** NOTE: In light of the Covid 19 epidemic that has many of us at home for the foreseeable future, here is an activity that can be done anywhere, at any time of day, and your work can be submitted online. **
This year, Strafford is celebrating 200 years as an independent town, and to mark the occasion, all sorts of festivities are planned for this summer. Our town is home to many wonderful artists, including poet Charles Simic, who won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, and was also Poet Laureate of the United States. Mr. Simic is writing poems about Strafford, which he will read at an event this coming August. Our contest winners will also be invited to read at the event.
Judges will not know who wrote any of the poems but will choose a winner based on the quality of the poem and how well it captures some aspect of our beautiful town.
The winner will receive a beautiful certificate, a gift card from a local bookstore and other poetry related goodies. 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded at the judges' discretion.
AND BY THE WAY: There are also poetry contests for Strafford Middle School and Coe-Brown Northwood Academy students. All contest winners will be invited to read at the final event.