York County Libraries
Poetry Celebration Contest
York County Libraries is seeking entries for their 31st annual A Celebration of Poetry competition.
The contest is open to York County and Adams County students in grades one through 12. Interested young people can submit an original poem to the contest until Friday, January 24.
Entries will be judged by a panel of local educators and poets. First, second, third and fourth place winners will be selected from the following age groups: 1st-2nd grade, 3rd-4th grade, 5th-6th grade, 7th-8th grade, 9th-10th grade and 11th-12th grade .
The winning poems will be published on the York County Libraries website and in a booklet that will be added to the library’s collection.
Winners will be invited to read their poetry at the Celebration of Poetry event at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8 at the Martin Library, 159 E. Market St. The celebration event is open to the public.
Students interested in entering the competition must write an original poem in the style of their choice. The poem should be written by the individual and not as part of a group or collaboration. Adding original artwork to poetry entries is allowed but not required.
Entries can be submitted by email, online, by mail, or at the Martin Library Children’s Library. Contest rules and the official entry form are available online at poet.yorklibraries.org. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Johnson at 717-849-6933 or youthprograms@yorklibraries.org.
Martin Library
Author Ron Kirkwood will speak
Local author Ron Kirkwood will speak at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4 at the Martin Library about his book, “Too Much for Human Endurance: The George Spangler Farm Hospitals and the Battle of Gettysburg.”
Using a host of first-hand accounts, Kirkwood’s book reveals the untold stories of the George Spangler family, their 166-acre farm, the paramedics, surgeons and nurses who worked to save lives. and wounded who suffered and died there.
The program at the Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., is free and books will be available for purchase and autograph.
Kirkwood argues that, logistically, the George Spangler Farm was the most important farm in the Battle of Gettysburg. His book features newly found information on Confederate Brig. General Lewis A. Armistead’s time at Spangler, the Granite Schoolhouse Hospital, the Spanglers, the Artillery Reserve, and the stories emerging from the two onsite hospitals. The names, injuries, and treatment of over 1,400 men at the XI Corps hospital are listed in the book.
Those interested in attending the presentation can register on the Martin Library’s online events calendar at yorklibraries.org/events, by emailing AdultPrograms@yorklibraries.org or by calling 717-849-6926. For directions or more information about the library, go to yorklibraries.org/york-martin.
