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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 Patty Ross, Shelton 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 Mason County, the kick-off will be held at the Shelton Timberland Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Kick Off Event at the Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Library)
710 W Alder Street, Shelton; (360) 426-1362

Introduction: Patty Ayala Ross, Shelton Community Librarian, will open the program and introduce Peggy Johnson, Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees Member, Mason County Representative. Mrs. Johnson will give a short presentation about the Library and the Timberland Reads Together initiative.

The readers:

Light refreshments, provided by the Friends of the William G. Reed Library, will be available after the program.

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 full districtwide calendar of events can be found on the library’s Web site at www.trlib.org.

The discussions of My Ántonia taking place in Mason County are listed by date below. 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.

April 19, Thursday, 10 a.m., North Mason Timberland Library (Belfair)

May 7, Monday, 3 p.m., Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Public Library)

May 10, Thursday, 6 p.m., Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Public Library)

May 19, Saturday, 1 p.m., Hoodsport Timberland Library

Performances are listed by date. Descriptions of the presenters and programs follow.

RACOGALU: Bohemian Music Ensemble
May 8, Tuesday, 2 p.m., Hoodsport Timberland Library

Betty Jean Steinshouer’s "Willa Cather Speaks: the Making of My Ántonia"
May 16, Wednesday, 7 p.m., North Mason Timberland Library (Belfair)

Book-It Repertory Theatre Performs My Ántonia
May 23, Wednesday, 6 p.m., Shelton Timberland Library (William G. Reed Public Library)

Costumed in period clothing, actress and distinguished 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 cxildren’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.

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