One Comet Library hosting new community-wide reading event coming to the Sauk Theater
JONESVILLE — March is Reading Month has begun for schools across the country. For community members and students in the Jonesville area, this March, The One Comet Library has a special event planned that will bring to life one of America's greatest historical figures.
The One Comet Library has planned a community-wide read event called "Comet Community Conversation: Lincoln".
The event will cover "The President and the Freedom Fighter", a book by Brain Kilmeade, as well as three more age-appropriate books for students to read. One Comet Library was able to secure Lincoln Impersonator - Kevin Wood (from Adrian) - for six performances.
The month-long event begins during "March is Reading Month" with a live read with Kevin Wood as Lincoln at the Sauk theater on March 14, reading his "Lost Speech". This will be followed with a reception for "Mr. Lincoln" at Jonesville District Library. He will also speak to JCS students earlier that day and the following school day.
The program is described as most appropriate for adults and for older youth/teenagers (recommended for 12 years old on up), but younger children and students are welcome. The program will run 60 minutes and is followed by a Q&A, photos, and informational interaction.
Mr. Lincoln is portrayed by Kevin Wood, a professional Lincoln presenter who bears a remarkable resemblance to “the Great Emancipator”. Wood has been portraying Mr. Lincoln since the year 2000, and on a professional basis since 2015. He has made over 2,000 appearances in 33 states plus Washington DC and two foreign countries: Canada and Spain.
Discussion groups will be held March, 25 at 10 a.m. at Jilly Beans Too and 6 p.m. at the Jonesville District Library. Eliza's Freedom Road discussion will be held on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at the JDL. All copies of the book are available at the Jonesville District Library and at Jonesville Schools. All performances at the Sauk Theater are available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis.
On the evening of April 4, Jonesville will be hosting "Jonesville Underground", where the community will be meeting historical characters at the Underground Railroad stations around the town of Jonesville. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m.
Storyteller Judy Evers will start out the tour at the Carl Fast Park Pavilion by telling us the story of a passenger who passed through the UGRR by way of Adrian. She also has related roles that she guides students to act out if they wish.
There are a total of eleven stations, including some local characters such as Benaiah Jones (City Hall), John P. Cook and Chauncey W. Ferris, George Clinton Monroe and from a slightly later time period, Ebenezer Grosvenor. The DeLand Family from Jackson and five families from the "Quaker" route (Battle Creek area) are also included and will be telling of including information about the Kentucky Slave Owners raid.
The Munro House and Grovesnor House - as well as Jonesville businesses - will host JCS Drama Club members who will represent local historical railroad conductors, including Mr. Munro and John C. Cook. Tickets are available to pick up at Carl FAst Park.
Those who complete the tour will be rewarded with hot chocolate from Jilly Beans. For the Finale, "Mr. Lincoln" will give his "Gettysburg Address" at the Sauk on April 11th with a reception attended by Mr. Lincoln at JDL afterwards.
JHS librarian Linda Quiggle and the rest of the One Comet Library board look to have these "Comet Conversations" events annually.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: One Comet Library bringing community wide reading event to Jonesville
