Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series

As founder and director of the Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Series, since 1996 (sponsored by the NY State Council on the Arts), I have tried to feature a wide variety of wonderful poets (examples–Harvey Shapiro, Colette Inez, Molly Peacock, Cornelius Eady, Diane Wakowski, Marie Ponsot, Louis Simpson, Stephen Stepanchev, Norman Friedman, David Axelrod, Charles Fishman, Maxwell Wheat, George Wallace, Patti Tana, Vince Clemente, Barry Wallenstein, Angelo Vergas, Stanley Barkan, Michele Cooper,  Grace Schulman, many others). After discussing the writing style of the of the feature with the audience and the feature reading, there is an open mic for members of the audience, with many acclaimed and talented poets. There is an annual poetry contest for children, teens , and adults, with certificates for all and cash prizes for adults and teens. In June, there is a gala reading by all those who received honorable mention and place awards. Many of the winners have gone on to distinguished writing careers.The readings are held on one Sunday per month, October-June, at 2pm

Mid-Island Y JCC

45 Manetto Hill Road

Plainview, NY 11803

(516) 822 3535 x385

www.miyjcc.org

Director: Gayl Teller

Open Mike, $3 Donation

Join us for a memorable and stimulating evening with some very talented people!

All welcome!


Mid-Island Y Poetry Series 2025-2026

45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview, NY 11803

516 822 3535 X385; arosenstein@miyjcc.org

One Sunday afternoon each month at 2-4 PM


Feature Readers & Open Mic


October 19, 2025 Alan Semerdjian  

November 2, 2025 Barbara Southard

December 7, 202 Kathy Donnelly

January 11, 2026 Emily-Sue Sloane

February 1, 2026 Tony Policano

March 8, 2026 NCPL Review Contributors

April 12, 2026 MT Pariti

May 3, 2026 Lloyd Howell 



Director: Gayl Teller




SPECIAL EVENT  Was Held Tuesday, March 13, 2012

“LUCK OF THE LAUREATES”

A historic reading of 7 LI Poets LaureateDavid Axelrod          

Suffolk County Poet LaureateTammy Nuzzo-Morgan          

Suffolk County Poet LaureateLinda Opyr          

Nassau County Poet LaureateEd Stever          

Suffolk County Poet LaureateGayl Teller          

Nassau County Poet LaureateGeorge Wallace          

Suffolk County Poet LaureateMaxwell Corydon Wheat          

Nassau County Poet Laureate

Mid-Island Y JCC Poetry Contest Judge–Gayl Teller
Judged by Gayl Teller–

Adults

$5 PER POEM (MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO MID-ISLAND Y JCC). CASH PRIZES.

Mid-Island Y JCC 2011 Poetry Contest WinnersJudged by Gayl Teller–
AdultsTEENS: NO FEE
CHILDREN: NO FEE
 INCLUDE NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, E-MAIL. TEENS AND CHILDREN INCLUDE AGE.
 MAIL TO:
POETRY CONTEST
MID-ISLAND Y JCC
45 MANETTO HILL ROAD
PLAINVIEW, NY 11803
DEADLINE:
MAY 10, 2020
AWARDS AND READING:
JUNE 7, 2020, 2-4 PM
Mid-Island Y 2019 Poetry Winners
Adults:
1st Place-Sharon Anderson
2nd Place-Karen Schulte, Sharon Dockweiler
3rd Place-Paula Camacho, George Northrup
4th Place-Lloyd Abrams, Irma Soveroff
Adults Honorable Mention
Bob Barci, Dolores Cinquemani, Jane Connelly, Maureen Hadzick-Spisak, Barbara Hantman, Pam Humbert, Marvin Illman, Lois Kipnis, R. Duke Liddell, Maria Manobianco, Marcia Nelson, Audra Nemirow, Joan Vullo Obergh, Stuart Radowitz, Narges Rothermel, Lynne Soulagnet, Dd Spungin, Wendy Trontz, Margarette Wahl

Teens:
1st Place–Alliya Shamin, Rachel Miniman
2nd Place-Hannah Swartz, Vivian Rose
3rd Place–Cooper Kirschner
Teens Honorable Mention:
Hanna Mordekhai

Children:

Children:
1st Place–Arianna Shamin, Christian Martinez
2nd Place– Leanna Song-Ann Hsu, Andrea Wilson
3rd Place–J.J. Hillen

Mid-Island Y JCC 2011 Poetry Contest WinnersJudged by Gayl Teller–
Adults

First Place–Ria Meade

Second Place–Ed Stever

Third Place–Joan Higuchi & Sasha Ettinger

Fourth Place–Robert Harrison, Gloria Murray, & Judy Turek

 

Teens

First Place–Kelsey Weymouth-Little

Second Place–Tiara Carter

Third Place–Jaclyn Onufrey

Fourth Place–Bryanna Bardsley

Children

First Place–Matthew Schroh

Second Place–Meaghan Obergh

Third Place–Katherine Parente

Fourth Place–Michael Bock

2010 Winners

Adults

First Place–Gladys Henderson

Second Place–Paula Camacho

Third Place–Muriel Harris Weinstein

Fourth Place–Lisa James

Fifth Place–Marilyn Goldstein

Sixth Place–Lloyd Abrams

Adults — Honorable Mention

Monica Andermann, Sybil Bank, Lynn Cooper, Lillian Gordon,

Sylvia Harnick, Patrice Hasbrook, Joan Higuchi, Vicki Iorio,

Beverly Kotch, Patty Lane, Maria Manobianco, Gloria Murray,

George Northrup, Joan Vullo Obergh, Ellen Pickus, Lois Raiken,

Narges Rothermel, Joan Schaefer, Harriet Slaughter, Judy Turek

Teens

First Place–Jeena Moss

Second Place–Maureen Gavin

Third Place–Allison Shindler

Fourth Place–Emily Brandsdorfer

Fifth Place–Olivio Grillo

Teens–Honorable Mention

Grace Albert, Claire Halligan, Shannon O’Neil, Justine Re,

Ariel Sobel, Rebecca Sobel, William Stieglitz, Danielle Tralongo

Children — Poems of Distinction
 

Ashley Friedman, Kaitlyn Friedman, Meaghan Obergh

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