Why have an open mic night for writers at the History Museum? Because our stories, both real and imagined, connect the entire human race in both our need to understand each other and in our goal to perpetuate our family histories.

Literary Voices/Poetry and Prose nights at the History Museum of Carteret County happen the third Friday of every month, and we’re coming up on the last one before the summer break. This month’s event is Friday, May 17, 2024 from 4 to 6 pm. Gracie Bender, the director of the museum, launched the new event to offer a chance for local writers to be heard.

The Literary Voices nights began back this January. I failed to hear about the first one but was sure to make the second event held in February. I arrived not knowing what to expect. I thought the event was more geared towards poetry, so I dusted off some old poems and read those. Am I the only one who nervously awaits standing in front of a crowd with a mixture of anticipation and dread? But the audience politely clapped at my bad poetry, and some of the other voices that night and in the months to follow were riveting.

With a wide infectious smile and a calm demeanor, Sam Bass, Jr. read us a selection from his memoir Boys on the Edge about the fateful summer of 1969 when he was a sixteen-year-old boy vacationing in his family’s A-frame house on Cape Lookout. Helen Aitken moved the audience to tears with a piece about her son needing to learn how to shave while his father was deployed. And who could forget the moving words of Bob Guthrie who reads aloud stories that his father wrote, stopping in the middle of one to explain that a whale had just been harpooned and leaving the reader wondering until the next month when he resumed the story if the huge water mammal had gotten away?

Dawn Kraucunas read ekphrastic poetry inspired by works of art and containing haiku stanzas, including a beautiful poem about the sensuality of oysters one month. She also brings along the pieces of art that inspire each written work. Susan Schmidt has also graced us with several of her thought-provoking nature poems. Jo Ann Hoffman, a finalist for the James Applewhite Poetry Contest held by the North Carolina Literary Review, read us some of her award-winning poetry, and Dee Lewis, in his shy, quiet way, shared both his humor and his literary skill in his homemade cards and poetry.

Gracie Bender, read several selections from one of Carol Hayman’s poetry collections. The late Mrs. Hayman was the founder of Carteret Writers in 1983, a local literary organization that continues to this day. Gracie even got in on the action herself, reading her own fiercely brave poetry on topics many women need to hear while on our healing journeys. Barbara McCreary read poetry inspired by the Little House on the Prairie series, and Jane Burbella and Lucy Bond read works by other poets. Each of them, having worked in the educational system as their career, know how to command a room—and deliver a punchline.

If I have forgotten anyone who has read in the months I’ve been in attendance, I do apologize. Everyone’s writing and selections have been brilliant. I don’t know if all of the talent in North Carolina is kept in Carteret County, but I do feel the people here have more than their fair share.

Admission is $10 for non-members and $7 for members. Wine and hors d’oeuvres are included in the cost of admission. We do hope you’ll join us (even if you’re a second-class poet like me).

You can become a member of the History Museum, located between 10^th and 11^th streets of Arendell, for $35 or a family for $45. Many exciting events are happening at the History Museum of Carteret County, including a Coin and Stamp Show, coming up on Saturday, June 1, from 10 am until 5 pm and Sunday, June 2, from 10 am until 4 pm. Admission is just $3. Parking for the event is free.

The featured photo of the February 2024 Poetry and Prose Night at the History Museum of Carteret County was provided by museum director Gracie Bender.