HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorth Andover Poet Laureate 06-30-2020 Meeting Minutes of the Recorded Virtual Poet Laureate Committee Meeting 6-3-20 @ 8 p.m.
Attendees:Jill barker, Mark Bohrer, Karen Kline, Marie McAndrew-Taylor, Latika Karnani, Gayle C. Heney
Absent members: Bridget Rawding,Jessica Furtado
Meeting called to order at 8:02 p.m. Members introduced themselves given the meeting was virtual,
and recorded by NACAM. Latika Karnani read her untitled opening poem beginning with the line "What
have felt in America". Mark Bohrer read Mary Oliver's poem "I Worry".
Mark Bohrer gave an update of the online N.A. Poets Corner and suggested listeners may find out about
poetry events on that site. He reiterated that all are invited to the virtual open mic he runs the 4th
Tuesday of each month @ 7 pm and directed people to N.A. Poets Corner for further information.
Mark Bohrer indicated it's possible that in person, summer, poetry events may be occur using
appropriate social distancing measures at the Stevens Estate. He will investigate the possibility of
continuing the 4th Tuesday Open Mic, called North Andover Poets Corner, at that location. Check N.A.
Poets Corner on Facebook for further information.
Mark reviewed the Pop-Up Poetry Project.The first event happened at Bulger's Veterinary Clinic and
was a great success. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, successive events were put on hold.
The Committee discussed the application of poet Jason O'Toole to the Poet Laureate Committee. M.
Bohrer spoke to his qualifications of being a "creative poet, and writer and artist" and Marie McAndrew-
Taylor spoke in favor of his application. A vote was taken; it was unanimous that his name should be put
forward to the Board of Selectmen. M. Bohrer will notify him, and let him know how to proceed.
Susan Martin of NACAM would like the community to share poetry on videos that NACAM would air. M.
Bohrer will promote this through N.A. Poets Corner.
Karen Kline is involved with Spot On Poetry at the Rolling Ridge Conference Center in town. Natalie
Schorr was the guest on 4/23/02 in which she discussed the book, "One on a Side:An Evening with
Seamus Heaney and Robert Frost"that was edited by Mark Schorr and Kevin O'Connor. On 5/21/20 M.
Bohrer was the guest.
G. Heney thanked Jessica Furtado for inviting poets to submit poems to the Middleton Library's Cow
Town Poetry Competition. K. Kline's poem,Tim Cremin's poem and two of G. Heney's poems were
selected.
K. Kline mentioned that the Rolling Ridge Conference Center is having an activity on 6/18 @ 10 a.m.
Further information is on the center's website. She also mentioned the virtual Rob. Frost Poetry Bee
that will occur on 6/11/20 and feature Lawrence Catholic Academy students. She and G. Heney will be
two of the judges.
The next committee meeting is Wed., Sept. 16, @ 7 p.m. at the library. If social distancing remains in
place,the meeting will take place virtually.Jill Barker will check for availability w/the library.
G. Heney read her original poem, "Man in my Garage" as the closing poem.The meeting was adjourned
at 8:32 p.m.