Oh My Goodness! Oh My Dear! Sassafrass and Ginger Beer! We changed our name!
Island Readers & Writers Blog
THE ASHLEY BRYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Islesford, on Little Cranberry Island, voted today to change the name of their school to THE ASHLEY BRYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
While the Big Read is officially over the conversations continue!
“Picket Line” along with an amazingly colorful photo of 105 pickets (shown below) captured the attention of readers in the March 8 edition of the Mount Desert Islander.
“Students from all elementary schools in the Mount Desert Island Regional School System customized these fence pickets – 105 in all- with a focus on patterns to celebrate the famous fence-painting scene from “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” as part of The Big Read 2012. Art teachers at each school worked with their students to complete the project, and it was assembled by Bob Sattler from Pemetic Elementary. Shown here at Seawall, it will be moved to various locations throughout the district.” – Mount Desert Islander
The Big Read 2012
A snowstorm marked the beginning and the end of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” 2012 Big Read. On Saturday, February 11 enthusiastic participants of The Big Read said good-bye to Huck, Tom, Becky and Aunt Polly with a delicious baked bean supper and dance featuring the music of The Big Moose Band with caller Chrissy Fowler.
Special raft centerpieces made out of twigs complete with lean-tos, a pirate flag and oars constructed by the Girl Scout Troop 1661 and Forrest and Sophia Watras adorned the tables. The Somesville Library Association children’s program exhibited wooden fence pickets (donated by Ellsworth Building Supply) painted as part of their “Just for Kids” program.
Jan Coates, Executive Director of Island Readers & Writers welcomed guests and expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the many people who contributed to the success of The Big Read.
A rousing applause was given to chefs Victor Stanley, Howard Monroe and James Lindquist for preparing such a wonderful feast, Hannaford’s for donating food, The Big Moose Band for their music, and The Northeast Harbor Neighborhood House.
The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, was made possible by a grant matched by the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation, BHBT, Island Readers & Writers, and private donations.
It’s been a fabulous literary adventure!
Games Night at the Southwest Harbor Public Library
February 8, 2012
Games Night at the Southwest Harbor Public Library
in the spirit of the era of Tom Sawyer
Organized by Dick Atlee, Sarah Corson, and Linda Uberseder
A group of eighteen children and adults focused merrily on the materials, rules, and skills necessary for playing various old-time games. Favorite choices were jacks, marbles, dominoes, jackstraws, and handcrafted jigsaw puzzles. The final photo shows our version of the “tick-on-a-slate” game that Tom and Joe conjured up when bored at school. Other games attracting attention were ninepins, ball-in-a-cup, dancing man, humdingers, gee haw whimmy diddle, string games, Jacob’s ladder, and a marble track. At the end, the group gathered for a lively game of Button, Button Who’s Got the Button?
Where is Tom Sawyer now?
Building on the mischievous nature of Tom Sawyer, program planners on Swans Island initiated its own “Where’s Waldo” program featuring Tom. He could be anywhere – at the cemetery, library, ferry terminal, Odd Fellow’s Hall, Lobstermen’s Coop or just hanging out with friends. The idea is to note and report where and when Tom was seen throughout the island. I understand the winner will receive a special prize!
Mrs. Abbott’s lesson of “duty before pleasure”
On Saturday, Maudie March aka Mrs. Abbott instructed students on her expectations for their orderly and respectful behavior and conducted a variety of lessons focusing on the theme “duty before pleasure.” Students listened intently and quickly adjusted to the norms of the day. Then on Wednesday, Mrs. Abbott traveled by ferry to Long Island. Mrs. Abbott and games specialist Linda Uberseder were properly greeted by the students of Frenchboro School. They delighted in sharing a classroom experience in an historic setting reminiscent of the 1840s. The students did an excellent job memorizing and reciting poems and discussing stories from the McGuffy Reader. Following their lessons they joined Mrs. Uberseder for a rousing game of tag – learning games of the 1840s such as hoop rolling and “graces” – and tried their hand at tops, jacks, marbles and pick-up sticks and much more. All had a grand time.
Maudie March (aka Mrs. Abbott) at the Frenchboro School and at Mount Desert Island Historical Society's Old Schoolhouse and Museum
Smokey Jeff McKeen
“Smokey” Jeff McKeen brought the Northeast Harbor Library exhibit “Life Along the Union River” to life with stories and music. This folk historian shared stories about the Union, Penobscot and Kennebec rivers through songs and recollections learned from “old timers” whose tales were passed down through the years. Smokey played two different guitars, a banjo, accordions, bones, jew’s harp, and harmonica. Listening to the music and lyrics surrounded by the photographs and maps of the river transported the audience to the campfires of the logger with a heighten appreciation for the dangers and traditions of logging. Ties to Mark Twain and the Mississippi were artfully woven throughout the performance.
Smokey Jeff McKeen
Report from Swan’s Island
What a great event – The Big Read. We are big fans of the Big Read. We set sail over to Swan’s Island then over to Reel Pizza. Looking forward to the next event on Saturday.
Sally, Sam & Kate Hoff
Winterfest
Winterfest…. a late January community gathering in the Deer Isle-Stonington elementary school auditorium. It’s the place to be on a snowy Saturday, with fun things to do, friends to meet, great food to eat, performances to watch, and books to discuss. IRW was present too, giving out books to young and old, and chatting about Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer to neighbors. Our booth was alongside one from the local historical society and both of us featured aspects of life on our island during the time of Tom Sawyer. Candace Hall, the librarian at our town’s public library, helped kids with a Go Fish game like one the kids played back in the 1840s. The prize catch included miniature yoyos or marbles as well as a quote from Mark Twain glued to a paper ‘fish’. You can see from Candace’s jaunty hat, that our island people really get into these events!
Sallie Findlay
