Bill Text: IN SCR0032 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing Barton Rees Pogue Indiana Poetry and Arts Festival in Upland.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-15 - Returned to the Senate [SCR0032 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SCR0032-Introduced.html
RESOLUTION No. _____
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the Barton Rees
Pogue Indiana Poetry and Arts Festival in Upland, Indiana.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
RESOLUTION No. _____
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the Barton Rees
Pogue Indiana Poetry and Arts Festival in Upland, Indiana.
Whereas, The Barton Rees Pogue Indiana Poetry and
Arts Festival will be held in Upland, Indiana on April 16,
2011;
Whereas, Barton Rees Pogue was an Indiana poet,
preacher, professor, radio personality, and publisher of
several books of poetry;
Whereas, Pogue was born in Monon, Indiana in 1891.
He spent many of his formative years in Greenfield, Indiana,
hometown of the poet James Whitcomb Riley, a favorite of
Pogue's growing up;
Whereas, Pogue married in 1911. He pursued his
education at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana,
graduating from the college in 1918 at the age of 27. He
later earned a degree in theology from Boston University, a
degree from the Rice School of the Spoken Word in
Massachusetts, and a master's degree from the University of
Michigan;
Whereas, While pursuing his education, Pogue served ten
years as a minister in Massachusetts and Indiana;
Whereas, After finishing his education, Pogue returned to his alma mater, Taylor University, working as the Director of Public Speaking and Dramatics for eleven years. He also taught speech at Indiana University for a year;
Whereas, Pogue began writing poetry while a student at
Taylor University, influenced by the works of James
Whitcomb Riley. Pogue considered himself a humorist as
opposed to a comedian;
Whereas, For several months, Pogue presented themed
readings for the Sears Roebuck radio station in Chicago and
for twelve years on WLW in Cincinnati. He was a lecturer on
the Chautaqua network, and also did programs for the
Indiana Farmers' Guide;
Whereas, Pogue's reputation as a lecturer grew and he
ultimately entertained audiences in twenty states, reading his
poetry more than 3,000 times;
Whereas, Pogue's poetry was published under the same
themes of his readings: “Songs of the Soil,” “Fortunes in
Friendship,” and “Wayside Windows.” As a book, "Songs
of the Soil" sold 1000 copies in eight months. His work also
appeared in the Indiana Farmers Guide for sixteen years, the
McClure Newspaper Syndicated publications for three years,
and during the 1940s the Scripps-Howard Indianapolis
Times published a regular column of his verse;
Whereas, Pogue published six books of poetry. In March
1965, he passed away just two days before the release of his
sixth book, "The Rhyme Book of a Real Boy";
Whereas, Pogue also served as the Director of the
Upland Public Library for several years, and the current
library building bears his name;
Whereas, The Barton Rees Pogue Indiana Poetry and Arts Festival will be held on April 16, 2011 in Upland,
Indiana. The festival will include activities at various
locations from 9 am to 4 pm, culminating in a poetry contest;
and
Whereas, Barton Rees Pogue remains one of the finest
poets Indiana has ever had, and the festival that bears his
name will undoubtably be a worthwhile event: Therefore,
SECTION 1. The Indiana General Assembly recognizes the
Barton Rees Pogue Indiana Poetry and Arts Festival.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to
transmit a copy of this Resolution to Nancy Gore.
