All Are Welcome to Share Some “Good Grief”

About this event

All Are Welcome to Share Some “Good Grief”

On November 21, 2026, Ohio Poet Laureate Emeritus Kari Gunter-Seymour will host a book launch and community event she has titled, “Good Grief.” Activities will take place on the second floor gathering space at the beautifully renovated Athens Armory, beginning at 2PM. Doors will open at 1:30pm.

“The holidays are by all accounts one of the toughest times to deal with grief,” says Gunter-Seymour. “My new collection All That Teethes Within takes a hard look at grief and ways I was able to process. Because the Athens County community has always been so supportive of me, I decided I wanted to give back by creating a welcoming, safe space where all who care to can come together, among others of like minds, to consider our grief and discuss strategies that might bring about comfort and build up some joy for ourselves as we head into the season of celebrations and the colder months. There will be singing and food and plenty of hugs.”

The afternoon will begin with a poetry reading by Gunter-Seymour and immediate past Athens Poet Laureate Stephanie Kendrick, after which a time of sharing and discussion will be offered by Nancy Baur, Therapist LCPC, NCC and Bethany Fulton, PH.D, LPCC-S of Refuge Counseling. The event is free and all are welcome.

“My goal is to have an open-hearted afternoon of fellowship, poetry, song and plain talk about the intense sadness caused by significant loss,” says Gunter-Seymour, “including a discussion concerning suicide, which has become an epidemic among our young people in America. I want people to leave this event feeling less heavy in their hearts and uplifted from sharing our good grief along with our tough grief through words and song, perhaps even making new friends.”

Troll Road Catering will provide refreshments, and music will be provided by cellist Cornelia Babbit and poet/singer-songwriters Missy Whaley and Bonnie Proudfoot.

Little Professor Book Center will be onsite for those who wish to purchase the laureate’s books.

This event was made possible by a generous grant from The Athens Foundation.