On Saturday, July 25, 2015, the Northeast Indiana Poets celebrated their 25th Silver Anniversary with an open house in the Globe Room of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There were a variety of poets and guests that attended including ISFPC Premier Poet Mary Couch and her mother Alice Couch. Tables held displays showing the history of the club along with a slide show, a lovely silver centerpiece made by Sally Ade, and sales table run by Treasurer Deborah Peterson for those who wanted a copy of the Silver Anniversary Book. Vice President Bob Ummel read a welcome from the President Ralph Scantlin followed by Historian Alexandra Zannis who talked about the history of the club. Dottie Mack, founder of the Northeast Indiana Poets presented a variety of her poems through the years, and how after meeting Glenna Glee she formed the club in Fort Wayne.

 

In honor of their 25th Year Celebration the N.I. Poets sponsored a contest with the theme “SUMMER” and awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the party. Each winner received a certificate, check and copy of the book “Silver Anniversary Poetry Collection” which included the winning poems, honorable selects, and poetry by some of the N.I. Poets. The first place winner was Barbara Lynn Shipe from Auburn, Indiana, second place was Nancy Carlson Dodd from Fort Wayne,  Indiana an third place Tanya Caylor of Ossian, Indiana, both the 1st and 2nd place winners were present and read their poems. Sheila Hite the judge for the contest and presenter read the 3rd place poem. The second place winner also won the 1st of the seven honorable select poems, and our ISFPC Premier Poet Mary Couch won a 2nd and 7th honorable select for her poems. Marlene Million from the Noble Poets in Noblesville won a 5th and Judy Young from the Last Stanza Poets in Elwood won 3rd honorable selects.

 

ISFPC Premier Poet Mary Couch was introduced as the guest speaker. She entertained the group of attendees with a variety of her poetry and how she came to write the poems. When she finished Dottie Mack was given a special gift, and then everyone got to listen to the cowboy poet (aka Caroline Dewey) who was extremely entertaining. The floor was then open to a round robin session and those in attendance came forward to read their poetry. A great time was had by all, and perhaps we’ll be invited back in another 25 years for their 50th celebration.

Featured blogger: Mary Couch

A callout to all ISFPC Members from Mary Couch, Premiere Poet:

For our Fall Rendezvous this year, we have the pleasure of Joyce Brinkman as one of our guest presenters doing a program on Collaborative Poetry. 










Joyce and I have decided to do a collaborative poem with the ISFPC Membership prior to the Rendezvous to be read on Friday night as a taste of what can be accomplished by a group of poets. (This poem may also be part of the Bicentennial Birthday Book that Brick Street Poetry is preparing for 2016)

If you are interested in being part of this poem (whether you are attending Rendezvous or not), please send your name and email to either Joyce Brinkman at joycebrinkman@yahoo.com or Mary Couch at macouchpoet@att.net  no later than July 31st. Once we have a list of those wishing to participate, we will send you the information as to the theme, form  and where your part in the poem will be located. This should be a fun project and also give everyone an inkling as what to expect on Saturday when Joyce presents her program.  

Thanks to everyone who wants to join in the project.

National Poetry Convention NFSPC was wonderful! I was asked to give a report at National Poetry Convention in Saint Petersburg Florida. At that time, Evan Walters was present in the meeting room and he orally gave the report. I was present in the Presidents' Meeting at NFSPS, and Evan Walters as 2nd VP also represented our ISFPC organization.


Report for National Poetry Convention
(Provided in person by 2nd VP, Evan Walters, 06/27/15, and by e-mail on 07/05/15)  ~ Indiana state poetry organization reporting, ISFPC, for end of poetic year June 2015:

1.       GROWING – news of potential clubs, and a little on how our organization works

The northeast portion of Indiana, Fort Wayne and surrounding area has at least five writers’ groups.  In the works are plans to convince and/or create two groups to join ISFPC, or at a minimum encourage related groups to consider the benefits of joining our state ISFPC poetry organization.  In the Indianapolis area, an ISFPC officer relays we have another potential poetry club there, besides the recently added Last Stanza, added to the official Indiana member-clubs. Also, our ISFPC has “members at large”, not having an ISFPC club, yet having membership with (us) Indiana, as an individual.  We are making more inroads with arts-connected groups/studios, in order to partner for broadest potential and appeal.  


2.       OFFICER NEWS – about Indiana’s President of ISFPC, David Stocking. New officers taking active in their roles 

President, David Stocking, resigned his position in late May, due to health problems. New officers have taken their roles, as nominated and voted in at the Spring Convention in Connor Prarie on May 1st. Jenny Kalahar is the new ISFPC Treasurer, after being voted in, has now taken her position as Treasurer/Membership Officer prior to the July 1st poetic year beginning. Sarah E. Morin has taken office as the new Secretary and Webmaster. She also maintains the blog connected with the isfpc.org website.  

3.       OFFICIAL ACTIVITIES – three committees formed and one official position were motioned, voted and in effect

As a team, our officers have acted to fill the void left by our open president position. Firstly, a Nominating Committee is being formed to find a president of ISFPC who can take responsibility with that office immediately following Fall Rendezvous in October of 2015. That Nominating Committee is to seek other officers, due to be filled, first nominated at Fall Rendezvous, then voted in during Spring Convention, in May of 2016. These additional offices besides mentioned, are Manningham Chair/ 2nd VP, and Contest Director (Rendezvous)/ 1st VP. The latter two officers will be put in May of 2016, to begin July of 2016. Second Committee is created to review and recommend revision to update our ISFPC Constitution, Preamble, and Bylaws; greatly needing verbiage to modernize and discuss current trends/technology. Thirdly, a Financial Committee is created for ISFPC to modernize, gain more knowledge and set mechanisms in place for to modernize and set parameters, maintain highest standards of fiscal responsibility. In addition to established and active committees, a new role is for ISFPC is Historian, to which official status is given for Sandra Nantais, who had been maintaining historical records and property. The “Historian” position is now voted and recognized by ISFPC; a great value to our organization.  

4.       NEXT EVENT – poetry contest taking place and fall event to celebrate

Now through September 1st (isfpc.org) and our ISFPC’s largest poetry event is 37th Annual Fall Rendezvous upcoming in fall. Guests and potential members are welcome. This contest runs from July 1 through September 1st (NLT 09/01/15). After judging, contest is to be awarded at our largest state event, during Fall Rendezvous, at McCormick’s Creek State Park taking place October 9th through 11th, 2015.  Besides awarding of the 27 categories this year, and reading of highlighted winning poems, attendees will enjoy entertainment, nature, music, workshops and a full-packed program for a total of two-and-a-half days. Potential poetry contestants can gain more information through the state website www.isfpc.org. As in other years, all submissions must be postmarked by September 1st, 2015, mailed to ISFPC Contest Director, with all rules followed (as on state website).  

~~END REPORT~~

Sincerely,
Caroline Dewey
ISFPC Fall Rendezvous Contest Director / 1st VP
(N.I. POETS Marketing Rep, Fort Wayne, Indiana)

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Tom Spencer, gentleman and poet. Tom served as president of ISFPC and encouraged many Hoosier poets.


Friends and Fellow Poets/Writers – you can leave your condolences on the website for his family.

 



Tom Spencer
71, of Lowell, passed away at home with loved ones, Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Survived by daughter, Lenore (John) Spitznagel of St. Louis, MO, grandsons, Nick and Ben, sister, Sandra Graves of Portage and loving companion, Doris Curless. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen and brothers, Ken and Paul. Tom attended Lowell First United Methodist Church, was a 1961 graduate of E. Gary Edison High School and Purdue in 1995. He was a Combat Engineer with the US Army, serving during Vietnam and past Commander of Lowell Am. Legion. A member of Tri Creek Historical Assoc., Friends of the Library, Gleaners, IN Writers Consortium, Write on Hoosiers, NWI Poetry Society, IN and National Federation of Poetry Clubs. Visitation will be Sunday, July 5th from 2-6 with Funeral Services Monday, 11AM all at Sheets Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 604 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell, with Cremation following services. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Tom Spencer Memorial Poetry Fund through DeMotte State Bank in Lowell. www.sheetsfuneral.com

In memory of Tom Spencer

Poet's Echo
by Mary Couch

His voice, now silent by dark of night,
No spoken poems fall from his lips,
Where once his voice, wild and free,
Now hushed, it seeks to rest.
Yet echoes on wind,
His song of life,
Lived his way,
My Poet
Friend.