NEA Big Read 2008: Call of the Wild
Month of April
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild - NEA grant project
Dozens of discussions, exhibits, programs, speakers, adventures...
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The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts
in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest
www.NEABigRead.org.
Massillon Museum Launches The Big Read
On April 1, the Massillon Museum, with the collaboration of the Massillon Public Library, will launch its Big Read program, a month-long celebration of The Call of the Wild by Jack London. The organizers, Christine Shearer, Camille Leslie, and Margy Vogt, selected the book because the author's mother, Flora Wellman, grew up in Massillon.
Events will include a book give-away, readings of London excerpts, a photography exhibition, a dozen book discussions, a dog sled and scavenger hunt adventure day, a look at the movie, a dog hike, a keynote address by a national London expert, a stage presentation of one-acts and monologues, a brown bag lunch, and a London presentation at Massillon Womanıs Club. All events are free and open to the public. No reservations are required.
"The Massillon Museum sought this NEA grant to help us engage the community in an activity that everyone can enjoy together. We're thrilled with the enthusiastic collaboration of more than two dozen individuals and organizations within western Stark County," said Massillon Museum Executive Director Christine Shearer.
Local organizations and individuals collaborating with the Massillon Museum include: the Massillon Public Library, the Lions Lincoln Theatre, Mayor Francis H. Cicchinelli, John Kiste, Massillon Parks and Recreation Department, Rotary Club of Massillon, the Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce, The Independent, the Fairless and Massillon school systems, State Representative Scott Oelslager, Massillon Cable TV, the Chit Chat Coffee Shop, Canal Fulton Public Library, the Canal Fulton Senior Center, Ashland University, George Nicholis, Eric Myers, Richard Gercken, The Canton Symphony Orchestra, The Wilderness Center, Bocca Grande Restaurant, the Top of the Viaduct, Sammyıs Restaurant, Kozmoıs Grille, and many community volunteers.
Copies of The Call of the Wild may be checked out at the Massillon Public Library, which has bolstered its Jack London collection for the Big Read. Books may be purchased at the Massillon Museum (121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon), the Massillon Public Library (208 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon), and The Village Bookshelf (746 Amherst Road Northeast in Massillon).
The Call of the Wild is an appropriate reading level for middle school age students, high school students, and adults. Free readers' guides are available at the Museum, the Library, and at offices and businesses throughout the area. Everyone who reads the book will be encouraged to sign a "dog tag" to be displayed at the Museum or the Library.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.
Western Stark County is one of 127 communities nationwide participating in the Big Read from January through June 2008. Since the programıs national launch in 2006, the NEA has funded more than 300 Big Read programs.
For more information about western Stark County's Big Read project, call the Massillon Museum at 330-833-4061 or visit www.massillonmuseum.org or www.NEABigRead.org.
Media Contacts:
Christine Shearer - Massillon Museum Executive Director - 330-833-4061
Camille Leslie - Massillon Public Library Director - 330-833-9831
Margy Vogt - Massillon Museum PR Coordinator - 330-832-8469 or 330-844-1525
Tuesday, April 1
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Give-away in Downtown Massillon - 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Get a free book from volunteers and staff
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Tuesday, April 1
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
An Evening with Jack London - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
Readings at Massillon Public Library followed by opening of Jack London exhibit at Massillon Museum
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Wednesday, April 2
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Massillon Public Library, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 2:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Saturday, April 5
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild Adventure Day - 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
Scavenger Hunt for book clues throughout the community; dog sled and activities at Community Park
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Monday, April 7
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Chit Chat Coffee Shop, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 6:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Wednesday, April 9
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at The Independent, John Kiste, Facilitator - Noon - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Thursday, April 10
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at North Lawrence Senior Center, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 6:30 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
Hosted by Canal Fulton Library
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Friday, April 11
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Massillon Public Library, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 7:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Sunday, April 13
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Showing of "The Call of the Wild" at Lions Lincoln Theatre - 2:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Wednesday, April 16
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Massillon Museum, John Kiste, Facilitator - 10:00 a.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Wednesday, April 16
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Massillon Public Library Navarre Branch, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 7:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Friday, April 18
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Fireside Book Discussion at Oak Knoll Park Pavilion, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 2:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Saturday, April 19
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
"Celebrating Jack London" - 7:00 p.m. - @ Fairless Middle School - Free/No Reservations
Keynote Speaker, Jack London Scholar Jeanne Reesman and Music by Canton Symphony Orchestra Musicians
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Tuesday, April 22
Brown Bag Lunch: Chris Craft and Christine Shearer, "Jack Londonıs Massillon Connection"
Noon to 1:00 p.m - Free/No Reservations
Bring lunch or buy from Santangeloıs in the Museum café - Free cookies and coffee - Sponsored by Bates Printing
Wednesday, April 23
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Massillon Senior Center, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 10:00 a.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Thursday, April 24
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Ashland University Massillon Campus, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 3:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Thursday, April 24
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
"A Journey with Jack London:" One-Acts and Original Monologues at Lions Lincoln Theatre
7:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations - Music by Canton Symphony Orchestra Musicians
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Saturday, April 26
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Dog Hike starting at and organized by Massillon Recreation Center - 10:00 a.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Sunday, April 27
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at The Wilderness Center, Wilmot, Richard Gercken, Facilitator - 2:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
Wednesday, April 30
The Big Read: Western Stark County Reads The Call of the Wild
Book Discussion at Bocca Grande Restaurant, Canal Fulton, John Kiste, Facilitator - 7:00 p.m. - Free/No Reservations
National Endowment for the Arts and the Massillon Museum with collaboration of Massillon Public Library
