Big Read 2012 | Sponsors
Welcome to the 5th Annual The Big Read in Western Stark County, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. This literacy program is coordinated by the Massillon Museum and many partners in Stark County.
This year, our selection is the Short Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, including "The Raven", "Annabel Lee", "Fall of the House of Usher", and many more.
FREE books will be available at many local locations, including the Massillon Museum, Massillon Public Library and its branches, the Massillon Rec Center, the Massillon Family YMCA, the Paul and Carol David YMCA and the Jackson Public Library in late April. Many classes in local schools including Massillon, Tuslaw and Fairless are also participating.
A wide range of events are offered for FREE or reduced cost to The Big Read participants.
Join us for The Big Read Kick Off on Saturday, May 5 from 1-3pm at St. Mary's Church- there will be lots of fun things to do!
Questions? Please contact Museum Educator Jill Malusky at (330) 833-4061 ext.104 or email her.
The Big Read: Edgar Allan Poe
The Big Read Official Events Calendar
Big Read Calendar of Events 2012
Mon, Apr 9, 2012
Edgar Alan Poe: Poetry
Massillon Public Library
Join Massillon Public Library in an Edgar Allan Poe poetry event. This event will use themes from Poe's literary work to drum up excitement for The Big Read.
Wed, Apr 25, 2012
7-8:30pm
One Act Plays
Massillon Washington High School
Join the Frets and Struts drama club, and a bevy of talented writers including Brian Centrone, Shelly Costa, Brayden Frascone, and John Kiste; for a night of original One Act Plays celebrating Poe's writing style and themes! Free and open to all ages.
Sat, May 5, 2012
12-2pm
Do the Mu! Mask of the Red Death
Massillon Museum
Enjoy a free, fun family workshop relating to Poe's themes and writing! Drop in anytime between 12-2pm to participate, for all ages. In May, make masks for "The Mask of the Red Death."
Sat, May 5, 2012
1-3pm
The Big Read 2012 Kick Off
St. Mary's Church, Massillon, OH 44646
The 2012 Big Read, featuring the short stories and poems of Edgar Allan Poe, will kick off at the gothic St. Mary's Church. Enjoy a fun filled afternoon of sights, sounds, food, entertainment and FREE books!
Sat, May 12, 2012
1-2pm
Molly Stark Hike
Molly Stark Park, 7900 Columbus Road, Louisville, OH 44641
Take a tour of the grounds of Molly Stark, a historic property and Stark Parks park. Formerly a hospital, view many unique aspects to its gothic architecture, exploring many relevant themes found in Poe's work, including death, illness, and ghosts!
Mon, May 14, 2012
6-8pm
"The Tell-Tale Heart"
Massillon Public Library
Come watch a showing of "The Tell-Tale Heart," followed with discussions that will be led by Sherie Brown. This event will be held in the Library's Main Auditorium.
May 19-August 26
Exhibit: The Odditorium
Exhibit Opens Saturday, May 19 from 7-10pm
Massillon Museum
View this unusually odd history exhibition, featuring unique objects from the Museum's collection. Hunt for Poe and his most famous characters, who will be hiding in the exhibition.
Sat, May 19, 2012
2-4pm
Mausoleum Tour
Massillon Cemetery, 1827 Erie Street South, Massillon, OH 44646
Enjoy a unique tour with historian Margy Vogt, of the mausoleums of Massillon's historic cemetery! Inspired by themes in Poe's stories, hear tales of great families from Massillon's past. Big Read participants may attend this tour for free but you MUST RSVP to save your place. Call Jill Malusky at the Massillon Museum (330) 416-4567
Tue, May 22, 2012
12-1pm
Massillon Museum
Brown Bag Lunch: Writer Shelly Cosatas, The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe
Stop in for a lunch time lecture at the Massillon Museum. Enjoy a talk relating to themes featured in Poe's work, along with free coffee and cookies! Bring your own lunch or buy one from the Chit Chat Coffee Shop.
Tue, May 22, 2012
6-7:30pm
"Quoth The Raven"
Massillon Public Library
Learn about different interpretations of the poem, make a rustic raven craft tag, enjoy POEboy sandwiches and POEtato chips, then decode mysterious messages and follow the cryptic clues to solve a mystery scavenger hunt. If you succeed, your reward will be a Dastardly Death by Chocolate Dessert! This event will be held in the Main Auditorium, and will be led by staff of the Children's Department.
Thu, May 24, 2012
6-7pm
Night Hike at Molly Stark
Molly Stark Park, 7900 Columbus Road, Louisville, OH 44641
Take a tour of the grounds of Molly Stark, a historic property and Stark Parks park. Formerly a hospital, view many unique aspects to its gothic architecture, exploring many relevant themes found in Poe's work, including death, illness, and ghosts!
Fri, May 25, 2012
7-9pm
Rhythms Concert: The Ridges
Massillon Museum
Doors, 7:30, show at 8pm
An orchestral folk rock band, The Ridges blends indie rock melodies with moody folk sensibility and live improvisation. The Ridges combined haunted acoustic instrumentation with rich vocal harmonies and layered songwriting to create a unique theme of dark romanticism. A three-piece acoustic act formed out of the collaboration of longtime musical duo Victor Rasgaitis and Johnny Barton with the classical styling of Talor Smith. The band's name was taken from the famously haunted local Victorian landmark building that was formerly the Athens Asylum, illustrates the group's fascination with folklore and classical influences as well as their deep rooted connection to the city of Athens, Ohio. Tickets are free for students participating in the Big Read, ages 18 and under, $5 for adults. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Call Jill Malusky at the Massillon Museum (330)416-4567.
Sat, May 26, 2012
2-4pm
Horror Writing Workshop
Backlist Books, 39 Lincoln Way East, Massillon, OH 44646
Join published writers in FREE workshop to develop your own writing. Share in their experiences and explore their specific genres in the realm of horror and fantasy.
Wed, May 30, 2012
6-7pm
"Fall of the House of Usher"
Massillon Public Library, Navarre Branch, 1200 Market Street, Navarre, OH 44662
Join a discussion of the short story, "Fall of the House of Usher," at Navarre Towpath YMCA.
Fri, June 1, 2012
5:30-6:30pm
Book Discussion & Gallery Talk
Massillon Museum
Grab a coffee and join our book discussion about Poe's short stories and poems! View our new exhibitions, and learn how their themes relate to Poe.
Sat, June 2, 2012
12-2pm
Do the Mu! The Raven with Stark Parks
Massillon Museum
Enjoy a free, fun family workshop relating to Poe's themes and writing! Drop in anytime between 12-2pm to participate, for all ages. In June, meet birds from Stark Parks Sanders Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Let's see if they're as chatty as "The Raven"!
Saturday June 2
2-4pm
Cemetery Tour
Massillon Cemetery, 1827 Erie Street South, Massillon, OH 44646
Enjoy a unique tour with historian Margy Vogt, of the mausoleums of Massillon's historic cemetery! Inspired by themes in Poe's stories, hear tales of great families from Massillon's past. Big Read participants may attend this tour for free but you MUST RSVP to save your place. Call Jill Malusky at the Massillon Museum (330) 416-4567
Mon, June 11, 2012
6-9pm
Massillon Public Library
Massillon Murders
Famous Massillon Murders presented by MPL Genealogist Jean Adkins, including a discussion of "Murders on the Rue Morgue" led by Jessica Watkins (Reference Manager, MPL). This event will be held in the Library's Main Auditorium
Tue, June 26, 2012
12-1pm
Brown Bag Lunch: Cryptozoology
Massillon Museum
Stop in for a lunch time lecture at the Massillon Museum. Enjoy a talk by Bill Homan, "Fantastic Creatures: A Look at Cryptozoology Around the World & In Your Own Backyard", along with free coffee and cookies! Bring your own lunch or buy one from Chit Chat Coffee Shop.
Massillon Public Library
Massillon Chamber of Commerce
Stark Parks
St. Mary’s School
Stark County Conventions and Visitors Bureau
Warehouse on the Canal
