On Saturday evening, August 24th, a reading, book launch, and celebration was held at the Eastport Arts Center to honor area poets. EAC program manager and tech coordinator Jude Kempe noted of the well-attended gathering, "It was huge! We used every chair we had." The winners were announced, and altogether, 16 poets were present to read their poems. Poems by the absent winners were read by the contest organizers.
If a prize had been given for farthest traveled, it would have been awarded to poet Dustin Flint, who drove from Sangerville with his family for the occasion. Flint is a frequent visitor to Lubec and Pembroke, and was delighted to join the festivities Downeast and read his poem.
EAC board president Catherine Adelman welcomed the poets and their families and friends. Chick Moore spoke on the origins of the contest and plans going forward. A social hour with cake followed the readings. All poets received a copy of the anthology, “Connecting Nature,” which is now available on Amazon. Some poets were observed signing their poems in each other’s books, and all agreed it was a delightful evening.
Competition organizers are very pleased to announce this year's winners, chosen in a blind judging process by Molly McDonald (youth entries) and Jeri Theriault (adult entries).
The first-prize winner in the youth division is Cecilia Hopkins of Trescott. The tying second-place winners are Alexi Sellars of London, UK, and Kayla Huynh of Henderson, Nevada. Ace Styles of Robbinston is awarded honorable mention.
In the adult division, the first prize goes to Dennis Camire of Norway, Maine. Second-prize winner is Meredith Mawhar of Cathance Township. Valerie Lawson of Robbinston receives third place, and honorable mentions go to John Reinhart of Brunswick, Maine, and Nancy Sobanik of Lyman, Maine.
The 2024 theme was “nature and our connection to it,” which drew 72 entries. The contest is funded by the generous support of Charles “Chick” Moore of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Eastport.
