Calling All Creative Writers -- or Those Yearning to be Creative

   MAHWAH -- Here's your golden opportunity to express yourself, poetically.

 The "Joyce Kilmer in the Park" poetry contest is open to people of all ages who have always wanted to exercise their poetic impulses. The contest is being conducted by the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah and the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission. 

 An entry form accompanying this article (below) may be printed and sent with your original poem. Entry forms may also be obtained in the lobby of Mahwah Township Hall, the Mahwah Public Library, and may be requested from the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission c/o dstorms@mahwahtwp.org, and from the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah at Joycekilmermahwah@aim.com.

 Deadline is July 1. Four winners selected by a panel of Commission judges will be awarded $25 honorariums at the "Joyce Kilmer in the Park" event on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 pm in Winter's Park. The awards will be presented by TD Bank.

 The contest criteria calls for original poems of maximum 16 lines on family-friendly topics and wording. Preference will given to poems about Mahwah or its environment. Poem entries should be returned by mail to Ms. Barbara Shanley, chair, Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission, 314 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430.

 The "Joyce Kilmer in the Park" event also will include re-enactments of five of Joyce Kilmer's most-admired poems, music, light refreshments and free raffles for four $25 gift certificates to Mahwah Sunoco, two dinners to Roxanne's Restaurant, two Joyce Kilmer caps and two Joyce Kilmer mugs.

Admission to the event is free.

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“Joyce Kilmer in the Park”

 Poetry Contest Entry Form

Conducted by the Joyce Kilmer Society of Mahwah and the Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission

Poem Submission Form

Please print, complete and attach this form to your original poem and return by mail  to Ms. Barbara Shanley, Chair,  Mahwah Historic Preservation Commission, 314 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430 no later than July 1, 2014. 

NAME: ________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________

PHONE: _______________________________________________________________

EMAIL: ________________________________________________________________

CRITERIA:

• Original poem of maximum 16 lines.

• Family-friendly topics and wording.

• Preference to poems about Mahwah or its environment.

With my signature below, I attest that the poem submitted is my own original work and I hereby grant permission for it to be publicly displayed if chosen.  (Children under 18 must also have a parent or guardian signature).

WRITER’S SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________

PARENT’S SIGNATURE ___________________________________________

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JULY 1, 2014