West Boylston Bicentennial

 

SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 

“PRESERVING ARTS EDUCATION”

Literary Arts Guests Index

N.E.  Castle

Joel Roberts

Shawn Cormier

Tom Rooney

Shiko Gathuo

Janice Baniukiewicz Stickles

Rich Letarte

The Poets Asylum

Rip Pallotta

The Worcester County Poetry Assoc.

Barbara Proko

Chet Williamson

 

Children’s Literature and Story Tellers Index

Loree Burns

Dot Johnson

Katie Green

Sarah Lamstein

Ellen Dolan

Jennifer Morris

 

 

 

 

Literary Arts Guests

 

 Join some of Worcester County’s most creative spoken word craftspeople for an afternoon of audible imagery.  To learn more about the Poet’s Asylum, please visit www.poetsasylum.org

 

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The Worcester County Poetry Association, publisher of The Worcester Review, will share open readings showcasing the vibrant Worcester County Poetry scene.  To learn more about the WCPA, please visit www.wcpa.homestead.com 

 

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Joel Roberts, Author:  Meet author and West Boylston High School alumae, Joel Roberts.  Joel has published his first novel, Easy Pour, a loosely autobiographical take on his experiences coming to age in NYC.


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Chet Williamson, Author:  Meet author and Worcester Magazine columnist, Chet Williamson.  A performer and jazz aficionado, Mr. Williamson has written The Jazz Worcester Real Book, the definitive chronicle of the storied Worcester jazz scene.

 

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Tom Rooney will share his knowledge about the Blackstone Canal and Worcester history as he speaks about his experience researching and writing the book "Tobey Boland and the Blackstone Canal."  It was Mr. Rooney's interest in local history that led him to spend 18 months writing the picture book.  Mr. Rooney has lived in Shrewsbury for 40 years, having retired from a banking career at three Worcester banks. Nowadays, Mr. Rooney says he is very active at the Shrewsbury Senior Center and has a hobby of writing letters to the editor of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

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Barbara Proko and Janice Baniukiewicz Stickles, Authors: How do you produce a community photo history when there's no local archive of resources to tap into? Arcadia Publishing authors Barbara Proko and Janice Baniukiewicz Stickles will offer some strategies for success as they talk about their collaboration on "Worcester County's Polish Community" (2007) and "The Polish Community of Worcester"  (2003). Motivated by a passion to document their ethnic heritage, these St. Mary's High School alumnae networked far and wide to acquire the hundreds of vintage photos and documents that fill their books. They'll share ideas and anecdotes from this labor of love.


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Rich Letarte, author.   Relive Baseball’s Golden Age with stories of Rich’s childhood heroes from the 1950’s in his book That One Glorious Season.  “This book is dedicated to the ballplayers of the mid-twentieth century who were the heroes of so many youngsters who grew up during that time. They were an eclectic, colorful group who, in their own way, encouraged many of us to strive to achieve our goals, whatever they were. Thank you." -- Rich Letarte

"Rich Letarte wins Author Rookie of the Year Award with That One Glorious Season." --Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

 

To learn more, please visit www.gloriousseason.com

 

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N.E. Castle, author, grew up in New England and worked several years as a private investigator.  Her novel, Serial, is set in Worcester and follows Laurie Sharp, a seasoned detective on the trail of a killer who calls himself The Hunter.  Nancy will discuss how her experience as a PI influenced and led her to write her novel.

 

“For me, writing is like transcribing a movie played in my mind—the character lets me know who they are and what they’re thinking; I just write it all down.” N.E. Castle

 

 

To learn more about Serial, please visit http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Serial/N-E-Castle/e/9781604741193/?itm=7  or http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1604741198

 

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Dr. Shiko Gathou, author.  Meet “Dr. Shiko”, born and raised in Kenya, whose book, Tay and the Form 1A’s at St. Claire’s, tells the tale of five young girls known as the Form 1A's at St. Claire’s, top students from all over Kenya. Some come from the remotest rural villages, others from the biggest mansions in the most exclusive neighborhoods of the capital city; others still are from the worst city slums. Under the watchful eye of Sister Marian the headmistress, the eternal punishments of “Terror Mama” the deputy headmistress, and the kindness of their favorite teacher Ms. Sashi, everyone gets along fine… or do they?

 

 

 

 

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Rip Pallotta, Author.  Meet Rip to hear the stories of "One Day in Mudville", a book that details some of the most unique games in the history of baseball. In 1965, a legendary player came out of retirement at the age of 59 to play a game in the majors. Learn who he was in this book. Find out why a baseball legend hit a home run and decided to run around the bases backwards! Who was the pitcher who once struck out 21 batters in one game? And how about the pitcher who hurled a no-hitter and hit two home runs in the same game? There was once a home run hitting outfielder who came into a game to pitch, and then won the game! And an owner who made himself the manager one day. Not to mention a 33 inning game. History occurs when you least expect it.  "One Day in Mudville" is your box seat to some of the most interesting games in baseball history. 

 

 

 

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Shawn Cormier, author.  Shawn found his love of reading early with books by Jim Kjelgaard, Jack London, and J.R.R. Tolkein.  By age twelve, he ran out of “good reads” and started writing.  He has recently completed his first fantasy trilogy: Nomadin, NiDemon, and Necromancer, to wide acclaim.  To learn more, please visit www.pineviewpress.com

 

“Shawn Cormier is a wonderful new voice in fantasy, as he leads the reader on a fun and stout-hearted journey into imaginative and colorful “Princess Bride” territory.  Nomadin will surely strike a receptive cord with fans of Tolkein and Robert Jordan.  More, Shawn Cormier” – Nancy Holder, author of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:  Blood & Fog.

 

 

 

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Children’s Literature and Story Tellers

 

 

Katie Green, Storyteller:  A native of Princeton, MA, Katie is known for her skill in finding the heart of a story, Katie brings characters to life with her voice and movement. Whether she is telling an original story or an ancient tale, listeners are drawn close by her wonderful voice and graceful gestures.  To learn more about Katie, please visit her at www.katiegreenstories.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sarah Lamstein, Author:  A former English teacher, librarian, and poet-in-residence, Sarah Lamstein loves to share her passion for stories with children.  Meet Sarah, author of several children’s books, including the award winning Letter on the Wind and Hunger Moon.  Enjoy a reading by Sarah from her favorites.  To learn more about Sarah Lamstein, please visit www.sarahlamstein.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Loree Burns, Author:  West Boylston’s own author of the award winning Tracking Trash:  Flotsam, Jetsam and the Science of Ocean Motion, driven by a child’s search for answers and environmental awareness, Loree has written a nonfiction book for kids to learn how a scientist, Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, followed cargo lost at sea to understand the ocean’s currents and how they affect distant shores.  To learn more about Loree Burns, please visit www.loreeburns.com/books/tracking_trash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dot Johnson, Author:   Meet Mrs. Johnson, former Worcester Librarian and Northboro resident, as she reads about Rupert and Abedenego, two mischievous leprechauns who wander into a left out bowl of orange jello to some great adventure and terrifying obstacles, in Rupert and the Orange Jello Salad.
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Ellen  Dolan, Storyteller:  Former Director of West Boylston’s Beaman Library  (and current Shrewsbury Library Director), Ellen Dolan, returns to West Boylston to charm children and adults with her favorite tales from her extensive storytelling repertoire.

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Jennifer E. Morris is an award winning children's book author and illustrator.  Her books have sold over 500,000 copies. She has illustrated for numerous children’s books and magazines, including her most recent book If a Monkey Jumps Onto Your School Bus, written by Jean Cochran.  To learn more about Jennifer, please visit www.jemorris.com

 

 

 

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West Boylston Arts Foundation- Preserving Arts Education