Randy Vail teaches English at Pescadero High School. He's an equal-opportunity reader, selecting passages from authors famous or utterly obscure.
Diane Lee Moomey read a passage from her newly-published, not-yet-officially released ...Place...The Heart of the Dragon. Diane is a multi-talented artist who designs gardens for a living.
Terry Adams is co-host of Lit Nite. Tonight he read his poem "Last Draft" which is one of my favorite poems in the English language. You can find it in his book Adam's Ribs. Terry, like myself, works in the building trades.
Jean Williams is a La Honda local, quite the character. She introduced herself to me as "I'm your local bag lady." Then she said, "There's too many intelligent people in this town." This original poem was her first reading, and it was a good one. Intelligent, actually. We're pleased to welcome bag ladies to Lit Nite.
Beto has written about his travels in Costa Rica. Tonight he read about "Coffee."
As host, I've learned to put Carol Nelson at the mic as soon as she walks in the door. Otherwise, she might be gone again. Tonight, luckily, I caught her in time so she could share her heart-felt poetry.
Dan is somebody I've seen around town for a long time and never come to know. This poem was his first reading with us. I hope to learn more about him.
Susan Henkin-Haas lives in an old stagecoach stop/hotel in San Gregorio. Sometimes she raises goats - and writes about it. Tonight she read from a ghost story.
Ann Emerson stepped up to the mic and gave her first public reading. She introduced herself by saying she'd recently been diagnosed with cancer, upon which she quit her job, left her home, and moved to La Honda. She said "Being diagnosed with cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me." She then proceeded to read a poem that knocked me out. What an opening.
Kelly is an energetic reader who was making her second visit to Lit Nite.
Sparkle Debbie's art work graces the walls of Sullivan's, as her poetry graced our night.
David Strohm produces the children's audio magazine Boomerang. He is often the highlight of our nights. This time, he read a touching story about Grandma's Proverbs, which always contained wisdom in unexpected dimensions.
Then there's me, Joe Cottonwood, co-host. On this night I read a ghost story from my novel Famous Potatoes.
Vanessa, wearing an elf costume which she did not explain (costumes are not uncommon at Lit Nite), gave a passionate reading of one of her works.
Paris, who is usually seen in the company of Vanessa, read reflections on his travels in Spain.
Jane Sullivan (shown here explaining the Lit Nite weapons policy) (are we the only literary gathering that has a weapons policy?) read a chapter from the memoirs of Patrick Colgan, a La Honda character and beloved citizen of the world who, sad to say, passed away a week later.
