POETRY READING SCHEDULE



2021



~ JUNE ~


June 3: Dr. Scott Simerlein, La Porte County Poet Laureate


June 9: Dr Scott Simerlein, La Porte County Poet Laureate

June 10: Sandy Young, Arts in the Park Board President


June 16: Leigh Morris, former mayor of La Porte

June 17: Brett Starr, author of Random Acts of Poetry


June 23: Julie Kessler, La Porte County Poet Laureate Emerita (2012-2013)

June 24: Jo Ellyn Chadwick, Pastor of Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church


June 30: Mary Hedge, Information Librarian at La Porte County Public Library

July 1: Dr. Scott Simerlein, La Porte County Poet Laureate


~ JULY ~


July 7: Leigh Morris, former mayor of La Porte

July 8: Jo Ellyn Chadwick, Pastor of Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church


July 14: Eric Wooding, Life Enrichment Director at Brentwood

July 15: Gloria Thode, Arts in the Park Committee Member with special guest Betty Douglas Thode


July 21: Susan Russell, member of Maple City Word Crafters Writers Group

July 22: Earl Miller, Arts in the Park Committee Member


July 28: Leigh Morris, former mayor of La Porte

July 29: Julie Kessler, La Porte County Poet Laureate Emerita (2012-2013)


~ AUGUST ~


August 4: Mary Kay Steele and Eric Wooding

August 5: Greg Coulter, Community Engagement Librarian at LaPorte County Public Library


August 11: Mary Kay Steele, Librarian at Handley Elementary School August 12: Dr. Scott Simerlein, La Porte County Poet Laureate

~ Book Signing Night ~


August 19: Greg Coulter, Community Engagement Librarian at LaPorte County Public Library


August 26: Laura Hernandez-Myers, author of two books of poetry (Wearing Our Insides Out and The Circle of Kindred Spirits)


September 2: Dr. Scott Simerlein, La Porte County Poet Laureate




September 1 and 2

Book signing event

with local authors



Seven Authors, One Amazing Night!



The authors



Dr. Anastasia Trekles



Dr. Anastasia Trekles is an instructional designer, educator, and animal welfare volunteer in the Northwest Indiana region.



John Enrique Thompson



John Thompson is an artist, historian, and professor of Graphic Design at Indiana University South Bend. His graphic narrative and true crime book stands as a testimonial of his passion for local history and the arts.



Dr. Scott Simerlein



Dr. Scott Simerlein is a lifelong resident of La Porte Indiana and graduated valedictorian of his class at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is a professor, a coordinator of a local writers group and was named La Porte County Poet Laureate in 2013.



Brett Starr



Brett Starr is a mechanical engineer in Northwest IN. Through his life experiences, he has accumulated many poems and was recently encouraged to publish them in a book that is a delight for any day in any mood.



Sandra L. Young



Sandra's appreciation for vintage clothing inspired her to write her debut novel, Divine Vintage, which she set in semi-fictionalized Michigan City. She collects vintage clothing, performs in community theater, and sings with Blue Sky Music to round our her love for the Arts.



Mary Marie Allen



Novelist Mary Marie Allen is a La Porte County native who also enjoys writing easy to read contemporary poetry. Named La Porte County Poet Laureate in 2010, Allen has written four books of poetry, tow novels, and is currently working on a cozy mystery.



The literature



Core: A Chronicle of M'Gistryn

By: Dr. Anastasia Trekles



In Trekles' debut novel, she explores issues of war, coming of age, and the fulfillment of our life's purpose set within a gripping fantasy world!



The Comely Widow: The Crimes of Serial Killer Belle Gunness

By: John Enrique Thompson



This easy to read, yet highly engaging story, heavily researched by John Thompson, helps to set the record straight on the historic crimes of Belle Gunness as well as educate and entertain!



Unsheathed: An Epic Fanasty Collection

By: Dr. Scott Simerlein



The Unsheathed Collection, brought to you by Dr. Scott Simerlein, brings to life nine powerhouse tales of epic fantasy filled with daring duels, gruesome slaughters, and the ringing cacophony of battle!



Random Acts of Poetry:
Poems Best read with Coffee or Tea

Brett Starr



Take a break from the fast life and breath. Exercise your mind and let it paint a picture. Read a poem a day and ask yourself if and how it applies to you. Through Brett Starr's life experiences comes poems entirely relatable and enjoyable.



The literature



God's Love Most Gentle

By: May Marie Allen


A pregnant Kim Macomb returns from Zaire Africa where the 1995 coupe has claimed her husband's life. She struggles to recover but a secret drives her further from God. Friends and family are swept up in her search for forgiveness and peace that also forces them to face their own frailties.



In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion.

By: William Beirly


"In God We Trust" has appeared on American money since the Civil War. William Bierly tells how the national motto came to be.



Sirens of Sowle

By: Jay Erickson


The Sirens of Sowle is the swashbuckling tale of an entirely female pirate crew.




Concert & Fine Art Series