On July 11, I had the pleasure of giving a short keynote at the Cultural Coalition of Washington County’s grant announcement gala. What a marvelous celebration! 23 cultural projects in Washington County were each receiving a part of the $38,500 being granted for 2012-13.

Where did Washington County’s Cultural Coalition get the money it was awarding? From the same place that County Cultural Coalitions all over Oregon get such monies: from our one-and-only Oregon Cultural Trust.

Because of our Cultural Trust, groups such as Beaverton Symphony Orchestra, Mask & Mirror Community Theatre, and The Beat Goes On Marching Band will have funding to help them sustain their lively and enriching presence in Washington County.While I was making my keynote remarks,I personally gave thanks to Oregon Cultural Trust.

I reminded the people gathered at the lovely Jenkins Estate (many thanks to Community Newspapers for being the host that day) that without our Cultural Trust, there would not be an Oregon Poet Laureate. The position of OPL exists because OCT and the Five Cultural Partners are willing to support a Poet Laureate in Oregon. Simple as that.

The event on July 11th marked a milestone—actually a mileage stone—for me. When I got back to my Sellwood home that evening, I had traveled 16, 003 miles as OPL in and throughout our state. From Albany to Hermiston, from Eugene to Baker City, from Port Orford to Fossil, I’ve made 275 OPL appearances so far, giving workshops, readings, keynotes, and presentations. As OPL, I’ve been in 57 of Oregon’s libraries and—although the list isn’t identical—57 Oregon towns and cities.July 16th marked another milestone for me: my 70th birthday.

To honor my birthday and re-appointment as OPL, Cindy Gutierrez and Michael Kirshner made a donation to OCT. Then they sent out an announcement to others, urging them to do the same. The response has been extraordinarily moving. Friends know how passionately I support OCT. They know the marvelous work OCT accomplishes throughout Oregon. Here are the names of those who donated to OCT to celebrate my birthday and re-appointment. An honor roll of the first order!! (Some gave two donations, one for the re-appointment, and then another for my birthday.) Their generosity will help OCT to continue its worthy, essential work.

Larry Anderson,Molalla

Fran Adler, Portland

Susan Baillet & Herman Asarnow, Portland

Pelin Basci, Portland

Joy Bottinelli & Bill Howe, Lake Oswego

Celia Carlson, Gresham

Rick Comandich, Portland

Mary Kay Dahlgren, Corvallis

Christine D’Arcy, Salem

Wendy Feuer, Portland

Linda & Keith Gelbrich, Corvallis

Margaret Gish-Miller, Independence

Cindy Gutierrez & Michael Kirshner, Oregon City

Susan Hammer, Portland

Pamela Hankins, Fossil

Joann & David Henzel, Portland

Jane & Tom Hogan, Milwaukie

Cynthia Kirk, Sherwood

Grace Kuhns, Portland

Nancy Linnon, Portland

Carter McKenzie, Dexter

John Morrison, Portland

Linda Nelson, Portland

Shelley Peters, Portland

Sandy Polishuk, Portland

Martha Ragland & Robert Brown, Portland

Patricia Rimmer, Portland

Lex & Debbie Runciman, McMinnville

Maxine Scates, Eugene

Penelope Schott & Eric Sweetman, Portland

Amy Schutzer, Portland

Suzanne Sigafoos & Robert Peterson, Portland

Michael Smith, Silverton

Joe Soldati, Portland

Barbara Stafford & Steve Wilson, Portland

Lisa Steinman & Jim Shugrue, Portland

Ron Talney, Lake Oswego

Katie Whalen, Portland

Patty & Vince Wixon, Ashland

Virginia Euwer Wolff, Oregon City

My gratitude and admiration to these people. Their generosity created a splendid birthday celebration for me, and a boon to all of Oregon!

Next month, I’ll start going out on the road again. My travels will take me to some spots I’ve visited before. Some will be new OPL spots for me. In early October I’ll be in South Coast, giving workshops and readings at libraries and schools in Gold Beach, Brookings, Coquille, and Port Orford. Later in October, I’ll be east of the mountains—Hood River, Hermiston, Pendleton. I’ll be in Seaside for the Oregon Association of School Librarians conference. I have upcoming commitments in Sherwood, Welches, Sandy, Oregon City, Salem, Medford, Florence, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Redmond, Bend, and a number in Portland spots, including a workshop in my own neighborhood at the Sellwood Library.Every minute of this will be a privilege. Every moment I’m able to be an ambassador for poetry in Oregon is a delight and honor.

Paulann Petersen,August, 2012