Report from Poets on the Porch 2015

Diane Sahms-Guarnieri by F Omar Telan at Poets on the Porch 2015

The Fox Chase Reading Series has concluded its run with Poets on the Porch 2015. It was a beautiful afternoon on the porch of Ryerss Museum and Library atop the hill at Burholme Park in Philadelphia, Pa. The crowd enjoyed a great reading of poetry under cover of the porch on a warm July day. Thanks to all the poets who shared their work, our hosts, F Omar Telan and Bruce Kramer and our book table monitor Nancy Sahms.

First Set Host F Omar Telan

The first set was hosted by F Omar Telan and energized the crowd. Poets reading in the first set were:

Poet Diane Sahms-Guarnieri

Poet Emari DiGiorgio

Poet Maria Keane

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Poet Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon

 

 

 

 

Poet Gene Halus

Poet Russell Reece

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Poet Ben Heins

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Poet g emil reutter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Host of Second Set Bruce Kramer

The second set was hosted by Bruce Kramer breezing to a beautiful conclusion. Poets reading in the second set were:

Poet Alice Wootson

Poet Mel Brake

Poet Dave Worrell

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Poet Wendy Schermer

Poet Charles Carr

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More photographs of Poets on the Porch 2015 can be viewed at our Flickr at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/12065560@N04/sets/72157624536350361

Sahms-Guarnieri, DiGiorgio and Keane @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the seventh in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Diane Sahms-Guarnieri, a native Philadelphian, is the author of two full-length poetry collections: Images of Being (Stone Garden Publishing, 2011) and Night Sweat (Red Dashboard Press, forthcoming in January, 2016). She has been published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Many Mountains Moving, Philadelphia Stories, Blue Collar Review, and Wilderness House Literary Review, among others. Awarded a grant in poetry from the AEV Foundation in 2013, she currently serves as Poet in Residence at Ryerss Museum and Library and as Poetry Editor of the Fox Chase Review. More about Diane can be found at http://www.dianesahms-guarnieri.com/   & https://dianesahmsguarnieri.wordpress.com/

Emari DiGiorgio makes a mean arugula quesadilla and has split-boarded the emariTasman Glacier. She teaches at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and is a Poet-in-the-Schools through the state arts council and the Dodge Poetry Foundation. Recent poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Arsenic Lobster, Mead, the Raleigh Review, Smartish Pace, and Verse. You can read the poetry of Emari DiGiorgio in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14edigiorgio.html

Maria J. Keane is a visual artist, educator and published poet.  She received her B.A. from Hunter College, N.Y.C. and a Master in Art History from the University of Delaware (Phi Kappa Phi). She is an Arts and Letters member of the National League of American Pen Women and an artist member of the historic Howard Pyle Studio in Wilmington, Delaware. She served as an Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts and Art History at Wilmington University (New Castle Campus, from 1984 to 2009.) You can read the poetry of Maria Keane in the Autumn 2012 and Autumn 2013 editions of The Fox Chase Review in our archives at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

Williams and Halus @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the sixth in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, PhD  (Cultural Anthropology), M.A. kimmika(Anthropology), MFA (Theater), Graduate Certificate) Women’s Studies, B.A. (Journalism); is an Associate Professor of Urban Theater and Community Engagement in the Theater Department at Temple University. The author of Through Smiles and Tears: The History of African American Theater (From Kemet to the Americas) (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011); The Secret Messages in African American Theater: Hidden Meaning Embedded in Public Discourse” (Edwin Mellen Publishing, 2006) She is a recipient of the 2013 Associate Provosts Arts Grant; 2008 Seed Grant, 2003 Provost’s Arts Grant; 2001 Independence Foundation Grant, the 2000 PEW fellowship, and1999, Daimler-Chrysler National Poetry Competition. Williams-Witherspoon is a contributing poet to 26 anthologies and recipient of a host of awards and citations. You can read the poetry of Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/s14-kwilliamswitherspoon.html

Gene Halus, A native of the Lawndale neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., He is an Associate Professor of Politics at Immaculata University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from LaSalle University, he graduated with a double major from the department of History and Political Science, his Masters of Art and his Ph.D., from the Department of Politics of the Catholic University of America. Halus has been a community/social activist in the United States and Ireland. He has written several op-ed pieces for various newspapers including the Souderton Independent and the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. He has written articles on topics such as German-Americans of Northeast Philadelphia and Resurgent Ethnicity: Reconsidering Ethnicity, Whiteness, and Assimilation; At Frankford We Stand!: The Mobilization of Euro-American Ethnic Consciousness in Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Changes in City Government; and Fair Housing/Fair Lending. Halus is working on a new poetry collection titled Perkiomen using the Perkiomen Creek as the focus of the cycle of poems. His most recent book is Irish Americans: The History and Culture of a People, co-authored with William E. Watson released in November of 2014. You can read the poetry of Gene Halus in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/w15ghalus.html

Reece and Heins @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the fifth in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Russell Reece has had stories and essays published in Memoir (and), Crimespree Magazine, The Fox Chase Review and many other print and on-line journals. His work has appeared several anthologies most recently Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors, released in 2012. All That Glitters, released in 2013 and Someone Wicked released in 2013. He has received two Best of the Net nominations and was a finalist in the 2012 William Faulkner/ William Wisdom Creative Writing Contest.  He placed first in the Delaware Press Association Annual Communications award in poetry and a 2015 fellowship from The Delaware Division of the Arts. Russ is a University of Delaware alumnus and a co-host of 2nd Saturday Poets in Wilmington, Delaware. He lives in Bethel, Delaware in rural Sussex County along the beautiful Broad Creek. You can read the poetry of Russell Reece in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/w14rreece.html

Ben Heins is the author of two chapbooks of poetry: Cut Me Free (Crisis Chronicles Press, 2014) and Greatest Hits & B-Sides (Vagabondage Press, 2012). In addition to teaching first-year writing at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Rowan University, he is an active member of the South Jersey Poets Collective. You can read the poetry of Ben Heins in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14bheins.html

Wootson and Milby @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the fourth in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Alice Greenhowe Wootson grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Cheyney University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she married and remained in the Philadelphia area. She earned a Masters Degree in Education and Reading Specialist Certification and taught in the public schools. Alice is the award-winning author of ten romance novels and an award-winning poet; she has taught writing workshops for numerous groups. She is also a board member of the Philadelphia Writers Conference. Alice Wootson is an active member of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church of Philadelphia. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Isaiah. You can read the poetry and fiction of Alice Wootson in the 2008 Winter, 2010 Summer and 2013 Winter Editions of The Fox Chase Review in our archives at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

Robert Milby , of Florida, NY has been reading his poetry in public since March, 1995.   He is the author of 6 chapbooks, most recently: Dickens’ Pet Raven (Fierce Grace Press, Wilmington, DE, 2014).  His first book of poetry is Ophelia’s Offspring (Foothills Publishing, Kanona, NY, 2007).  Second book: Victorian House:  Ghosts and Gothic Poems will be published by Black Bed Sheet Books, Antelope, CA in 2014.   Robert hosts 3 Hudson Valley, NY poetry readings and has read his work in NY, NYC, NJ, PA and New England.  He is a listed poet with Poets & Writers, Inc. of NYC.  He writes for the arts magazine, Heyday Magazine and the arts newspaper, The Delaware and Hudson CANVAS. You can read the poetry of Robert Milby in The Fox Chase Review at this link:  http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14rmilby.html

Brake and Smith @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the third in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Mel Brake has won several awards for his poetry and musical talents. He was mel brake born and raised in Philadelphia, and proud of it. He lives in Springfield, PA because the water is fresh, clear and tasty. Many publications and journals have published his poems including Fox Chase Review, Philadelphia Poets, Mad Poets Review, E Pluribus Unum: An Anthology of Diverse Voices, Apiary Magazine, Word Riot Magazine, Poetry Ink, The New Verse News and many others. You can read the poetry of Mel Brake in the 2008 Winter, 2008 Autumn, 2009 Autumn and 2012 Summer Editions in our archives at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

John Richard Smith John Smith’s poetry has appeared NJ Audubon since the 1980s and in numerous literary magazines. His work has also been anthologized in Under a Gull’s Wing: Poems and Photographs of the Jersey Shore and Liberty’s Vigil: The Occupy Anthology. His poem, “Lived Like a Saint,” which appeared in The Journal of New Jersey Poets, was set to music by Philadelphian composer, Tina Davidson, as part of a choral work, Listening to the Earth, commissioned by the New Jersey Parks Commission. Another poem, “Birding,” was commissioned by New Jersey Audubon for their centennial and “Red Moon,” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by US1. His book, Even That Indigo, was published was published by Hip Pocket Press in 2012. You can read the poetry of John Richard Smith in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14jsmith.html

Poets on the Porch 2015 – Preview

You can watch some of the poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 on youtube at the links below. Poets on the Porch 2015 will be held on July 11th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111

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Diane Sahms-Guarnieri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qir5_xPSNiU

 

 

Emari DiGiorgio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WsS2eLVgAM

 

 

Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFpGUWnKME0

 

Ben Heins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6V5YNTuQ-I

 

 

Robert Milby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIF8Pwnn9AQ

 

 

Mel Brake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wjzTEaDKaw

 

 

Dave Worrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518yT85jOV8

 

Charles Carr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3Jj8zmv8m4

 

 

Worrell and Schermer @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the second in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Dave Worrell studied literature and philosophy at Union College in beautiful Schenectady, New York. His poems have appeared in The Fox Chase Review, US 1 Worksheets, Mad Poets Review and Wild River Review. He has performed poems at Chris’ Jazz Café in Philadelphia and Cafe Improv in Princeton.  His latest collection is We Who Were Bound. You can read the poetry of Dave Worrell in the 2009 Autumn and 2013 Autumn Editions in our archives at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

Wendy Schermer was born in Detroit, grew up in Philadelphia, and is now a resident of Arden, Delaware, where she has lived for the past eight years. Wendy shares her home with a dog and two cats who have been steadfast companions since her two sons became adults and made lives of their own in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, respectively. Although Wendy works full-time for the State of New Jersey’s Judiciary, her real love is writing. You can read the poetry of Wendy Schermer in the 2012 Autumn and 2013 Autumn Editions in our archives at this link:  http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

Davis and Carr @ Poets on the Porch 2015

This is the first in a series highlighting poets reading at Poets on the Porch 2015 to be held on July 11^th @ 1 p.m. at Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park.

Robert Hambling Davis is a fiction editor of The Fox Chase Review. He has been published in The Sun, Antietam Review, Memoir (and), Philadelphia Stories, Santa Monica Review, and elsewhere. He’s been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes, and received three Delaware Division of the Arts grants, two for fiction and one for creative nonfiction. He was a fiction semifinalist in the William Faulkner Creative Writing Contest in 2002 and 2012, and a creative nonfiction winner in 2013. Robert helps direct the Delaware Literary Connection, a nonprofit serving writers in Delaware and surrounding areas. He is a member of the Delaware Artist Roster, and has given writing workshops and readings in the Mid-Atlantic. You can read the fiction of Robert Hambling Davis in The Fox Chase Review in the Summer 2011 edition at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html

Charles Carr is a native Philadelphian. Charles was educated at LaSalle and Bryn Mawr College, where he earned a Masters in American History.  Charles has worked in social and community development services for 40 years.  Charles has also been active in raising funds for various missions and organizations serving the poorest of the poor In Haiti.   In 2009 Cradle Press of St. Louis published Charles’s first book of poetry: paradise, pennsylvania. In January of this year, Haitian Mud Pies And Other Poems published by The Moonstone Arts Center was released.  Charles’ poems have been published in various print and on-line local and national poetry journals.   Charles also hosts the Moonstone Poetry series at Fergie’s Pub in Center City Philadelphia once per month. You can read the poetry of Charles Carr in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14ccarr.html

Esposito and McClung in Fox Chase May 23rd

Saturday – May 23rd @ 1p.m The Fox Chase Reading Series presents poets Laren McClung and Lynette Esposito in the 2^nd Floor Gallery of Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19111. Ryerss sits atop the hill at Burholme Park. An open mic follows the featured readers.

Laren McClung

Laren McClung is the author of Between Here and Monkey Mountain (Sheep Meadow Press). She received a BA and MA from Arcadia University and an MFA from New York University. Her work has appeared in reviews including The Massachusetts Review, Cerise Press, The American Reader, PN Review, and War, Literature and the Arts. She has led writing workshops to residents at Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island and to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She lives in Philadelphia and currently teaches at New York University. You can read the poetry of Laren McClung in The Fox Chase Review at this link: http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/a14lmcclung.html

Lynette Esposito

Lynette G. Esposito, MA, Rutgers, has been published in Readers Digest, The Philadelphia Inquirer, US1, various literary magazines and others. Lynette is the host of the Medford Arts Center Poetry Series. She lives with her husband, Attilio, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Lynette’s poem Perception of Nails was published in the 2013 Autumn edition of The Fox Chase Review and can be viewed at our archives http://www.thefoxchasereview.org/archives.html