“We are thrilled to join together with the School of Arts and Sciences at WPI and Clemente Worcester to launch this annual effort to bring a major poet to Worcester each year,” Elizabeth Bacon, President, WCPA Board of Directors.

WPI Library’s first annual Olive Higgins Prouty Poetry Celebration will feature National Book Award winning poet and University of Massachusetts, Amherst Professor Martín Espada, reading from his 2021 book Floaters, and his new book Jailbreak of Sparrows (April 2025).  

Espada’s reading has been organized and made possible in collaboration with the WPI School of Arts & Sciences, the Worcester County Poetry Association, and the Clemente Course in the Humanities.

A reception and book signing will take place after Espada’s reading. 

Part of the 2024-2025 Authors Unbound series at WPI.

A special thanks to WCPA’s Stockmal Fund @ The Greater Worcester Community Foundation and Clemente Worcester, a cultural affiliate of the WCPA

Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, MA is hosting a book release party with Poet Robert Eugene Perry, who will read and sign copies of I Dreamt I Was Water, on Saturday, April 5th at 1 p.m. The event will start with an Open Mic which will be round robin style. Robert Eugene Perry will read from 3-3:30 pm with a book signing immediately following. Cost is Free. Signed copies will be available for purchase. To reserve a spot to participate in the Open Mic, please email deb@bookloversgourmet.com. Space is limited to 14 readers. Booklovers’ Gourmet is located at 72 East Main Street, Webster, MA.

Review of I Dreamt I Was Water:

“One is struck immediately and consistently by the rhythm of these lines. It’s as if the Heart of the Natural World dreamt it was a poem and spoke in this poet’s tongue.

If Gary Snyder, Mary Oliver, and Wendell Berry had a band, Bob Perry would be its drummer.”

Wayne-Daniel Berard, author, poet, co-host of Pour Me a Poem, Mansfield, MA.

Robert Eugene Perry is a native of Massachusetts and the author of six books. His most recent collection of poetry Earthsongs, was published by Human Error Publishing in 2022. A combined re-release of his earlier chapbooks was released as Sacred Mystic Dance on his own imprint Metaphysical Fox Press in 2024.

His poetry has appeared in numerous anthologies & publications, he was a finalist in the 2023 Beals Prize for Poetry and his poem Heard Steet/ Hadwen Park in Winter was a winner in WCPA’s 2024 Poems in and out of Places. Perry has emceed the monthly Open Mic at Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, MA (USA) since May 2017.

For more information, please visit: https://roberteugeneperry.myportfolio.com

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Join Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, MA as author and wildlife biologist Brad Timm shares with us some of the fascinating animal factoids that are found throughout his new nature guide, Wildlife Out Your Window, on Saturday, April 12th at 2 p.m. For example, did you know that: Blue Jay feathers are not actually blue; Some foxes climb trees; Beavers have their own built-in goggles to see underwater…and much, much more!! The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. RSVP to 508-949-6232 or deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

About the Author: 

Brad Timm is a wildlife biologist passionate about education and conservation. He has conducted wildlife research in thenortheastern U.S. for 20 years. Brad has M.S. & Ph.D. degrees in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Rhode Island. Brad is the Founder & Executive Director of the Northeast Wildlife Team (NEWT), an organization focused on educating the public about the wonderful wildlife of the Northeast.

Visit www.northeastwildlifeteam.com to learn more about NEWT.

March 3, 2025 – Booklovers’ Gourmet is pleased to announce the landmark celebration of 30 years in business. The independent bookstore, gift shop and coffeehouse is located at 72 East Main Street in Webster, MA. Plans to mark the occasion throughout the month of April include: Customer Appreciation Days on April 4th & 5th, where patrons can spin-the-wheel for raffle prizes, contribute a leaf to a Memory Tree and enjoy complimentary cupcakes and cookies from 10am-5pm both days. A book release party for local poet Robert Eugene Perry and his newest release “I Dreamt I Was Water” will take place on Saturday, April 5th at 1 p.m. followed by an Open Mic. Throughout the month of April, “The Promise of Spring”, photographs by Don McCallister of Oxford, MA will be featured in the cafe art gallery.

The store will co-host an After Hours Networking Event with The Webster Dudley Business Alliance on Tuesday, April 8th from 5-7 p.m., with state & town officials and members of the local business community in attendance. An author appearance by Brad Timm, wildlife biologist passionate about education and conservation, will take place on Saturday, April 12th from 2-4pm.. Brad will talk about his new book Wildlife Out Your Window. For more information about any of these events or to sign up for the Open Mic, email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call  508-949-6232.

 Since the beginning, events like these have been an important part of bringing the community together for varied cultural experiences. Monthly book clubs and writers’ groups, along with performances by local musicians, creative workshops and other special events are also offered and can be found on the website events calendar, https://bookloversgourmet.com/events/list/

Collaborations with local schools, libraries and other organizations have been mutually rewarding experiences and are an integral part of the business model, according to owner Debra Horan, a Webster native. The shop is run with help from family and part-time employees. “I am grateful and fortunate to have such a wonderful, dedicated support team keeping the store in top shape and serving our customers in the best possible way,” said Ms. Horan. “Whether you are a ‘regular’ or coming in for the first time, you will always be greeted with a smile and friendly “Hello!”. Patrons may sit and relax in the café while enjoying a homemade pastry and organic, Fair-Trade coffee beverage, chai latte, or other specialty drink or leisurely browse around the bookshelves.

 Booklovers’ Gourmet offers a curated selection of new and used books, greeting cards and other unique, hand-picked gift items-many from local makers and vendors. The shop also has a strong online and social media presence. Through Bookshop.org, new books and e-books are offered. Alibris.com features used & collectible books and Libro.fm offers digital audio downloads. All of these platforms support independent booksellers across the country.

Future plans are to continue developing and enhancing the vision of the store as a welcoming place for all, where people can connect in meaningful ways and enjoy various cultural happenings in a local, community space.

Booklovers’ Gourmet is a member of The American Booksellers Association and The New England Booksellers Association. Debra serves as a Board Director of The Webster Dudley Business Alliance and committee member of One Book One Community at the Gladys E. Kelly Library in Webster. Current store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. For more information visit bookloversgourmet.com.

Calling all STUDENTS GRADES 4-12

POETRY CONTEST
The National Baseball Poetry Festival is a celebration of poetry whose themes focus on Baseball and/or Softball! The Festival takes place at Polar Park, May 2-4.  All grades 4-12 students and Little Leaguers are invited to submit poems with a baseball and/or softball theme, for example: opening day, ballpark food, Polar Park, first pitch, athletic heroes, uniforms, ball parks, Little League, dugout chatter, the season of the game, etc.

Teacher Resources:

Contest Flyer

Lesson Plan

Contest Rules
The contest is open to ALL 4th-12th graders..
Submit one poem only related to the theme of baseball.
Poem must not exceed 200 words.
Entry will be evaluated for creativity, originality, and style by members of the WCPA’s Clemente program.
Prizes
Winners attending the Festival at Polar Park have the opportunity to read their poems on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Winners will receive a Certificate and National Baseball Poetry Festival t-shirt!
Winners will include up to 20 elementary school students, 20 middle school students, 20 high school students.

Guidelines for Submission
Deadline: All entries must be submitted by or before noon on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (ET).

Submission: Please submit your poem in the body of your email to baseballpoetryfest@gmail.com (no attachments will be accepted).
Must Include: Category of Submission (Grades 4 – 12); Poet’s Name, School, Grade, Email (if applicable); Guardian Name & Email.
Winners Notification: Winners will be notified by or before Friday, April 25, 2025 via email.

Deadline March 28 @  12:00 pm

ALL ADULT POETS EVERYWHERE

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The National Baseball Poetry Festival invites submissions of poems that deal with any aspect of the gamesmanship, nature, and atmosphere of Baseball and/or Softball, for example: opening day, ballpark food, childhood memories, first pitch, athletic heroes, uniforms, ball parks, Little League, dugout chatter, the season of the game, etc.

No restriction on form. Poets may submit one (1) poem for consideration. Each poem should fit on a single page. Previously published work is acceptable. The thematic views of baseball/softball and the game will be given wide interpretation by the judge(s).

Categories

Adults 18+

Publication

Up to 20 winners will be published on BaseballBard

Prizes

In addition to publication on BaseballBard, winners will receive a Certificate and National Baseball Poetry Festival t-shirt!

Guidelines for Submission

Deadline: Noon, Wednesday, March 28, 2025 (ET).

Submit: one (1) poem in Word format to baseballpoetrycontest@gmail.com.

Must Include: poet’s name, address, phone number, and email address.

Winners Notification: Friday, April 11, 2025 by email.

For more information, visit their website.

C’mon. I know you’ve got a poem in you!

Melody’s plea and requirements are below and we thank you for your consideration.

Dear Poets,

WPL’s Poet’s Place webpage features poems and poets monthly. We have plenty of room and welcome more submissions.

To be accepted poems must:

Be fewer than 100 lines

Not be R or X rated.

For more information reach out to Melody Friedenthal, Reference Librarian at Worcester Public Library

508-799-1655 Ext. 35340

mfriedenthal@mywpl.org

Finally after a long hiatus, Governor Healey has announced that Massachusetts will be looking to instate a Poet Laureate this year!

We are so pleased to announce that the 2025 Dan Lewis Fellow is Worcester’s own Daniel Letona.

Daniel took the WCPA by storm this year, winning the inaugural FoxFest as well as the Lewis Fellowship.

José Daniel Letona Gonzales is a Honduran poet who, after graduating as a graphic designer, moved to the United States to pursue a career in software development. During this journey, he found himself confronting questions of culture and personal identity. In Cambridge, he discovered slam poetry, a medium that ignited a synesthetic exploration of self-discovery and meaning.

Through his poetry, Daniel delves into his cultural roots, memories, and trauma while also highlighting the transformative power of spoken word. He views spoken word as his heritage—a way of preserving knowledge across generations.

About the Fellowship:

After his death, Dan Lewis’s family created an endowment with the Worcester County Poetry Association to support an annual fellowship bequest in his name to provide an aspiring Worcester County poet the means to fulfill a need in that poet’s development that might otherwise go unmet. The 2025 Fellowship award will be $2,500.

The Worcester County Poetry Association (WCPA) is proud to host this Celebration of Curt Curtin’s Life and Poetry with Curt’s family and friends. In conjunction with this event, Curt’s wife (Dee O’Connor) has made a donation from his estate to establish an endowment to support an annual Curt Curtin Youth Poetry Award. This will further the mission of the WCPA by encouraging middle and high school students to pursue poetry. Should you wish to contribute to this endowment, please either mail your donation to WCPA, PO Box 804, Worcester, MA 01613 or make an online contribution at the WCPA website.

Copies of Curt’s poetry collections will be available for sale at the celebration, with all proceeds contributed to the endowment. The WCPA was founded in 1971 by Dr. Samuel Bachrach and Professor Michael True and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1972. With over fifty years of service to
poetry, it remains one of the longest-running non-profit poetry organizations in the United States. The Mission of the Worcester County Poetry Association is to develop, cultivate, and steward an inclusive creative space for the literary arts in Worcester County and to celebrate the talent within it. Some examples of that effort include:

1. Celebrating the rich literary history and creative energy of Central Massachusetts
   through public readings, workshops, festivals, scholarly conferences, and other
   programs.
2. Publishing the literary journal, The Worcester Review.
3. Collaborating with libraries, bookstores, colleges and universities, museums,
   churches, schools, community centers, businesses, and cultural organizations to
   promote poetry events.

As a parent or caregiver of a Worcester Public School student, you have a unique understanding of how your children learn to read, how well they read, and their reading habits. Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC) is very interested in finding out more about your thoughts on this topic. 

We have created a short online survey to collect this information. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey before Wednesday, January 15, using the following link or QR code: