Last Thursday, August 12, U.S. 1’s Summer Fiction writers reception drew an SRO crowd to Labyrinth Books on Nassau Street. A new venue for our annual celebration of readers who have contributed to our annual collection of prose and poetry, Labyrinth has certainly come through on its initial promise of an independent, non-chain bookstore lending a literary touch to Nassau Street.
Six or seven years ago, we were one of the last events held at the former Micawber Books, where the owners freely admitted how difficult hosting public events can be in a bookstore setting. Labyrinth owner Dorothea von Moltke graciously hosted our August 12 reception, which went off without a hitch — thanks to her fine staff and the store’s well-organized space for author events.
Short story writers were introduced and each poet present read his or her poem. The evening ended literally on a high note when Grace Walter, whose day job is a medical biller, sang her poem, “I’ve Just Heard a Song” (about the Beatles), to the tune of the Fab Four classic “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” Several of us, embarrassing or not, joined in.
One of our veteran contributors to this special issue, poet Carolyn Foote Edelmann, wrote a thank you note to us and von Moltke, proffering the idea that Labyrinth has become Princeton’s own Deux Magots — a reference to the famous Paris cafe that at one time was the rendezvous of the literary and intellectual elite. We agree and look forward to more events at Labyrinth — surrounded by books, books, and more books.
#b#To the Editor:#/b#
Add my thanks to those of all the others, present or in spirit, who so enjoyed the great reception Thursday evening at Labyrinth Books. To encourage writing, when the word itself sends shock waves of fear, is one of the best of the many good things U.S. 1 does for our community. Know how much it is appreciated and will help.
Paul Spagnoli Jr., Plainsboro
Spagnoli, a retired lawyer, wrote “A or B — Who May My Fair Queen Be?,” a comical send-up of singles ads.
#b#Herons & the Arts#/b#
I truly enjoyed reading Richard K. Rein’s editorial in the August 11 issue. Our organization looks forward to a long and fruitful future in the soon to be open West Windsor Arts Center. As Paul Cerna recently noted in your sister paper, the West Windsor-Plainsboro News, thousands of volunteer hours have been put into this mission.
I was also interested to read about your experience on Wrighter Lake — blue heron and all. Wonderfully, without fail, a heron or two is seen flying over the Nassau Park Pavilion during our Saturday night performances. I hope you (and your readers) will join us for our last concert and hopeful heron spotting on Saturday, August 21.
Ruth Kusner Potts
Potts is a West Windsor Arts Council volunteer and chair of the WWAC capital campaign.
