COFFEE WITH THE POETS

Michelle (Mary Mike) Keller did an excellent job as MC at Coffee With the Poets held Wednesday, June 9, at Phillips and Lloyd Book Shop on the square in Hayesville, North Carolina. We had a good attendance and enjoyed hearing the poets share their work during open mic.

Maren Mitchell and Michelle (Mary Mike) Keller were the featured readers at Coffee With the Poets. Glenda Barrett was schedule as featured reader, but was not able to attend. She will be scheduled to share her work at another time.

A special visitor who attended Coffee With the Poets was Mary Fonda, head librarian at Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville, NC. Mary supports our writers at the library. She sponsors an annual Christmas reading and party for the writers.

During Coffee With the Poets, we celebrated the publication of Mary Lou McKillip's book, HARMONY AND TRUE GRIT.

Nancy Simpson wrote a blurb for this book: "Mary Lou McKillip is an Appalachian born author who is also a natural born storyteller. Her historical fiction begins during the Revolutionary War when John Samuel Waddell falls in love with and marries Naomi, the author's ancestor, a full blood Cherokee...These stories (in the book) are filled with conflict, mystery, sadness, and humor."

Mary Lou lives in Marble, North Carolina with her husband, Truman. They have a place near Branson, Missouri and spend time there.

She writes poems and songs. Her work has been published in LIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS, MOONSHINE AND BLIND MULES, and upcoming in ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE. Mary Lou wrote a column, "Southern Corn Cob Humor," in the SENTINEL newspapers.

For information about her book, contact Mary Lou at: temck42@hotmail.com