IRENA KACI

Organization and Title: Executive director of the Worcester County Poetry Association

Worcester History: “I came to Worcester in 2002 for college. I went to Clark, and then I moved out of Worcester when I graduated in 2006, then moved back here again in 2014. My spouse works at Clark and I had just had my first child, and it made more sense, so we uprooted and came here. I think, in my heart, I knew I would always end up here. I even have a poem about it.”

Why We’re Watching:

“We are about to launch our youth poetry contest, which, hopefully, will one day connect with the Youth Poet Laureate search for the City of Worcester. We are hoping to cultivate young talent to being in that public-facing role, and the first step to that is getting acquainted with the English teachers in the public school system, connecting with the students coming through, and giving them a reason to feel like this is an important pursuit.

“We’ve just launched our newest publication, ‘Three-Decker.’ The WCPA has been handling the ‘Worcester Review’ for decades now, so we were ready for something more homespun and local that features the local artists of Worcester. The ‘Review’ has an academic perspective that is very wide-reaching, so we are known in the country for that pedigree, and we are looking to have a counterpoint to that that focuses on our local community.

“(‘Three-Decker’ is) also where we hope to publish the youth poetry contest winner. We want there to be a way for young people to connect with poetry, to feel like their voices matter and are heard, and we want to have a platform for them.”

Read about the rest of these superstars here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : January 20, 2026 

Award-Winning Documentary “The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous” Returns to Worcester Roots and Invites Dialogue with Filmmakers and Peacemakers 

Worcester, MA — Worcester’s rich legacy in both American poetry and the peace movement takes center stage as the Worcester County Poetry Association hosts a special event “Peace in Worcester: Our History”, a film screening and discussion of The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous, a powerful documentary chronicling one of America’s most influential activist families — with deep ties to Worcester itself. 

The free public event scheduled for Thursday, February 26 at 6 pm at the Museum of Worcester, 30 Elm Street, Worcester, MA will include the documentary screening followed by a distinguished panel including Claire and Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, Filmmaker Richard Dresser, David O’Brien and other special guests who will engage audiences in a conversation about faith, activism, and the enduring relevance of nonviolent resistance with connections to Worcester. 

The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous tells the extraordinary story of brothers Philip and Daniel Berrigan — both Catholic priests — and Philip’s wife, Liz, a former nun. Philip Berrigan, who studied at College of the Holy Cross, would go on to become one of the most prominent peace activists of our times. Together with his wife Liz, and brother Daniel they dedicated their lives to faith-based, nonviolent resistance against war, racism, nuclear proliferation, and institutional injustice within the Catholic Church itself. 

Told through the unique perspective of the next generation of Berrigans, The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous weaves together live footage of demonstrations and nonviolent actions, rare archival material, and interviews with notable figures the Berrigans inspired — including Howard Zinn, Martin Sheen, Jim Wallis, Daniel Ellsberg, and members of the Berrigan family. 

Produced by filmmakers James and Willie Reale, Sue Hagedorn, and Richard Dresser, The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous makes a compelling case that nonviolent direct action remains as vital and relevant today as it was during the height of the civil rights and anti-war movements. 

Once named America’s “Most Wanted” fugitives by J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI, the Berrigan brothers became the “influencers” of their era, spreading the gospel of nonviolence not only from pulpits worldwide but through mainstream media appearances on talk shows, in rock lyrics, and on magazine covers. Their bold actions and unwavering commitment inspired generations of activists and faith leaders. 

Renowned anti-war activist, playwright and poet, Daniel Berrigan was the first priest in U.S.

history to be arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience against war. He was arrested over 200 times for protesting, one instance of which led to an FBI “birdwatching” manhunt on Block Island, and a cover feature of both Daniel and his brother Philip Berrigan in TIME magazine. Nominated several times throughout his career for the Nobel Peace Prize, he was and is still regarded today as one of the greatest peacemakers of the 20th century. Daniel visited Worcester many times during his life. 

In 1967, Tom Lewis, along with the Berrigan brothers and six others, walked into the draft office in Catonsville, Maryland, and took draft records into the parking lot, which they then burned. The group was known as the Catonsville 9, and their actions gained international coverage, even being made into a stage play and then a film in which Lewis was played by Emmy winner and five-time Golden Globe Award nominee Peter Strauss.  While in prison, Lewis continued to produce art, including over one hundred portraits of his fellow inmates. The culmination of his work was a portfolio of etchings, The Trial and Prison, published to raise funds for the peace movement. After his release from prison, Tom Lewis relocated to the Worcester area, running printmaking workshops at the Worcester Art Museum and working as an art teacher at Anna Maria College. The Museum of Worcester in collaboration with filmmakers supports Draft Cards are for Burning, a feature-length documentary about the life of Tom Lewis, which is currently in production.  

The Worcester screening and discussion offers a unique opportunity for the community to welcome home this important story and explore how the Berrigan legacy continues to resonate in contemporary struggles for justice and peace. 

About the Film: The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous is a documentary exploring the lives and legacy of the Berrigan family’s decades-long commitment to faith-based activism and nonviolent resistance. It has been screened worldwide at numerous film festivals. 

 

For more information about the screening and panel discussion, please contact: 

Event organizer: Mark G. Wagner, markgwagner@charter.net  774.922.4351 

Worcester County Poetry Association: irena@worcestercountypoetry.org, 508.797.4770 worcestercountypoetry.org 

See Also: Museum of Worcester’s: Draft Cards are for Burning – Library and Archives 

 

 

 

 

 

A SEVENTH YEAR FOR POETS AT LARGE
January 12, 2026

Poets at Large will present spoken word/poetry events at The Vanilla Bean Café, 450 Deerfield Road, in Pomfret, CT as it begins a seventh year. PAL Coordinator Karen Warinsky said, “Due to the generosity of our sponsors this year, we will be able to present these readings free of charge. We pay featured readers a small stipend for their time and travel. Our featured poets bring their books to sell, so we are hoping patrons will be generous in supporting the poets by buying their books. Donations are also welcome. Besides these events at The Vanilla Bean, we also plan to hold some events at a few other venues in CT and MA in 2026 and will announce those later.” Vanilla Bean events are on Saturday nights and begin at 7 p.m.

Reading at The Vanilla Bean for the winter/spring season will be Denise Abercrombie and Sean P. Forbes (2/21), Christopher Reilley and Carla Schwartz (3/21), Joshua M. Stewart and Doug Anderson (4/18), Jim Finnegan and Irena Kaci (5/16) and Sarah Gagne Wheeler and Laura DiCaronimo (6/20).

Poets at Large has brought over 120 published and awarded poets to the area since 2020 and dozens of people have participated in the open mic portions during that time. Poets at Large is a project of Windham Arts. All events are ADA compliant and are recommended for ages 16 and up. These readings are sponsored in part by Linemaster Switch, WHZ Financial Advisors, bankHometown, The Putnam Area Foundation and Charter Oak FCU. Contact karen.warinsky@gmail.com to sign up for the open mic. 5-minute max as time allows.

The Jacob Edwards Library of Southbridge is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Bill Tremblay Poetry Prize.

1^st: Stephen Campiglio: Sturbridge

2^nd: James Spaulding: Brookfield

3^rd: Terrance Lanier: Warren

Judge for the contest was poet Bill O’Connell from Amherst, Ma.

A poetry reading and celebration of the winners will be held at the library (JEL) on Thursday evening, 1/29/26, from 6:30-7:30. The reading is free and open to the public. Please join us for the celebration of this inaugural event.

Stanley Kunitz Medal Nominations

O’Hara Prize Submissions

Worcester Appoints New Poet Laureate, Youth Poet Laureate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/29/2025 11:41 am

WORCESTER, Mass. – City Manager Eric D. Batista announced Monday the appointments of the next City of Worcester Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate, which serve as official ambassadors for the city’s historic and vibrant culture of poetry and literature.

After a competitive selection process, distinguished poet and community advocate Nicole “Nic” Jean Turner has been selected as Worcester’s next Poet Laureate. She will serve from January 2026 to December 2028. Samara Tang-Rainwater, a freshman at Doherty Memorial High School, will serve as the Youth Poet Laureate from January 2026 to December 2027.

Turner and Tang-Rainwater will be presented with ceremonial medals created by local metal artist Pam Farren and will deliver their first official readings during the City of Worcester’s Inaugural Exercises and Celebration on Friday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Doherty Memorial High School.

Deeply embedded in the poetry community, Turner has become a standout in not only Worcester’s poetry scene but also New England. As an organizer and participant of the longest running independent poetry series, The Dirty Gerund Poetry Show, Turner has been uplifting emerging voices through performance, mentorship, and innovative programming. Her leadership and impact have earned formal recognition, including an Iron Poet Championship title, a gold medal in the Massachusetts Poetry Olympics, and a nomination for the City of Worcester 2025 Woman of Consequence. In 2024, Turner founded The Roadshow, a rotating poetry team designed to break down barriers to participate in competitive poetry.

Turner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Fine Art, and Creative Writing from Le Moyne College, and a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Regis College. Turner is the author of With Only Which She Could Carry (UWA, 2020) and has been published every year since 2012 in newspapers, literary journals, and anthologies.

“I’m passionate about building sustainable, inclusive spaces where poets can grow,” said Turner. “My mission is to study the mechanics of community and to offer mentorship to poets of all ages, ensuring that everyone has a place to discover their voice.” 

A proud Worcester native, Tang-Rainwater has been exploring the arts from a young age, starting with drawing and music before discovering a passion for writing. She now writes poems, stories, and songs and plays the trombone, cymbals, and piano. Tang-Rainwater aims to bring diversity, honesty, and encouragement to her work, inspiring fellow young poets and promoting a love of writing across Worcester’s multicultural communities. 

“I love the diversity in Worcester,” said Tang-Rainwater. “Hearing different perspectives and experiences has kept me deeply connected to this city.”

Looking ahead to her two-year term, Tang-Rainwater says she hopes to “grow as a person, grow in integrity and intelligence, and connect with people across the community.”

“The City of Worcester extends its heartfelt thanks to outgoing Poet Laureate Oliver de la Paz (2023-2025) and Youth Poet Laureate Serenity Jackson (2024-2025) for their remarkable service and artistic leadership,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Throughout their terms, they have both brought poetry to life across the community performing at schools, libraries, festivals, and civic events creating meaningful connections with residents of all ages. Their performances and workshops elevated local voices, inspired emerging writers, and fostered a greater appreciation for the literary arts throughout Worcester. We are truly grateful for their creativity, dedication, and lasting contributions to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.”

The objectives of the City of Worcester’s Poet Laureate Programs are to: 

• Enhance the presence and appreciation of poetry and literary arts in Greater Worcester.
• Celebrate the spirit of the people and special qualities of Worcester, the City of Innovation.
• Raise awareness of the power of literature, poetry, and the spoken word.
• Provide a forum for collaborative art forms.
• Engage and support an emerging generation of poets and spoken word artists.
• Provide access to poetry and literary arts to all sectors of the community.
• Encourage the reading and writing of both poetry and the written word.

To learn more about the Poets Laureate program visit www.worcesterma.gov/cultural-development/poet. Poets Laureate are available for bookings and appearances through the Worcester Poets Laureate Appearance Request Form. This process provides a direct and efficient way for schools, organizations and community groups to engage with Worcester’s literary community, and benefit from the creativity and cultural enrichment these artists bring to the city. The community is encouraged to follow the Poets Laureate on Facebook Worcester Youth Poet Laureate | Facebook and Worcester Youth Poet Laureate | Facebook where updates on events, photos and videos of performances are shared throughout their terms. 

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Art DuBois, a lifelong resident of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, has published his first book of poetry, which also features his own nature photography.

Desperate Souls, Hopeful Hearts is a heartfelt collection of poems that gently explores life’s struggles, losses, and pains with raw honesty and a voice uniquely Art’s own. Each poem reaches into emotions we all recognize, leaving readers with a sense of deep connection and understanding. Though some poems have moments that can be experienced as heavy, a constant thread of hope runs throughout the book as a reminder that love has the power to comfort, heal, and light the way forward. Complementing his poetry are dozens of evocative photographs taken by Art himself. Together, the words and images create a powerful experience that speaks to both the heart and the spirit.

Art DuBois is a 68-year-old career clinical social worker who has worked as a psychotherapist, and in the Public Defender’s Office, and in management positions in the human services field. Art has been involved for years in town affairs as a member and chair of the Select Board, and other governmental and political activities. His interest in poetry and photography have clearly overlapped. About ten years ago he began a nearly weekly mindfulness practice that included long walks on a nature path along the ocean,. This lead to his return to writing poetry and to begin enjoying capturing with his camera the beauty of nature. He cites Mary Oliver as his main inspiration. His own poetry is not only heavily influenced by his mindfulness practices but also his life’s work of helping others. Desperate Souls, Hopeful Hearts is currently available on Amazon.com as a hardcover, paperback, and e-book. It will soon be available on other platforms.
Art is married to Susan, and they have three adult children.

On Saturday, November 8^th from 11 am – 1 pm, Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main Street in Webster, MA will host a book signing event with local author Robert Racicot and his latest release The Legend of the Oxford Pirate. The event is free and open to the public. Signed copies will be available for purchase. For more information or to RSVP, please call 508-949-6232.

About the book: A storm sinks pirate Sam Bellamy’s ship off Cape Cod. A stranger carries a secret inland along the Bay Path. Centuries later a discovery is made at ancient ruins. Blending legend, local lore, and childhood adventure, this coming-of-age tale uncovers how mysteries of the past still haunt the forests of New England.

About the author: Robert Racicot is a retired Air Force Lt Col and Professor of Chemistry. He is enjoying his retirement years hiking, mountain biking, and writing stories, and poetry. He is the author of the young reader books The Legend of Carbuncle Pond and The Haunting of the Oxford Library.

Halloween is a time for legends and lore, and more! Worcester Magazine is looking for submissions of poetry and art for our special Halloween poetry and art page, as part of the Oct. 31 issue. Here are some guidelines; please send to msmith@wickedlocal.com, and please copy wmeditor@gatehousemedia.com and victor.infante@telegram.com. This way, if one of us is out, we will still receive your submission.

All are welcome, but preference is given to writers and artists from Worcester County or who have strong Worcester County ties. Click here for Submission guidelines!

Fitchburg poet Laura DiCaronimo, who brings all kinds of performing artists in northern Worcester County together at the regular Openest Mic, is one of this year’s nominees for Spoken Word Artist of the Year.

Unlike the musicians on this list, whose work you can find on streaming, DiCaronimo can’t be easily found on Spotify, but that’s no issue if you want to watch her do her thing. The Openest Mic has a YouTube channel that hosts livestreams of most of its shows dating back to 2023, and she’s likely the first person you’ll see on them, whether reading her own writing or performing a cover poem.

Please click here to read full article in Worcester Magazine,