(360) 943-5001 - Fax (360) 586-6838 - 415 Tumwater Blvd. SW - Tumwater, WA 98501
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; Kristin Blalack, Yelm Community Librarian, (360) 458-3374.

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.

Kick Off Event at the Yelm Timberland Library
210 Prairie Park Street, Yelm; (360) 458-3374

Readers will speak briefly about their family migration stories and read a short segment from My Ántonia. Participants can toast their forebears with fresh apple cider.

Introduction: Kristin Blalack, Yelm Community Librarian

Emcee: Jodi Reng, Executive Director, Timberland Regional Library

Readers:

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 Thurston 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 10, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Tumwater Timberland Library

April 17, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Yelm Timberland Library

April 18, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Lacey Senior Center: 6557 Pacific Ave. SE Lacey

April 25, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Lacey Timberland Library

May 12, Saturday, 12 noon, Tenino Timberland Library

Events are listed by date. Descriptions of the districtwide 2007 Timberland Reads Together performers, Betty Jean Steinshouer, Book-It Repertory Theater, RACOGALU Bohemian Music Ensemble, and the Little Bohemian Band follow.

"Shakin' Down the Acorns": Old time music, tall tales and entertainments, with Joe and Paula McHugh
April 21, Saturday, 2 p.m., Olympia Timberland Library

Where Did You Come From? Hear South Sounders’ stories of their heritage.
April 23, Monday, 6 p.m., Olympia Timberland Library

The Little Bohemian Band
May 7, Monday, 6 p.m., Tumwater Timberland Library

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

Betty Jean Steinshouer’s "Willa Cather Speaks: The Making of My Ántonia," will be opened by RACOGALU: Bohemian Music Ensemble.
May 17, Thursday, 7 p.m., Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia

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

Book-It Repertory Theatre Performs My Ántonia
May 21, Monday, 7 p.m., Lacey Timberland 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 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