June has arrived, though I’m still wearing a sweater, so I’m not fully convinced.  The calendar is marching towards the concurrent start of our Advanced Institute and our Invitational Institute: both on June 22.  Tonight I mailed my teaching demonstration packet off to be printed.  Remember those nerve-wracking nights working on your demo?  I’m feeling very thankful that I’m giving the same demo this year as last—with additional student work from some of last year’s fellows who tried performance poetry with their middle school students to great effect.   

We hope that any and all of you are able to join us for the Writing Marathon and Homecoming Potluck on June 25.  It’s simple.  Just come to Eberhard room 617 at noon and we’ll send you packing.  Remember to bring some cash for food and something to quench your thirst if you happen by the Black Rose or the newish Starbucks in the Amway Grand Hotel lobby (if you prefer coffee as your afternoon pick-me-up).  Both the Advanced Institute and the Invitational Institute will be writing around town on the 25^th--one big happy family of writers with day jobs as teachers the rest of the year.

There are still spots in the Advanced Institute led by Eric Tower and Roy Black if you are available June 22-25^th.  It’s a sane 9-3 schedule all week--with the potluck and read around going ‘til 7ish the last day (Thursday).  All you have to do to “sign up” is email Sue Spears at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  There’s no charge and no interview process.  All LMWP Teacher Consultants are warmly invited.  If you want to pay for 1 graduate credit, there is some paperwork, so let Sue know if you want to go down that road. 

One more date for your calendar:  July 14.  This is our new practice of Summer Institute Open House.  Come and bring a friend the morning of the 14^th to the University Club, where we will have Sacred Writing Time and a teaching demonstration by Returning Fellow Terri Fortmeyer.  This is a chance for us to let interested persons have a tantalizing glimpse into the life and work of the SI.  We will have sign up sheets for 2010 applications ready and waiting right next to the bagels. 

That’s all for tonight.  I look forward to seeing many of you in LESS than two weeks!

Lindsay