Jack Smith, Poet Laureate of Dorchester County, will recite his patriotic poetry from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at The Library on The Ashley River, 2824 Bacons Bridge Road in Summerville, as a part of the Dorchester Heritage Center's Discovery Series.

Smith became Dorchester County's first official Poet Laureate in 2001. He has published three books of poetry, and his first novel, "Ballads of the Bellum," is available online through several venues under the ISBN 979-8-3694-1602-0.

Smith has lived in Dorchester for nearly 46 years. His wife, Karen, passed away in May 2021. For the past 25 years, he has shared his writings with the people of the area.

Though born in Indiana and raised in California, Smith has lived most of his 78 years in Dorchester County. He has performed around the country, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., but if you were to ask him where his home is, he would say it is Dorchester County, South Carolina.