Poetry Happy Hour Features Annie Newcomer and Erikka O’Toole

Gotahold Brewing has chosen the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) as their #TipsforTransformation benefactor during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month.  Poetry Happy Hours will be held at 5:30 pm every Thursday in the Beer Garden at Gotahold to benefit the WCDH scholarship fund and celebrate the beauty and art of poetry. On Thursday, April 22, at 5:30 pm poets Annie Newcomer and Erikka O’Toole will share their work.

Annie Klier Newcomer lives in Prairie Village, Kansas with David, her husband of over forty years and their Aussiedoodle, Summit, a pup who likes to spend time with her as she writes. Annie started “poetizing" later in life. It was a way to keep her brother, John Klier, a revered professor and scholar, who died from misdiagnosed cancer, tethered to her. Her poetry keeps the spirit of John's love of adventure, and thirst for learning, alive in the words she "moves around on the page" and fashions into poems. This endeavor rewards her with a life that is hopeful, happy, and full of curiosity.

Erikka O’Toole is an aspiring social entrepreneur, performing artist, and homemaker. She is passionate about engaging in creative projects and community interest rooted in faith,  family, and freedom. She is a former Miss Black Missouri USA  titleholder, active Junior League member, and a weekly volunteer at Lazarus Ministries, which provides clothing and food to neighbors in need in Kansas City, Missouri. She is committed to forwarding peace-building efforts across diverse communities including addressing literacy gaps in education and eradicating daily food insecurity. Erikka resides with her loving supportive spouse Stephen, their three spirited dogs and two rescue kittens. Her life motto is from “Purlie” the  Broadway musical: “May your own dreams be your only boundaries.”

WCDH Executive Director, Michelle Hannon, said, “We are honored to be celebrating National Poetry Month as the recipient of Gotahold Brewing’s Thursday #tipsfortransformation. It’s a privilege to be able to share the poetry of such diverse, dynamic, and engaging poets with the Eureka Springs community and visitors. The Writers’ Colony would like to thank Wendy and Dave at Gotahold for their generosity and Annie and Erikka for their support.”

Gotahold Brewing is located at 408 W. Van Buren in Eureka Springs.  Opened in 2020 by Wendy Reese Hartman and Dave Hartman, their mission is to change customers’ perception of beer while inspiring deeper connection, compassion, and positive action in our world. Visit them at https://gotahold.beer.

The WCDH scholarship fund was developed in December 2019 to assist emerging writers and those from marginalized communities who need financial support to benefit from a writing residency at Dairy Hollow. Scholarships are awarded on an as-needed basis depending on availability. If you are unable to attend a Poetry Happy Hour but would like to support a WCDH scholarship fund, please visit https://www.writerscolony.org/give-to-wcdh-scholarship-fund.