September 9th -- The Dead Poets Remembrance Day 2014 celebration in Maine will take place this year in Portland's Western Cemetery at 5 PM, on Friday, October 10th.
"We are so glad to have 3 of Maine's finest poets on hand to help us celebrate our amazing literary history," said Walter Skold, the head of the Dead Poets Society of America. "Annie Finch, Steve Luttrell, and Megan Grumbling are going to be presenting the work of Maine poets Edna St. Vincent Millay, Pat Murphy, and Anne Hazelwood-Brady."
Western Cemetery was chosen because 3 other Maine authors and poets are buried there: Samuel Longfellow,John Neal, and Rev. Elijah Kellogg.
"Each year, besides celebrating our leading poetic voices, we try to bring back the voices of poets either forgotten or less well-known," said Skold. "Both Anne Hazelwood-Brady and John Neal, though more than a century apart, are both connected as activists for feminism in their day."
"We are privileged that Maine Historical Society research librarian, William Barry, will be presenting on the remarkable and unusual life of John Neal," he added.
David H. Hackett III will share some humorous stories and poetry from the life of the Rev. Elijah Kellogg, whose books for young boys were known across the USA. Kellogg was also a sort of unofficial class poet during his years at Bowdoin College.
The event is free and all are welcome to celebrate Maine's literary heritage at the graves of three "forgotten" poets.
The event will take place even in a light drizzle, but if there is a dangerous downpour we will hopeully have a rain location as a backup.