Monday, August 11, 2008

Calendar Alert: Vermont Writers Picnic, Aug. 23

Poets and poetry lovers will converge on Jerry Johnson’s bucolic home and farm in East Albany, in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom, on Saturday, August 23, for the League of Vermont Writers’ annual summer picnic. This year’s picnic will be a poetry fest featuring readings and poetry writing sessions led by noted League poets and guests.

The League of Vermont Writers (LVW), Vermont’s oldest state-wide writers’ organization, summer picnic will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will include a Bring Your Own picnic and selected readings by featured poets including Ed Barna, Ann Day, Michelle Demers, Victor Densmore, Kathleen McKinley Harris, Jerry Johnson, Margret Richard, Julia Shipley and Nancy Means Wright. Following the poetry readings there will be an opportunity for participants to read a poem/share a poem in small groups and then try their hand at writing poetry in poet-led sessions. More active fun follows the afternoon of verse with an opportunity for tennis, photos and socializing.

Jerry Johnson, the host of the picnic, is enthusiastic about the event: “The summer poetry picnic is equal parts socializing and working in a beautiful setting with a truly diverse group of talented poets and writers."

The LVW Summer Picnic and Poetry Fest is open to everyone. You don’t have to write poetry to participate. You can bring a favorite poem or two to share. The picnic is BYO (bring your own) food and beverages. Participants should pack a picnic lunch and drinks, food for the grill, a lawn chair or blanket, a favorite poem or two and pen and paper. Also, remember your tennis gear if you want to hit a few tennis balls on Jerry’s clay court. To register for the picnic, or learn more about the event, visit the League web site: www.leaguevtwriters.org. The cost is $10 for League members and $12 for non-members. You can also register by mailing your check payable to LVW to: LVW Registrar c/o Helen Gow, PO Box 142, Warren, VT 05674. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, phone number and email address.

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