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Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contacts: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, (360) 704-4508; Tim Mallory, Adult Services Coordinator, 360-704-4502; or Jinny Burns, Centralia Community Librarian, (360) 736-0183.

Local celebrities read aloud from the program’s book, My Ántonia, to kick off program.

Events through May feature book discussions, theater and music performances.

To celebrate the official start of Timberland Reads Together, Timberland Regional Library’s third districtwide one-book community reading initiative, community leaders will read aloud from the beginning chapters of the book chosen for this year, Willa Cather’s "My Ántonia." Kick-Off events will occur simultaneously in six libraries throughout the Timberland Regional Library system’s five counties on Monday, April 23 from noon to 1 p.m.

In Lewis County, the kick-off will be held at the Centralia Timberland Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Kick Off Event at Centralia Timberland Library
110 S Silver Street, Centralia; (360) 736-0183

Announcer: Jinny Burns, Centralia Community Librarian

Emcee: Edna Fund, Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees, Lewis County Representative

The Readers:

Refreshments: Light refreshments, provided by the Friends of the Centralia Timberland Library, will be available following the readings. The public is invited to bring their brown bag lunches.

This year Timberland Reads Together includes over 65 free public events being held throughout Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. They include group book discussions; dramatic portrayals of Willa Cather by scholar and actress, Betty Jean Steinshouer, and professional theatrical and musical performances. Additional information and a districtwide calendar of events can be found on the library’s Web site at www.trlib.org.

The Lewis County and south Thurston County discussions of My Ántonia are listed below by date. The public is invited to join discussions at any of the locations.

The book is available at libraries in print, audio, and Spanish versions. Some bookstores are offering a discount on the book to customers who show their Timberland library cards. Reader’s Guides are available free at all Timberland libraries.

My Ántonia: Its Historical Context, presentation by history professor, Dr. Jody Peterson
May 7, Monday, 7 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library

The Little Bohemian Band (See description.)
May 9, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Hope Grange, 120 Antrim Road, Winlock

RACOGALU: Bohemian Music Ensemble (See description)
May 10, Thursday, 6 p.m., Tenino Timberland Library

Betty Jean Steinshouer’s "Willa Cather Speaks: the Making of My Ántonia" (See description)
May 14, Monday, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Evergreen Playhouse, 226 W Center Street, Centralia

RACOGALU: Bohemian Music Ensemble (See description)
May 18, Friday, 5 p.m., Yelm Timberland Library

Book-It Repertory Theatre Performs My Ántonia (See description)
May 22, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Salkum Timberland Library

Costumed in period clothing, actress and literary scholar, Betty Jean Steinshouer, will present a one-woman portrayal of Willa Cather.

Ms Steinshouer is one of the nation’s top experts on Willa Cather and an experienced presenter with over 25 years of research on My Ántonia, the book that Cather said she was "destined to write." Steinshouser has presented more than 3,000 programs in 36 states. She has met some of the real people who inspired characters in My Ántonia. She has also studied the original version of the book. In one part of her presentation, she will share her perspective on why Cather changed the book as she did between the first and subsequent editions.

Steinshouer’s is Web site: http://home.mindspring.com/~bjsteinshouer/id1.html

Literature comes to life with this theater company’s dramatic readings from My Ántonia. Without relying on sets, costuming or props, the actors open audiences’ imaginations and transport them to the prairie with Jim, Ántonia and their families and neighbors.

Book-It adapts current and classic novels, using narrative from the books and annually presents a season of performances at the Seattle Center’s Center House Theatre. Recent titles they have enacted include Broken for You, by Stephanie Kallos; the children’s book, Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis; and A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. Their Web site is www.book-it.org/.

Professional musicians interpret the rich folk and classical traditions of Bohemian music, performing songs and melodies that could be heard over a century ago in settlers’ homes and evoking an era when a variety of musical styles arrived on America’s prairies.

The Olympia-based ensemble, "RACOGALU" includes Barbara Collins, violin and vocals; Jef Ramsey, guitar and mandolin; Lorree Gardener, bass and vocals; and Steven Luceno, vibes. Collins researched Bohemian composers and themes and developed this program especially for Timberland Reads Together.

People may want to wear their dancing shoes to this all-ages program. Gene Sadowsky and Marty Streckler from Oregon are bringing up their accordions and backup to entertain with music reminiscent of settlers’ Saturday night dances in town. Nothing could revive a farming family after a week of hard work better than energetic music, cheerful laughter and lots of good company.

The band has recorded two CDs and is working on a third. They have played for every size and kind of event from weekend-long dance festivals to anniversaries.

For more information, the public can contact any Timberland library, visit the Web site at www.trlib.org or telephone Timberland Central Reference librarians: (360) 704-4636 in the Olympia area, or 1-800-562-6022 from all other areas.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 7 library service partner locations. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-4636 in the Olympia calling area or from all other areas, toll-free, at 1-800-562-6022. Or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library a week in advance.

Revised 04/09/07