News

Edgerton Celebrates April - National Poetry Month
Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is an annual celebration of poetry and its place in literature and our lives. Arts organizations, libraries, publishers, bookstores and schools hold events throughout April to shine a light on poems and poets and to encourage people to read poetry all year long.

The Arts Council of Edgerton (ACE) is planning events throughout April and May to celebrate poetry. Edgerton’s first-ever Poem in Your Pocket Day takes place on Thursday, April 14th.

The idea is simple: carry your favorite poem in a pocket or purse and share it with friends, neighbors and anyone you meet. ACE volunteers will be handing out poems at area businesses throughout the day.

From Saturday, April 16 through the 30th, ACE is also sponsoring Poet-Trees throughout Edgerton.

What is a Poet-Tree? A Poet-Tree is a tree adorned with poetry. The temporary gallery of poems will hang from trees on West Fulton Street between Main and Albion.

The last event spills into May as ACE is bringing Wisconsin’s poet laureate, Bruce Dethlefsen to Edgerton High School and the Edgerton Performing Arts Center on May 18th.

Appointed to the post in November 2010 by former Governor Jim Doyle, Dethlefsen is the recipient of multiple poetry awards. He has written three books and recorded one CD. During the day, Dethlefsen will be working with high school English students before appearing at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center for a poetry reading and open mic event in the evening. Additional detail will be provided once the time of the event is confirmed.

Poetry Month Dedicated to Karin Jordan
Earlier this year, Edgerton lost a wonderful woman, Karin Jordan. Karin died February 13, 2011. She was a retired teacher, active community volunteer and advocate for those less fortunate than herself. Karin and her family volunteered each year for the Arts Council’s Early Music Concert on Wartmann Prairie. At her memorial service, friends and family recalled Karin’s love of poetry. In memory of our friend, the Arts Council is dedicating this year’s poetry month events to Karin.

ACE Donates $900 to Edgerton Public
Library’s Summer Reading Program
At its March 23rd meeting, the Arts Council of Edgerton’s board of directors awarded $900 to the Edgerton Public Library for its summer reading program, “One World, Many Stories.” The summer reading program is an annual event open to all ages. Through the program, the community will explore far away places through stories, crafts, music, dance, and other activities. The library plans to use the funds to pay for supplies.

ACE Welcomes New Board Members Kongslie and Paulman
In February 2011, Amy Kongslie and Michelle Paulman of Edgerton joined the Arts Council of Edgerton’s board of directors as members-at-large for a two-year term. Kongslie, whose background includes advertising and graphic design, previously volunteered for ACE’s Poems on the Pavement project and its Chilimania booth.

Paulman, who has a background in journalism and photography, also volunteered at ACE’s Chilimania booth last year and has photographed the Early Music Concert on Wartmann Prairie. Welcome Amy and Michelle!

Jennah DeVoll Receives ACE College Scholarship
In January 2011, Edgerton resident Jennah DeVoll received a $500 scholarship from the Arts Council of Edgerton toward her college education. DeVoll, an accomplished clarinetist, was selected as the recipient of the scholarship based on her essay which focused on her experiences with community service and music.

DeVoll attends Edgewood College in Madison where she studies chemistry and music. Her goal is to become a pharmacist. She earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average in her first semester of college. Congratulations, Jennah.

Edgerton High School seniors are eligible to apply for the scholarship by completing an application form and writing a brief essay. Requirements for the scholarship include maintaining a first semester grade point average of C or higher and providing proof of continued enrollment in semester two.

Madama Butterfly Ticket Giveaway
Rita Fox of Edgerton won two tickets to the January 15, 2011 performance of Madama Butterfly courtesy of the Arts Council of Edgerton. Thank you to the Edgerton Public Library staff for hosting the drawing.

To promote the arts in our community, the Arts Council has been giving away two tickets to each show at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center during its 2010-11 season. Area businesses host the drawings for the ticket giveaways as a way of saying thank you to their customers.

Youth Art Month Reception a Success
On March 25th, the Youth Art Month reception was held at Edgerton Elementary School. ACE was on hand to provide refreshments to parents and students as they browsed the gallery of artwork. Youth Art Month or YAM is celebrated each March. Events throughout the country emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and encourage public support for quality school art programs

ACE to Fund Three, Half-Scholarships in 2010
In February, the ACE board of directors approved the funding of three, half scholarships for the band program at Edgerton Middle School. The partial scholarships will fund summer music camp experiences for middle school students.