THE BIG READ

Let's Make Ambrosia

Kids at the Bridgeport Public Library Newfield Branch made one of Jem and Scout’s favorite desserts-Ambrosia. During the program Mayor John Fabrizi stopped by to talk with the kids about To Kill a Mockingbird. Bridgeport Librarian Michael Bielawa read the passage in the book where the ambrosia eating takes place. Everyone enjoyed this edible, fun program and the tie-in to the novel!

First Lady Laura Bush Visits Bridgeport!

As the honorary chair of the Big Read, First Lady Laura Bush made a visit to Bridgeport in support of the Southwestern CT Collaborative. On April 16, at the Barnum Museum, she joined NEA Chairman Dana Gioia, Dr. Anne Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, author Charles Shields, and Bridgeport High School English teacher, Carolyn Axt in a panel discussion about To Kill a Mockingbird.  Other highlights of the day included a performance by blues guitarist Dan Stevens; a 3 minute documentary, spotlighting the programs of the Southwestern Regional Collaborative, produced by Bridgeport Librarian, Nancy Sweeney;  and a scene from the play adaptation performed by members of Center Stage in Shelton. Those in attendance included area dignitaries, as well as members of the Big Read Collaborative Committee and people who have been a part of the many programs centered around the Harper Lee novel.

Speech given by First Lady Laura Bush

Connecticut Post article on the Bush Visit

We Want Your Thoughts!

The Big Read, we want to know your thoughts, feelings and experiences about  this wonderful project.  Have you gone to an exciting program or two?  Have thoughts about the book? Any ideas for the future?  Make your comments here on the blog. It’s easy. Just find a post you want to comment on and hit the comment link below the post. You will be re-directed to a page that lets you write your thoughts and feelings about this great initiative.

We’re not the only ones who want your input. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) wants feedback too! So take a few minutes to fill out their online survey.

http://www.neabigread.org/survey.php

Your comments will make a difference in the future success of the program.

Thanks!

Art Work in Mockingbird

Students from Bridgeport High Schools, Central, Bassick, and Harding created art work based on the themes of To Kill a Mockingbird.  City Lights, a professional art gallery provided space for the students to display their fantastic work during the month of April. A wonderful reception took place on April 12. It was very rewarding to see the faces of the teens as they proudly showed family and friends their masterpieces on exhibit

Poetry in Mockingbird

Here in Bridgeport Big Read programs are truly underway. At the Mercy Learning Center, where staff provides basic literacy and life skills to low-income women in the greater Bridgeport area women used To Kill a Mockingbird as a way of expressing themselves through poetry.

Under the guidance of poet therapist Dianna Miller three poetry sessions took place at the center on April 11. After reading a short passage from the book Dianna asked participants to think about the theme expressed - courage. Dianna entitled the poem "It's When You Know You're Licked Before You Begin But You Begin Anyway..After To Kill A Mockingbird" and encouraged each woman to think of two lines of poetry on their own.  When they were done each person read their two lines with Dianna compiling the sentences into a wonderful poem. It was a very moving experience, as each woman read her lines aloud and encompassed something personal from her life.  It was amazing how the words naturally flowed together. The next two sessions had the women writing individual poetry in addition to the collaborative effort.

In Dianna’s words “Thank you for including me in the grant.  Witnessing the participants' creation of their own short poems (and sometimes longer poems) is an honor for me as a poetry therapist and writer.  Working at the Mercy Learning Center was a wonderful experience! “

Individual Poems

Collaborative Poem from Session 1

Collaborative Poem from Session 2

Collaborative Poem from session 3

What Page Are YOU On??!

The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority buses are asking "What Page Are YOU On? as they rumble through the streets of the greater Bridgeport area.

This blogger is on page 135.  Better get moving before Mark Schenker's book discussion on April 24!

Bus design by Janice Bielawa

A Chapter a Day...

The Bridgeport Public Library has been hosting a “Chapter a Day” Read Aloud of To Kill a Mockingbird each afternoon in the front lobby. Once the weather gets a little warmer it will be moved outside. Here are few of the readers that have participated in the program.

 

Bridgeport's First BIG READ Event

 

We celebrated Bridgeport’s first Big Read Event with Blues guitarist Dan Stevens, described by the New York Times as, "Connecticut’s hardest working bluesman." Dan discussed and performed Southern Blues on authentic Depression Era guitars. Dan was highlighted in the Preview Section of the Thursday March 29, 2007 Connecticut Post!

The keynote speaker, Charles Shields has been penned as "One of the best biographies of 2006," says The Christian Science Monitor. Shields who during a four year period interviewed over 600 of Harper Lee’s neighbors, childhood friends, and classmates has written a fitting biography about Harper Lee, the reclusive author of To Kill a Mockingbird. Shield’s book was sold the day of this event courtesy of Rainy Faye’s bookstore. A free reception was provided and catered by Take Time Café.

Over 120 people attended this wonderful event.

If you were one of them we would love to hear your comments. So post them to the blog!

And the Radio Too!

The Big Read Southwestern Collaborative was also promoted across the airwaves March 30, 2007 on WICC 600 AM with Michael Bielawa, Kathy Maher and Nancy Sweeney joining Jim Buchanan on his morning show.

On April 1, 2007 in an interview with John Voket of WEZN STAR 99.9, BPL librarian Michael Bielawa, Charlene DeFillippo of Shelton and James Welbourne, City Librarian of New Haven Free Public Library discussed many facets of the Big Read.

The Big Read Bridgeport Hits the Papers!

    Publicity for The Big Read Initiative here in the City of Bridgeport has been fast and furious! Along with Bridgeport Public Library Community Relations Librarian, Michael Bielawa’s Connecticut Post 10 question interview, many other wonderful articles have appeared in the local papers.

Connecticut Post Wednesday March 7, 2007      Tribuna Connecticut Wednesday March 21, 2007Bridgeport News Thursday, March 22, 2007  Connecticut Post Monday March 26, 2007 

The Big Read Goes to Bridgeport Day

Michael Bielawa and Nancy Sweeney, librarians from the Bridgeport Public Library were on hand to promote the Big Read at the annual Bridgeport Day held every year at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Michael is also the co-chair of programming for the Bridgeport Big Read Events. During the course of the day they handed out Big Read packets to interested Bridgeport residents, spoke with Bridgeport City Council members about the exciting events and gave Senator Bill Finch, who originated Bridgeport Day his own copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. Senator Finch’s son Atticus is named after one of the characters in Harper Lee’s award winning novel!

Memoir Writing and Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird, its various themes are bound to bring back memories for many.  At their meeting this past Saturday March 10, 2007 the Bridgeport Public Library’s memoir writing group participants took home the Big Read packet. Next month’s gathering will focus on everyone composing their memoirs and revolving their writing around the ideas of the book. The group meets the second Saturday of every month in the Bridgeport Public Library's community room main branch downtown. In addition the group has consented to having their work appear on this blog. Stay tuned!

Mayor John Fabrizi Receives His Copy of "Mockingbird"

Mayor John Fabrizi, of Bridgeport officially kicked off the Big Read program by visiting the Bridgeport Public Library to receive his copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. On hand to give the Mayor his bag were Kathy Maher, co-chair of programming for the Bridgeport Big Read and Curator/Executive Director of the Barnum Museum and BPL librarian, Nancy Sweeney who coordinated the bag stuffing and distribution of the classic title to various sites around the city

Listen To Mayor Fabrizi As He Discusses The Big Read

What A Difference A Week Makes

It has been exactly one week since books were distributed around the City of Bridgeport to various sites. Of the 1,000 bags, hundreds of them have already made their way into the hands of eager readers. Two sites have already replenished their initial supply.  Pictured here is the Burroughs Community Center, one of the sites that has bags flying out the door!

   

Two New Distribution Sites in Bridgeport

The Bridgeport Health Department at 752 East Main Street and the Community Closet at 475 Clinton Avenue both in Bridgeport have joined up as Big Read Distribution sites.

Welcome!