Rise Up Spouting!

How has your year been going? Be honest. Perhaps you’ve spent your days in quiet contemplation at the river’s edge? Made meat pies of your neighbors? Fomented a bloody putsch on the steps of Capitol Hill? No matter! Now’s your chance to come clean and help raise much needed funds.

It’s easy! In 17 elegant syllables, compose a haiku illuminating your personal journey over the past 10 months.

Never written haiku? You’ll love it! Anyone can do it – that’s the beauty. Simply unburden your soul in exactly 17 syllables, divided into three lines: first line – 5 syllables, second line – 7 syllables, third line – 5 syllables. If you can howl it, you can write it.

Send  $20 to the Beacon Sloop Club, or register through Brown Paper Tickets, and email your tiny masterpiece to tomelliott789@gmail.com – all by Wednesday, April 7th. Then join us online Sunday, April 11th at 5:00 for a festive Spout Out! Haikootenanny. Everyone will have an opportunity to read their haiku to an adoring assemblage of like minded spirits who will then vote on their favorites. Democracy lives!

Will your haiku be soaring and rapturous? Brilliant beyond words (but not beyond 17 syllables)? Deplorably funny? Stranger than brushing your teeth in the river? How about someone else’s teeth? There will be prizes for all levels of decompensation.

Winners of the People’s Choice Vote in each category will receive an historic one of a kind Clearwater face mask, suitable for wearing or framing, lovingly hand crafted from sweaty old Revival tee shirts, hopefully washed, as well as the worshipful veneration of your truest soulmates.

But wait! There’s more! All entrants will receive an official voucher for a free slice of future Pumpkin Fest pie, which, let’s face it, you will have probably made yourself.

Be brave! Join the noble ranks of your fellow haikooligans and spout forth! Spout fifth! Spout sixth! For a one time additional $5, you can write as many haikus as your heart can bear (but submit no more than 5). That’s $25, and two full months of rollicking, rip roaring, non-stop solitary fun! What are you waiting for? All entries are due by email on April 7th.

Sound expensive? It is expensive! But the entire proceeds from this event will go to our Help Clearwater Stay Afloat initiative to provide a free sail to an underserved school right here on our leg of the river.

Come join the turpitude! If you want to attend, but not compose (or be composed) the event is free to members. You will still have the opportunity to redeem yourself by donating if you choose.

The best part is…everyone wins. You’ll have a fun, mind expanding evening with good friends, and the joy of giving 50 local schoolchildren the gift of an amazing, life changing experience on the Hudson River.

Help make history! Zoom on down to the First and Possibly Last Annual Beacon Sloop Club Spout Out! Haikootenanny Zoom on Sunday, April 11th at 5:00. You’ll receive the link in your email.

Scrive on!!!