The Big Read January 12 – 18, 2012
“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” – Mark Twain
Get on board The Big Read 2012 and join in the fun! There’s singing, dancing, art, storytelling, book discussing and readings – all designed to delight, intrigue, enlighten and incite exploration.
Libraries, schools, businesses and nonprofits across seven islands in Hancock County have come together for a monthlong extravaganza of fun to bring The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to life for an estimated 1,500 readers of all ages.
The Big Read is sure to inspire an excitement for reading and build community. Join us.
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Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 7:00pm – 8:30pm - Very Important Notice: The Mount Desert Kickoff has been canceled due to weather and school closing.
The Big Read Kickoff I: An Evening with Mark Twain
Location: Higgins-Demas Theater, Mount Desert Island High School, 1081 Eagle Lake Rd., Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Nationally acclaimed actor John Pogson brings Mark Twain to life in a riveting, humorous, and poignant program launching The Big Read 2012 in Maine. In the guise of the legendary author and storyteller, Pogson will talk about Twain’s life, including his visits to Maine and how he became a writer, and set the context for “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” which has become an American classic. Maine’s state librarian, Linda Lord, will join the celebration. Period music and slides will introduce the program. Admission is free! For more information contact Jan Coates at 288-2211.
View John Pogson as Mark Twain in a performance at the Mark Twain House and Museum.
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Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 8:00am – 2:30pm
Exhibit: Steamboats in Downeast Waters
Location: Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School Library, 249 North Deer Isle Rd., Deer isle, ME 04627
Steamboats were not only used on rivers but also on the ocean as early as 1836. Come view models, photographs and artifacts of some of Penobscot Bay’s most famous steamboats. See how these boats compared to those described in writings by Mark Twain and learn the origins of Samuel Longhorn Clemens penname Mark Twain.
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Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 9:00am – 5:00pm
Exhibit: Toys, Tools and Treasures from the 1800s
Location: Southwest Harbor Public Library, 338 Main St., Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
The Southwest Harbor Public Library and the Tremont Historical Society have teamed up to present an exhibit of items from the 1800s. On display for the duration of The Big Read will be medical instruments, medicine bottles, toys, candle molds, fishing and logging tools and more. Designed to deepen our appreciation for life in the 1800s, specifically during the time of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” this exhibit provides a look at life in bygone days. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm and Wednesday – 9:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday – 9:00am to noon.
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Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 10:00am – 5:30pm
Exhibit: Life Along the Union River
Location: Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” the Mississippi River was the lifeline of the community; people traveled, worked and played along its banks. Here in our area the Union River often served the same purposes. The Northeast Harbor Library joins with the Ellsworth Historical Society, the Ellsworth Public Library, the Penobscot Marine Museum, the Woodlawn Museum, the Maine Folklife Center and area residents to present an exhibit of life along the Union River in the days of logging and mills, during January and February 2012. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm and Wednesday – 9:00am to 7:00pm and Saturday – 9:00am to 1:00pm.
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Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 9:30am – 10:30am
Logrolling
Location: MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Join other adventurers at the YMCA pool to learn about being a river logger at the time of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Staff members will be on hand for instruction that includes real logs in the water. Come prepared to swim, laugh and have a great time!
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Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Twain’s Times: 19th Century Activities for Young and Old
Location: Swan’s Island Library, 451 Atlantic Rd., Swan’s Island, ME 04685
Join community members of all ages in a discussion of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” while quilting, writing and playing games. One of a five-part Saturday series; come for one or all sessions.
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Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Film: “Mark Twain” by Ken Burns
Location: Reel Pizza Cinerama, 33 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Come one, come all to a special matinee screening of the PBS documentary “Mark Twain” directed by filmmaker Ken Burns. This dynamic and engaging film fully presents the life and writings of the great American writer and humorist. The film includes a stunning collection of photographs and interviews with Hal Holbrook, Arthur Miller, Russell Banks, and William Styron. A brief discussion will follow the viewing of the film.
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Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012 10:00am – 11:00am
Big Read Kickoff II: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: The Reach Performing Arts Center, Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, 249 North Deer Isle, ME 04627
All people, young and old and in between, are invited to join students and special guests at the Reach Performing Arts Center for a kickoff event introducing The Big Read in Maine 2012. Dr. Barbara Snedecor, director of the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College, will talk about Mark Twain and his love of steamboats, and his life at Quarry Farm where he wrote “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Music and selected readings will be performed.
Find out more about The Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College.
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Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012 3:30pm – 4:30pm
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Read Aloud
Location: Main Street Variety and Garage Deli, 120 Main St. Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
As in the days when Mark Twain was writing, come enjoy a novel as it is read aloud by local community members, town officials and volunteers. This multigenerational read-aloud will start us off on our own journey through “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Warm yourself with a cup of coffee and enjoy the fellowship of sharing a good story with friends. Continues on Jan. 19.
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Tuesday, Jan 17, 2012 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Book Discussion: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Location: Bass Harbor Memorial Library, 89 Bernard Road, Bernard, ME 04612
Clara Baker and Amanda Crafts will be joined by Dr. Barabara Snedecor, director of the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College, for a lively exchange of ideas about “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” in the cozy setting of the Bass Harbor Memorial Library. Dr. Snedecor will present a short program on Mark Twain’s years at Quarry Farm where he wrote “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. All are welcome!
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Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 1:00pm – 2:30pm
School Day Reenactment
Location: Frenchboro School, Frenchboro, Long Island, ME 04635
The school bell is ringing! Join Maudie March costumed as a school teacher, and experience a school day as Tom Sawyer and his classmates would have in 1840. She will arrive by ferry and walk to the schoolhouse or, perhaps, ride if it’s snowy. The class will proceed as it might have in 1840, complete with writing slates, slate pencils and McGuffey readers! Students will discuss Maine and U.S. history, and transportation and trade of the era. They may also have a lesson in “civility.” During recess children will be introduced to period toys and games. Customary dress is encouraged.
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Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 6:00pm – 7:30pm
A Closer Look at Injun Joes
Location: Chase Memorial Library, 17 Main Street, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Join Raney Bench, the Abbe Museum’s curator of education, for a discussion and deeper look into the characterization and stereotypes surrounding Injun Joe in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Explore why some of the less prominent stereotypes in the book have become contentious. Discuss the diverse portrayal of Native American people in the story, and where such notions of indian identity and character come from and why they remain to this day.
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