Arts & Entertainment
NH Poet Laureate Walter Butts Dies
He held poetry readings at Exeter's Water Street Bookstore.
New Hampshire Poet Laureate Walter Butts died on Sunday. He was 68.
Butts, of Manchester, had been battling cancer, according to the Union Leader.
In August 2011, Butts read several poems to a crowd gathered at Water Street Bookstore. You can view the readings in the videos above.
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Butts was chosen as poet laureate in 2009. His term was set to expire next year.
Butts published several poetry collections, including "Sunday Evening at the Stardust Café," "Movies in a Small Town," "The Required Dance," and "Radio Time."
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He was a English professor at Hesser College and also taught writing at Goddard College, according to his obituary.
He leaves behind his wife, S. Stephanie, and a daughter, Amy.
A public wake is planned at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel (84 Broad St. in Portsmouth) on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A public memorial/life celebration will be held at the Portsmouth Women's City Club (375 Middle St. in Portsmouth) in on May 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.
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