PHILADELPHIA — Lois Villemaire, a retired local government worker, has released a new poetry book titled “My Eight Greats,” which highlights the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. The book features a variety of poems inspired by the area, including one named “Chestnut Hill” that recalls the author’s childhood experiences on Germantown Avenue.
Villemaire, 75, reflects on her memories of visiting local shops and the historical ambiance of the neighborhood. She writes:
“On Germantown Avenue I’m a child holding my grandmother’s hand, rewarded with the usual visit to Frigate’s bookstore to graze among the shelves.”
She continues, “Smiles are like wildflowers as we amble on the Avenue; cobblestone streets echo the faint clap of hooves with the cadence of a past century, steel tracks embedded as rails for the 23 Trolley.”
The poem also mentions various local businesses, including her grandfather’s grocery store, Blumenthal & Hayman, located at 8512-14 Germantown Ave. in the 1930s.
Villemaire, who previously published a chapbook titled “Eyes at the Edge of the Woods” in 2024, finds inspiration from her family and personal history. She began writing poetry after developing an interest in nature. Her late parents, particularly her father’s diverse interests and her mother’s dedication to social work and volunteering, have deeply influenced her work.
Villemaire grew up in Elkins Park and Melrose Park, graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1966 and Temple University in 1970 with a degree in Social Welfare. Her exploration of family history and her experiences with grief, including the loss of her sister, have shaped her poetry.
In addition to writing, Villemaire has engaged with online writing communities, finding support and inspiration. Her favorite story in “My Eight Greats” is “When Memory Becomes Art,” which describes a painting by her Aunt Alma Perch Finestone, capturing a memory of Villemaire’s father playing the tuba in high school.
Villemaire collaborated with writing coach Jodi Paloni to refine her manuscript, and the book took about a year to complete after extensive revisions.
Following a 27-year career in government, Villemaire now practices yoga and volunteers with a nonprofit supporting cancer patients and their families. She lives with her husband, Paul, and they have four children and five grandchildren.