Dennis Martin Piana of Colrain won first place in the Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest in 2016. He took home the handcrafted Poet’s Seat for a year, and will relinquish it on April 27, when this year’s winner is announced.
Dennis Martin Piana of Colrain won first place in the Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest in 2016. He took home the handcrafted Poet’s Seat for a year, and will relinquish it on April 27, when this year’s winner is announced. Credit: Recorder file photo

Hello neighbor.

I’m so sorry for my extended absence. I took some time earlier this year to just relax, and then blew my back out several weeks ago and was laid up for a while. I returned this week. The good news is, my mobility is improving each day. So, I’m also sorry that some of your events didn’t get published. Hopefully, things will stay on track from this point. 

Remember that Neighbors runs on Wednesday now.

Friends of Greenfield Public Library are looking for poems for the 26th annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest, open to all Franklin County residents and students.  The March 6 deadline is coming quickly, so get up to three poems ready for submission.  The competition is held in honor of Frederick Goddard Tuckerman who lived in Greenfield from 1847 until his death in 1873 and was considered by his contemporaries — Emerson, Thoreau, and Tennyson — to be a gifted poet. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he shunned law in favor of botany and writing poetry. Although he never achieved wide public acclaim, his poems are often included in anthologies of noted American poets.

Awards will be given in three categories: first, second, and third place in the adult division and the four top poems in the youth division — age 12 to 18 (divided into 12 to 14 and 15 to 18 for judging). In honor of National Poetry Month, the Poet’s Seat awards ceremony and poetry reading will take place Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Capen room at Stoneleigh-Burnham School.

The adult first prize winner will receive stewardship of the Poet’s Seat chair, with their name on a plaque listing all the previous winners, as well as a handcrafted Poet’s Platter, a gift certificate to a local bookstore and a night at the Poetry Ridge Bed and Breakfast. All other winners will receive a handcrafted  mug along with a gift certificate to a local bookstore.

Here are the submission rules: Submit up to three poems.  Number pages of multi-page poems. Indicate “Adult” or “Young Poet.” Young Poets should write their age on the front of the sheet where the poem appears, lower right-hand corner, circled. No identifying information on front of sheet and no staples.

All poets, on reverse side of poem write name of poet, address, telephone number and email address. Poems will not be returned. Submit on white paper, printed clearly in ink or typed in plain typeface. Include SASE for notification of receipt of entry; otherwise notification will be via email. Only unpublished poems may be submitted. Previous first-place winners may not submit poems, though top-placing youth poets may re-submit when they enter a new age category. Entries must be received by March 6th, 2017 (postmarked). Mail to Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest, Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. For more information, contact Hope Schneider at 772-0257 or emailhopeschneider395@comcast.net

GREENFIELD SAVINGS BANK on Avenue A in Turners Falls will present “The Rise and Fall of Railroad Savage” on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Join Anne Harding as she presents a PowerPoint history on the landmark building that burned to the ground earlier this year. She’ll talk about everything from the rich and industrial beginnings to its becoming a retail venue. Light refreshments will be provided by the bank. 

​THE LITERACY PROJECT will host Soup and Games Night at Hope and Olive restaurant on Monday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The free event, open to the public, will allow participants to enjoy great food donated by local restaurants, while helping support programs at The Literacy Project.

 

​WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLORE West County’s blueberry barrens? Greening Greenfield and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst are sponsoring a late-winter walk led by naturalist Ted Watt on Saturday, March 11, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The blueberry barrens in Heath will be explored. Depending on snow conditions, you’ll look for tracks and signs, identify trees and shurbs and, perhaps, see some early birds and other inklings of the coming of spring. It’s an easy walk, but be aware of conditions – snowshoes may be useful. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. It’s colder and windier at that elevation. Heavy rain or snow will cancel. The walk is limited to 12 (ages 8 and older). Register with Edie Heinemann at 773-465-1646 or email her at: ediesh82346@gmail.com. Also, visit: www.greeninggreenfield.org

OUR LADY OF PEACE CHURCH on Seventh Street in Turners Falls will hold its Stash Bash once again. It will be held on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church hall. The church is currently asking for any extra “stash” you may have (beads, notions, yarn, fabric, buttons, scrapbooking supplies and more. If you have questions or comments, call Bev at 863-7783.