Theodore H.

Roethke was born in Saginaw, Michigan and

grew up on the west side of the Saginaw River. His father,
Otto, was a German immigrant, a market-gardener who
owned a large local 25 acre greenhouse, along with his
brother. Much of Theodores childhood was spent in this
greenhouse, as reflected by the use of natural images in his
poetry. In early 1923 when Roethke was 14 years old, his
uncle committed suicide and his father died of cancer, and
these events no doubt impacted him deeply and influenced
his work.
Roethke published several volumes of influential and
critically acclaimed verse throughout his lifetime. He is widely regarded as among the
most accomplished and influential poets of his generation. His work is characterized by its
introspection, rhythm and natural imagery.
He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book, The Waking, and he
won the annual National Book Award for Poetry twice, in 1959 for Words for the Wind
and posthumously in 1965 for The Far Field.

The Theodore and Carl Roethke homes are adjacent residences in Saginaw, Michigan,
formerly belonging to the family of the Michigan Pulitzer Prize-winner, Theodore Roethke, and
located at 1805 and 1759 Gratiot Avenue respectively. The intent of the museum is to give the
experience of writing in a nature poets house, and to avail visiting writers and researchers of
the archives and artifacts of the Roethke family. Friends of Theodore Roethke has a Michigan
Historic Marker between the houses, a Literary Landmark plaque on the poets front porch,
and National Registry of Historic Sites designation under the National Park Service. Friends of
Theodore Roethke is a 501c3 in its fourteenth year of summer literary picnics and fourth year
of Language Arts Review for children, preschool third grade. In 2008, the poets centennial
year, they received the prestigious Saginaw All Area Arts Award for adding to the quality
of community life. Former Saginaw Mayor Joyce Seals said the Roethke home gives hope
to Saginaw. Plans for a collaborative arts education exhibit are unfolding to feature mental
health outreach informed by the arts, in consideration of Theodore Roethkes own struggle
with mental illness. Soon facilities will be handicap accessible with sensitivity to visitors with
disabilities. A backyard garden reflects Roethkes lifelong involvement in the natural world.

na
Sagi

w MAX System of Care presen

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The Garden Master

In celebration of Saginaws own Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award
winning poet, Theodore H. Roethke, and National Recovery Month
Saginaw MAX, in partnership with the Faith Based Coalition, is featuring
an original dramatic reading of Roethke and Me: Conjuring the Garden
Master, by actor and writer Richard Fitzpatrick.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

2:00pm - 7:30pm
World Outreach Campus
2405 Bay Road, Saginaw

Richard Fitzpatrick

In its 25th year, Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention,
treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders. Recovery Month
spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health,
that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

Theodore H. Roethke

Master of Ceremonies:
Pastor Kareem Bowen

Canadian actor Richard Fitzpatrick has worked on

Broadway, in Regional Theaters across the United
States, and at The Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
His extensive film and television credits include
principal roles in the feature films Good Will Hunting,
The Recruit, Dick, The Boondock Saints, The
River King, Cavemans Valentine, Talk To Me, and
most recently Richard Donners Sixteen Blocks.
On television, he has appeared in leading and supporting roles on The X
Files, Lonesome Dove, Kingdom Hospital, Storm of the Century, The
Music Man, The Reagans, The Pentagon Papers, and much more.

Special Thanks to Carters Catering Service

of Saginaw for providing the delicious
desserts and refreshments.

He has also written and performed his one man show, Roethke and Me:
Conjuring the Garden Master, based on the poetry and prose of the
Pulitzer Prize winning poet Theodore Roethke.

Lesley Walker-Fitzpatrick was born in Scotland and

received schooling in both Canada and the United
States. She holds a B.A. in Developmental Psychology
and has worked in the social services and arts.
Lesley is the sister of poet and author John C. Walker,
a quadriplegic and mute, wrote A Fragile Tree has
Roots, and In Other Words. He was also the subject
of the feature film A Fragile Tree Has Roots, shown
on the C.B.C. show Man Alive that won a Gemini award and a Chris
Statuette in Ohio.
She has presented educational interactive workshops for twenty years
as an artist in the schools, researching and creating programs on the
environment, social justice, war and peace, and drama and dance.
She is married to actor Richard Fitzpatrick and the mother of artist Alex
Fitzpatrick.

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm

Welcome & Program Introduction

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

The Marvel of His Days

performed by Lesley Fitzpatrick

4:00 pm - 4:15 pm Refreshments & Meet and Greet

with Lesley Fitzpatrick
4:15 pm

Program Introduction

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Roethke and Me: Conjuring the Garden Master

performed by Richard Fitzpatrick

6:30 pm

Refreshments

6:45 pm - 7:30 pm

Open Discussion with Richard Fitzpatrick

A very special thanks to Dalia Smith, Saginaw MAX System of Care Cultural and
Linguistic Competency Coordinator, whos dedication and passion was the driving
force behind making this incredible event happen!