy, grief re- (910) 276-7811 [email protected] covery, expressive arts therapy, [email protected] and spiritual wellness. JONNE ALLYSON BOONE CLEVE MATHEWS 1621 WAIT AVENUE ALICE CAVE 25 HAMSTEAD ROAD WAKE FOREST, NC 27587 3736 GUNSTON ROAD ASHEVILLE, NC 28804 (919) 562-7543 ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302 (828) 254-5668 Jonne Allyson “Corky” Boone is (703) 379-1521 [email protected] a Clinical Social Worker li- [email protected] Cleve Mathews is a retired jour- censed by the state to provide Alice Cave travels often to North nalist and professor. Born in psychotherapy for individuals, Carolina and loves to write about Texas and reared in Wyoming couples, and families. She re- nature and about those close to and Michigan, he worked in ceived her BA in English and her. She has been writing poetry Missouri, New York City, Wash- Religion from Meredith College for two years. ington DC, Wichita, Syracuse,

Spring 2005 8 North Carolina Poetry Society Anchorage, and London, Eng- A graduate of Allegheny Col- of Life.” She has read poetry in land. Now he’s teaching seniors lege, my job descriptions en- the United States, South Africa, in Asheville, North Carolina. compass raising three sons, Singapore, and Switzerland seven dogs, training a husband from her books Celebrating a LINDA METZNER who remains devoted after fifty- Tapestry of Life, Spanning the 86 PHOENIX COVE ROAD three years, teaching music, vol- Years and Wings Span to Eter- WEAVERVILLE, NC 28787 unteering and traveling. Many nity. Her father and grand- (828) 658-2516 facets of my life are reflected in parents were born in North [email protected] my three books of poetry, The Carolina, and she has visited the Annelinde Metzner has been Ladder Holder, a shadowy mu- state often for family reunions writing poetry since age eight. sic, and my latest, Just a and for college poetry readings. She recently completed her first Shadow of Myself. volume entitled In Love with the PATRICIA U. WEBER Rooted Earth: Place Poems of NANCY SIMPSON PO BOX 177 Appalachia, and is seeking a 472 OLD CHERRY MOUN- OPTIMIST CLUB ROAD publisher. Also a composer, in TAIN TRAIL DENVER, NC 28037 2002 she performed “Mountain HAYESVILLE, NC 28904 (704) 483-7000 Moving Day,” a song cycle [email protected] I have lived 31 years in North based on the works of women I’ve been practicing poetry for Carolina. In 1974, I received a poets. some 30 years. I have an MFA, bachelor’s degree from the Uni- and am a retired State of North versity of Arkansas at Fayette- CHRISTOPHER MOORE Carolina educator. I am joining ville. I have been a staff and DAVIDSON COLLEGE in support of poets and poetry in free-lance journalist, and am a BOX 5308 North Carolina. Currently I am a published poet. DAVIDSON, NC 28036 resident writer and instructor at (704) 894-7396 the John C. Campbell Folk DAWN D. WILSON [email protected] School. In the past, I was foun- 6278 LAND ROAD Chris is a senior at Davidson der and program coordinator of NASHVILLE, NC 27856 College, majoring in Classics. NCWN West. (252) 443-8766 When not studying or reading, [email protected] he enjoys traveling around DAVID STANION Dawn Wilson has earned her North Carolina and writing 172 LESLIE LANE bachelor’s degree from the Uni- about its people and places. CARTHAGE, NC 28327 versity of North Carolina and “Will anyone employ a classi- (910) 673-3299 studied under authors Doris cally trained poet with an acute Betts and Bland Simpson. Her case of wanderlust?” he humbly JEANETTE STANION first novel, Saint Jude, is avail- asks the readers of NCPS. 172 LESLIE LANE able through Tutor Publishers. CARTHAGE, NC 28327 ELIZABETH CAIN NATALE (910) 673-3299 7030 PLEASANT DRIVE FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306 JUANITA TORRENCE- (910) 424-8355 THOMPSON TH ELIZABETHNA- 144-53 77 AVENUE [email protected] FLUSHING, NY 11367 (718) 520-1483

GWYNETH NOBLE [email protected] 109 N. OVERLOOK TER. Juanita writes a weekly poetry HENDERSONVILLE, NC column in print and online 28739 called “Celebrating a Tapestry

Spring 2005 9 North Carolina Poetry Society

NOTICES

Carl Sandburg Poetry Festival Once again this year NCPS co-sponsored the Carl

Sandburg Poetry Festival in Flat Rock, NC, with a $100 North Carolina Poetry Society contribution and three judges for the student poetry contest. Endowment contributions Many thanks to this year’s judges: Libby Campbell, Sue were recently received from: Farlow, and Joanna McKethen.

Elizabeth S. Campbell The April 2 event at the Carl Sandburg Home fea- tured the Asheville group Poetry Alive! The group, which Mary Hogya has performed extensively in schools throughout the United Pat Riviere-Seel States, gave a performance and conducted a workshop fo- Sharon Sharp cusing on bringing poetry from the page to the stage. There was also an open mike and a performance by the West

Contributions are essential Henderson High School Fiddle Group. for the continuing growth For more information at the Sandburg home and of the Poetry Society. other events there visit their Website:

www.nps.gov/carl/ Members and friends are asked to give generously and as often as you can. Workshops for your area

When making a donation, Do you know of a poet you’d like to critique your work? Would you may designate a particular you like to meet with other poets in your area? area that you want to support, or Why not make both happen you may contribute by being a Poetry Workshop Coordinator? to the general fund. If not otherwise specified, Poetry Society workshop coordinators contact a guest poet and all contributions given will be coordinate a workshop in their local region. deposited to the Program If you would like to coordinate a workshop—or have an idea for Endowment Fund. a workshop—please contact the Workshop chair:

Please make your check payable Gail Williamson to NCPS and send to: 118 Ford Street Thomasville, NC 27360 Kay Cheshire (336) 472-5769 5410 Chatfield Square [email protected] Greensboro, NC 27410 The North Carolina Collection University of North Carolina Library Wilson Library, C.B. 3930 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3930 A copy of this issue of the Poetry Society newsletter has been donated to The North Carolina Collection for reference and safe-keeping.

Spring 2005 10 North Carolina Poetry Society

The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series—

a grand opportunity !

The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is beginning its second year. Committees are active in Brevard in the western part of the state, Greensboro in central North Carolina, and in the east at Barton College, Wilson. Selection of Student Poets to be mentored by Distinguished Poets in 2006 will begin in May, 2005. Read on to find out more ...

The Gilbert-Chappell Distin- year Distinguished Poets were For general information, send an guished Poet Series (GCDPS) is Shelby Stephenson and Wayne e-mail to Bill Blackley: generously funded by Marie Johns. Now we have commit- [email protected] Gilbert to help promote the mis- tees active in Wilson, Greens- sion of the NCPS by linking boro, and Brevard. Nine students GCDPS Regional Contacts North Carolina Student Poets (three in each region) are chosen with Distinguished Poets around by application to work with the East Committee the state. The idea for this pro- Distinguished Poet (DP) on a Dr. Rebecca Smith gram came about when Bill dozen pages of their poetry over Dept. of English and Modern Blackley, at the beginning of his a six-month period. The Student Languages NCPS presidency, talked with Poet and DP also meet to review Barton College the North Carolina Poet Laure- oral presentation skills. A unique Box 5000 ate, Fred Chappell, and asked component of the program oc- Wilson, NC 27893 his advice on what would be an curs when a Distinguished Poet (252) 399-6364 excellent way to promote poetry visits the hometown of a Student e-mail: [email protected] in the state and best achieve the Poet and reads with him or her at mission of the Poetry Society. a poetry reading in a local li- Fred felt that outreach was brary. This portion of the pro- Central Committee very important, and he liked the gram is enthusiastically and gen- Alexis Gines idea of establishing three Distin- erously funded by The North e-mail: [email protected] guished Poet regions in the state. Carolina Center for the Book, He also liked the idea of these Frannie Ashburn, Director. West Committee poets mentoring students in mid- Please thank Frannie for her sup- Dr. Ken Chamlee dle school, high school, and col- port if you have the opportunity. Professor of English lege. The guidelines for the pro- In addition, thank yourself, be- Brevard College gram were hammered out for cause your membership, dues, 400 N. Broad Street over a year by a coordinating creative energy, and effort are Brevard, NC 28712 committee made up of Sally what make the NCPS an active e-mail: Buckner, Sharon Sharp, Lois all-volunteer organization that [email protected] Wistrand, Marie Gilbert, Fred brings programs like this to frui- Chappell, and Bill Blackley. tion. See the names of the Dis- Valuable suggestions and guid- tinguished Poets and Committee To locate which GCDPS ance came from many NCPS Chairs and contact information region a NC town is in, or members, especially vice- below. Contact names are also for more information or president Pat Riviere-Seel. listed on the Poetry Society application forms, visit the The program started in 2004 Website where the guidelines, NCPS Website: with the inaugural readings at region descriptions and student www.sleepycreek.net/poetry Barton College and St. Andrews application can be found. Presbyterian College. The first more, next page...

Spring 2005 11 North Carolina Poetry Society

GILBERT-CHAPPELL DISTINGUISHED POET SERIES—EAST Walking Into April: April 9 Barton College, Wilson at the Ragan Writing Center Join us Saturday, April 9 at Barton College for the third Walking into April Poetry Day, an event sponsored by the North Carolina Poetry Society, Barton College, and the Gilbert-Chappell Dis- tinguished Poet Series. Cathy Smith Bowers and Al Maginnes are this year’s featured poets. Shelby Stephenson is the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet for 2004-2005, and he will pre- sent the three Student Poets selected and tutored by him for a year: middle school student Heidi Martin, from Whiteville; high school student Sarah Servie, from Kill Devil Hills; and Elizabeth City State University student Kimberly Hockaday, from Roanoke Rapids.

Cathy Smith Bowers holds a BA and MAT in English from Winthrop University. She has pub- lished three books of poetry: The Love that Ended Yesterday in Texas, Traveling in Time of Danger, and A Book of Minutes. Her poem have appeared in numerous journals, including The Atlantic Monthly, The Georgia Review, Poetry, Shenandoah, The Southern Review, Kenyon Review, and many others. She teaches in the M.F.A. in Creative Writing program at Queens University in Charlotte.

Al Maginnes received his BA from East Carolina University and his MFA from the University of Arkansas where he studied with James Whitehead, Heather Ross Miller, and others. Currently he teaches at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh. He is the author of three books of poetry: Outside a Tattoo Booth, Taking Up Our Daily Tools, and The Light in Our Houses. His fourth collection is forthcoming.

Shelby Stephenson graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and studied at the University of Pitts- burgh and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a professor of English at UNC-Pembroke and edits Pembroke Magazine, and he received the 2001 in Literature. Shelby has also received the Zoe Kincaid Brockman Memorial Award and North Carolina Writ- ers’ Network Chapbook Prize. He has an extensive list of publications which includes, but is not limited to, seven chapbooks and a poetic documentary Plankhouse. He and his wife, Linda, have recorded a CD, Hank Williams Tribute.

Cathy will kick off the morning program by reading from her work and sharing her thoughts on the creative process. Al will follow with selections from his work and a discussion of the process of creative writing. Shelby will introduce the students selected for the Gilbert-Chappell Distin- guished Poet Award. The afternoon will include an open mike, and the entire day will be hosted by the fine people at Barton College in the Sam and Marjorie Ragan Writing Center. Don’t miss a chance to meet these poets and help us build the tradition of Walking into April and our celebra- tion of the written word and the Ragan legacy.

This event is free. Checks for lunch should be made to Barton College for $8.50. Mail your registration and check to: Rebecca Smith, Barton College, Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893. For more information contact her at 252-399-6364 or at [email protected]

Spring 2005 12 North Carolina Poetry Society

GILBERT-CHAPPELL DISTINGUISHED POET SERIES—WEST Brevard College—April 26— 7 p.m. Elkin Public Library—May 15—time TBA Statesville Library—May 15—2 p.m. The western region of the Gilbert-Chappel Distinguished Poet Series is looking forward to its spring readings. Please join us at any or all of them! The Distinguished Poet for the Western Re- gion is Keith Flynn, of Asheville. Flynn is the author of several collections of poetry, and is founder and managing editor of The Asheville Poetry Review. Three student poets were selected and have been mentored by Keith Flynn. The Student Poets are: Ben Smith, a seventh grader at Statesville Middle School in Statesville; Natalie Vaders, a senior at Elkin High School in Elkin; and Shelly Mae Simmons, a junior at Brevard College in Brevard. A reading by Keith Flynn and the three Student Poets is set for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, in the Paul Porter Center for Performing Arts at Brevard College. We invite you to join us for this exciting event. Also, we have tentatively scheduled readings at the Iredell County Public Li- brary in Statesville and at the Elkin Public Library in Elkin on Sunday afternoon, May 15, starting at 2:00 p.m. in the Statesville library. We will have a final announcement about the library read- ings on the NCPS website, so check that information and come join us. Committee members for the Western Region are Ken Chamlee, English Professor at Brevard College, chair; Susan Le- fler; Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin, and Libby Campbell.

For information, contact Ken Chamlee, 828-890-1906, or email him at: [email protected]. Or, Libby Campbell, 704-878-9129, libcame@statesvillenet

GILBERT-CHAPPELL DISTINGUISHED POET SERIES—CENTRAL April 30, 10 a.m.—noon Greensboro Public Library, 219 Church Street

The GCDPS Central Committee is pleased to announce that A. Van Jordan has been selected as our region’s Distinguished Poet. Jordan and three Student Poets— Edwin Arnaudin (Greensboro College), Courtney Baker (Page High School), and Whitney Chamblee (Mendenhall Middle School) will read at the Greensboro Public Library on Saturday, April 30. Everyone is welcome. Jordan received his MFA from the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson and is a professor in the MFA program at UNC-Greensboro. His most recent book, M- A-C-N-O-L-I-A, is a cycle of poems in many voices about MacNolia Cox, a young African American girl who was poised to win the National Spelling Bee in 1936. She was given a word to spell that was not on the list of words from which the judges were supposed to choose and losing the competition “snuffed out her belief that she could go farther,” Jordan told National Public Radio in an interview. M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A won the prestigious Whiting Writers’ Award. Jordon is also the author of Rise. Please join us on April 30 to hear A. Van Jordan and his students read their work. The event is free and open to the public For more information, email Alexis Gines: [email protected]

Spring 2005 13 North Carolina Poetry Society 2005 Student Contest judges Joy Acey Frelinger, Student contest director

Thanks to these judges for their role in the 2005 NCPS Student Contest. (Bios of judges for the Adult Contests appeared in the Winter issue of the newsletter)

Sally Buckner's poetry and fiction has appeared in publications as varied as Southern Poetry Review, Christian Century, and Woman's Day, and in the collection Strawberry Harvest. She has edited two anthologies: Our Words, Our Ways, used in schools to ac- company eighth-grade studies of state history; and Word and Witness: 100 Years of North Carolina Poetry. She has been honored with numerous awards for her many con- tributions to the state's literary community. (Francis W. Phillips Award, grades 3 to 8)

Dr. Steve Katz, Professor of English at North Carolina State University, has published poems in Southern Poetry Review, Pembroke Magazine, The News and Observer, Obsid- ian, Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, and many other journals. He also teaches poetry writing in the Young Writers Workshop at NCSU. (Mary Chilton Award for grades 6 to 8)

Lenard D. Moore has received three Haiku Museum of Tokyo Awards (2003, 1994, and 1983), the 1992 First Prize Traditional Haiku Award from The Mainichi Daily News (Tokyo), and The 1997 Margaret Walker Creative Writing Award. One of his poetry col- lections, Forever Home, was published by St. Andrews College Press in 1992. Moore's work has been published in Essence, Poetry Canada Review, Callaloo, Agni, African American Review, and other prominent journals. He teaches English, Humanities, and World Literature at Shaw University. (Lyman Haiku Award for poems by students in grades 9 through undergraduate)

Ruth Moose has been a member of the creative writing faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill for almost ten years She has published four collections of poetry, most recently Making the Bed and Smith Grove. Her poems have appeared in Southern Review, Yankee, Prairie Schooner, Southwestern Review, Tar River Poetry, and other journals. She is poetry edi- tor for The Village Rambler, published in Chapel Hill. (Sherry Pruitt Award for grades 9 to undergraduate)

Barbara Presnell is a poet and writer who lives in Lexington. She's written four books of poetry: Snake Dreams; Unravelings; Los Hijos, poems set in Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; and Sherry’s Prayer, about the textile industry. Sherry's Prayer won the 2004 Linda Flowers Prize from the North Carolina Humanities Council and was published by the council this spring. She has worked for many years as a poet-in-the-schools, and cur- rently teaches at UNC-Charlotte. (Travis Tuck Jordan Award for grades 3 to 5)

Spring 2005 14 North Carolina Poetry Society Poet-in-residence: an experience worth sharing by Susan Meyers

Because my one-year appointment as alongside slides showing the student winners’ art poet-in-residence at the Gibbes Museum of Art in and the original art responded to. Lese and I will Charleston, SC, has been such a pleasurable ex- also present each competition winner with an perience for me, I’d like to let others know more anthology of the winning poems and art. Every about it, with the hope that other poets might find year it’s a well-attended, gala reading and recep- ways to hook up with local museums and organi- tion. zations—all for the good of poetry. Because next year will be the tenth year A central part of the educational plan at of Poets and Painters, the Gibbes Museum is the Gibbes Museum is its Poets and Painters pro- looking for ways to help the program change and gram, begun in 1997. From its inception, the pro- grow, while retaining the original gist of its pur- gram has included a poet-in-residence each year; pose and approach. The plan is eventually to pub- and since 2002, it has also included an artist-in- lish an anthology of work by all the poets-and residence. artists-in-residence. Lese Corrigan, this year’s artist-in- I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the residence, and I first met at the museum last sum- Poets and Painters program. Each class is differ- mer and selected an artwork in the permanent ent, each student full of imagination. Just this collection to respond to. It wasn’t an easy deci- week I worked with a class of learning disabled sion, as we kept circling the galleries trying to students, which turned out to be the one of the settle on just one work. Finally we chose a rural most enjoyable classes I’ve had thus far. On my scene of a farmer plowing, a woodblock print drive to Charleston each day before class I ask called Coming Storm, by Anna Heyward Taylor. myself, What better thing could I be doing with I was to write a poem, and Lese to do a painting. my time today than teaching poetry to children Her painting and my poem, ready by early fall, and teenagers? I never come up with an answer, were hung on display in the Poets and Painters never. corner, alongside Coming Storm. I am still hum- I feel sure that there are similar poetry bled and thrilled every time I walk by that corner opportunities in every town, possibilities for po- and see my poem hanging beside the work of art ets to collaborate with local museums and organi- that inspired it. zations, places to offer poetry programs. In fact, The heart of the program for Lese and me in South Carolina the state zoo has a poet-in- is teaching school groups of middle and high residence, and there are state parks throughout school students that visit the museum. Most of the nation that also have their own poet-in- the school visits take place in February and residence. Some schools and YMCAs do, as well. March—about 600 students total. I offer a brief What a perfect way to make poetry a meaningful session on writing poems about art; Lese offers a part of people’s lives. I can envision a poet-in- session on responding visually to art. The stu- residence at libraries, churches, even bookstores, dents then choose an artwork to respond to, and anywhere poetry fits in—and we all know, don’t they have several weeks to complete a poem and/ we, that poetry fits in anywhere. or a painting that can be entered in the student competition offered by the program. The compe- tition gives numerous awards for both poetry and art, judged blindly according to age and school so that there are winners from both age groups and from all schools. In May the museum will hold a celebra- tory Poetry Day, when the competition winners will read their poems and their artist statements,

Spring 2005 15 North Carolina Poetry Society Poetry Council of North Carolina

The Poetry Council of North Carolina’s annual poetry contest began January 15 and will run until May 15, 2005. All winners will be invited to read their poems at the Awards celebra- tion on October 2. There are categories for books published in 2004, traditional poetry, free verse and sonnets. Some categories are open to elementary school, middle school and high school students. Subjects such as family legacy or aspects of North Carolina may be ex- plored in various categories. The specific guidelines may be acquired by sending a self- addressed, stamped envelope to: Nancy Adams 298 Grayson Drive Salisbury, NC 28147

Guidelines may also be seen at the PCNC Website: http://www.ncneighbors.com/main.wsi?group_id=2675

Brockman-Campbell Book Award Winners featured on Website an update by Earl Huband, NCPS Webmaster

As part of the expansion of the NCPS Website to include poem pages for each Brockman- Campbell Book Award winner, pages for Ann Deagon, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, and Dannye Romine Powell have joined those previously posted for Julie Suk. Each poet has a main page that includes a photo, a citation for her award-winning book, and links to three poems from the book. Pages for other winners will be added as permissions are obtained and as time permits. Postings will be added on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Home Page menu of the Poetry Society Website has been revamped to create a Student Corner section with links to all materials on the site aimed at students, including a link to the new Student Poets Website. The student in charge of this new site is Natalie Vaders. The advisors are Jane Hazelman and Candy Hendrix. The NCPS thanks Ray Dotson for making this additional web space available for student use.

visit the NCPS Website at www.sleepycreek.org/poetry

Haiku Holiday—April 30 The North Carolina Haiku Society is sponsoring its annual Haiku Holiday on Saturday, April 30, at Bolin Brook Farm in Chapel Hill. Experienced haiku teachers will conduct workshops, talks, and walks. The event is open to anyone with an interest in haiku, beginner or advanced. A small dona- tion will be gratefully accepted. Please be sure to bring a bag lunch. Presenters include Jim Kacian, Lenard D. Moore, Ron Bell, and Curtis Dunlap, well-published and respected writers of the form.

Directions to the event and additional information is available at: http://nc-haiku.org or call 919-929-4884

Spring 2005 16 North Carolina Poetry Society

Notices KUDOS !

Poetry Society workshops Workshop coordinator Gail Williamson reports Ione (Tootsie) O’Hara’s new chapbook, A that several Poetry Society sponsored work- Passing Certainty, is available in Charlotte shops are “in the works.” A NCPS-sponsored from Park Road Books (e-mail: books workshop is a way to have your work critiqued @parkroadbooks.com), or for $8.95 plus ship- by one of North Carolina’s outstanding poets ping from Pudding House Publications, 81 and a way to meet other poets. These low-cost Shadymere Lane, Columbus, OH 43213; events (usually less than $20 for members!) makes Poetry Society workshops the best [email protected] or 614-986-1881. learning opportunity around. Workshop Her poems have also been recently published information is posted on the NCPS Website in Cold Mountain Review and Main Street Rag as soon as it becomes available, so check and are forthcoming in Kalliope and Iodine. the Website at www.sleepycreek.org/ poetry. Or, contact Gail for the other recent The Reverend Augustus Ransom recently updates. Her phone is 336-472-5759, or email published a chapbook, While Sitting Under the [email protected] Hickory Nut Tree. His other chapbooks in- clude: I’ve Heard the Clouds Whisper, for sale Mountain Gathering — save the date! for $8, and Reflections of an Awakening Giant, a reflective collection about a visit to China Plans for another Mountain Gathering at Mars ($10). Books may be obtained by writing to Hill College in Mars Hill, NC, are underway. Rev. A. Ransom, PO Box 5226, Sanford, NC Once again, the college English Department 27332. A complete listing of his books is also and the Poetry Society plan to co-sponsor the event on the beautiful mountain campus this available upon request. fall. Check the website for updates on the date and featured poets. For additional information, Juanita Torrene Thompson gave a poetry contact Maria Fire: [email protected] reading on February 27 at “Stepping Out Queens 2005,” an annual event sponsored by the Queens (NY) Council on the Arts featuring dance, music, drama, and literature. Ms. The Moonwort Review Thompson has also read her poetry in Singa- submission deadline extended pore, Switzerland, and South Africa. She also The electronic Internet literary journal, The writes a weekly poetry column for New Voice Moonwort Review, is planning a special North of New York. For more information visit her Carolina poets-only issue for 2005. Send one to web site, www.poetrytown.com. three poems (40 lines maximum per poem). The deadline has been extended to April 30. Dede Wilson’s latest book of poetry, One Nightstand, includes playful poems in various We prefer e-mail submissions (please, no at- forms, followed by a primer to the poetic forms tachments). Send email submissions to: used in the collection. The book is a must for [email protected]. poets—and an excellent teaching tool. One

However, submissions via US mail can be sent Nightstand is available from Main Street Rag with SASE to: Editor, The Moonwort Review, Publishing Co., www.mainstreetrag.com. 1160 Buckeye Rd., Elk Park, NC 28622.

Spring 2005 17 North Carolina Poetry Society

Change in newsletter editors — and a Poetry Society quiz

by Priscilla Webster-Williams newsletters housed? 1) The White House I’ve enjoyed being corresponding secretary 2) The Fun House and designing the newsletter for the past two 3) Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill years. Poetry Society board meetings were

heartwarming and fun and I feel honored to What is on the back page of every NCPS have had a part, however small, in the growth newsletter? of an organization that welcomed me warmly 1) The front page news and has become a lighthouse for my mind 2) The entire archival history of NCPS and spirit. I especially thank those who 3) A list of officers and committee chairs served as proofreaders during my tenure—

Sharon Sharp, Susan Meyers, and Earl What is the yearly salary paid to members Huband, my dear husband and in-house of the Poetry Society board? poet. I’m pleased as punch now to be passing 1) $700,000 the newsletter on to a new editor, who I’m 2) Two cents sure will do an outstanding job. 3) $0

In a spirit of fun I’ve composed this quiz Who designed the Poetry Society logo that about the North Carolina Poetry Society appears on the front page? (NCPS) and its newsletter. I hope you will 1) Betsy Ross enjoy taking this self-inflicted “examine.” 2) Betty Crocker

3) NCPS member Beth Hoyt (Thanks!) POETRY SOCIETY QUIZ

How does a person qualify for member- What is the title of the Poetry Society’s ship in NCPS? annual anthology? 1) Write 142 sestinas and 334 sonnets 1) What We Wrote 2) Recite The Highwayman backwards 2) Read This Now 3) Have an interest in poetry 3) Pinesong

NCPS is governed by its Constitution and Who is the “Gilbert” who sponsors by its NCPS’s Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished 1) In-laws Poet Series? 2) Out laws 1) W.S. Gilbert, of Gilbert and Sullivan 3) Scofflaws 2) John Gilbert, 1920s actor 4) By-laws 3) Marie Gilbert, NCPS member, past president, and well-published poet Who plans Poetry Society programs? 1) Donald Trump How many times a year does the NCPS 2) Ross Perot newsletter appear in your mailbox? 3) 1st Vice-President/Program Chair 1) One hundred 2) Three Where is a permanent collection of NCPS 3) Forty-two

Spring 2005 18 North Carolina Poetry Society Whom do you contact if you move and 3) Don’t—ask a friend to remember want to keep receiving your NCPS news- letters? Who submits the Kudos! that appear in 1) Martha Stewart each issue of the newsletter? 2) Emily Post 1) Emily Dickinson 3) NCPS Membership Chair (the Yorks) 2) Walt Whitman 3) Poetry Society members Whom do you contact if you want to spon- sor one of NCPS’s annual poetry contests? Submissions for the fall newsletter are due 1) The Internal Revenue Service July 1, and should be sent to 2) The United States Mint 1) Santa Clause 3) NCPS president or treasurer 2) Governor Easley 3) The newly-elected NCPS Corresponding How can you remember what you ordered Secretary/newsletter editor for lunch at a Poetry Society meeting?

1) Draw a carrot or a tuna on your palm The end. Enough already! 2) Wear yellow if you ordered chicken

Brockman-Campbell Book Award Postmark deadline: May 6, 2005

● The contest is open to poets who published ● The winner will be given a $150 cash prize a book-length volume of poetry in 2004. En- and a silver Revere bowl. Book sales and a sign- trants must be native-born North Carolinians or ing will also occur at a reception at the Poetry current residents who have lived in the state for Society’s meeting on September 17, 2005. at least three years at the time of the book’s pub- lication. Each submission should include the following: one copy of the book, a brief biographical sketch ● To be considered, a book must be a first of the author, a stamped postcard (for edition by a single author, and it must contain acknowledging receipt of the book), and a more than 20 pages of poetry. Anthologies are business-sized, stamped, self-addressed envelope not acceptable. The entry may be submitted by for the announcement of the winner. the poet or the book publisher. The book must have a 2004 copyright date, or the publisher Entry fee: The fee for non-members of the must certify the copyright date by letter. North Carolina Poetry Society is $10. (Please make checks payable to North Carolina Poetry ● An entry containing poems included in a Society.) Current members of the Poetry Society previous volume that won the Brockman- pay no entry fee. Campbell Book Award is not eligible. Mail entries to: ● The Brockman-Campbell winner will be notified by July 14, 2005, and will be invited to Sara Claytor read at the North Carolina Poetry Society fall 1160 Buckeye Road meeting, to be held September 17, 2005, at the Elk Park, NC 28622 Weymouth Center in Southern Pines.

Spring 2005 19 North Carolina Poetry Society Board members & committee chairs North Carolina Poetry Society is an all-volunteer organization

President Treasurer (828) 297-5197 North Carolina Poetry Society [email protected] Organized in Charlotte – 1932 Ann D. Garbett Bill Griffin 931 Green Street 131 Bon Aire Rd. Meetings: The Poetry Society holds Danville, VA 24341 Elkin, NC 28621 Pinesong Editors regular meetings the third Saturday Joanne Nelson (434)797-5770 (336) 835-7598 of January, May, and September. A [email protected] Celisa Steele [email protected] day of poetry and programs is held Pinesong Dedication from 10 to 3 at Weymouth Center for 1st Vice President, Programs Members At Large Marylin Hervieux the Arts & Humanities, 555 East Pat Riviere-Seel Joann Bishop Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines. Book Citations Carolyn Norris The Society also sponsors the Sam 107 Maple Drive Rebecca Pierre Ragan Poetry Festival on the third Asheville, NC 28805 [email protected] COMMITTEE CHAIRS Saturday in June each year; and (828)298-5413 Publicity [email protected] meetings in the West, East, and Cen- Kathy Ackerman Gilbert-Chappell tral parts of the state (see newsletter 2nd Vice President, 6611 White Mist Lane Distinguished Poet Series and Web site for dates and details). Bill Blackley, Chair Student Contests Charlotte, NC 28269 Newsletter: The Poetry Society Margaret Parrish (704) 948-0629 105 Knollwood Drive newsletter is published three times a 1109 Mordecai Drive [email protected] Elkin, NC 28621 year, in April, August, and December. (336) 835-4630 Raleigh, NC 27604 Long-range Planning Deadlines for article submissions are (919) 828-6348 [email protected] Mary Santiago the first day of March, July, and [email protected] November. Direct submissions to the Elon University, Elon NC 27244 Book Sales & Promotion rd (336) 278-5526 Corresponding Secretary. 3 Vice President, Mollie Carlin Membership Poet Laureate Award (910) 693-1605 Membership: Rates are: Student $10, Guy and Carolyn York & Adult Contests [email protected] Regular $25, Lifetime $400. Any 315 North Steele St. Lee Ann Gillen and Penny O’Donnell interested person may join. Dues are Sanford, NC 27330 220 N. East Street (910) 692-6408 payable when joining and in May (919) 776-7525 [email protected] Raleigh, NC 27601 each year. New members joining after [email protected] December 1 but before May 1 will be (919) 856-0210 Workshops Recording Secretary [email protected] Gail Williamson counted as if they joined in May, and Sue Farlow 118 Ford Street they will not need to renew their 5634 Mack Lineberry Road Coordinators of 2006 Thomasville, NC 27360 membership until May of the following Climax, NC 27233 Contest Judges (336) 472-5759 renewal year. Please send membership (336) 685-7006 Adult Contests: [email protected] checks (payable to NCPS) to Guy and [email protected] Kathleen Johnson Carolyn York, 315 North Steele St., Student Contests: Program Endowment Sanford, NC 27330. Corresponding Secretary Jenny Braswell Lois R. Wistrand Priscilla Webster-Williams [email protected] Are you moving?

Brockman-Campbell 6543 New Market Way Webmasters Raleigh, NC 27615 Book Award Update your address Sara Claytor, Chair Ray Dotson: [email protected] (919)431-0064 and phone number with 1160 Buckeye Road Earl Huband: [email protected] Guy and Carolyn York [email protected] Elk Park, NC 28622 (address above)

NCPS Corresponding Secretary FIRST CLASS Priscilla Webster-Williams POSTAGE 6543 New Market Way Raleigh, NC 27615 See page 5 for nominations of Officers to serve 2005-06 Important Dates (more inside!)

April 9—NCPS/Barton College, Wilson

April 16—Poetry Day, Greensboro

April 26— GCDPS, Brevard College

April 30— GCDPS, Greensboro Library

May 21—Awards Day at Weymouth

June 25—Sam Ragan Festival

SpringVisit 2005 our Web site, www.sleepycreek.org/poetry , maintained 20 by Webmasters North Ray CaDotsonrolina and Poetry Earl Huband Society