The Borough of Pitman to Celebrate Poems on Parade during the Month of April
Chances are if you visit the town of Pitman during the month of April you will see poems written by school children, residents and community members on display in many of the windows of participating businesses, inside the McCowan Library and at United Methodist Communities at Pitman. This month-long celebration, the brainchild of Irene Donnelly and Lynne Nelson, is known around town as Pitman Poems on Parade (PPonP).
Donnelly and Nelson, both Pitman residents (and co-workers at Pitman Middle School) came up with the idea after reading a magazine article in 2014 about Poem City (Montpelier, VT). “We thought that we could take this idea of displaying original poetry in store windows and apply it to small town Pitman. April was the natural choice since it is National Poetry Month,” said the two organizers.
Back again this year will be Tux the Penguin, the official PPonP mascot, who along with high school students dressed as penguins, will parade down Broadway on Friday, April 22 (weather permitting) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to generate interest and awareness of the poems.
New in 2016: an open house reception at McCowan Library on Friday, April 22 between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. All PPonP poets, their friends, family and community members are invited to attend. The modern day writers will recite their poems for interested guests while actors dressed as well-known poets of yesteryear will interact with attendees. No reservation is required and everyone is welcome to attend. The PPonP Penguins wills be popping into the reception as well that evening. In addition, visitors are encouraged to stop by Pitman Manor from April 5th to April 30 to read the more than a dozen poems written by Borough residents that will be on display.
“We plan to continue this event annually, adding events and giving Pitman residents and the community at large an opportunity to enjoy poetry,” said Donnelly and Nelson who add, “Additional information can be found on our web site pitmanpoemsonparade.weebly.com or our Facebook page.”
