January 17, 2012 KICKOFF

The Reach Performing Arts Center

Deer Isle- Stonington Elementary School

Students and community members were treated to an exciting introduction to Mark Twain and his book “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”  by special guests, Huckleberry Finn and Dr. Barbara Snedecor from Elmira College.

Marvin Merritt played the role of Huckleberry Finn as part of The Big Read Kickoff.   Huck jumped out of the pages of Robert Bruleigh’s book “The Adventures of Mark Twain”  to introduce his friend Sam Clemens.  The video clip is an excerpt from that performance.

Marvin is an 8th Grader and has been in numerous theatrical productions at the Reach and the Stonington Opera House.  He has been chosen to play Mike TV in the Cabin Fever production of “Willy Wonka” in March.

Dr. Barbara Snedecor continued the story about the life of Mark Twain focusing on his love of rivers, steamboats and Quarry Farm where he wrote “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”  Her presentation included slides of Sam Clemens early life, the Mississippi River and Quarry Farm the summer home of the Clemens family located in Elmira, New York.

Dr. Barbara Snedecor directs the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies.  She has taught composition and literature at various colleges and universities and has published two novels and a variety of essays.  Her focus in Twain studies is autobiography, biography, and domesticity.  She is currently completing a book entitled Gravity:  Selections from the Letters of Olivia Langdon Clemens.

From Top to Bottom: Dr. Barbara Snedecor; Quarry Farm; Steamboat on exhibit at the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School; "Fabulous Fences and Wise Words" Exhibition at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library

Big things are on the horizon thanks to The Big Read. Scores of free events will be offered now through Saturday, Feb. 11 including theater performances, films, art exhibits, public readings and lectures, music concerts, storytelling, game nights, book discussions, workshops and crafting sessions, and even logrolling classes at venues on Mount Desert Island, Deer Isle/Stonington, Swans Island, Islesford, Frenchboro and Isle au Haut. Oh, and there’s reading, too.

The whole shebang is geared around “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” Mark Twain. “I think the beauty of this program is that you don’t necessarily have to be a reader,” said Candy Emlen, director of the Southwest Harbor Library. “You can participate in all the different programs that are offered and don’t even have to read the book and you’ll still get something out of it.” But organizers are hoping people of all ages will read the book, either on their own or as part of a group.

– an excerpt from Melinda Rice’s article in the MD Islander on 1/5/12

Lisa Shields we salute you!  Since 2009 Island Readers & Writers has been taking authors, illustrators, and special book tours (The Circus Ship) to the children on North Haven. These trips wouldn’t have been possible without the support and dedication of Lisa Shields, Arts Coordinator for North Haven Community School.

Last week I visited with Lisa on North Haven to thank her for her participation, creativity and support of Island Readers & Writers. She has been a joy to work with and is our champion on North Haven for art and literature.  A gracious host, advocate, and friend, we will miss her!

Gratefully,

Jan Coates, Executive Director

Islands in Hancock County are a buzz as planning for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Big Read continues. Small group meetings are being held to discuss programs and partnerships as libraries, schools and nonprofit organizations join forces to design this year’s Big Read.  Island libraries play a key role in the Big Read.  Not only will they distribute books to participating readers, but they will host book discussions and develop book-related exhibits and programs. Check out the video and hear what librarians say about the Big Read.

A glimpse into an island school…

Toni Buzzeo on Islesboro.

Whew!  I just returned from a book tour with Toni Buzzeo and her husband Ken Cyll.  Our adventure started on Monday, October 3 when we caught the 7:30 a.m. ferry to Swan’s Island and ended on Thursday, October 6 after visiting students on Islesboro.  In between, we had great fun visiting with students on Frenchboro, Vinalhaven and Deer Isle.  During our travels Toni met with approximately 265 readers and Island Readers & Writers gave away 220 copies of Toni’s book Lighthouse Christmas -story inspired by the William Wincapaw and the Flying Santa Service – and The Sea Chest.

Deer Isle - Stonington

While visiting Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School we connected via internet conferencing to four more schools – Matinicus, Isle au Haut, Monhegan and Cliff Island. We traveled on state ferries and private boats, ate picnic lunches and scrumptious home cooked meals, made lots of new friends and caught up with old friends as well. Given that Bill Wincapaw began the Flying Santa Service in Penobscot Bay there was much to learn from students about their first-hand experience with the Flying Santa.  In preparation for Toni’s visit students participated in various book-related activities – painting a mural of a lighthouse, conducting research on lighthouses in Penobscot Bay, writing poems about mariners and lighthouses, reading the book in advance and developing thoughtful questions about writing.  We loved seeing and hearing about all the student projects.  It was a grand time indeed.

My thanks to Toni for her excellent presentation on the writing of Lighthouse Christmas. Her slide show was informative, singing superb, versatility in responding to varied audiences amazing, and her joy in sharing her book with readers evident.  Oh, did I mention her positive attitude, sense of humor and endless energy?

Vinalhaven

Our visit was early in the school year and in some cases a break between testing sessions.  Thank you to all the schools for hosting us and for doing such a wonderful job in preparing for our visit.  It is my hope that all will long enjoy the story Lighthouse Christmas and continue to research and explore the history of lighthouses and the families that operated them in Penobscot Bay. 

Watch a clip of Toni Buzzeo’s Lighthouse Christmas Tour.

Jan Coates, Executive Director of Island Readers & Writers announced that they had received the only Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in the State of Maine. The book selection is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Participating islands:  Mount Desert, Deer Iles-Stonington and their respective outer islands of Isle au Haut, Frenchboro, Swan’s and the Cranberry Isles.  The Big Read will be held from January 12 to February 11, 2012.

All photographs by Ken Woisard