Bainbridge party celebrates 100 years of Stafford

Published 11:01 am Sunday, January 12, 2014

The Bainbridge Island William Stafford Centennial Celebration will take place at the library Friday, Jan. 17.

Born in 1914, William Stafford was a renowned poet who would become a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, a National Book Award winner and a Poet Laureate of the state of Oregon for more than 15 years. He published numerous books and volumes of poetry. He died in 1993.

The centennial program at the library, part of a nation-wide celebration of Stafford and his works orchestrated by the Friends of William Stafford organization, will begin with a poetry writing course led by Kathleen Flenniken, the 2012-2014 Washington State Poet Laureate from 1 to 5 p.m.

The celebration will continue from 7 to 9 p.m. with a video presentation, reflections on Stafford by special guests including Flenniken, Gayle Kaune, Peter Quinn and David Stallings, as well as readings of selected Stafford poems and poems inspired by him from guests and attendees.

Registration is required for the afternoon writing workshop. Visit www.fieldsend.org to reserve a place. The cost is $50.

The evening program is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served.