Celebrate William Stafford
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 12/26/2002
In honor of Oregon’s most famous poet laureate, Deschutes Public Library will host a poetry reading celebrating Stafford on Sunday, January 12, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bend Public Library. The public is invited to attend this free event. Stafford’s daughter, Kit, will join Bend-area poets for the annual celebration.
The events, known as "birthday parties," are hosted by a local writer. The Bend event features local poets and writers Ellen Waterston, Cameron Prow, Marion Davidson, Ellen Santasiero, Susan Whitney and Judith Montgomery, who will each read a poem by Stafford and one of their own written in the spirit of Stafford’s work. Members of the audience are then invited to join in the celebration by reading a favorite Stafford poem or telling a personal anecdote about the late Oregon poet laureate. The Book Barn will have selected Stafford works for sale following the program.
According to Paulann Petersen of the Friends of William Stafford Executive Board, more than 23 readings are planned statewide, featuring more than 100 invited poets. In addition to the Bend event, readings will be held in Ashland, Beaverton, Enterprise, Corvallis, Eugene, Monmouth (Western Oregon University), Madras, McMinnville, LaGrande, Portland, St. Helens, Salem, Silverton, and Vancouver, Washington.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 617-7072.
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