Scrapbook item
In recognition of April as National Poetry Month, we’ve included a selection of works by Worthington poets through the decades.
Many poems appeared in Worthington newspapers, including those by Mary Watts. As described in a July 20, 1939 “Worthington News” article, Watts won first place with the Verse Writers Guild of Ohio for “most interesting poetry collection,” which consisted of a large collection of moths as well as a poem describing the winged beauties. The same article mentions Worthington resident Dorothy Albaugh, whose poem “Keepers of the Sun” won second place.
Another prize winner was local author Marie Vandergrift, whose poem “Possession” was featured in 250 different savings and loan magazines across the U.S. in summer, 1959. Her writing talents didn’t stop with poetry; as described in a May 11, 1944 “Worthington News” article, her feature article “An American Woman’s Eye Witness Account of Greek Invasion” won first place in the annual contest of the National League of American Pen Women. Vandegrift took a radio dramatic script writing course at The Ohio State University, and her plays were broadcast over the WOSU radio station.
Barbara Burrows was another multi-talented artist. Acclaimed as a choreographer and dance instructor, she also published a collection of poems in 1970. A founding member of the Worthington Arts Council, Burrows directed the Worthington Civic Ballet and Jazz North Studio & Companies for four decades.
Whether you’re perusing a Valentine’s Day poem from 1815 or poetry contributed by Kilbourne Middle School students, Worthington’s literary talents are on full display.
