Skip Navigation Links

Filger Library hosts poetry reading

Friday, April 29, 2016 - Posted 10:17:12 AM

Above are the poets at the Filger Library poetry reading Thursday evening. From the left is Judith Valente, Susan Baller-Shepard, Bill Morgan and Charles Reynard.

The Filger Library played host to a list of distinguished guests from Bloomington/Normal at a poetry reading Thursday evening as part of Poetry Month Celebration. The reading was hosted by Charles Reynard, a retired judge of the Eleventh Circuit in Illinois.


Mr. Reynard read several of his poems touching on the beauty of the Midwest landscape.



Judith Valente, an award winning journalist for WGLT and PBS, read several of her poems one which illuminated the mysteries of the moon and the universe.




Bill Morgan, a retired professor from ISU, read several poems emphasizing the beauty of the flat land of Central Illinois. Mr. Morgan said he moved to Central Illinois 47 years ago from the Blue Ridge Mountains and vowed not to stay after seeing the endless horizon of the Midwest. However, he soon recognized the beauty of the prairie and remained here.


Susan Baller-Shepard, a professor at Heartland College and a Presbyterian minister is also an award winning writer. She read several poems touching on spirituality.



Anne Duback was the brave audience participant.



In addition to the poetry readings, award winning photographs of nature were on display by Mary Jo Adams shown in the background, Vickie Robertson, Kathy Clesson, and Ellen Dietz.

After the poetry readings refreshments were served and books of poetry by the visiting poets were available for purchase.