Readings at folk school
Local authors scheduled for Jan. 18

Sentinel photo by Ann B. Doran Above, Shirley Uphouse

All are welcome to join other poetry and prose lovers for a reading on Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. at the John C. Campbell Folk School.

The evening will feature two local writers. The program includes the prose of Shirley Uphouse and poetry by Mary Ricketson. There is no charge for admission.

Shirley Uphouse is the Program Coordinator for the North Carolina Writers Network West, which includes the eight westernmost counties of North Carolina and northern Georgia. Upon retiring to the area 15 years ago, she began writing personal essays about life, the beautiful mountains, and the small towns.

Shirley is an avid dog lover and is often inspired to write by her own three Australian Shepherds. Shirley has published in Appalachian Heritage, Smoky Mountain Living, Main Street Rag, the Rambler and others. She also co-edited an anthology, Lights in the Mountains, and teaches Creative Writing at Tri-County Community College.

Mary Ricketson has a long career as a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor in private practice in Murphy.

Mary has a special interest in women's issues, victims of abuse, and family and couples relationships. Her work is well known locally, and she is listed in Who's Who in American Women.

Mary Ricketson lives in a hand-made house in the woods, where she plants and maintains an organic blueberry farm. Her poems reflect her connections with a wealth of people along with her close bond to the Earth.

Mary has recently completed her first chapbook of poetry, I Hear the River Call My Name. Her poetry has been published in Lights in the Mountains, Freeing Jonah IV, various magazines, and in Disorgananza, a private collection distributed among family and friends in 2000.

For 12 years she has written a monthly column, "Woman to Woman," for a weekly newspaper in Murphy, N.C., The Cherokee Scout. She is a member of North Carolina Writers Network.

On the third Thursday of each month (excluding July), local writers will be featured at the John C. Campbell Folk School. The time is 7 p.m. and admission is free. So mark your calendars now and come and enjoy both poetry and prose from area writers.

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