Vachel Lindsay: Poet, 'Peddler Of Dreams,' Inspiration For New Play

Northern Public Radio | By Susan Stephens

Published September 4, 2015 at 7:42 AM CDT

One of Illinois’ great poets comes to life this weekend on a stage in Chicago. DeKalb resident Steve Duchrow performs his new work about Vachel Lindsay at the Chicago Fringe Festival.

He spoke with WNIJ’s Susan Stephens about his tribute to the Springfield native who walked across the country in 1906. Duchrow starts with the end of Lindsay’s poem, “The Flower-Fed Buffaloes.” Interview with Steve Duchrow, aired 9/4/15 Steve Duchrow reads Vachel Lindsay's "Gospel of Beauty"

Vachel Lindsay: Poet, 'Peddler Of Dreams,' Inspiration For New Play

Susan Stephens

Susan’s parents should have known she’d end up in radio: her favorite toys were tape recorders, cameras, notepads, and books. Many years later, she’s an award-winning reporter at her favorite radio station. Formerly WNIJ’s News Director, she asked to return to the role of full-time reporter/anchor/utility player in 2010 (less paperwork, more reporting!). Her #1 goal is to tell the most compelling stories in the fewest words possible…all the better if a little humor can be thrown into the mix. It should come as no surprise, then, that she can whip up a haiku for any occasion. She also enjoys the Detroit Tigers, learning pioneer skills (Gardening, canning, and the like. Just in case.), traveling with friends, and pretending she’s going to get around to playing her theremin.

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