Friends Meeting July 24, 2005

Poets' Day


Friends President Jeanne Larcombe welcomed the members and the visiting poets.	Library Director Sue Burton provided an update on the Churchland Library situation.

J. Brewer Moore, Portsmouth History Commissioner, discussed the Flag Day celebration held this past June at which time a 15 star and striped US flag was hoisted at the High Street Landing. This was the same flag configuration which served as the inspiration to Francis Scott Key to write the verse for The Star Spangled Banner. Mr. Moore's project for next year will be focused on the book 1776 by David McCullough.

Chris Cross and Rose Mary Rakowski are part of the assembled group at the Main Library.

Guests enjoy the tasty refreshments.

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Virginia Authors Series

Our Virginia Authors Series featured Henry E. "Pete" Freas, founder of the Chesapeake Portsmouth Poets, and one of the editors of their annual collection of local poetry, Skipping Stones.

Pete Freas, retired Navy pilot, retired teacher, and poet gave a most enthusiastic history of his organization, and some hints on how to bring out the poetry in all of us. He shared a few of his favorite poems with the group.

One of the CHESPORT POETS shares some of his contributions.