Monroe County Community College, as a founding and major partner, along with several other institutions throughout Monroe County, will be hosting a number of events throughout the month of March in celebration of the annual One Book, One Community initiative.
This year's book selection, "Remarkably Bright Creatures," is author Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel, is an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.
After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.
The highlight and main event of the month-long celebration with be a visit by author Van Pelt on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. 7 p.m. in the Meyer Theater in the La-Z-Boy Center on the college's Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI. The main event will include a presentation, Q & A, and book signing. A limited number of copies of Remarkably Bright Creature will be for sale for $25, cash and online sales will be available. The author visit is free and open to the public, as are most of the events associated with OBOC.
In addition to Van Pelt's visit, other events scheduled on the MCCC Main Campus include:
- Dala Horse Makerspace Workshop on Tuesday, March 11 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the MCCC Makerspace, Room T-160 in the Career Technology Center. Participants will learn about the Dala Horse, and create and paint a laser cut version of the Dala Horse in this workshop.
- Rediscovering Our Wild Side Through the Great Lakes Way on Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.in the Atrium of the La-Z-Boy Center with author John Hartig. The Great Lakes Way is a necklace of greenways and water trails stretching from Port Huron on southern Lake Huron to Toledo on western Lake Erie. It will reconnect people to the outdoors, help rediscover amazing wildlife living right in their backyard, support healthful living, and foster economic development. Hartig serves as a Visiting Scholar at University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. For 14 years he served as Refuge Manager for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
- Travel the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at MCCC's Whitman Center, 7777 Lewis Avenue in Temperance, MI. Librarian Jodi Russ shares photos and stories of her recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, which is the setting for "Remarkably Bright Creatures".
- Man's best friend? Animal companions in prehistory on Monday, March 24 at 1 p.m.in Room C-218 in the Campbell Academic Center. Dr. Ken Mohney, professor of anthropology, will present on the history of human interaction with companion animals, primarily dogs, and incudes discussion of the earliest evidence of dog domestication and the role of dogs in earlier human communities.
Three other unique events in the OBOC 2025 series include:
- Virtual Artist Visit with Sayaka Ganz on Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. will share her life and practices as a 3D artist of Reclaimed Creations using discarded metal and plastic objects to depict animals and natural elements in motion with rich colors and energy, and how she related to the character Tova in "Remarkably Bright Creatures," via Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/91528323798 Meeting ID: 915 2832 3798
- Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Tour on Friday March 28 at 10 a.m.at 5437 West Jefferson Avenue, Trenton. Participants will learn about the USA’s only International Wildlife Refuge and the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River, including the Refuge Gateway and Humbug Marsh units, and the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center.
- The Case of the Missing Aquatic Mammals of the Fur Trade on Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Monroe County Museum. The museum will host a "Who Done It Mystery Afternoon" to ask and answer the big "Who, What, Why" questions of what happened to the aquatic mammals of the fur trade.
As always, the Monroe County Library System, another founding and major partner in OBOC, will be hosting events throughout March, including:
Octopus Coloring Contest at MCLS branches during March. Winners will be announced by April 11th. Submissions may be displayed online or in the library. Only one entry per person.
Tentacle Threads: Crochet an Octopus on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. at Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library. Participants should be familiar with basic crochet techniques. Registration is required.
Family Movie Night, on Tuesday, March 4 at 4 - 6 p.m. at Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library. Family movie night for the entire family. Wear pajamas, bring a favorite stuff animal, pillow and blanket.
Bedford Books on Tap on Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m.at Quimbys, 3536 W Sterns Rd, Lambertville. Purchase a tasty, delicious meal and join a discussion of "The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder," by Sy Montgomery. Register with the Bedford Branch Library in advance.
Dundee Branch Book Club on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.at Dundee Branch Library to discuss "The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder," by Sy Montgomery.
Escape the Aquarium on Saturday, March 8 at Bedford Branch Library. Register for one-hour timeslots during library hours at mymcls.com. This escape room accommodates up to eight people per session. If your group is not a full eight people, others may register to join you. For children (ages eight and up) and adults. Children may need an adult to help them as some clues may be more difficult than others.
Family Movie Night on Monday March 10 at 5 p.m. at Vivian Branch Library and re-visit a classic kid-friendly movie.
My Octopus Teacher on Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. at Bedford Branch Library for the Netflix documentary "My Octopus Teacher." Registration at mymcls.com is encouraged.
Ida Branch Book Club on Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Ida Branch Library discussion of "The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder," by Sy Montgomery.
Family Movie Night on Friday, March 14 at 6 p.m. at Blue Bush Branch Library to watch Moana 2.
Escape the Aquarium on Saturday, March 15 at Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library. Register for one-hour timeslots during library hours at mymcls.com. This escape room accommodates up to eight people per session. If your group is not a full eight people, others may register to join you. For children (ages eight and up) and adults. Children may need an adult to help them as some clues may be more difficult than others.
Challenge Book Club on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m.at Bedford Branch Library discussing "How to be a Good Creature," by Sy Montgomery. Register at mymcls.com
Dorsch Afternoon Book Club on Tuesday, March 18 at 2 p.m. at Dorsch Branch Library discussing "Remarkably Bright Creatures".
Family Movie Night- Free Willy on Friday, March 21 at 6 p.m. at Bedford Branch Library. Family movie night for the entire family. Wear pajamas, bring a favorite stuff animal, pillow and blanket.
Jigsaw Puzzle Competition on Sunday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.at Bedford Branch Library. Four person teams compete to see who can finish a 500-piece puzzle first. Register at mymcls.com. Individuals can email Jennifer.saul@monroe.lib.mi.us to be matched with other puzzle enthusiasts if available. *Different puzzles will be used at the Frenchtown and Bedford competitions, in case you want to participate in both.
Vivian An Afternoon Read Book Club on Monday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at Vivian Branch Library book discussion.
Jigsaw Puzzle Competition on Thursday, March 27 at 5 p.m. at Frenchtown-Dixie Branch Library. Four person teams compete to see who can finish a 500-piece puzzle first. Register at mymcls.com. Individuals can email Jennifer.saul@monroe.lib.mi.us to be matched with other puzzle enthusiasts if available. *Different puzzles will be used at the Frenchtown and Bedford competitions, in case you want to participate in both.
For more information about other events and activities, including a listing of several other companion and recommended books and teacher resources, visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/one-book-one-community. OBOC events and activities are made possible through the generosity of donors and friends of OBOC through The Foundation at MCCC.
About The Foundation at Monroe County Community College
The Foundation at Monroe County Community College is the charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural experience of our students and community.
The Foundation at MCCC leverages voluntary support from donors to enhance the educational, literary, scientific, and cultural experience by helping Monroe County Community College meet its mission. The Foundation at MCCC touches thousands of lives each year through cultural arts programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives that guide and shape the business and civic leaders of tomorrow. Just as important, The Foundation offers a means for individuals of all ages and walks of life to express their philanthropy, act on their concerns, and follow the dictates of their hearts. For more information about The Foundation at MCCC visit www.monroeccc.edu/foundation.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition.
The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.