Medford names Max Heinegg new poet laureate
Max Heinegg has been picked to be Medford’s new poet laureate, a position currently held by Vijaya Sundaram, whose two-year term ends on June 30. He will become the city’s third poet laureate.
Max Heinegg has a lot on his plate — teaching at Medford High School, co-owning Medford Brewing, writing music and poetry — but he’s about to add a new job to that list.
Heinegg has been picked to be Medford’s new poet laureate, a position currently held by Vijaya Sundaram, whose two-year term ends on June 30. He will become the city’s third poet laureate.
“I’m psyched,” Heinegg said, of his reaction to the job. “It’s the right time in my life to be doing it.”
Medford will be holding Heinegg’s official installation on July 30 at 6 p.m. in the Alden Memorial Chambers at City Hall.
Heinegg said he applied for the position two years ago, sending in not only his resume, but a proposal on what he’d like to do if he got the job. He said it was a good opportunity to spread his love of poetry and music to people who might otherwise not have exposure to them.
He didn’t get the job.
But that doesn’t mean the proposal he submitted to the city will go to waste. In fact, those ideas are exactly what Heinegg plans to do during his two-year term, which begins July 1.
“I want to make poetry accessible to everybody,” he said. “I want to be very accessible and I plan to be in different places and venues, not just do stodgy readings. I want to be available to people of lots of different ages and present the idea of poetry and song in the same forums.”
Heinegg said he wants to set up readings in senior communities and work with Council on Aging. He’s also like to work with the library and maybe do a series. The ideas are many.
Life in Medford
Heinegg has a background in both poetry and music. He has been writing since he was a teenager and has published almost 300 poems and recorded 10 albums of original music.
Heinegg has also published three poetry collections: “Good Harbor,” “Going There” and “Keepers of the House.”
He has been doing readings for 10 years at the Medford Historical Society and put together a series called “Poetry on Hops” a few years ago. But COVID-19 ended the event, although Heinegg said don’t discount it coming back.
Heinegg said there are many locations throughout Medford now for readings.
“There are a lot of good venues and a lot of great events where you can bring in people of all ages,” he said. “Poetry is meant to be read, poetry is meant to be heard.”
He added he’s also got ideas for anthologies and bringing the knowledge of self-publication to residents who might now know they can be published.
“There are so many cool opportunities out there,” he said.
Many people might not know Heinegg other than from his other two jobs. He has been a teacher in the Medford Public Schools for 27 years and at Medford High School for 22, teaching world and British literature to sophomores and seniors.
His other job is as co-owner and brewer at Medford Brewing Co. It’s just another day job.
“I love living here,” Heinegg said, of being a Medford resident. “The people have always been very welcoming to me and my family. It’s been such a positive experience.”
