Librarians in Lanark County are pleased to present the upcoming events for the 2015 One Book, One Community program – a library-initiated project that encourages all residents to come together through the shared experience of reading the same book and attending various events within their communities. Information on the chosen book for the 2015 program, Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn, as well as event information is available at the One Book, One Community website: www.onebooklanark.webs.com.
Through this experience, the community will be able to explore a topic in a variety of venues, creating conversations about important and complex issues. The One Book program offers its first set of events starting in September 2015. “Our libraries are delighted to be partnering to provide a great selection of events for our first One Book, One Community program”, said Erika Heesen, CEO of the Perth Union Library. “We’re looking forward to creating a community conversation about the book Flee, Fly, Flown and the theme of aging”.
This year’s novel Flee, Fly, Flown is an adventure of Lillian and Audrey who plot to escape from Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home, “borrow” a car, and spend their hastily planned vacation time driving west, unaware of the challenges they will face. All they know is that the warm days of August call to them, along with the need to escape the daily routines and humiliations of a nursing home life that has become overwhelming.
The duo set out on their journey, having forgotten that their memory problems might make driving and following directions difficult. During their trip they meet up with the unsuspecting Rayne, a young man also heading west in hope of reconciling with his family. As Lillian and Audrey try to take back the control that time and dementia has taken from them, Rayne realizes the truth of their situation. But it’s too late – he has fallen under the spell of these two funny, brave women and is willing to be a part of their adventure, wherever it leads them.
The 2015 theme, Aging, is a significant one for Lanark County, which has an aging population, as well as the population shift to an older community that is changing the culture of the region. While relevant to everyone, this topic has not been the focus of a major initiative countywide to discuss the possibilities and implications of aging in our region.
The One Book program offers an opportunity to create dialogue and potentially spur action on how to embrace and respond to this demographic shift. The CEO of Mississippi Mills Public Library, Pam Harris, noted, “The wonder of books is how they bring people and communities together. All of us are excited about our upcoming events especially that we are able to host our author, Janet Hepburn, in both Mississippi Mills and Perth. I am also looking forward to our first Death Cafe event, which brings a different opportunity for us to talk about life, aging, and dying.” At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. It is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes.
The town of Mississippi Mills and Perth will be orchestrating their own events where author, Janet Hepburn, will be visiting the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on October 2nd at 2:30pm and the Perth & District Union Public Library on October 3rd at 4:30, giving readers a great opportunity to speak with her about the novel Flee, Fly, Flown. In Conversation: Janet Hepburn is one of the many exciting events that One Book, One Community has to offer and readers are encouraged to participate in the program as well as the events, which include:
In Conversation: Janet Hepburn
Mississippi Mills
October 2 at 2:30-4:30 pm
Meeting Room at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Perth & District Union Public Library
Saturday, October 3 at 4:30pm
Crystal Palace, Perth
In partnership with the Perth Chapter of the Ottawa Writer’s Festival
Other One Book, One Community Events:
Perth & District Union Public Library Events
Death Cafe
September 10 at 6:30pm
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. It is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes.
Flee, Fly, Flown Book Discussion
September 17 at 6:30pm
This year, Lanark County reads Flee, Fly, Flow’ by Janet Hepburn. Did you love it? Did you hate it? Come and tell us all about it!
Double Feature Movie Screening!
September 24
2:00pm: Elsa & Fred
In New Orleans, a feisty retiree (Shirley MacLaine) and her new neighbor, an uptight widower (Christopher Plummer), discover that it’s never too late for true love and romance.
6:30pm: Waking Ned Devine
When a lottery winner dies of shock, his fellow townsfolk attempt to claim the money.
Almonte Public Library
An Open Community Book Club
September 9 at 1:30-3:30 pm
Old Town Hall
Join us to discuss the One Book – One Community book choice, Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn. Refreshments will be served. Registration required.
Seniors Expo
September 10 at 12:00pm- 8:00 pm
Almonte Arena
Stop by the Mississippi Mills Public Library booth at the Seniors’ Expo to learn more about the library and what we provide for our community seniors, and join a discussion at 4:00PM on our One Book One Community program and this year’s theme, Aging, at the seniors’ Expo.
Death Cafe
September 19 at 2:00-4:00 pm
Robin’s Nest Tea Room
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. It is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes. Registration required.
Smiths Falls Public Library
Flee, Fly, Flown Book Discussion
Smiths Falls Public Library
September 27 at 1:00pm
Join our discussion about Janet Hepburn’s novel Flee, Fly, Flown and share your opinions!
Carleton Place Public Library
Flee, Fly Flown Book Discussion
Carleton Place Public Library
September 14 6:30pm- 8:30pm
Tell us about your reading experience… Did you enjoy Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn?
Connection to The Past
September 16 at 2:00pm-3:30pm
Carleton Place Public Library
Show and tell with museum curator Jennifer Irwin. Join Jennifer as she shares some of the fascinating connections between key items in the collection. Come and share your own stories and connections to your own local history.
To learn more about One Book, One Community, please contact your local library or visit our website www.onebooklanark.webs.com
For more information, please contact the United Way Lanark County Office at 613-253-9074 or Kate Hallas via email at khallas@lanarkunitedway.com.
For any questions, please contact:
Kate Hallas
Fund Development Officer
613-253-9074