Celebrate National Poetry Month’s finale at the Poetry Salon on Friday, May 1, 2026, by the fireplace in the Library Reading Room. Local poet Rob Hunter will lead us in reading this year’s Community Poem, created from community submissions inspired by the NEA Big Read project, “Building Hope and Connection Through Our Landscape.” The collective poem celebrates our community’s connection to nature. The salon will also welcome guests to share original or favorite poems in a cozy group setting, facilitated by local poet Kiev Rattee. All poetry is welcome!
This event has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The goals of the NEA Big Read are to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

MCL and MFFC’s NEA Big Read Project, “Building Hope and Connection Through Our Landscape,” focuses on bringing the people of the Northshire together at the intersection of nature and community.