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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2008 > November > 15 > Entry
in honor of Conrad Balliet
Conrad Balliet fell in love with poetry at an early age. He remembers his mother used to bounce him on her knee and recite verses to him in Pennsylvania Dutch.
He was 2 years old at the time. Those are his earliest memories. His mother’s poetic expression took hold, and Balliet has had a passion for poetry ever since.
In his 2006 memoir “Remembrances,” Balliet describes a fascinating life of cascading poetic adventures. In an interview, Balliet described poetry as “one of the few lasting passions.”
The Pennsylvania native could have taken over his father’s painting business. He chose a different path instead. He joined the U.S. Army. In his book, he describes that experience: “I ended up with the Third Army War Crimes Group in Dachau, Germany, a concentration camp liberated only six months earlier. The gas ovens still stood.”
Balliet recounted how his “experiences overseas no doubt also contributed significantly to two of the most significant and lasting passions of (his) life, poetry and travel.” He recalled the joys of reading Armed Forces Editions of poetry books while he was overseas.
Following his military service, Balliet embarked on an academic career. He also started a family. Balliet and his late wife, Marion, raised four children. After Balliet earned his doctorate from Cornell, he became a college professor.
He found jobs at colleges in Pennsylvania. In 1961, he was offered a position at Wittenberg University in Springfield. Balliet had some doubts — he enjoyed living on the eastern seaboard — but ultimately ended up teaching his beloved poetry at Wittenberg for 30 years.
“I don’t think there’s a place that I would have been more appropriate for — or more at home in — or a vocation that I could have chosen that would have been better for me. I have no regrets,” he said.
During his years at Wittenberg, Balliet spent many summers conducting academic research in Europe. He had a particular interest in tracing the career of one of his favorite poets, William Butler Yeats. Balliet explained his devotion to Yeats: “He (Yeats) does amazing things with words — and that’s what poets do. He has very clear perceptions into the human experience.”
After a long and distinguished academic life, Balliet decided it was time for the next stage: “I retired from Wittenberg in 1991. The only thing I really missed was sharing the poetry that I loved.”
Balliet found another outlet for poetry in 1993 when he started producing a radio show called “Conrad’s Corner” for WYSO Public Radio (91.3 FM) in Yellow Springs. For the past 15 years, Balliet has been poetry’s radio ambassador to the Miami Valley.
He doesn’t write much poetry himself. “I know good poetry when I see it, and I don’t write it,” he said.
He was a bit hesitant to feature local poets on his radio show, but Paul Maassen, the former station manager at WYSO, persuaded him otherwise.
“I decided to try it. I’ve had an amazingly positive response. My fears of a lot of bad poetry were not at all justified. There’s a lot of really good poetry by local poets. And local poets have few opportunities to have their stuff read. They have been extremely grateful and responsive. I’ve been amazed at how many good poets are in the area,” Balliet said.
Local poets frequently share their work and discuss it with Balliet during “WYSO Weekend,” which airs Sunday mornings at 10:30. Many archived programs are available on the WYSO Web site at www.wyso.org. David Lee Garrison, Robert Brimm, Marietta Ball, and Myrna Stone are some of the area poets who have been featured on the program so far.
These poets appreciate Conrad Balliet. On Sunday, Nov. 23, they will honor him at Wright State University for his years of devotion to the art form he loves.
Balliet hasn’t slowed down. In addition to “Conrad’s Corner,” he still travels the world (63 or 64 countries so far). Every other week he hosts a poetry salon at his home near Pitchin in Clark County. And he still rides his motorcycle.
Conrad Balliet- (photo by Jan Underwood for the Dayton Daily News)
How to Go
What: Local poets honor Conrad Balliet. Area poets will gather to thank him and read their work. The program also will include open mic time, so local poets are invited to bring their work.
When: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: Wright State University Student Union, Room 157
Admission: Free
Information: (937) 775 -2263
Where to get his book: Remembrances” is available at the Wittenberg University book store in Springfield.
Directions to Wright State University Student Union
From the North (Toledo area)
I-75 south to I-70 east I-70 east to I-675 south I-675 south to North Fairfield Road (Exit 17) Turn right on North Fairfield Road, travel approximately 1/2 mile to Colonel Glenn Highway Turn left on Colonel Glenn Highway Turn right at the second traffic light onto University Blvd. Follow the signs to the Visitor’s Parking Lot
From the Northeast (Cleveland/Akron area)
I-71 south to 270 west 270 west to I-70 west I-70 west to I-675 south I-675 south to North Fairfield Road (Exit 17) Turn right on North Fairfield Road, travel approximately 1/2 mile to Colonel Glenn Highway Turn left on Colonel Glenn Highway Turn right at the second traffic light onto University Blvd. Follow the signs to the Visitor’s Parking Lot
From the South
I-75 north to I-675 north I-675 north to North Fairfield Road (Exit 17). Follow sign for North Fairfield Road (not WSU) Turn left on North Fairfield Road, travel approximately 1/2 mile to Colonel Glenn Highway Turn left on Colonel Glenn Highway Turn right at the second traffic light onto University Blvd. Follow the signs to the Visitor’s Parking Lot
From the East or West
I-70 to I-675 south I-675 south to North Fairfield Road (Exit 17) Turn right on North Fairfield Road, travel approximately 1/2 mile to Colonel Glenn Highway Turn left on Colonel Glenn Highway Turn right at the second traffic light onto University Blvd. Follow the signs to the Visitor’s Parking Lot
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Aileen in Yellow Springs
November 17, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
conrad’s love of poetry is matched by his desire to share it - thank you, vick, for this insight and for notice about the opportunity to show our appreciation for what he doesBy David Lee Garrison
November 15, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Great, absolutely great article, Vick! THANKS! DaveBy lmj
November 15, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the notice, Vick. Maybe I’ll see you there.