(NOTE: Due to the presidential debates, WordFest has been postponed one week to Tuesday, October 14th.)
Getting into the spirit of the season, our next WordFest gathering will celebrate “spooky words”–providing what Edith Wharton called “the fun of the shudder.”
Local storyteller Leslie Slape will offer two short tales, one is fiction, “The Haunted Hatchery,” and one is nonfiction(?), “The Haunted Motorcycle.”
Mary Lyons departs from her usual adult memoir format to read a short story for children, “‘Not too scary, Mary!'”–about family and fears during a time of ghosts, goblins and war.
Richard Yates will read several poems from a sequence he wrote entitled, “Different Ways the World Ends,” based on apocalyptic dreams he’s had. Richard is a student in the MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Program at Portland State University. He was one of the presenters at the Raymond Carver Writing Festival in May, has been the poetry editor for the Salmon Creek Journal, and is an independent “zine” publisher.
Linda Eddleston will read a short story she wrote for a Hallowe’en party, entitled “The Haunted House,” complete with sound effects (woooooo!)
Humorist Jane Still reads a very short poem about something spooky, “Oh, What a Sight!”
Alan Rose, organizer of the monthly WordFest series and the host of the new KLTV program, “Book Chat,” will read a scene from his paranormal mystery, The Legacy of Emily Hargraves.
Following the presenters, there will be the Open Mic time, and people are encouraged to read from works that fit the spooky theme for the evening.
The Brits Tea Shoppe will open at 5:30 p.m. and people can order a light supper prior to the program. Owner Alice Dietz offers a special menu for the evening:
Turkey Pesto Sandwich $7.50
Veggie Sandwich $7.00
Chicken Caesar Wraps $7.50
Soups $3.75 Chicken Dumpling, Vegetarian Lentil, and Split Pea with Ham
To make it easier and more convenient for everyone, people can order and pay for their food when they first arrive. Alice will also have two coffee stations available for people to serve themselves.