SOCIETY PINE WHISPERS Spring 2009 Spring Meeting Awards Day Ahead Saturday, May 16, 2009 On Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Features: Weymouth Center Weymouth, we’ll celebrate the latest Southern Pines, North Carolina student and adult winners of the North Carolina Poetry Society’s annual President’s Message 2 9:15 Registration & order lunch (or competitions and unveil the 2009 New members 3 bring your own). Coffee and Pinesong, under the new editorship of Debra Kaufman. snacks in the kitchen, book Kudos 4 room open After a brief business meeting, we’ll dedicate this year’s Pinesong to Sharon Brockman-Campbell entries 5 10:00 Short business meeting, Sharp, accomplished poet, bookmaker, Sue Farlow presiding editor, and past president of the Poetry Society. interview 7 10:15 Pinesong dedication After the dedication, Bill Griffin—winner Forum 9 of the Poet Laureate Award (final judge 10:30 Contest winners read , the current North Board and committee chairs 10 Carolina Poet Laureate)—will read, NCPS Reading Series 11 12:00 Lunch, book room open followed by the student winners of the Travis Tuck Jordan Award (for students in grades 3 through 5), the Joan Scott Gilbert-Chappell information 11 1:15 Contest winners read Memorial Award (for poems about the Remember to renew your environment by students in grades 3 Pencil in: 12 membership! through 8), the Mary Chilton Award (for students in grades 6 through 8), the Sherry Pruitt Award (for students in grade 9 through undergraduate), and the Lyman Haiku Award (for students in grade 9 through undergraduate).

We’ll continue with the adult winners of the Caldwell Nixon Jr. Award for poems written by adults for children (judged by April Halprin Wayland) and the Lyman Haiku Award (judged by Alice Frampton), and possibly others, depending on time.

After a break for lunch around noon, we’ll resume readings by the remaining adult winners at 1:15 pm: winners of the Thomas H. McDill Award for a poem of any form, any style, with a maximum of 60 lines (judged by Dick Allen); finalists for the Poet Laureate Award (preliminary judge Mark Doty); and winners of the Joanna Catherine Scott Award for traditional forms (judged by Evie Shockley); winners for the Mary Ruffin Poole American Heritage Award (judged by Ryan G. Van Cleave), the Katherine Kennedy McIntyre Light Verse Award (judged by Jarret Keene), the Poetry of Courage Award (judged by Denise Duhamel), and the Poetry of Love Award (judged by Laura Kasischke).

May is a beautiful time to enjoy poetry and the majestic gardens and house at Weymouth. Please join us.

NCPS MEMBERS wishing to post in “Kudos” or “Forum” in the newsletter should send the information to the corresponding secretary (see page 10) before the deadline (see page 12). Next deadline: July 1. 1 President’s Message by Sue Farlow Sigh.

I have this love/hate relationship with my computers. It’s like the poem my mother used to recite to me when I was a little girl. She couldn’t have been talking about me! “There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very very good But when she was bad she was horrid.”

That’s the way my computers work! This message is late, but thank goodness Jo can work magic. Now – here’s what I scribbled down that was lost:

“If winter comes can spring be far behind?” Percy B. Shelley sounded as hopeful as I am that spring will be here soon, Unfortunately, this past week, we were in the deepest, darkest throes of winter with five inches of snow on the pasture. The dogs and the cows had a good time.

I think I am having mixed feelings because this is my last President’s Message. I have truly loved every minute of the past two years. However, I am VERY GLAD that Tony Abbott will be taking over as president at the May meeting. He will bring a lot of enthusiasm, energy and experience to the board. I am looking forward to working with him.

I am also thrilled that Susan Sharp is our new Pinesong dedicatee. She is an accomplished poet who creates her own books. I am proud to call her my friend.

I am looking forward, as always, to the May meeting. I am impressed with the student and adult winners. I am proud of our own Bill Griffin as Poet Laureate winner. The students show a maturity of voice not often found in the young. Do you remember your first poem? I remember mine. I was eight years old and couldn’t decide if I wanted to be a poet or an actress. My mother put it on the refrigerator: “I have a little cat Who is very very sweet But she is also very fat Because all she does is eat.”

In the classic movie, “Dead Poet’s Society, Mr. Keating tells his students on Friday he wants an original poem by Monday. One student got up and recited: “The cat Sat on The mat”

As the classroom erupted with laughter, Mr. Keating silenced them. He said it was ok for poems to be short, but not ordinary.

I leave you with this – don’t let your poems be ordinary. The beauty of the written word is to say the same old thing in a different way.

Thank you to the board, committee chairs and members for the past two years. In the immortal words (I heard them myself!) of Eric Clapton in one of his first concerts after his son Conner died, “It’s a miracle that you’re here, it’s a miracle that I’m here and I thank God for both” That has become my mantra.

Thank you. Sue Farlow

2 FRAGMENTS OF FOREVER By C. Pleasants York Membership Co-Chair

It was a tall mahogany glass-front secretary with wooden curlicues and scrolls on the top and a myriad of tiny drawers – drawers of mystery, drawers of possibility. The desk stood against the wall in the parlor of the home of my grandparents at 401 Crawford Street in Monroe. Years later, the secretary was a cherished possession in the living room of my own home, a link to my grandparents, Junius Stitt Stearns, owner of a contracting company and his wife Ethel, a Methodist Sunday school teacher. When a water pipe in the Victorian claw-foot tub upstairs in my home broke and flooded the downstairs, the secretary was water damaged. Sorrowfully, I gave up the ruined bits, but I saved the drawers and turned them into memory boxes. Memory boxes are like poems. No two are exactly alike because each is a product of different sequestered, boxed-up memories and bits of remembrances, the things of love and laughter echoing through the years. Memory boxes contain treasured keepsakes and tiny pieces of ephemera, sepia-toned photographs, scraps of lace, buttons, broken jewelry, Schrenschnitte. I look at these bits of time past and compare them to the poems I write. I remember all the times I have written myself out of loneliness, boxing up my thoughts and setting them aside. As poets, how often do we use poems to compensate, to clarify, to justify? How many poems that we write are our way of holding on to memories a forever away, of boxing up our thoughts into a little miracle of lines and spaces? Welcome, New Members, to this world of remembrance.

JENNY WARD ANGYAL ANN PORZIO LEWIS CLAIRE A. PITTMAN 7149 LUDGATE ROAD PO BOX 2692 102 GRANVILLE DRIVE GIBSONVILLE, NC 27249 SOUTHERN PINES, NC GREENVILLE, NC 27858 (336) 449-5029 28388 (252) 756-7648 [email protected] (910) 949-2639 [email protected] [email protected] Jenny Ward Angyal lives on a Claire Pittman, recently retired small organic farm with her A former New Jersey journalist, ECU history professor, is moving husband and an Abyssinian cat. columnist and editor, Ann is to Oriental where she plans to When not attempting to searching again for her poet’s focus on her poetry and enjoy life communicate through poetry and soul. by the water. Her poems have fabric art, she spend her time appeared in a variety of teaching children with disabilities PATRICIA MOYER publications. how to communicate any way 103 HIDDEN VALLEY DRIVE they can. CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 DANNYE ROMAINE POWELL (919) 967-3788 700 EAST PARK AVENUE LAURIE BILLMAN [email protected] CHARLOTTE, NC 28203 20 HAMLET GROVE [email protected] PITTSBORO, NC 27312 CAL NORDT (919)968-4761 2801 TRAILWOOD PINES LN Dannye Romine Powell is the [email protected] RALEIGH, NC 27603 author of three collections of (919) 802-5834 poetry from The University of PEGGY GAMBILL [email protected] Arkansas Press. Her second 2911 HAVEN ROAD collection, The Ecstacy of Regret won the Brockman-Campbell RALEIGH, NC 27610 Cal Nordt (Yale, ‘72, English, (919) 880-8915 Award in 2003. Her latest is A writing poetry) read a lot while in Necklace of Bees. [email protected] the trucking business and raising five children. He recently LUCIA PELL POWE JAKI SHELTON GREEN returned to writing, edited lit 522 CEDAR BERRY LANE 226 S. ELEVENTH STREET magazines, NC State Poetry CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517 MEBANE, NC 27302 Contest Finalist, published in the (919) 489-9306 [email protected] N&O. [email protected]

new members continued on page 6

3 Kudos: member’s honor rol Brenda Kay Ledford recently Alex Grant has a nine-page Ruth Ware’s poem "The China read from her poetry feature in The Missouri Review Cabinet" is being used collection, SACRED FIRE, over ("One of the mighty oaks of on the web-site of a furniture Windstream Communication's American " -Esquire). refinishing company. “We television talk show, the These are all new poems from traded and I had two end tables "Common Cup." my recently completed full- redone at no cost. Of course, length manuscript, The Circus I'm pleased to receive this Rewinding at 40, poems by Poems. Some other poems from acknowledgement, but a Marty Silverthorne is published the collection have also concrete reward is also good.” by Pudding House Press. recently placed in contests and This ties in to the recent society Signed copies are available: will be appearing in the meeting in which alterative Marty Silverthorne upcoming issue of Smartish ways of getting our poems out 400 Club Pines Drive Pace and in The 2009 Kakalak was discussed. To access this Greenville, NC 27834 Anthology of Carolina Poets. site: www.riverbendstudio.net. 252-353-9074 or email [email protected] Jo Barbara Taylor won first Joanna Catherine Scott’s Child place in the Indiana SFPC of the South BOOK LAUNCH When They Tell Me, Grey winter poetry contest for PARTY is set for Friday, April 3, Brown’s new collection of “Repeating Pattern.” Three of 8:00 pm at Market Street Books, poems is available from her poems will appear in this 610 Market Street, Southern Finishing Line Press this year’s Broad River Review. Village, Chapel Hill. See: month. When They Tell Me joannacatherinescott.com chronicles the journey of a The current issue of Wild mother and her daughter with Goose Poetry Review contains high-functioning autism. a review by Scott Owens of Snake Den Ridge, a bestiary, as Maureen Sherbondy’s first well as poetry by NCPS short story collection, THE members Pat Riviere-Seel and SLOW VANISHING, will be Susan Meyers. www.wildgoosepoetryreview.com. published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company in the fall.

Joan Scott Memorial Endowment The Poetry Society continues to raise funds for the Joan Scott Memorial Contest, created to honor Joan Scott, a long time supporter of North Carolina’s poetry community and of NCPS. Please donate to endow this contest by contributing at our regular meetings or by sending a check payable to the NC Poetry Society to Malaika King Albrecht, 62 Kilbride Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374

4 Brockman-Campbell Book Award Contest *Postmark Deadline is May 1, 2009

• The contest is open to poets who published a book-length volume of poetry in 2008. Entrants must be native-born North Carolinians or current residents who have lived in the state for at least three years at the time of the book’s publication. • To be considered, a book must be a first edition by a single author, and it must contain 20 or more pages of poetry. Anthologies are not acceptable. The book must have a 2008 copyright date, or the publisher must certify the copyright by letter. • An entry containing poems included in a previous volume that won the Brockman-Campbell Book Award is not eligible. • The Brockman-Campbell winner will be notified by July 1, 2009 and will be invited to read at the North Carolina Poetry Society’s September 2009 meeting, to be held at the Weymouth Center in Southern Pines. • A $200 cash prize will be presented to one winner only. • Each submission should include the following: one copy of the book, a biographical sketch of the author, a stamped postcard (for acknowledging receipt of the book), and a business-sized, stamped, self addressed envelope for the announcement of the winner.

Entry Fee: The fee for non-members of the NC Poetry Society is $10. (Please make checks payable to North Carolina Poetry Society.) Members of the Poetry Society pay no entry fee. Mail contest entries to: Jenny Braswell 113 Charlotte Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804

BRRRRRR! January 17, 2009, it was cold outside, but wonderfully warm and inviting at the NCPS Winter Meeting at Weymouth. At the business meeting, Bill Blackley, chair of the nominating committee presented the slate of officers for confirmation, which passed unanimously. Officers for the new term are: President: Tony Abbott 1st Vice-President: Celisa Steele 2nd Vice-President: Carolyn and Guy York Adult Contest Director: Beth Browne Student Contest Director: Jane Andrews Recording Secretary: Sue Farlow Corresponding Secretary: Jo Taylor Treasurer: Bill Griffin Members-at-large: Allison Elrod and Patricia Balboni

Our workshops earned rave reviews for our presenters, Maureen Sherbondy, Richard Krawiec, and Barbara Presnell. They took us through the submission process, putting together a chapbook, and finding alternative audiences for our writing (see Kudos). After lunch, our afternoon was graced with readings by our workshop presenters. We also enjoyed readings by our members who have recently published new books and open mic participants. By the end of the day we were warmed to challenge the cold on our ways home. We now look forward to the spring meeting.

Barbara Richard Maureen 5 new members continued

DAVID RADAVICH KATE MCCABE SHELDON SHEILA TURNAGE 6216 GLENRIDGE ROAD [email protected] 4475 MOYE-TURNAGE ROAD CHARLOTTE, NC 28211 FARMVILLE, NC 27828 (217) 508-8437 (252) 753-4838 [email protected] PAMELA TAYLOR [email protected] [email protected] David Radavich’s latest poetry Sheila Turnage lives near publications are America Bound: Farmville, NC. She’s the author of an Epic for Our Time (2007) and PAULA OLIVER several books and numerous Canonicals: Love’s Hours (2009). magazine and newspaper articles. His plays have been performed She looks forward to learning across the US, including five Off- more about poetry. Off-Broadway and in Europe.

MESSAGE FOR NEW MEMBERS If you are interested in seeing your bio in Pine Whispers, but have not sent it in yet, please contact Carolyn York at 315 North Steele Street, Sanford, NC 27330 or at [email protected]. We want to know about you! Festival: Invigorating by Priscilla Webster-Williams

About 60 poets and lovers of poetry gathered at Weymouth on March 14, for a lively festival to honor the life and spirit of Sam Ragan, former NC poet laureate, newspaper man, and arts innovator. Among other heroic deeds, Ragan saved the Weymouth Center from the wrecking ball and was a force in establishing the NC School for the Arts. He also mentored hundreds of poets, including Tony Abbott and Pat Riviere-Seel, who gave witness at the start of the meeting about the essential encouragement Sam provided for their growth as poets. They, along with Bill Griffin and Sue Farlow, read a selection of Sam's poetry. Cathy Smith Bowers, featured poet, read from a printer's proof of The Candle I Hold Up to See You (Iris Press). Poems ranged from subjects such as "eight names of God," to memories woven from growing up in the South. A lively Q & A session included discussion about lyric and narrative poetry and ways to encourage young poets to blossom. The Friends of Weymouth, whose generosity is much appreciated, sponsored the Sam Ragan Day Reading. In "Poems by Heart from the Heart," Guy York gave a dramatic rendition from memory of Kipling's “Gunga Din” that was, as Brits say, brilliant. In recitations memorable and inspiring, Tony Abbott offered “Dover Beach,” by Matthew Arnold, Dylan Thomas' “In My Craft or Sullen Art,” and Abbot's own signature poem, “The Girl in the Yellow Raincoat.” To cap off this segment of the program, Sue Farlow stunned the audience by reciting, in Middle English, the first eighteen lines of the “Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales. To kick off the afternoon, the musical duo Chambergrass, featuring Dave Schwartz on bass fiddle and vocals and Kim Terpening on banjo and vocals, gave a fun concert of amusing song-stories and reels. They also performed a couple of well-known classical pieces, begun in the traditional style then transitioned into joyful bluegrass. Open Mic featured members and friends of NCPS who presented their own work, or a favorite poem by another author. Bill Blackley capped off the day with a foot-stomping, rootin' tootin' harmonica piece so fine that one could easily imagine a steam locomotive gearing up speed and barreling down the track. Comments about the day included "Excellent", and, "Invigorating".

The next Sam Ragan Festival will occur the second Saturday in March, 2010, and YOU are invited!

6 Jaki Shelton Green,

North Carolina’s First Piedmont Poet Laureate by Sara Claytor

Jaki Shelton Green is a petite dynamo. She is the first selected Piedmont Poet Laureate, encompassing Orange, Durham and Wake Counties. Now she is saddled with a heavy cast from a broken ankle that is much more complicated than just a broken ankle. Graciously, she gave over an hour of her time for a telephone interview revolving around three topics: what initially sparked her interest in poetry; what are some of her techniques, ideas, and work habits in writing poetry; and what are some ideas for gaining support and appreciation for poetry today? Jaki started young in her love of paper and pens. Her writing spark originated with her family where she was surrounded by books, teachers, and a family history of artisans. In particular, her grandmother, who sewed quilts from all the children’s pajamas, as well as finer fabrics of former family prom and wedding dresses, was an inspiration. Jaki began to write her thoughts as she became aware of her environment and “the pieces of art” created by her grandmother. Then, in her young teens, she left the South and attended a Quaker boarding school in Pennsylvania with a different code of life and nuances that brought new experiences and attitudes. Over time, Jaki realized that one never runs out of things to write about, from surrounding landscapes to hearing voices on the streets, observing people and how they react to their surroundings, what Jaki calls “embracing the ‘everydayness’ of writing.” She believes that writing has to be utilitarian, purposeful, and intentional. Poems should have a purpose. A main technique in generating poems revolves around daily journals which she calls her “bank accounts,” which are a place for “deposits” of pages or bits of writing which can turn into perhaps a manuscript or sometimes a piece of a poem. Fascinated by language, she strongly believes in writing something every day and that rewriting and editing are major skills for a writer. Self- editing is important; “You own your words and language and there is a craft to it,” she declares. Part of self-critiquing is knowing the meaning of your poem, and the poem should make some sense. Jaki believes that every poet should be able to answer the questions: “Who are you writing for and why?” Today, Jaki is dedicated to a collaboration of poetry, dance, music and art. All of us should be strong advocates for arts in education; public school officials and the various arts councils should support each other in efforts to provide programs, perhaps as after school activities in dance, music, art and writing. Public libraries, for example, could be one venue for such programs. Overall, in Jaki’s mission to expand literary appreciation of the arts, she first suggests that we listen to the poetryaround us by being open to the surrounding world.

Ms. Green hopes to conduct a workshop for NCPS in the future and to read at McIntyre’s NCPS Reading Series.

What do you like about being a member of NCPS?

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting a varied and talented group of writers! Too much fun.... Malaika King Albrecht June 2008 7 POETRY WORKSHOP The First Annual Nâzım Hikmet Poetry Festival th Date and Time: Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 3:00 pm Saturday, April 4 The Gregg Museum of Art & Design, Talley Student Join Bill Griffin at the Foothills Arts Center, NCSU Council (129 Church St., Elkin) on Admission: Free Saturday, April 4th for: “Writing the Nature Poetry Submission Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Poem-a hands-on workshop for novice and for complete details go to: experienced poets of all ages.” NCPS Board http://www.nazimhikmetpoetryfestival.org/index.php?id=3 Member, Bill Griffin leads this program on using nature as inspiration for poetry. The workshop will begin at 3:30 and will include writing, reading and discussion time. THE POETRY COUNCIL OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. Workshop participants are also encouraged Annual Poetry Contest to attend the Poetry Reading, held Saturday Opening Date: Jan 15, 2009 | Closing Date: May 15, 2009. evening at 7:00 pm. The fee for the Open to residents and former residents of North Carolina—persons workshop is $10. Makes checks to FAC. born in N.C., transients from other states who either attend school or Please pre-register by contacting the FAC at work in this state, and N.C. residents temporarily out of state. (336) 835-2025 or emailing The contest includes seven categories: OSCAR ARNOLD YOUNG (book contest) CHARLES SHULL (traditional poetry) JAMES LARKIN PEARSON (free verse) Walking Into April Poetry Day ELLEN T. JOHNSTON-HALE (light verse) Saturday, April 11 GLADYS OWINGS HUGHES HERITAGE (free verse) The Sam and Marjorie Ragan Writing Center CHARLOTTE YOUNG (elementary and middle school students; any subject or form) , Wilson, NC SAM RAGAN NORTH CAROLINA CONNECTION Featured poets are Nancy King, Marty (high school and undergraduate) Silverstone, and Lenard D. Moore. GCDPS students will also read. Morning events The Poetry Council of North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of feature King and Silverthorne reading and about 15 volunteers who conduct an annual poetry contest, publish sharing their thoughts on the creative the winning poems in our contest anthology Bay Leaves, and host process and publishing. Lenard D. Moore Poetry Day each fall so that the poets who submitted a winning will read and present the GCDPS student poem may read and attend a luncheon that includes a guest poets. The day will include an open mike speaker. Because we do not have a paid membership, we charge a period, This event is free, but the cost for small entry fee of $5 for adult entries by contest category, and there lunch is $9.50. Checks for lunch should be is a modest charge to attend the luncheon so that we may recover those costs. The student contests are supported by donations, and made to Barton College and mailed with do not have an entry fee as a means to facilitate the ability of school registration form to Rebecca Godwin, Barton administrators and teachers to encourage students to enter one of College, Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893. the grade-appropriate contests. For rules and other information visit: For more information: http://www.oldmp.com/poetrycouncilofnc/ [email protected] or [email protected]

Long Range Planning for NCPS

Dave Manning, Chair, and Bill Blackley representing The Long Range Planning Committee, met with the NCPS Board on March 13, 2009, at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities Center. The areas targeted for potential growth over the next five years are communications, fund raising, membership, contests, and programs. 8 Forum member events Dorianne Laux, Joseph Millar and Alex Grant will Joanna Catherine Scott readings: read from and discuss their works on Sunday, June 7,at *Sat. Mar. 28, 12:00 noon 2 p.m. at McIntyre's Fine Books, GIVEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, NC. PINEHURST *Friday, April 3, 8:00 pm MARKET STREET BOOKS Chapel Hill *Monday, April 6, 12:00 noon Stanford L. Warren Library, Durham Anthony S. Abbott will read with his GCDPS students, *Friday, April 17, 6 - 8:30 pm Kalyn Sisco and Leigh Price at the Asheboro-Randolph The Literary Bookpost County Library on March 28 at 11:00 am; Liz Monish Salisbury at the Patrick Beaver Library in Hickory on March 29 at *Saturday, April 18, 11:00 am 3 pm; and Jo Taylor at the Cameron Village Library McIntyre's Fine Books (Wake County) in Raleigh on April 25 at 2 pm. Pittsboro Liz Monish and Jo Taylor will read at all locations. *Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 pm (See page 11). The Regulator Bookshop Durham *Saturday, April 25 , 1:00 pm Barnes & Noble Booksellers Sarasota *Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 pm Quail Ridge Books & Music, Bill Griffin will be reading from The Art of Snake Den Raleigh Ridge, a bestiary on March 27, 5:30-8:00 pm at the *Thursday, May 14, 4 pm Foothills Arts Council, Elkin NC; on 9 May, 7:00 at Fireside Books and Gifts City Lights Bookstore, Sylva NC; with Scott Owens; Tri-City Mall, Forest City and on May 12, 6:30 pm; at Poetry Hickory; Taste Full *Saturday, May 16, 7:00 pm Beans Coffeehouse, Hickory NC. Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe Asheville *Saturday, May 30, 2:00 - 7:00 pm Emerald Isle Books

Sharon Sharp Is the 2009 Pinesong Dedicatee

This year we dedicate Pinesong to Sharon Sharp, who has served the Poetry Society in numerous positions, including that of the president from 2000 to 2002, when the capital campaign to build an endowment to pay featured speakers began.

After the publication of the Poetry Society’s anthology Word and Witness: 100 Years of North Carolina Poetry, Sharon coordinated performances in four western North Carolina sites of This Is the Place Where I Live, a dramatic adaptation of poems from the book.

Sharon’s poetry has appeared in Asheville Poetry Review, Bay Leaves, Cold Mountain Review, Pembroke Magazine, Earth and Soul, Kakalak, and Here’s to the Land. Her chapbook, Personal Effects, was a finalist for the 1998 Persephone Press Award.

9 Board Members and Committee Chairs NCPS

President Members-at-large Contest Sponsorship Sue Farlow Michael Potts Malaika King Albrecht 5634 Mack Lineberry Road 8513 Appleridge Drive Climax, North Carolina 27233 Linden, North Carolina 28356 Gilbert-Campbell Distinguished Poet Series 336 685 7006 919 980 0900 Bill Blackley [email protected] [email protected] Long Range Planning 1st Vice President (programs) Dave Manning Celisa Steele CALLING ALL MEMBERS Bill Blackley Alison Elrod 2nd Vice President (membership) Guy and Carolyn York As part of the community of North Nominating 315 North Steele Street Carolina poets, you know the value of Bill Blackley, Sanford, North Carolina 27330 belonging to the Pat Riviere-Seel 919 776 7525 North Carolina Poetry Society. Leon Hinton [email protected] Pinesong Dedication Recording Secretary Take an active role in the function of Malaika King Albrecht our society. Strengthen your connection Pinesong Editor 62 Kilbride Drive to our community by Debra Kaufman Pinehurst, North Carolina 28374 volunteering to fill a role. [email protected] Publicity Caren Stuart Call or e-mail President, Corresponding Secretary (newsletter editor) [email protected] Jo Taylor SUE FARLOW 7232 Ridgeline Drive Regional Workshops Raleigh, North Carolina 27613 Gail Williamson 919 518 2228 [email protected] jogreason@bellsouth,net Webmaster Treasurer Earl Hubbard Bill Griffin Committee Chairs: [email protected] 131 Bon Aire Road Elkin, North Carolina 28621 Book Sales Web Consultant 336 835 7598 Patty Williams Ray Dotson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Adult Contest Director Brockman-Campbell Book Award Historian Beth Browne Jenny Braswell Barbara Presnell PO Box 1612 [email protected] 17 Hege Drive Garner, NC 27407 Lexington, North Carolina 27292 919 989 8768 Contest Judges 336 248 4459 [email protected] Bruce Lader Student Contest Director Jane Andrews

10 NC Poetry Society Reading Series

2008-2009 is hosted by McIntyre’s FIne Books of Fearrington Village-Pittsboro-Chapel Hill Events in this year-long series are held on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7p.m. Each event will feature a published member of the North Carolina Poetry Society reading and discussing his or her work. Poets on the roster include: (March 26) Michael Beadle & Dave Manning (April 23) Mark Smith-Soto (May 28) Patricia Riviere-Seel & Carol Peters (June 25) Susan Meyers & Linda Annas Ferguson (July 23) Gail Peck & Barbara Presnell (August 27)

This series is drawing a large and enthusiastic audience for our poets. Please support NCPS and attend an event. The McIntyre's Reading Series with NCPS poets will be featured in the NC Arts Council publication Writers&Books this spring, complete with bios and photos of the spring and summer poets.

For more information, contact: Sara Claytor [email protected] McIntyre's Fine Books & Bookends 220 Market Street Fearrington Village Pittsboro, NC 27312 Main Tel: 919/542-3030 www.fearrington.com

Distinguished Poet Series 2009 The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series, (GCDPS) sponsored by the North Carolina Poetry Society, is in its sixth year. Middle school, high school, college and adult student poets not currently in school are eligible for mentoring by a Distinguished Poet. Student poets will be mentored on a dozen pages of poetry for four to six months and then will read in a college or university along with a Distinguished Poet. Each student may also read with a Distinguished Poet in his or her local public library in a special part of the Series sponsored by the North Carolina Center for the Book . READINGS:

WEST: On April 2, 2009, Thursday, noon, Western Carolina Literary Festival, Cullowee, NC Distinguished Poet, Catherine Carter reads with student poets. For more information email chairperson Mary Adams at [email protected]

EAST: On April 11, 2009, Saturday morning and afternoon, Walking Into April, at Barton College, Wilson, NC Distinguished Poet, Lenard Moore reads with student poets. For more information contact chairperson Becky Godwin at [email protected]

CENTRAL: On April 16, 2009, Thursday, 7 PM, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, NC Distinguished Poet, Anthony Abbott reads with student poets. For more information contact Ted Wojtasik at [email protected]

Bill Blackley, State Chairman of the GDCPS, may be reached at [email protected] or 336-835-4630

11 www.ncpoetrysociety.org FIRST CLASS NCPS POSTAGE 7232 RIDGELINE DRIVE NORTH CAROLINA POETRY SOCIETY RALEIGH, NC 27613 organized 1932

300 members

The North Carolina Poetry Society holds regular meetings the 3rd Saturdays of January, May, and September.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. poetry and programs

NCPS sponsors the annual Sam Ragan Poetry Festival

Meetings are held at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities 555 East Connecticut Avenue Southern Pines, North Carolina

Pencil in: 2009 The North Carolina Collection May 16 Awards Day holds a copy of each issue of July 1 deadline for newsletter Pine Whispers at the Wilson Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The NCPS eMuse is growing, growing, growing! Keep Your Membership Current There are 274 poets and lovers of poetry currently receiving this (free!) monthly email full Membership is renewable in May of each of poetry-related news you can use. This is a GREAT way to share your poetry insider info... year. (Members who join after December 1 and before let the masses know about your soon to be May 1, do not need to renew until the following year.) released chapbook, the great monthly open mic Dues are $25.00 a year ($10.00 for students). Make you attended, the reading you're giving at the local library, and more! Current sections in the your check payable to North Carolina Poetry Society and eMuse include: NC Events, Call for Entries, send to: Guy and Carolyn York Miscellany (all manner of news that doesn't fit into any other section!), Looking for Connections 315 North Steele Street (the place for poetry event carpooling info, Sanford, NC 27330 critique groups forming, etc.) Book Releases (news on NCPS members' new books), South SUBMISSION DEADLINES FOR THE NEWSLETTER ARE Carolina Events, Things to Look Forward to Next NOVEMBER 1, MARCH 1, AND JULY 1. Month, and Great Links. Send listings info and SEND ITEMS TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY requests to receive the eMuse to SEE PAGE 10 [email protected]

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, and familiar things new. Samuel Johnson

12