MONROE, Mich. – The One Book, One Community of Monroe County Committee has finalized the calendar of events planned around the themes in this year’s featured book selection, “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles.
The events formally launch with a kickoff event on the evening of March 13 at Monroe County Community College’s La-Z-Boy Center. One Book, One Community of Monroe County, modeled after a program developed by the American Library Association, promotes the value of reading by recommending a compelling book that links community members in a common conversation through readings, group discussions, programs and other events.
“News of the World” (2016) tells the story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, who in the wake of the Civil War, travels through northern Texas, giving live readings from newspapers to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence. In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna's parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Through their journey, Kidd and the girl form a special bond set against the harsh landscape of the postwar south.
Below is the calendar of events.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
March 11
Film Series: “The Searchers”
6:30 p.m.
Ellis Library & Reference Center
3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe
In this revered Western, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) returns home to Texas after the Civil War. When members of his brother's family are killed or abducted by the Comanche, he vows to track down his surviving relatives and bring them home. Eventually, Edwards gets word that his niece (Natalie Wood) is alive, and, along with her adopted brother (Jeffrey Hunter), he embarks on a dangerous mission to find her, journeying deep into Comanche territory.
Western/Drama/Adventure/Classics (rated PG) 1956 – 119 minutes.
Dr. Paul Hedeen, dean of the Humanities/Social Sciences Division at MCCC, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie snacks will be available.
March 12
Book Discussion: “News of the World”
10-11 a.m.
Monroe County Community College
Audrey M. Warrick Student Services / Administration Building, Room 173a
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
March 13
One Book, One Community 2019 Kick-off
6-8 p.m.
Monroe County Community College
La-Z-Boy Center
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe.
This event will include music, light refreshments and family-friendly fun. Attendees will be able to explore Plains Indian artifacts with Gerry Wykes of the Monroe County Museum. Entries in the One Book, One Community of Monroe County High School Read and Respond Creativity Competition will be displayed. A monetary prize for Best of Show will be awarded before the evening’s event. At 7 p.m., the event will move to the theater for performance by renowned storyteller Genot Picor, who will entertain audience members with a program created specifically for the 2019 book selection, “News of the World.”
March 14
Book Discussion: “News of the World”
6:30-8 p.m.
Ida Brach Library
30161 Lewis Ave., Ida
March 17
Film Series: “Shane”
2 p.m.
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance
A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smoldering settler/rancher conflict forces him to act. Shane is a 1953 American Technicolor Western film from Paramount Pictures, noted for its landscape cinematography, editing, performances and contributions to the genre.The picture was produced and directed by George Stevens from a sceenplay by A. B. Guthrie Jr., based on the 1949 novel of the same name by Jack Schaefer.
Western/Drama/Romance/Classics (rated G) 1953 – 118 minutes.
Rachel Eagle, administrative assistant to the dean of the Humanities/Social Sciences Division at MCCC, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie snacks will be available.
March 18
Film Series: “High Noon”
6:30 p.m.
Ellis Library and Reference Center
3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe
High Noon is a 1952 American Western film starring Gary Cooper. The plot centers around a town marshal who is torn between his sense of duty and love for his new bride and who must face a gang of deadly killers alone at high noon when the gang leader, an outlaw he sent up years ago, arrives on the noon train.
Mark Bergmooser, assistant professor of communications at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie snacks will be available.
March 19
Brown Bag Discussion: “The Captured” by Scott Zesch
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College
Library – Quiet Study Area
Campbell learning Resources Center
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
March 20
Meet the Author – Scott Zesch
7 p.m.
Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center, Monroe County Community College
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
Scott Zesch’s great-great uncle, Adolph Korn was the 10-year old son of German immigrant farmers in the Texas Hill country. In 1870, Korn was captured by the Apaches and traded to the Comanches with whom he lived as a tribe member for nearly three years. He was not the only one. Scott Zesch writes about these children in a narrative history, The Captured, that tells the stories of these child captives. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
March 21
Brown Bag Discussion: “News of the World”
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
La-Z-Boy Center, Atrium
Monroe County Community College
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
Lecture: Why Was Reconstruction So Much Harder Than Deconstruction?
7-8:30 p.m.
Monroe County Museum
126 S. Monroe St., Monroe
This lecture by Dr. Bruce Way, professor of history at the University of Toledo, will detail why Reconstruction took so long, what it might, and might not, have accomplished, and why Reconstruction hasn’t had its own sesquicentennial observance.
March 23
Event: Pen to Palette Docent-led Tour
1-2 p.m.
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St., Toledo
Using the book “News of the World” as inspiration, the staff of the Toledo Museum of Art has created a special hour-long tour for readers of the book. Join the docents as they take participants on a special tour highlighting a variety of art works in the museum’s contemporary collection. The tour is free, but there is an $8 parking fee for non-members. Make a reservation by calling Rachel Eagle at (734) 384-4153 by Friday, March 15. The tour will start promptly at 1 p.m. from the main museum entrance.
March 26
Panel Discussion: State of Journalism in the World
7-8:30 p.m.
La-Z-Boy Center, Atrium
Monroe County Community College
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
The state of journalism is in flux, as consumers turn to social media for information and news organizations are attacked by both sides of an increasingly polarized society. A panel of media experts will discuss the state of news in the world today and perhaps take a peek at the future.
March 27
Book Discussion: “The Captured” by Scott Zesch
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance
March 29
Southwestern Culinary Buffet
6 p.m.
Dining Room – Audrey M. Warrick Student Services / Administration Building
Monroe County Community College
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
The second year culinary skills and management students at MCCC, along, with Chef Kevin Thomas and Chef Vicki LaValle, will prepare a lavish southwestern buffet. Reservations are required. Tickets are available at the MCCC Cashier in Building A (8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday) or by calling (734) 384-4272. Cost: $20.00 per person. Included are non-alcoholic drinks, salads, appetizers, charcuterie (pate, sausages and terrines), entrees, side dishes, breads and a pastry display.
March 31
Film Series: “True Grit”
2 p.m.
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance
This 1969 American western film is about a drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal (John Wayne) and a Texas Ranger who help a stubborn teenager track down her father’s murderer in Indian territory.
Western/Classics (rated G) 1969 – 128 minutes.
Cheryl Johnston, professor emerita at Monroe County Community College and coordinator of One Book, One Community of Monroe County, will moderate the viewing of this documentary. Complimentary movie snacks will be available.
April 1
Film Series: “Little Big Man”
6:30 p.m.
Dorsch Memorial Branch Library
18 E. 1st St. Monroe
This 1970 film is about a white male child raised by the Cheyenne nation during the 19th century. The film is largely concerned with contrasting the lives of American pioneers and Native Americans throughout the progression of the boy’s life. It stars Dustin Hoffman, Chief Dan George, Faye Dunaway, Martin Balsam, Jeff Corey and Richard Mulligan.
Adventure / Comedy / Drama (rated PG-13) 1970 – 139 minutes.
Mark Bergmooser, assistant professor of communication at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie snacks will be available.
April 4
Book Discussion: “News of the World”
10:30 a.m.-noon
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Road, Temperance
Film Series: “Dawnland”
3:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College
Life Sciences Building
1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe
“Dawnland: A Story of Stolen Children and Cultural Survival” is the untold story of indigenous child removal in the U.S. through the nation's first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission, which investigated the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people.
Documentary (Not Rated) 2018 – 54 minutes.
Michele Persin Toll, assistant professor of English at MCCC, will moderate the viewing of this documentary.
April 6
Children’s Program: Wild Horses
10-11 a.m.
Dorsch Memorial Branch Library
18 E. 1st St. Monroe
Come to the library to have a wild time. Get ready for jumping and barrel racing. Each child will receive a hobby horse for them to tame. Snacks will also be available.
Space is limited – registration is required by calling (734) 241-7878.
April 10
Children’s Program: Wild Horses
4-5 p.m..
L.S. Navarre Branch Library
1135 E. 2nd St., Monroe
Space is limited – registration is required by calling (734) 241-7878.
Founding Partners of One Book, One Community of Monroe County include Monroe County Community College, The Foundation at Monroe County Community College, Monroe County Library System and The Monroe News.
The presenting sponsor for 2018 is La-Z-Boy Inc. The event sponsor is the Monroe County Library System. Supporters include Meemic/Leski Insurance Agency, LLC, and Siena Heights University.
Supporters include The (MCCC) Agora; Friends of One Book, One Community; and the Monroe County Historical Museum. Educational Reading Partners include Airport Community Schools, MCCC Writing Fellows and Monroe High School.