Plans for 'Big Read' program underway
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - More than a dozen members of the Big Read Coordinating Committee have begun hammering out the details of the upcoming program kick-off scheduled for Saturday April 5.

The My Story Festival will be broken down into three separate activities. The family global-stories puppet show will begin first, followed by a cultural festival and then an adults-only storytelling performance of "Pouring the Sun: An Immigrant's Journey" by storyteller Jay O'Callahan.

Library Director Ellen Dolan said she is very excited about the number of people who have stepped forward to help organize the programs, each of which she said will help to increase cultural understanding in a fun and unusual way.

"The cultural festival will display lots of exhibits with diff erent crafts, foods, music, dances and cultural traditions that people can learn about," she said. "And the storytelling that evening will bring the story of the Bethlehem Steel Workers to people in a way that will reach beyond their understanding, ability or even interest. It will be a dramatic, lively telling of a touching and poignant story."

Both the puppet show and the storytelling event will require tickets, which can be picked up at the library for no cost.

Although the coordinators have had their first meeting already, Dolan said it's not too late for people to get involved planning the kickoff , as well as other events that will be held as part of the grant-funded Big Read program.

Dolan said she's very impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by people who have already stepped forward with their ideas.

"We've had a really great representation from the school department talking about ways we can incorporate the High School and elementary school students into the program," she said. "We also have long-term residents who thought their own immigrant stories could be a part of the program, so it's a really good mix of people."

One thing the committee hasn't yet confirmed is who, exactly, will be included in the cultural festival.

"We're looking for any kind of cultural or ethnic groups that would like to take part in the festival," she said.

Presenters do not have to be Shrewsbury residents to be included in the program. The Big Read kick-off will be held at the Shrewsbury Senior Center Saturday April 5 beginning at 2 p.m.