POETRY Alive! 2011

POETRY Alive! 2011 is Montpelier's celebration of National Poetry Month (April). It is a joint project of theKellogg-Hubbard Library and Montpelier Alive, and is supported in part by the Vermont Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Come to downtown Montpelier to read poems, which are on display in shop windows throughout town. These include banks, pharmacies, boutiques and restaurants.FULL LISTING CLICK HERE.
POETRY Alive brings you work from 160+ Vermont poets from all over the state PLUS student work from the Montpelier and U32 School Districts.
Additionally, there will be programming offered throughout the month, as part of POETRY Alive! They are free of charge and fully accessible except where noted. Writing workshops required advance registration.
All events are listed on the Vermont Poetry Calendar.
POETRY Alive! 2011 EVENTS
March 31, 2011: Kick off with Baron Wormser
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library hosts POETRY Alive! 2011’s kick-off party featuring poet Baron Wormser, reading from his new book, Impenitent Notes. Wormser is former Poet Laureate of Maine. 7 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library 135 Main St. Montpelier)
April 1st through 30th: POETRY Alive! 2011 Poetry Display
A text display throughout downtown Montpelier occurs during National Poetry Month (April). Over 170 Vermont poets of all backgrounds and ambitions are represented in this self-guided, walkable anthology of contemporary Vermont poetry. Features include The Budding Poet’s Garden, Poetry of 1911, Poetic Legacies and “Guy-ku,” a poetry StoryWalk™. Pick up a guide at participating locations. (Various venues in Montpelier)
April 5, 2011: Open Poetry Reading
Bear Pond Books hosts its annual Open Poetry Reading, a popular tradition with locals. Sign up early (space is limited), read up to 5 minutes worth of your own poetry. 7 p.m. (Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St. Montpelier)
April 6, 2011: Dead Poets Society
The Savoy Theater’s CineClub will host a screening of the 1989 movie, Dead Poets Society, featuring Robin Williams, followed by our own Dead Poets night of elocution. Recite your favorite dead poets for the audience. Anthologies will be provided for those who have not memorized beforehand but would like to read. FREE. Movie is rated PG-13. This space is not wheelchair accessible. Cash snack and wine bar available. 7 p.m.
(Savoy Theater 26 Main St. Montpelier)
April 7, 2011: Everyone Can Be a Poet! with Sherry Olson
Plainfield poet Sherry Olson conducts a poetry workshop for beginners and dabblers at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Get inspired, write and share. This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is required. 1:30 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library)
April 9, 2011: Haiku Workshop for Children
Poet Michiko Oishi will conduct a haiku workshop in the Hayes Room of The Kellogg-Hubbard Library. This program is for 7 to 17 years of age, with families welcome. This workshop is limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is required. 1 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library)
April 10, 2011: Poetry and Translation Workshop
Join Judith Chalmer, Jesse Lovasco, Lisa Mase, and Michiko Oishi in an evening of poetry in English, Japanese, and Italian followed by a writing session from prompts that will be interpreted on the spot. This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is required. 802-229-0774 . 4 p.m. (Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St. Montpelier)
April 11, 2011: Bob and Charles Barasch
The father and son poetic team join up again for a dynamic reading of their own works at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 7 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library)
April 12, 2011: Making Poetry Memorable Through Music with Burt Porter
Musician Burt Porter will give a presentation called Making Poetry Memorable Through Music at the Vermont History Museum. Burt Porter is part of the Vermont Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau. 2 p.m. (Vermont History Museum 109 State St. Montpelier)
April 12, 2011: You Come Too: Billy Collins
Join Peter Gilbert, Executive Director ofVermont Humanities Council in a roundtable discussion of popular poet Billy Collins. Part of VHC’s You Come Too series on poetry. Reading before hand is helpful but not required. RSVP requested, walk-ins welcome. 802-262-2626. 5:30 p.m. (Vermont Humanities Council 11 Loomis St. Montpelier)
April 14, 2011: Leland Kinsey
Acclaimed Vermont poet Leland Kinsey will read his original works at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 7 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library)
April 22, 2011: Montpelier Art Walk
Montpelier Art Walk is a self-guided tour of local shops, galleries, and venues hosting art and artists receptions. This month’s poetry theme will highlight the POETRY Alive! 2011 display, The Budding Poet’s Garden, Poetic Legacies, and Guy-ku, a poety StoryWalk™. Features also include various poetry events. 4 to 8 p.m. (Various venues in Montpelier)
April 22, 2011: VCFA Group Poetry Reading
Join Vermont College of Fine Arts for a group reading by established poets and VCFA students during Montpelier Art Walk. The reading will take place in the Chapel, with a reception following in the T.W Wood Art Gallery 4-6 p.m. (Vermont College of Fine Arts 36 College St. Montpelier)
April 22, 2011: All-Ages Poetry Slam with Geof Hewitt
Join Vermont Slam Master Geof Hewitt in this fun all-ages poetry competition at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Perform your poem (5 minutes or less) before an audience of your friends and neighbors. Takes place during Montpelier Art Walk. 7 p.m. (Kellogg-Hubbard Library)
April 27, 2011: Group Sestina Workshop with Roger Weingarten
Poet Roger Weingarten will lead a small group sestina workshop for poets who would like to push their writing further and explore a complex form. For experienced poets. Participation is limited to 12. Pre-registration is required. Please arrive early. 7 p.m. ( Kellogg-Hubbard Library).
POEMS of 2011
1. Salt, 207 Barre St. 229-6678
Moths ~Merry Gangemi, East Calais
2. Jan’s Beauty Boutique, 78 Barre St. 229-0366
The PNW? ~Melissa Ham-Ellis, Warren
Waiting for the Momentof Readiness ~ Elizabeth Wilcox, Montpelier
3. Vintage Trailer Supply (former Blouins Paint), 34 Barre St. (800) 644-4620
I was born with the bomb ~ Michael Biddy, Shaftsbury
Rainy Day at Highhold ~ Nancy Jay Crumbine, Norwich
We live in turbulent times ~ Theodore Hoppe, Montpelier
the kids outside ~ Bob Messing, Montpelier
My Grandmother Used to be Tall ~ K.D. Norris, Pownal
4. Hunger Mountain Co-op, 623 Stone Cutters Way. 223-8000
Come inside! Poems are in the café.
8 poems ~ Michiko Oishi, Montpelier
5. Minuteman Press, 7 Main St. 229-0660
Connection ~ Charles Hoffman, Montpelier
6. First In Fitness, 1 Blanchard Court. 223-1348
Handball ~ Danny Dover, Bethel
Nocturnal Epiphany in Reverse ~ Roger Weingarten, Montpelier
7. VCIL, 11 E. State St. 229-0501
Triptych ~ Pamela Ahlen, Barnard
On Her Own ~ MAL, Montpelier
8. Downstairs Video, 7 E. State St. 229-0050
[untitled] ~ Peggy Sapphire, Craftsbury
9. Coffee Corner, 83 Main St. 229-9060
Don't Surround Yourself With Yourself ~ Chris Nevin, Moretown
Dreams ~ Charles Rogers, Brattleboro
10. Heney Realtors, 81 Main St. 229-0353
Western Conifer Seed Bug ~ Cleopatra Mathis, Post Mills
11. Bear Pond Books, 77 Main St. 223-0774
Nothing Gold Can Stay ~ Robert Frost, Ripton (formerly)
12. No. 9 Boutique, 75 Main St. 229-0019
Reading ~ Partridge Boswell, Woodstock
13. Guitar Sam, 71 Main St. 229-0295
Multitude of Voices ~ Susan Croteau, W. Danville
14. Montpelier Pharmacy, 69 Main St. 223-4633
Nursing ~ Cora Brooks, Montpelier
Parson Pete ~ Earline Marsh, Moretown
15. Rite Aid, 29-31 Main St. 223-4787
Marshfield, VT ~ Deirdre Brazenall, Montpelier
Strangers at Twilight ~ David Huddle, Burlington
Life Again ~ Leisa Kelsey, St. Albans
My View From on High ~ Dianne Laplante, Westfield
An Audience ~ Gwen Roolf, Montpelier
Ancient Mirrors ~ Jessica Rubin, E. Montpelier
16. Verizon, 13 Main St. 223-8080
Thank You For Being so Gentle With the Boys ~ Phayvanh Luekhamhan, Montpelier
17. The Drawing Board, 22 Main St. 223-2902
Ecotone ~ Jesse Lovasco, Montpelier
the correct answer is blue ~ Laura Ziegler, Plainfield
18. Savoy Theater, 26 Main St. 229-0509
Fin ~ Wyn Cooper, Halifax
19. Rhapsody (soon to be Bagitos), 28 Main St. 229-6112
Farmhouses, Iowa ~ Baron Wormser, Cabot
20. Capitol Copy, 32 Main St. 223-0500
for Charlotte ~ Carol Collins, Duxbury
New ~ Sherry Olson, Marshfield
21. Petals and Things, 36 Main St. 223-2001
If I Knew How ~ Regina Brault, Burlington
Late April ~ David Budbill, Wolcott
Leaning to the Light ~ Alice Gilborn, Mount Tabor
Corinth's Secret Garden Tour ~ Jack Gundy, Corinth
The Perfect Heart ~ Geof Hewitt, Calais
An Irruption of Pine Siskins ~ Phyllis Katz, Norwich
Gardens ~ Elle Wainwright, Montpelier
22. Aubuchon Hardware, 40 Main St. 223-1700
The Bondville Fair ~ Simon Walsh, Brattleboro
23. Capitol Stationers, 54 Main St. 223-2393
Excitement ~ Bob Barasch, Plainfield
Unburdened ~ Rose Crowley, Montpelier
I wake hearing your song, Oh sands ~ Tara Gita, Calais
her turquoise shoes ~ Patty Joslyn, Montpelier
The Dancing Place ~ Alison Moncrief, Burlington
Fever ~ Kim Ward, Montpelier
24. Splash, 68 Main St. 223-7752
Finale ~ Florence Fogelin, White River Junction
Who ~ Phyllis Rachel Larrabee, Woodbury
25. Samosaman Café, 72 Main St. 233-7783
The Bliss ~ Sherry Olson, Marshfield
26. Beauty & Wellness, 4 State St. 229-4494
Leaning Leftly ~ Naama Lha Kelley, Burlington
27. Uncle Mike’s Deli, 8 State St. 229-6788
Broccoli ~ Ken Hebson, Guilford
Signs of Spring ~ Rebecca Macijeski , Northfield Falls
28. Athena’s Boutique, 10 State St. 224-1010
Leeking ~ Ben Aleshire, Burlington
[untitled] ~ Colleen Chatterton, Brattleboro
29. Pinky’s on State, 14 State St. 223-1300
Fog Lifting ~ Elayne Clift, Saxtons River
What Good is Love Anyway? ~ Mary Rose Dougherty, Montpelier
30. Capital Kitchen, 18 State St. 229-2305
Kitchen Window ~ Jeniel Vereline, Montpelier
31. Subway, 28 State St. 223-3825
Waiting ~ CB Johnson, Montpelier
Duet ~ April Ossmann, Post Mills
32. The Men’s Store, 30 State St. 223-8600
Edges ~ Carolyn Shapiro, E. Montpelier
33. Compass Rose, 32 State St. 223-2307
After Li Bai ~ Jill Leininger, Johnson
Willow ~ Carmen Reyes, E. Montpelier
34. Salaam Boutique, 40 State St. 223-4300
{Visions} ~ Amy Williams, Montpelier
35. The Book Garden, 50 State St. 229-9999
The Raft ~ Sylvia Walker, Worcester
36. Kismet, 52 State St. 262-3500
Windowlight Supper ~ Susan Thomas, Marshfield
37. Julio’s, 54 State St. 229-9348
Fiesta de Ojos Rojos / Party of Red Eyes ~ Kiev Rattee, Manchester Ctr.
38. People’s United Bank, 112 State St. 223-3466
In a Field ~ Ben Mitchell, Putney
Darkness or Light ~ Megan Moerdyk, Burlington
Plume & Climb ~ Peter Money, Brownsville
Vermont IV ~ Wendy Woods, Dorset
39. Capital Region Visitor’s Center 134 State St. 828-5981
The 14th Star by Bill Devlin, Putney
Vermont Skyscapes by J. Gelfan, Quechee
Moments Shared by John S. Hall, E. Montpelier
To be a tourist in your own city, by Robert McKay, N. Ferrisburg
40. Vermont History Museum, 109 State St. 828-2291
A Message to All Vermonters: Poems from 1911, displayed in The Snelling Room
41. The Knitting Studio, 97 State St. 229-2444
Nautilus ~ Freida Feldman, Worcester
42. Community National Bank, 95 State St. 223-0598
Student poems from Main Street Middle School and Doty Elementary
43. The Cheshire Cat, 28 Elm St. 223-1981
The Budding Poets Garden of Berlin Elementary
44. Tulsi Tea Room, 34 Elm St. 223-0043
New Conversation ~ Lisa Masé of Montpelier
Chance of Low-Lying River Fog ~ Jennifer McKay Myers, Calais
45. Elm Street Barber Shop, 35 Elm St. 223-6148
Unfulfilled ~ D'Clem Parkhurst, Duxbury
46. Something Sew Right, 35 Elm St. 223-1100
Aurorae ~ Cynthia Kozak, Burlington
47. That’s Life Soup, 41 Elm St. 223-5333
Soup ~ Yvonne Hamilton, E. Montpelier
48. Washington County Youth Service Bureau, 38 Elm St. 229-9151
Oh, Adrienne… ~ Hatsy McGraw, Hartland
Loss of Home ~ Paul R. Parsons, Calais
49. Uncommon Market, 1 School St. 223-7051
Carolyn's Table ~ Michael Fleming, Brattleboro
Chanterelle ~ Bruce Hesselbach, Newfane
Supper ~ Jane Napier, Montpelier
50. Birchgrove Baking, 279 Elm St. 223-0200
Wild Wind ~ Lisa Damian, Westfield
Saving a Guitar, After the Flood ~ Rolf Parker-Houghton, Brattleboro
This Heart (Hearts on Fire) ~ Rachael Rice, Montpelier
The Woodcock's Rondeau ~ Sunny Tappan, Marlboro
51. Vermont Humanities Council, 11 Loomis St. 262-2626
A Patch of Old Snow ~ Robert Frost, Ripton (formerly)
52. The Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main St. 223-3338
Come inside! Poems posted throughout the building.
World Series ~ Charles Barasch, Plainfield
Crack the Whip ~ Ed Barna, Middlebury
Whispers Alarm ~ Roberta Barone, Middlesex
Radiation ~ Barbara Benoit, Brattleboro
Signs of Life ~ Pasquale Bottiglieri, Plainfield
There Was an Old Crone of Berlin ~ Denise Connally, Berlin
When France Comes to Breakfast ~ Kim Corey, Montpelier
Brotherhood Plainly Seen at Fast Food Restaurant ~ Steve Crofter, Brattleboro
Centering ~ Arlene Distler, Brattleboro
Winter ~ Chip Dolan, Newbury
Easter Night at the Laundromat ~ Caitlin Downey, Shelburne
Room 223 ~ Angela Emory, Montpelier
At the Bread and Puppet Show ~ Michael Farrand, E. Haven
the rigidity of fluidity ~ Neil TS Flanders, E. Montpelier
Stella Maris ~ Kristin Fogdall, Morrisville
The Window ~ Cindy Hier , Waterbury Ctr.
Worshipping Trees ~ Shiela Kaveny, Pawlet
Sleepy But Not Hollow ~ Jacqueline Kelly, Bennington
Winter Has Arrived ~ Ruth Lowry, Marshfield
Obama Haiku ~ Sharon Mulheron, Swanton
Remains ~ Giavanna Munafo, Norwich
On Charlotte's Web EB White ~ Helen Neswald, Saxtons River
Living With Animals ~ Lynn Martin, Brattleboro
Stacking the Deck ~ Linda Quinlan, Montpelier
Hey, Jupiter ~ Gwen Roolf, Montpelier
Theron Boyd ~ Paul Scheckle, Calais
Surrender ~ Michael Travinsano, Dummerston
Indecision ~ Doris Walvrood, Williston
The Pride of One Crow ~ Daniel Wetmore, Montpelier
Ice Storm ~ Cheryl Willoughby, Hanksville
Stitches ~ Baron Wormser, Cabot
53. Yankee Spirits, 126 Main St. 223-2331
Fire and Velvet ~ Merry Gangemi, E. Calais
54. Miller Sports, 100 Main St. 223-5281
Villanelle: Let Seed Be Grass ~ Gina Logan, Brookfield
Resting in Groton Forest ~ George Longenecker, Marshfield
55. Rivendell Books, 100 Main St. 223-3928
Raven ~ Eric Jacobsen, E. Calais
Mot Juste ~ Tim Mayo, Brattleboro
56. The Skinny Pancake, 89 Main St. 262-CAKE
tender onion slices ~ Peggy Sapphire, Craftsbury
57. Montpelier Village Pizza, 89 Main St. 229-4333
Come inside! Poems posted inside the building.
What Doesn't Kill You ~ Willow Barbero Menzel, Montpelier
Death and Dying ~ Eli West, E. Randolph
Listen to These Scars ~ Nicole Humphrey, Brookfield
[untitled] ~ Serenity Lohr, Randolph
Anodyne ~ Amanda Ukasick, Randolph
Rollerblading on L-Dopa ~ Charles Barasch, Plainfield
Where the Veery Sings ~ Victor Densmore, Hardwick
This Winter Refuses to Grow Weary ~ Robert Lincoln, N. Middlesex
Bones of Light ~ Do Roberts, Thetford Ctr.
Sea Song ~ Roy Shifrin, White River Junction
58. ORCA Media, 89 Main St. 224-9901
Come inside! Poems posted inside the building.
Found Luck ~ Andrew Nuss, East Calais
Return to a Past Life ~ Lea Wood, Montpelier
59. Artisans Hand Craft Gallery, 89 Main St. 229-9492
Sweet Early Spring ~ David Budbill, Wolcott
Spring ~ Cora Brooks, Montpelier
60. Delish, 5 State St. 223-7933
[untitled] ~ Kris Underwood, Montpelier
61. Black Sheep Books, 5 State St, 225-8906
Longtime Along and Food not Bombs ~ Jon Turner, Burlington
62. Denis, Ricker & Brown, 17 State St. 229-0563
Another Long Day ~ Chris Racanelli, E. Montpelier
63. Adorn, 27 State St. 229-2367
Simple Language ~ Judith Chalmer, Burlington
When I Closed My Poet's Mind ~ Steve Minkin, Brattleboro
Heron on the Kelvin ~ Ivy Schweitzer, Norwich
64. Capitol Grounds, 27 State St. 223-7800
April, Oakledge, Lake Champlain ~ Kevin MacNeil Brown, Montpelier
After You ~ Lené Gary, Montpelier
Encyclopedias ~ Mary Elder Jacobsen, E. Calais
Wings Joys Truths & Innermost Means ~ Toussaint St. Negritude, St. Johnsbury
65. Onion River Kids, 7 Langdon St. 223-6025
Budding Poets paper flower garden of Berlin Elementary
66. Global Gifts, 9 Langdon St. 229-2777
Spring Comes to Hogwash Farm ~ Debby Franzoni, Norwich
For Josh ~ Michelle Singer, E. Montpelier
Farmer ~ Julia Shipley, Craftsbury
Global Citizens ~ Naima Wade, Brattleboro
67. Buch Spieler Music, 27 Langdon St. 229-0449
Once in a Blue Moon ~ Jasmine Carpenter, Montpelier
Old Friends ~ Kate Dowling, Montpelier
A Capital Event ~ Sandra Maccarone, E. Barre
68. Onion River Sports, 20 Langdon St. 229-9409
[untitled] ~ Michiko Oishi, Montpelier
The Cyclist ~ Yvonne Hamilton, E. Montpelier
69. The Shoe Horn, 8 Langdon St. 223-5454
The Last Dance ~ Carol Cone, Dorset
Haiku ~ Margaret Lee Ferry, Woodbury
I Hear You Smiling ~ Maxine Leary, Montpelier
First Bird ~ Lené Gary, Montpelier
70. Langdon Street Café, 4 Langdon St. 223-8667
At the Lake ~ Kate Fetherston, Montpelier
My Lover Left Me at Langdon Street Café ~ Samantha Kolber, Montpelier
Community Events
2/6/12
Design Committee Meeting. 5:15 pm. Montpelier City Hall. EMAIL for info.
2/7/12
PechaKucha Montpelier: Downstairs at the Savoy, learn about Montpelier’s Capital City Cash program. More info HERE.
2/9/12
Board Meeting. 5:30 pm. Montpelier Police Department. EMAIL for info.
2/10/12
Art Walk: Stroll through Downtown Montpelier and visit with artists and view their work. 22 venues. Write a love note to the Valentine Phantom at City Center. More info HERE.
2/10/12
Sweets and Treats: All day in Downtown Montpelier, participating shops will offer mystery discounts to their shoppers. Another reason to love your local!
2/13/12
Rotary Presentation: Executive Director Phayvanh Luekhamhan gives an overview of 2011 accomplishments at the Montpelier Rotary Club luncheon. 12 pm, Capitol Plaza. EMAIL for info.
2/14/12
Promotions Committee Meeting: 11:30 am, Montpelier City Hall. EMAIL for info.
2/23/12
Emergency Preparedness Workshop, FREE. 8:30 am, Montpelier City Hall. EMAIL for more info.
2/23/12
Community Forum: Local Options Taxes. Learn and discuss this topic prior to Town Meeting Day. 7 pm, Capitol Plaza. EMAIL for Info.
3/6/12
Town Meeting Day. Please come to Montpelier City Hall to vote!
3/7/12
Montpelier Business Association Monthly Meeting. 8:30 am, Montpelier City Hall. EMAIL for info.
3/8/12
Board Meeting. 5:30 pm, Montpelier Police Department. EMAIL for info.
3/21/12
Back Office Series: Features Bear Pond Books and Rivendell Books. 5:30 in Chilrdens Room of Bear Pond Books. EMAIL for more info.
3/22/12
Advanced Social Media Workshop: For businesses to engage customers and fine tune their message. 8:30 am, Montpelier City Hall. Reservations Required. EMAIL for more info.
3/22/12
Legislative Walkabout: 5 – 7 pm. Downtown Shops stay open a bit later to welcome and meet the legislators.
4/1/12
PoemCity Kick Off Event: Reading by Sydney Lea at State House, 4 pm. More info HERE.
What else is happening? Find out HERE!
Contact us anytime:
Montpelier Alive
39 Main Street
Montpelier, Vt 05602
director@montpelieralive.org
(802) 223-9604
Phayvanh Luekhamhan
Executive Director
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