The Wood County Committee on Aging held its ninth annual poetry banquet this week and drew in 22 entries
from all over Wood County.
The poems reflected the individual’s personal feelings about life, hope, dreams and love, which
celebrated the heart and souls of the participants as they have enjoyed "Life’s Moments."
A celebration for the entries and recognition of the winners took place on Tuesday, April 29 at 4 p.m. at
the Wood County Senior Center.
Nancy Jean from Perrysburg, author of "And We Grow," was the declared winner.
The second place winner was Larry E. Slaughterbeck from North Baltimore, with his poem "A Plastic
Cream Colored Philco."
Colleen Dunn of Bowling Green received an honorable mention for "God’s Children."
One of the contest judges was Chad Michael Van Buskirk, a Bowling Green State University General Studies
writing instructor. "The pieces submitted remind us that thoughts of memory, desire, loss, and
resilience are perennial" and not limited to people of a certain age, he noted.
"Reviewing the submissions is always an enjoyable, enlightening process."
The poetry program and banquet was sponsored Sunset Retirement Communities and Ashanti Hospice, while
BGSU assisted with the judging of the entries.
To read the winning poems visit the senior center blog at http:/woodcountycommitteeonaging.blogspot.com