Mahwah Joyce Kilmer Society Appoints New President

MAHWAH, NJ — The Joyce Kilmer Society has appointed a new president.

Patricia Langdale has replaced Alex Michelini, the group's founder and only president.

"It's time to pass the torch," said Michelini, who founded the society in 2013. “I am pleased to make this appointment and have the utmost confidence in the leadership of Patricia Langdale to continue carrying out our educational mission of highlighting the acclaimed legacy of Kilmer and encouraging public participation in poetry, particularly among young people.”

Michelini will serve as president emeritus and will advise and help Langdale if needed.

Langdale is the society's vice president. She was instrumental in providing lectures on Kilmer's life.

Michelini proved that Kilmer wrote "Trees" in his Mahwah house Feb. 2, 1913. The poem is one of the most popular poems in the English language. Kilmer died fighting for France in World War I in 1918.

Langdale has been instrumental in providing lectures and exhibits on the life of Kilmer. She hosted the first-ever exhibit on Kilmer's life at the Mahwah Boiling Springs Savings Bank. She also provided the meeting place for the society and community officials planning the planting of trees.

The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce named Langdale citizen of the year for heading up the bank's Community Alliance Program, which helped raise more than $150,000 for more than 21 local nonprofits.

"I remember as a young schoolgirl memorizing 'Trees' with my classmates, and to think that now I will be leading the way for the public appreciation of this splendid poem 'Trees' and the full range of Joyce Kilmer’s literary life and valor in World War I is truly an honor and a privilege," Langdale said. "I pledge to continue the trail-blazing work of those before me and to reach for new horizons with the able assistance of our officers and advisory group and the inspiration of our founder."

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Photo: Patricia Langdale (Courtesy of Joyce Kilmer Society)