Southern Minnesota Poets Society

southernmnpoets@mnpoets.org

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For all who enjoy reading, sharing, or writing poetry

SMPS welcomes all who share an interest in reading, studying or writing poetry. Our monthly brown-bag luncheon meetings feature discussions and programs about poetry, plus sharing of poems by SMPS members. Our monthly Thursday gatherings feature Poetry Readings and Poetry Film Nights. Members also participate in collaborative projects and performances with other regional arts groups, and in a variety of other poetry events around the state and the nation. All are welcome! For more information about SMPS, contact Jana Bouma, SMPS President, (507) 243-4050. SMPS is a chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets, which is an affiliate of the National Federation of State Poets Societies. SMPS is also a member of the Twin Rivers Center for the Arts, a consortium to promote the arts in south-central Minnesota.

SMPS President:
Jana Bouma
935 Melwood Ct.
Madison Lake, MN 56063
(507) 243-4050
jbouma@hickorytech.net

Meeting Location:
Emy Frentz Arts Guild
523 So. 2nd St.
Mankato, MN
(East side of 2nd St., between Cherry and Warren Streets, next to the Mankato YWCA)

2007-2008 Program Schedule

Saturday Brown-Bag Luncheon Meetings
Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - Meeting & Program: 1:00 p.m.
Sep. 8 "Arts at the Center of Community," Shannon Robinson, Director, Twin Rivers Center for the Arts
Oct. 20 (NOTE: THIRD Saturday of Oct.!) Guest panel: Arrowhead Poets (Duluth, MN)
Nov. 10 Rebecca Fremo, Associate Professor of English, Gustavus Adolphus College
Dec. 8 Holidays and Poetry!
Jan. 12 Poetry Critique Session
Feb. 9 Guest Panel: MSU Student Poets
Mar. 8 Panel: The Adventure of the Poetry Contest
Apr. 12 "Writing Poetry in a Small Town," Phil Bryant, Associate Professor of English, Gustavus Adolphus College
May 10 Steve Reagles, Professor of Communication and Religion, Bethany Lutheran College
June 14 Annual Picnic (Location TBA)

Thursday Poetry Evenings
Third Thursday of the month - 7:00 p.m. - Emy Frentz Guild
Oct. 18 Poetry Reading
Nov. 15 Poetry Film Night
~No Poetry Evening in Dec.~
Jan. 17 Poetry Reading
Feb. 21 Poetry Reading
Mar. 20 Poetry Film Night
Apr. 17 Poetry Reading
May 15 Poetry Reading

Poetry Retreats

All poets welcome! Overnight accommodations are provided, and meals are "pot luck." ("Drop-in" guests are also welcome.) These retreats provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere in which to gain inspiration, share poems, and learn about poetry. There is NO CHARGE to attend the retreats, but guests are asked to "pitch in" to provide food and assist with meal prep and cleanup. Each guest will also give a presentation on some aspect of poetry.

Blizzard Retreat
Fri., Jan. 27 to Sun., Jan. 29, 2008
Home of Susan Chambers, Good Thunder, MN

Woodtick Retreat
Fri., July 18 to Sun., July 20, 2008
Chambers family cabin near Brainerd, MN

For retreat information, or to sign up for a retreat, contact:
Susan Chambers, (507) 278-4200, chambersmediator@yahoo.com