Poetry contest a success 

The Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest celebrated its 32nd year with a ceremony at Stoneleigh Burnham School on May 16 where 20 poems from Franklin County residents were presented to a large crowd of enraptured poetry lovers. 

Hearing the finalists’ diverse poems adds a moving dimension to the creative work of these finalists (and all those that submitted their poems this year).Our thanks and appreciation go to the judges of this year’s contest: Lynne Pledger, David Ram, and Anne Yeomans (Adult category judges); Barry McColgan, Joanne McNeil Hayes, and Gerald Yelle (Youth category judges). We are very mindful of the care, attention, and time that the judges put into this event and are very appreciative. A special thank you goes to Bob Barba who was the Adult first place contest winner in 2019 and continues to be a part of the poetry contest as our “first reader” of the poems and judges’ coordinator of our committee.

We are especially grateful to Stoneleigh Burnham School, who has hosted our Poet’s Seat Contest celebration for many years. A special thank you goes to Heidi Gebo, Director of Auxiliary Programs at Stoneleigh, and the video crew who taped the event.

Year after year Stoneleigh Burnham School has opened their doors to us, set up the event, and provided refreshments to all the attendees. We are indeed fortunate to count Stoneleigh Burnham School as our neighbor and friend.  

Cyndie Rothschild and Lynn Waldron

Friends of Greenfield Public Library, Poet’s Seat committee co-chairs