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| 2007 Annual Awards Weekend A Great Time For All! |
The annual awards weekend, held at Blue Licks Battlefield State Park, was a
WONDERFUL weekend for all in attendance! The weather could not have been
more cooperative and spirits were high as we traversed through the weekend
enjoying the great workshop, our annual awards dinner, a perfect Fall setting, and
most of all, the great companionship of like minds in poetry.
The weekend was a special treat as our workshop leader and keynote speaker was
our very own Ernie O'Dell! Mary (Ernie) O’Dell has been a member of KSPS since
1985. During that time, she, along with her late husband, Jim, founded Green River
Writers, Inc., and had several poetry collections accepted, among them Poems for
the Man Who Weighs Light, Living in the Body (both by Edwin Mellon Press) and The
Dangerous Man (Finishing Line Press). She has poetry in several anthologies and
over 50 literary journals. She has taught in workshops throughout the area and
lately conducts an ongoing poetry mentoring group, as well as working with individual
poets and prose writers.
KSPS members and guests were treated to the talents of Steve Free who shared
his Native American ancestry in songs that you just won't hear anywhere. Steve is an
internationally known, award-winning singer/songwriter and recording artist with
awards so numerous, you need to visit his website to read about all of them (www.
stevefree.com). Steve celebrates his roots through the many tales he weaves in his
recordings and personal appearances. He specializes in performing university,
college and high school concerts using not only the historical and legendary stories
of his people, but is in great demand because of the many props and Native
American costumes he uses on stage. He has performed at dozens of educational
conferences and multi-cultural festivals, and is one of the midwest's most sought-
after entertainers. His songs speak of subtle protest to save the forests, rivers,
woodlands and all their inhabitants.
In the best of organizations, things have been known to get a bit out of hand. Well,
we could be no different! On Friday evening, incoming Adult Contest Chair, Irma
Cooper, drafted (some said "bossed") volunteers to tell a little story about the
craziness and unpredictability of poetry contests, and, you guessed it, they brought
the house down. Now, everyone is really looking forward to next year's contest!!
Pictured to the left in the midst of all the mischief is: (L-R) Terri Alekzander, Paul
Matzek, Angela Thomas, Joan Terry, Elaine Akin, and Irma Cooper.
WONDERFUL weekend for all in attendance! The weather could not have been
more cooperative and spirits were high as we traversed through the weekend
enjoying the great workshop, our annual awards dinner, a perfect Fall setting, and
most of all, the great companionship of like minds in poetry.
The weekend was a special treat as our workshop leader and keynote speaker was
our very own Ernie O'Dell! Mary (Ernie) O’Dell has been a member of KSPS since
1985. During that time, she, along with her late husband, Jim, founded Green River
Writers, Inc., and had several poetry collections accepted, among them Poems for
the Man Who Weighs Light, Living in the Body (both by Edwin Mellon Press) and The
Dangerous Man (Finishing Line Press). She has poetry in several anthologies and
over 50 literary journals. She has taught in workshops throughout the area and
lately conducts an ongoing poetry mentoring group, as well as working with individual
poets and prose writers.
KSPS members and guests were treated to the talents of Steve Free who shared
his Native American ancestry in songs that you just won't hear anywhere. Steve is an
internationally known, award-winning singer/songwriter and recording artist with
awards so numerous, you need to visit his website to read about all of them (www.
stevefree.com). Steve celebrates his roots through the many tales he weaves in his
recordings and personal appearances. He specializes in performing university,
college and high school concerts using not only the historical and legendary stories
of his people, but is in great demand because of the many props and Native
American costumes he uses on stage. He has performed at dozens of educational
conferences and multi-cultural festivals, and is one of the midwest's most sought-
after entertainers. His songs speak of subtle protest to save the forests, rivers,
woodlands and all their inhabitants.
In the best of organizations, things have been known to get a bit out of hand. Well,
we could be no different! On Friday evening, incoming Adult Contest Chair, Irma
Cooper, drafted (some said "bossed") volunteers to tell a little story about the
craziness and unpredictability of poetry contests, and, you guessed it, they brought
the house down. Now, everyone is really looking forward to next year's contest!!
Pictured to the left in the midst of all the mischief is: (L-R) Terri Alekzander, Paul
Matzek, Angela Thomas, Joan Terry, Elaine Akin, and Irma Cooper.
