The Valpo Core

with VU student and faculty organists, open to the public

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 from 8:00 - 9:00 pm, in the Chapel of the Resurrection

In honor of the 400th anniversary year of Paul Gerhardt’s birth, the VU community is invited to hear some biographical background on this hymn author and sing some of the glorious texts that he wrote. This commemorative event is a wonderful way to honor this man’s accomplishments. Gerhardt lived through many adversities, including the 30 years war in Germany, the loss of 4 of his 5 children and his wife to death, and being sickly in health for most of his life. Yet, he still wrote beautiful poems and texts for hymns today that reflect an astonishing amount of comfort and hope to be found in trusting God throughout all trials in life. His story is inspiring - this information will help you to really appreciate these (and other) hymns  and, perhaps more importantly, will change your perspective on your own life’s difficulties and trials. So please come!

Refreshments will be served following the event.

Vince Wixon, the latest “installment” in our Wordfest series
is rolling into town. Check out his poem, linked below!

When: Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7 pm
Where: Brauer Museum
What: Poetry Reading, headlined once again by the dueling saxophones

Refreshments? Of course!

Vince Wixon grew up on a grain and dairy farm in southwestern Minnesota, graduated from Luther College in 1966, and received an advanced degree from Washington State University. Wixon has not only published his own work in many magazines, journals, and anthologies, but has also worked in several venues on William Stafford’s work. With Michael Markee, he has made two videos–What the River Says and The Life of the Poem; with Paul Merchant, he has edited two of Stafford’s books on writing–Crossing Unmarked Snow and The Answers Are Inside the Mountains. He has also worked on Stafford’s selected poems, The Way It Is and Every War Has Two Losers.

Of Wixon’s own work, Paulann Petersen says, “With simple diction, fine imagery and a voice as satisfying as a drink of pure well-water, Wixon creates poems of striking economy and force.”

A long time public school teacher, Wixon is now retired and lives with his wife Patty live in Ashland, Oregon.

(culled from: http://www.laneliteraryguild.org/wa_200611.pdf, now unavailable)

“Tornado Weather” by Vince Wixon