Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah: Poetry Contest Winners Honored

Written by Alex Michelini of the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah

They walked in the footsteps of acclaimed poet Joyce Kilmer in the town where he lived and wrote one of the world’s most popular poems, “Trees.”

Four Mahwah area poets achieved their own literary recognition when they were declared winners of the Joyce Kilmer Poetry Contest (July 30) at the “Joyce Kilmer in the Park” event in Winter’s Park before an appreciative audience of more than 100 people.

The program, presented by the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah, also included reenactments of five of Joyce Kilmer’s most-admired poems by a cast of 10 local actors, headed by Mahwah’s own actor/director Tom Walker.

Barbara Shanley, chair of the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission, who headed a panel of three Commission judges, announced the winners -- 1st Place, Lydia Sulikowski, Mahwah, “Commodore Perry School; A Memory;” 2nd Place, Nicole Paglia-Spinella, Mahwah, “The Nest in Kilmer’s Tree;” 3rd Place, John Bashian, Mahwah, “Seasons;” 4th Place, Doreen Kovach, Dumont, NJ, “Painted Sky.” Each winner was presented a $25 cash gift by Ryan Jarup, manager of Mahwah’s TD Bank.

Mayor Bill Laforet, official host of the event, welcomed the crowd.

“It was a perfect evening in a beautiful park and the cast put on a great performance,” said Alex Michelini, the program narrator and founder of the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah. “Mahwah is Kilmer Country, and we are proud to present his legacy to the public a century after he lived here and wrote his most important works here, including “Trees,” in house a few blocks away at the southwest corner of Airmount and Armour Roads.”

In addition to the poetry winners, 10 members of the audience won prizes in the free raffle -- four $25 gift certificates and two Roxanne Restaurant dinners, courtesy of Mahwah Sonoco; and two Joyce Kilmer caps and two Joyce Kilmer mugs, courtesy of the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah.

Complimentary water bottles and bags of chips were served as well as cucumber sandwiches by the Circle of Poetry of Tenafly.

For more information, contact the Joyce Kilmer Society at joycekilmermahwah@aim.com

Photo courtesy of Alex Michelini