In Memoriam
Former Madison Poet Laureate John Tuschen died Friday August 5th of an esophageal hemorrhage. There was a visitation at Gunderson's on Monona Drive and Paul Soglin organized a service. Like many of you, I had known him for quite a while. His work, which he shared freely, was always interesting, and he was generous in promoting other poets. To many, he was the personification of poetry in Madison, and this certainly marks the end of an era. He use to say when listening to others recite, "Keep it moving." We will, John, we will.

          —John Lehman

Anyone wishing to contribute stories, memories, poems to John's son can send them to: justanotherpoem@yahoo.com. They may become part of a final memorial edition of The State Street Sheet.

More Than 1,000 Poems Submitted to Poetry Contest
This year's Wisconsin Academy Review Poetry Contest drew a record number of 424 participants who submitted a total of more than 1,000 poems. And the winners are:
FIRST PLACE
“Fly Fishing,” by Sheryl Slocum, Lake Geneva, Winner of the John Lehman Poetry Award, Prizes: $500 and a CD recording session at Abella Studios, Madison
SECOND PLACE
“The Only Children of Single-Parent Gods,” by Kathleen Dale, Milwaukee, Prizes: $100 and a $100 “Color It Green” gift certificate from McKay Nursery, Madison
THIRD PLACE
“The Hostage to His Beheader,” by Richard Merelman, Madison, Prize: $50

Now in its fourth year, the contest was judged by lead judge Jean Feraca and panel judges Bill Stobb, Rick Ryan, and Shoshauna Shyand, and sponsored by Wisconsin Academy Review poetry editor John Lehman. Avol’s Bookstore provided monetary support and a venue for the Winners’ Reading. The winning poems and additional selections by each poet will be included in the spring issue of the Wisconsin Academy Review. The winning poems of the 10 runners-up will be published in the summer issue. They are (in alphabetical order by author):
“The Opening in the World,” Cynthia Belmont, Ashland
“Bearbait,” Margaret Benbow, Madison
“History Lesson,” Cathryn Cofell, Appleton
“Trout Rising in Pisces,” Jeff Copenhagen, Washburn
“Naming Things,” Jen Garfield, Deerfield, Illinois
“The Only Jewish Family in the Neighborhood,” Judith Harway, Shorewood
“Spirograph,” Michael Kriesel, Aniwa
“The Fight,” Amy Jo Minett, Madison
“Yom Kippur Fast in Taos,” Judith Strasser, Madison
“Between the Sheets,” Timothy Walsh, Madison