T’was the night of holiday open house and all through the McLean and Eakin bookstore, teachers were writing poetry for a dollar or more!

Staff from the Petoskey High School English Department and other local teachers joined in creating customized poetry for the many open house revelers this past Friday…some donated a dollar, some donated $20! Poetry contributions totaling $240 were donated by the participating teachers to the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.

“The English Department loves it, patrons love it, we love it – it’s an all around win,” store owners Matt and Jessilyn Norcross exclaimed as the teachers left for the night.

Well…we love it, too! Many thanks to the talented poetry-writers and McLean and Eakin for hosting them in their store!

Happy holidays to all and to all a good verse!

Gail Kloss, WRCNM Chief Operating Officer is pictured with Jessilynn and Matt Norcross, owners of McLean and Eakin Booksellers. The Norcross’ are presenting the $240 in donations that were earned by Petoskey High School English Department staff and other area teachers from writing customized poetry for a donation during Petoskey’s Holiday Open House. The teachers designated the WRCNM as recipient of dollars raised during the poetry-writing event.  Notice ‘The Giving Tree’ on the shelf in the background to which patrons may donate a book to a child at the WRCNM Safe Home. The Giving Tree program kicked off during the open house and continues through December 24.