Books were sold and signed at the 13th annual Northwoods Art Festival and Book Fair, and a display honored a trio of local writers.

Bergstrom said living near the Pine River provides ideas for her nature poetry. Her works have been published in a variety of magazines, anthologies and newspapers.

Maxine Kaiser Russell, League of Minnesota Poet Laureate 2001-06, has lived her entire 96 years in Minnesota. Recipient of many awards, she has written more than 500 poems and is currently working on a manuscript titled "100 Poems at Age 100."

Doris Stengel, has been active in the League of Minnesota Poets, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies and winner of the Bardic chair in 2006.

The three honorees were introduced and read several of their favorite poems to the large and appreciative audience who had gathered for the afternoon readings.

Another first this year was a display of poems by local writers. All of the poems were first sent to Stengel, who judged for the six Work of Merit awards. All of the poems were numbered so writers' names were unknown to her.

Then all poems were hung on large display boards (with no evidence of Stengel's choices) and people attending the book fair were invited to vote for their six favorites.

Work of Merit awards went to Bergstrom, Simar, and Penelope Swan of Hackensack, Luke Anderson of Battle Lake; Louise Bottrell of Walker, Joanne MorŽn of Hackensack.

Popular Choice awards went to Simar, Patricia Conner of Cass Lake, Bottrell, Sharon Harris of Menahga, Marion C. Holtey of Nevis and MorŽn.

After the honorees read, the 12 awarded poems were announced, their writers introduced and then invited to read their awarded works.