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Lake County proclaims April 2026 Poetry Month and names Roy Arthur Blodgett poet laureate
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Summary
The Lake County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 2026 as Poetry Month and appointed Roy Arthur Blodgett as the county's thirteenth poet laureate for 2026–2028; outgoing poet laureate Brenda Marie Yeager thanked the board and announced community events.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 2026 as Poetry Month and appointed Roy Arthur Blodgett as the county’s thirteenth poet laureate for 2026–2028 during a brief ceremony at its April meeting.
A board member read the proclamation designating April 2026 as Poetry Month, citing the Academy of American Poets’ National Poetry Month and saying the county recognizes “the contributions of poetry and the arts for enriching the literary and cultural attributes of society.” The proclamation text states it was “passed and adopted this April 2026.”
Brenda Marie Yeager, who identified herself as Lake County’s twelfth poet laureate, thanked the board for supporting poetry and encouraged residents to take part in month-long events. “Come out and hear the poets read their poetry,” Yeager said, and she announced a poetry workshop led by Roy Arthur Blodgett on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rodman Preserve and a celebration at the 4 Family Vineyard wine tasting room on Sunday the 19th.
Meeting staff read a separate proclamation appointing Roy Arthur Blodgett as poet laureate for 2026 through 2028, noting that the role “is designated to represent the board of supervisors at civic and cultural events” and to encourage poetry and writing among county residents. The proclamation text records that it was “passed and adopted April 2026” and is signed by the chair, Brad Rasmussen.
Blodgett, introduced by the proclamation, expressed gratitude to the selection committee and the board and said, “Poetry is a lifesaver, and we really need it.” He read a poem titled “New Spring,” describing local plants and seasonal imagery, and thanked the assembly for the honor.
There were no public comments on the items. A board member noted the rarity of having multiple past and present poet laureates in the room and the group paused for a photograph following the presentations.
The proclamations do not list a roll-call vote in the record provided; the proclamations’ text states they were “passed and adopted” in April 2026.
