The term “April” comes from the Latin word “aperire,” meaning “to open,” symbolizing the emergence of buds and blossoms. Across numerous cultures, April heralds the onset of spring, marked by festivities like Easter and many springtime celebrations.
April commences with April Fools’ Day on the 1st, observed globally with playful pranks, jokes, and amusing hoaxes. On April 8th, North America awaits an extraordinary celestial event with the arrival of a total solar eclipse, promising up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds of captivating totality. After that day, the next opportunity to see a total eclipse in the U.S. will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2044, and the path of totality will only go through Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. So please take advantage of this opportunity to watch it, but be careful to protect your eyes.
April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day, a global initiative promoting environmental consciousness and advocating for the preservation of our planet. Many activities are scheduled throughout the country.
In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17, efforts are made to spotlight and enhance Black maternal health. Explore the CDC’s website to discover how you can contribute.
However, for many writers, April holds special significance as National Poetry Month, observed in the United States and Canada. This month encourages the appreciation, creation, and dissemination of poetry through many engaging events and activities.
In this vein, I share my poem with you in memory of my mom, who passed away in December 2023:
The loss of my mom, a weight I bear,
Doesn’t fade with time or disappear.
Hidden beneath the surface, it silently waits,
And pounces when unaware, changing my state.
In moments of sorrow, it springs forth bold,
Weaving with my sadness, as memories unfold.
Even in joy, its shadow looms near,
Remembering how she once was so dear.
Grief, eternal companion, never to part,
Ingrained in the depths of my heart.
It whispers of the everlasting bond,
Her presence cherished, though physically gone.
Through life’s journey, it walks by my side,
A faithful companion, in whom I confide.
For though it brings pain, it also bestows,
A testament to the love that forever flows.
With each passing day, its grip may loosen,
But memories persist in a bittersweet fusion.
NVWN Speaker, April 9th : Eva J. Pell
Topic: My Unlikely Journey — From Scientist to Children’s Author; From Idea to Publication.
Eva J. Pell Eva J. Pell is a former Professor of Plant Pathology at Penn State University (1973-1999), internationally known for research on air pollution effects on vegetation, and Emerita Sr. Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at Penn State (199-2009). Eva was Under Secretary for Science at the Smithsonian Institution (2010-2014). She is currently on the Board Chair of Discovery Space in State College, Pennsylvania. Eva is the author of ResQ, a series of middle-grade novels focused on rescuing endangered species: ResQ and the Baby Orangutan; ResQ Takes On The Takhi, and ResQ in Panamá: Can We Save the Frogs. https://evapell.wixsite.com/evapell. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_J._Pell
When: April 9th
Where: Schlow Library, Community Room,
Time: from 6:30 -7:30
NVWN Writers’ Social:
Join us for food, beverages, and casual conversation about writing and other topics.
When: April 23 (4th Tuesday of the month)
Where: Federal Taphouse
Time: 5:30 pm- until
Events
April 2 (Tuesday), 6/7 pm: The Inkwell/Pennwriters Area 4 is meeting in person on Tuesday, April 2nd. We will hold a “Writers Talk Writing” night at Marzoni’s restaurant, 165 Patchway Road, Duncansville, PA 16635. For our “Writers Talk Writing” meeting, we will introduce ourselves and tell you what types of writing we do, and then we will open the floor to discuss our current concerns and concerns surrounding the writing life. Note that dinner (optional) will start at 6 and the meeting at 7. To RSVP, use this link: https://forms.gle/oAsfk8tUsDvs5ZVo7. Note that the RSVP form has two options to indicate your plans. Please choose one under the question: Will you attend? 1. Yes, I’ll be there in person for dinner beginning at 6:00 pm AND the meeting following. 2. Yes, I’ll be there in person for the meeting only, beginning around 7:00 pm. Please get in touch with ennifer.d.diamond.writer@gmail.com for more information.
April 10 (Wednesday) 8 pm: Tempest Productions presents the New Play Reading Series. Each month, we’ll be featuring the semi-finalist plays from the 2022 Playwriting Competition. Join us in these virtual readings on the second Weds of each month. No cost. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85742799026
April 11 (Thursday), 6 pm: The Mary E. Rolling Reading Series at Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library, will present a reading by Christine Hume. A 1990 Penn State graduate, Hume is the author of an essay collection on sex offenders and women’s bodies, Everything I Never Wanted to Know (OSU Press/21st Century Essays Series 2023), and a lyric portrait of girlhood, Saturation Project (Solid Objects 2021), as well as several books of poetry.
April 13 (Saturday) 10 am: Friends of the Holt Memorial Library Book Sale. Browse books for sale downstairs in the book room of the Holt Memorial Library in Philipsburg. Hundreds of books are available, and the selection changes every month. Buy books and support the library!
April 17-19 (Wednesday through Friday): Used book sale: The Friends of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library will hold their spring used book sale on Wednesday through Friday, April 17 to 19, at the library on 1 Furnace Road, Hollidaysburg. Hours are 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM on Wed. and Thur., and 9:30 AM to 3 PM on Fri. A Friends Members Preview Sale will be on Tuesday, April 16, from 6 to 7:30 PM. A bag of books will be just $5 on Thursday from 5 to 7:30 PM and all day Friday. For more information, call the Library at 814-695-5961.
April 22 (Monday) 6 pm: Book Launch: Burning Down The House. Join Webster’s Bookstore and Café for the launch of Burning Down The House: Crime Fiction Incited by the Songs of the Talking Heads – a new charity crime fiction anthology to help fight climate change. Featuring State College-based author and anthology editor Michel Lee Garrett, co-editor T. Fox Dunham, Alex Award-winning writer Gregory Galloway, and author Lucas Franki, this book launch will feature readings, meet and greets, book signings, and Q&A. Help fight climate change and support the local literary arts by joining this exciting event!
News
Join the critique group at State College for all types of fiction: middle grade through adult novels and short stories. We’ll meet in person twice a month. Whether you write as a hobby or aim to be published, you are welcome. Please get in touch with Rocky (rockysinibaldi@gmail.com).
AAUW State College Branch is preparing for its annual Used Book Sale on May 11-14, 2024. If you would like to volunteer, here is a Google Form to sign up for various roles and times to help this well-oiled machine function smoothly! Funds from this sale go to support girls and young women in STEM, so it’s a very good cause!
Mid-State Literacy Council needs community volunteers to teach adult students English as a second language, reading, writing, computer literacy, and GED test prep. They provide training, materials, and ongoing support—no previous experience required. Call Mid-State Literacy Council at (814) 238-1809 or email agiedroc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org to learn more about volunteering with us during our summer and fall semesters!
What Local Book Clubs are Reading:
¡ADELANTE! Book Club
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
When: May 16th @ 2:30 pm
Where: Virtual
To participate with the group, contact info@aauwstatecollege.org. New members welcome.
Inspirational Book Club
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
When: 10:00-11:00 am, April 8th and the 22nd
Where: Barnes & NobleNew members welcome!
Well-Read Book Club
Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
When: April 25th @ 6:30 – 7:30
Where: Virtual
Register at Schlow Library
Reading Between the Wines Book Club
We will meet again in the Fall. Book TBD.
For more information on any of these Book clubs, or if you want your book club listed, contact crevey@msn.com.
The Nittany Valley Writers Network 