Poetry in Portage

 From Victims of Crime to Endangered Species, There is Poetry in Portage
 
On August 6,  Poetry in Portage will host 2 poets with diverse backgrounds but similar sensibilities at Suzy’s Steakhouse & Seafood restaurant, in Portage.  Whether helping victims of crime or endangered plants and animals, Gillian Nevers and Sandra Stark, write poetry that witnesses the truth in all life forms.  

Readings begin at 6:30 with an open mic invitation for members of the audience to share an original or favorite poem.    

Gillian Nevers started writing poetry in 2002 after retiring from a career working with victims of crime.  A Pushcart Prize-nominated writer, Gillian’s poems have appeared in several print and online literary magazines and anthologies. Her chapbook, The True Story, (Fullers Windy Acres Farm Press) won second prize in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets’ 2019 Chapbook contest. She was second prize winner in the 2008 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters statewide poetry contest and received an Honorable Mention in the Academy’s 2019 statewide poetry contest. 
Gillian has a degree in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a concentration in printmaking and painting, which may explain why many of her poems are influenced by works of art. She has two grown sons and lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, Dan.

Sandy Stark is retired from teaching literature and communication skills in 2005 to pursue native plant restoration, birding, and writing more poems. She has two published collections, Counting on Birds (2010) and The Toolbox Poems (2015), more binoculars and shovels, and is working on poems about growing up in a military family, tentatively titled Home Base.
 
Her book, The Toolbox Poems, was awarded 2nd place in 2017 Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets chapbook contest 

Come early and share a meal with the poets.  We usually dine around 5:00 pm.  Just ask to be seated with the poets. Suzy’s Steakhouse is located at 2701 County Rd CX in Portage.