"Aleida Rodriguez is one of three former Hedgebrook residents who will read in Poetry by the Ponds at the women writers' retreat.Celebrating National Poetry Month, Hedgebrook retreat for women writers on South Whidbey will host three former resident poets presenting readings at its annual al fresco event, Poetry By the Ponds. Appearing on Saturday, April 28, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. will be Joan Fiset, Aleida Rodriguez and Carletta Carrington Wilson. They will read their poetry in a woodland meadow pavilion against the backdrop of Hedgebrook's tranquil ponds and views to Admiralty Inlet. The public is invited at no charge.Throughout the afternoon, guests may walk portions of the grounds and gardens at the writers retreat, with refreshments by staff chefs and information available about Hedgebrook and its programs.Cuban-born author Rodriguez is the author of Garden of Exile, which won the 1998 Kathryn A. Morton Prize in poetry and the PEN Center USA West 2000 Literary Award, and was on the San Francisco Chronicle's Tops of 2000 book list.Fiset's book of memoir prose poems, Now the Day is Over, received the King County Arts Commission Publication Award. Currently a writer in residence at Richard Hugo House, and was given an award from the Seattle Arts Commission for work on a new book, Read in the Broken Wind.Wilson is a poet, essayist and fiction writer, whose work has been included in Seattle Poets and Photographers: A Millennium Reflection, Uncommon Waters: Women Write about Fishing, and Skin Deep: Women Writing on Color, Culture and Identity.Hedgebrook Writers Retreat is located at 2197 E. Millman Road, Langley. For more information or directions visit www.hedgebrook.org or call 341-2434. "

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