Readings and Recognition Headline Canton’s Short Story and Poetry Writing Contest Awards

The winners of Canton’s second annual Short Story and Poetry Writing Contest, “,”were applauded April 7 at the during an evening that included recognition and awards for their achievement and public reading of their works.

Authors come in all shapes and sizes, genders and ages, and the Community Room at the Canton Library was abuzz with their diverse voices as they awaited the beginning of the presentation.  The room was filled with friends and family members there to appreciate the winners, who had previously been announced in .

Kathy Fox Alfano, the Chairman of both the Canton Public Library Board of Trustees and the Canton Cultural Council, welcomed the audience and authors provided the purpose behind this, the second annual writing contest.

The contest was sponsored by the The Canton Cultural Council and The Canton Citizen.

Writers could submit one story, one poem, or one of each. Age categories were Elementary, Middle School, High School, Young Adult (19-30) or Adult. Winning entries were selected anonymously by a panel of judges

The competition was judged by Rebecca Hays, Joan Halperin, and Mary Ann Trupe for poetry.

In the Prose Category, Beverly Beckham, Beth Erickson, George Comeau, Bernie Mendillo, Betsy Sternmon and Carolyn Elkort judged.

Joseph E. Hulme, Susan Tomasi and Suzanne Woodman, all winners in the Adult Prose category, treated the audience to readings of their work, and Arielle Vishny, a double first place winner in both Prose and Poetry in the High School Category, read both of her winning entries. Other winning authors contributed as well.

In addition to publication in The Canton Citizen, each winning entry is also included in “Canton Writes,” a collection of writings published by the . The proceeds from the sales of this book go toward library initiatives.  It was available in hard or paperback form after the awards.