State writer laureate to highlight poetry extravaganza

Alaska State Writer Laureate Peggy Shumaker will appear as part of the celebration of National Poetry Month sponsored jointly by the Palmer Arts Council and Friends of the Palmer Public Library. Shumaker is the author of “Gnawed Bones,” “Just Breathe Normally,” “Blaze” and “Underground Rivers.” Originally from California, she grew up in Arizona, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. She has worked with prison inmates, honor students, gang members, deaf adults, teen parents, little kids and elderly folk. She was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship in poetry.

In addition to Shumaker, the event will include Whitney Winders and Magnolia Cook, winners of the Mat-Su Poetry Out Loud competition. Local poets Bridgette Preston, Katie Eberhart, Joe Nolting and Gretchen Diemer will also give readings. Colony High School Japanese language students will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sister city friendship between Palmer and Saroma, Japan, with recitations of Japanese poetry, including some written by Saroma High School students.

This free event will be at the Palmer Public Library at 2 p.m., April 17. Immediately following the event there will be a reception at the Colony Inn.

POETRY MONTH EVENTS

April is Poetry Month. Following are local events to mark the month:

• Through Wednesday — Stone Bird Poetry Workshop with Katie Eberhart at the Palmer Senior Center, 1:15 p.m., free.

• Through April 15 — Vagabond Blues Map of the World Coffee Memory Haiku Challenge, Free.

• Through April 15 — Texting 160 High School Poetry Competition, free.

• Through April 15 — Free Verse Poetry Photo Challenge, free.

• April 3 — Saroma Sister City Tsunami Relief Event, Palmer Museum and Train Depot, poetry readings and Japanese paper doll activity.

• April 9 — Amplified poetry readings: Vagabond Blues, details, TBA.

• April 14 — Marian Call in concert at Vagabond Blues, 7 to 9 p.m., $10.

• April 16 — Poetry Speaks. Drink tea and listen to recordings of great poets reading their work at Palmer Arts Council office from 2 to 4 p.m.

• April 17 — Palmer Public Library at 2 p.m., various poetry presentations and Alaska State Writer Laureate Peggy Shumaker.

• April 18 — Youth Poetry Slam workshop and competition, Palmer Depot, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• April 23 — St. George’s Day celebration and International Day of the Book. Events and activities sponsored by Fireside Books.

• April 23-24 — Easter weekend, Palmer Geocaching and Poetry Scavenger Hunt at various locations around Palmer.