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The nominating committee–Tony Abbott, Celisa Steele and Jo Taylor–have met at Weymouth, by conference call and email.

The committee began by asking current board members eligible for remaining in their current positions whether they would like to do so. The committee then proceeded to identify candidates for the vacant slots.

Member will vote on the following proposed slate of officers for 2013-2014 at the January meeting:

President: Carolyn York
1st Vice President (Programs): David Radavich
2nd Vice President (Membership): Scott Owens and Allison Elrod
Recording Secretary: Valerie Macon
Corresponding Secretary: Andrew Stieneke and Cari Grindem-Corbett
Treasurer: Bill Griffin
Adult Contest Director: Florence Nash and Coyla Barry
Student Contest Director: Michael Beadle
Member at Large: Richard Krawiec and Guy York

The NC Poetry Society sponsored readings all across the state on the weekend of December 1st, to celebrate our 80 years in existence in providing a community in which North Carolina poets can share in their appreciation for the craft of poetry.

Our society began with six people in Edna Wilcox Talley’s living room. Thanks for all you do to keep it going strong.

Here’s what some folks had to say about a few of the meetings:

Lisa Zerkle (Charlotte Reading): The reading in Charlotte yesterday was terrific. We had over 40 people attending. Tony was a charming host, the readers did a great job, books were sold, donations were made, and we wrapped it up with an open mic. It was a really nice afternoon.

Richard Krawiec (Durham reading): We had a great time, too. 29 people. Most I’ve seen at the Regulator in a while, so we were thrilled. I am raving about 2 of Betty’s ex-students, Noel Crook and Kelly Michel whose poetry was as strong as any I’ve heard in a reading this year. As were their deliveries. Remember those names.

Malaika King Albrecht (Winston-Salem reading): We had about 40 people in attendance in Winston Salem too. Kevin was a great host, and Fred, as always, was a gracious and humorous master of ceremonies. In addition to Fred, Val, and myself, John Thomas York and Terry Kennedy read. I was lucky to be included with this group… Fred read a poem by Kay Byers in memory of their former teacher and colleague, poet Robert Watson. He also read several of Watson’s stunning poems, which just means more books for me to buy. No one wanted the afternoon to end, so quite a few people lingered afterwards at the Community Arts Center with several groups wandering to nearby restaurants for more good conversation. That I couldn’t teleport to all of the readings is a disappointment.

Carolyn York (Fountain reading): I could not think of a more joyous celebration of the North Carolina Poetry Society’s 80th Birthday than the fest that Guy and I attended in Fountain. The whole trip for us was an exploration, since we had no idea where Fountain might be, but we knew if Shelby were going to be there, it was bound to be fun! We met Alex Albright, our host for the festivities and the owner of R.A. Fountain General Store. He and his wife welcomed us with handshakes and delightfully warm hoop cheese biscuits…R. A. Fountain General Store is a rambling antique and consignment store, a snack shop, and a performance place with velvet covered church pews and old-fashioned paper advertising fans, microphones and a podium, and guitar cases strewn around near the seats – a perfect place for poetry and for music, which we had abundantly. It was so good to see old friends such as Shelby Stephenson and his wife, Linda, whose music always reminds me of warm afternoons at Weymouth. Together, the two of them sparkle. Shelby talked about the founding of NCPS at Edna Talley’s home, and he read some poems by Zoe Kincade Brockman from his well-worn copy of A Time for Poetry. Rebecca from Barton College came with Jim Clark, Chair of the English Department, a Tennesseean who gave us the quote I love: “The poem of memory is finding what remains.” Marty Silverthorne read some breath-taking selections from a new manuscript, and he introduced us to one of his students. John Hoppenthaller read and reminisced. There was talk of pigs and possums, outhouses and dandelions. The sights and sounds were so stimulating and inspiring – a open mic that gradually became a conversation between old friends and lovers of the word.

We have some pictures loaded on our Facebook page. Click the links below to see them!
Charlotte reading: http://on.fb.me/R52Gdq
Salter Path reading: http://on.fb.me/12AbYka

2012 marks 80 years of the North Carolina Poetry Society and we’re celebrating with free readings in every part of the state. Our celebration kicks off with North Carolina’s new Poet Laureate, Joseph Bathanti, reading on Thursday November 29 at the Appalachian State University Bookstore. The remaining six readings will all be held on Saturday December 1.

Each reading will be led by a featured poet to be joined by other poets from their region. The readings will conclude with an open mic. These events are free and all are welcome to attend.

UPDATE: Note, the time of the Sylva event, featuring host Kathryn Stripling Byer, has changed to 5 pm to avoid conflict with the Christmas Parade!

Boone (Watauga County): Joseph Bathanti, **Thursday November 29 at 3:30**, Scholars
Bookshop (Appalachian State University Bookstore) http://bookstore.appstate.edu/scholars-
bookshop North Carolina’s new poet laureate will be joined by colleagues at this reading and open mic.

Charlotte (Mecklenburg County): Host Tony Abbott, Myers Park Baptist Church, Shalom Hall,
www.mpbconline.org Saturday December 1, 2 pm – 4 pm, Readers: Morri Creech, Annalee Kwochka, Alan Michael Parker, Dannye Romine Powell, David Radavich, Cedric Tillman and Lisa Zerkle.

Durham (Durham County): Host Betty Adcock, The Regulator Bookshop, regulatorbookshop.com,
Saturday December 1, 2 pm – 4 pm, Readers: Noel Crook and Marylin Hervieux.

Sylva (Jackson County): Host Kay Byer, City Lights Bookstore, www.citylightsnc.com,
Saturday December 1, 5 pm (NEW TIME to avoid conflict with the Sylva Christmas Parade), Readers: Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Joe Mills, and Julie Suk.

Winston-Salem (Forsyth County): Fred Chappell, Community Arts Cafe,
communityartscafe.com, Saturday December1, 2 pm, Readers: Malaika King Albrecht, Terry Kennedy, Val Nieman, and John Thomas York.

Salter Path (Carteret County): Host Peter Makuck, St. Francis by the Sea,
www.stfrancisbythesea.org, Saturday December 1, 4 pm, Reader: Mark Cox.

Fountain (Pitt County): Host Shelby Stephenson R.A. Fountain General Store,
www.rafountain.com, Saturday December 1, 9 am – 3:15 pm, Readers: Alex Albright, Marty Silverthorne, and Jim Clark.

Spread the word and join the festivities nearest you!

Check out these great new NCPS bumper stickers we just got in the mail:
 
 

  

How can you get one, you may ask? Make a donation to the NCPS! If you donate $10 you can have your choice of either of the above designs as a token of our appreciation. Give $15, and get both designs! And more than a bumper sticker, you will have the knowledge that you are supporting all of the wonderful meetings and programs that the NCPS offers around North Carolina.

If you want to let the other folks on the road know that you are a proud NCPS member, click below to donate securely, using your credit card or Paypal account. Thank you for your support!

The annual Fall Meeting of the NCPS was held on September 15, and we were happy to have some great award-winning poets read their work.

If you weren’t able to be there, or even if you were, and just want to relive the performances, then be sure to check out the following videos from the meeting. Thanks to Charles Fiore of the NC Writers’ Network for sharing his videos!