Literary lovers will enjoy a whimsical birthday celebration honoring poet Emily Dickinson at Lone Star College-Montgomery on Thursday, December 5, at 3 p.m., in the Health Science Center (Building B), Room 102. The event is free and open to the public.
 
Professor Martha Nell Smith from the University of Maryland will read excerpts of her work on Dickinson and share her extensive knowledge of one of America’s most important poets. Smith’s numerous publications include five singly and coauthored books on Dickinson, three of which have garnered awards. Her latest book—Emily Dickinson, A User’s Guide—will debut in 2014.
 
Smith is also coordinator and executive editor of the Dickinson Electronic Archives and is a founding board member of the Emily Dickinson International Society. She has received several awards for her work on Dickinson, American literary history, and in new media.
 
The birthday celebration continues that evening with the annual gathering of poets, which begins at 7 p.m., at Dosey Doe, located at 463 FM 1488 in Conroe. More than 20 of Texas’ finest published poets will be at the celebration, which will include readings of Dickinson’s poems, book sales and signings, a cake cutting and frivolities.
 
Writers in Performance is a reading program dedicated to bringing the most distinguished minds and their bright visions to the citizens of Montgomery County through thought-provoking literature and cultural diversity. The series’ events are made possible by the partnership between the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council, LSC-Montgomery Library, the Conroe Commission on the Arts and Culture, Good Books in the Woods, LSC-Montgomery’s Academy for Lifelong Learning, and SWIRL, LSC-Montgomery’s magazine of student art and writing.
 
For more information, visit www.LoneStar.com/WIP; or contact Dave Parsons, adjunct professor of English at LSC-Montgomery, at (936) 524-6537 or David.M.Parsons@lonestar.edu; or contact Cliff Hudder, professor of English at LSC-Montgomery, at (936) 273-7399 or Clifford.W.Hudder@LoneStar.edu.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.