Reminder: Shelby Stephenson & Mary Ricketson to read in Murphy, NC, May 4, 2018 at the Curiosity Shop Bookstore

Curiosity Shop Bookstore of Murphy, NC and North Carolina Writers' Network West will host a poetry reading featuring special guest Shelby Stephenson, North Carolina Poet Laureate, along with Mary Ricketson, local poet and mental health counselor, followed by an open mic with local poets, on Friday May 4, 3:30-4:30 pm.  Both poets are often inspired by nature and give lively literary presentations. 

Stephenson’s work is widely published and often influenced by heritage, his early life on a hog farm in costal NC, and his exquisite observations of ordinary life.  The famed Fred Chappell, former NC Poet Laureate, compares Stephenson to Walt Whitman, saying “a poet like Stephenson will hear words as poetry, every syllable salted with the soil, every sentence a redolent wake of the plowshare.”

Ricketson currently merges her poetry with the healing and empowerment related to her profession as a counselor.

Stephenson will make an additional presentation at 6:30 pm May 4, at The Learning Center’s spring musical, “Oh, Horrors, It’s Murder,” performed by the Grow Zone Players.

Shelby Stephenson of Benson NC, is Professor Emeritus, UNC-Pembroke, serving as editor of Pembroke Magazine from 1979 until his retirement in 2010.  His recent books are Paul’s Hill: Homage to Whitman, and Our World.

Mary Ricketson, local mental health counselor and blueberry farmer, is the author three collections of poetry, I Hear the River Call My Name, Hanging Dog Creek, and a new release, Shade and Shelter.

Poets Shelby Stephenson and Mary Ricketson to read at Curiosity Shop Books and Gifts, Friday, May 4, 2018

Curiosity Shop Books and Gifts and North Carolina Writers Network-West will host a poetry reading with special guest Shelby Stephenson, the North Carolina Poet Laureate, along with Mary Ricketson, local poet and mental health counselor, followed by an open mic with local poets, on Friday May 4, 2018, 3:30-4:30 PM in the bookstore, 46 Valley River Ave, Murphy NC 28906. 

Both of the featured poets are often inspired by nature and give lively literary presentations.  Poets are invited and encouraged to participate and share their poems aloud with the NC poet laureate.

Stephenson’s work is widely published and often influenced by heritage, his early life on a hog farm in costal NC, and his exquisite observations of ordinary life.  The famed Fred Chappell, former NC Poet Laureate, compares Stephenson to Walt Whitman, saying “a poet like Stephenson will hear words as poetry, every syllable salted with the soil, every sentence a redolent wake of the plowshare.”

 Ricketson currently merges her poetry with the healing and empowerment related to her profession as a counselor.


Shelby Stephenson of Benson NC, is Professor Emeritus, UNC-Pembroke, serving as editor of Pembroke Magazine from 1979 until his retirement in 2010.  He received the Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award, 2015, Department of English, University of Wisconsin-Madison.  His recent books are Paul’s Hill:  Homage to Whitman (Sir Walter Press); Our World (Press 53); Elegies for Small Game (Press 53), winner of Roanoke-Chowan Award; Fiddledeedee (reissue, Press 53); Family Matters:  Homage to July, the Slave Girl (Bellday Books), the Bellday Prize; Maytle’s World (play). 

Mary Ricketson, local mental health counselor and blueberry farmer, has been published in Wild Goose Poetry Review, Future Cycle Press, Journal of Kentucky Studies, Old Mountain Press, Whispers, and her books, I Hear the River Call My Name, and Hanging Dog Creek.  She placed first in 2011 Joyce Kilmer national poetry contest.  She writes a monthly column, Woman to Woman, for The Cherokee Scout and has recently released a new collection of poetry, Shade and Shelter, published by Kelsay Books.

Shade and Shelter, Mary Ricketson's third poetry book, has been published with Kelsay Books

Mary A. Ricketson's new poetry book, Shade and Shelter, is available through Kelsay Books, and at
The Curiosity Shop bookstore in Murphy, NC.

Please join her at her readings planned so far, May 4, 2018 at the Curiosity Bookstore in Murphy, NC, at 3:30 pm, along with Shelby Stephenson, NC Poet Laureate, and on May 17, 2018, at the John C. Campbell Folk School, at 7 pm, for The Literary Hour.

Additionally, this book debuts her journey to merge the poet with the therapist in her. It's for 'the broken and the healing,' and she is seeking ways to work with groups for empowerment and growth.

Photos from the Second "Old Time Radio Show," February 17, 2018

First Mary Rose Therapeutic Writing Workshop to be held in Murphy, NC

Mary Rose Workshops

Mary Ricketson, poet and Licensed Professional Counselor

Rosemary Royston, writer of poetry and prose, Master of Fine Arts

You are invited to the premier presentation of Therapeutic Writing Workshops

for women,  by Mary and Rosemary.

What:

Therapeutic writing, any genre:  crafting your own poem or prose

When:

April 7, 2018, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

                      

Where:

 447 Pet Lane, Murphy NC 28906  

Directions will be provided upon registration.  Count on a 20 minute drive north of Murphy NC.

Arrive at a cabin in a quiet wooded setting.

Details:

Expressive writing about your own experience, including trauma, even for only 15 minutes a day, is known to be helpful to the immune system, stabilize blood pressure, calm the body and mind, and contribute to overall good health.

This workshop is geared toward writers of intermediate and advanced levels.

Expect informative sessions, time to write, read your own words, receive and offer critique.

Break times will allow for indoor/outdoor seating, walks, conversation or quiet solitude.

Bring a bag lunch. Healthy drinks and snacks will be provided.

Fees:

 $50 per person             

limit 12 participants

Register by contacting Mary or Rosemary:

maryricketson311@hotmail.com

rosemary28rr@gmail.com 

Fees may be paid by cash or personal check.