Poetry, Wine and Whimsy

   This Saturday (Feb. 18th) my writing group is putting on its first poetry/literary reading at The Bardwell winery in Mt. Orab, OH. We've invited poets and writers from all over southwest Ohio and were suprised by the response. It seems there is a wealth of talented writers right here in our back yard.
   Part of the reason for putting on the reading was to forge a sense of community among the writers in our area. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, sitting at the keyboard, attempting to preserve a piece of your intellect, of your experiences, imagination and soul in cohesive patterns of print, hoping it will strike a familiar chord in the minds of others. Obsessing over every sentence, in every scene, on every page, always wondering if your really making any sense at all.
  So we gather in groups seeking fellowship and legitimacy, reading and critiquing each others works as we endeadeavor to learn and grow. In the best groups, deep bonds are formed as the search for clarity, intellect, skill and beauty become the common aim. My group is like that, and I consider myself lucky.
  When the idea of the reading came about we decided early on that it couldn't be just about us. We were eager to hear new voices and share in new ideas. We decided to seek out our fellow writers and invite them to join us and give voice to their work. We wanted to share with the community the diversity of talented writers that they likely did not know surrounded them.
   We wanted to expand the sense of fellowship we have to all of the writers and writer's groups that are thriving in our little corner of the world to create a sense of community capable of pushing us all to greater heights of talent and skill and to cultivate an audience eager for our creations.
   And, at very least, as a great and grand excuse to get together over a few bottles of wine and have some fun!!
   We hope to see you there.


                                            Poetry Night At The Bardwell Winery
                                             hosted by Gayle and Randy Weddell
                                                            720 N. Main St.
                                                            Mt. Orab, OH
                                                    Sat. February 18th, 2012
                                                       Reading starts @ 7pm