Press release date: Wed Jan 14th, 2009
Library to Host William Stafford Commemorative Reading
WEST LINN – A poetry reading celebrating and commemorating the birthday of Oregon’s late poet laureate, William Stafford, will be held at the West Linn Public Library on Wednesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event. At this reading, jointly sponsored by the Friends of William Stafford and the West Linn Public Library, six poets and writers will read a poem by Stafford and one of their own poems written in the spirit of Stafford’s work. The featured readers are Walt Curtis, José Knighton, Sharon Roso, Scottie Sterrett, Virginia Euwer Wolff, and FWS Emeritus Board Member Joseph Soldati. They will be introduced by host David Hedges. After the poets read, members of the audience will be invited to read one of their favorite Stafford poems.
William Stafford was born on January 17, 1914. A favorite professor at Lewis and Clark College where he taught for 30 years, he remains one of America’s most celebrated poets. Known for his encouragement of other writers and for his advocacy of free expression in writing and speech, Stafford is the author of more than fifty books and a recipient of the National Book Award. He died in August, 1993. The Friends of William Stafford is a non-profit poetry-advocacy organization that provides ongoing education in literature, particularly in poetry. FWS also supports and helps to underwrite a variety of literary projects and events open to the public.
The West Linn Public Library is located at 1595 Burns Street. For further information contact the library at 503-656-7853.
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