Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Carnegie Library marks National Poetry Month

IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Carnegie Library is celebrating National Poetry Month in April.

Throughout this past week, assistant director Lynne Wiercinski has worked with children, introducing them to the world of poetry.

On Monday, a local Girl Scouts troop listened to works by Shel Silverstein, and Wiercinski worked with third grade students at the Norrie School in Luther L. Wright on Tuesday.

A poetry event is planned for adults on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Participants can read and discuss their poetry and the poetry of others.

Poetry reading

Pat O’Neill, a local author, will be reading some of his poetry on April 24 at Tacconelli’s Downtowne in Ironwood.

According to O’Neill, the main theme running through the evening is a celebration of the late Gogebic Range and Copper Country artist Dale Willoughby, who was inspired by O’Neill’s work to create drawings.

For the past three years, O’Neill has been donating all the proceeds from book sales and tickets to the creative programs for children conducted by Wiercinski at the library and Arlene Schneller at the Schneller Art Gallery.

“Because of Pat we can do so much that we couldn’t do without him. We can never thank him enough,” Wiercinski said.

O’Neill has published nine volumes of poetry, with two more books awaiting publication. His publisher at March Street Press passed away, so the entity is out of business.

In his spare time, O’Neill teaches at Gogebic Community College. He said that he sees a great need for children to learn creativity, due to budget cuts in schools. According to him, creativity can be draining, but as a teacher, he cares so much about his work, that he is “never satisfied” with his work.

For more information on National Poetry Month, or O’Neill’s poetry reading, call the library at 906-932-0203.

 
 
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