Bitikofer/Chapman Poetry Reading
Dwight Bitikofer will read from his newest book of poetry, “75-plus,” at the Webster Groves Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 29. This is a book release reading and copies of the book will be for sale. The library is located at 301 E. Lockwood Ave. Enter the auditorium from the Orchard Avenue side of the library.
Rita Chapman, a poet and recently retired Webster Groves High School English teacher will also read. Chapman was the recent winner of the prestigious Wednesday Club poetry contest.
Bitikofer’s book of 75-plus poems celebrates moments from his life that has reached the three-quarters of a century marker. The book’s poems are presented in groupings: Discovery & Celebration; Distances & Destinations; I Came From These; and Images Recent & Old.
This is Bitikofer’s third poetry collection. Earlier chapbooks are titled “Square Miles & Roundabouts” and “View From the Third Eye.” Copies of those books will also be available at the reading.
Dwight Bitikofer retired at the end of 2020 as publisher of the Webster-Kirkwood Times, South County Times and West End Word newspapers. He spent 42 years in the community newspaper business. He also wrote a newspaper column for 28 of those years. Bitikofer and J.B. Lester and Maureen Zegel worked together at the student newspaper at Webster College (now Webster University). They started the Times in July of 1978. Don Corrigan joined them a few months later when he came to teach journalism at Webster College.
Bitikofer has been active in the St. Louis poetry community for close to 25 years. He serves on the board of St. Louis Poetry Center. He has past involvements with St. Louis Writers Guild and numerous readings and open mic circles. He has shared poetry in New York, London, Las Vegas, Santa Cruz, Kansas City and elsewhere. He studied with a number of poets who led classes at the Summer Writing Festival at the University of Iowa between 2006 and 2018.
Bitikofer was raised on a farm in rural Kansas. He has spent his adult life in St. Louis. He is the parent of three grown children and enjoys his role as “Grandpa B” with soon-to-be-four grandchildren.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3643962-0
