It's a dog-eat dog-world radio announcement for The Big Read
A faithful dog Buck, adventure, friendship, revenge and a call to destiny - have you ever read Jack London’s Call of the Wild? Coming in January 2010 you and hundreds more will have a chance to sink your teeth into this classic novel through a special program called The Big Read. THE BIG READ
The Big Read, with book discussions and related activities is scheduled to run from January 22 - February 21, 2010. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightment. The Big Read mirrors IRW ‘s mission to inspire a passion for reading, so we jumped at the chance to bring this project to Maine and were fortunate to receive a 1:1 matching grant from the NEA to make it possible. Additional grant support for The Call of the Wild Big Read is provided by a grant from the Maine Charity Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Humanities Council, and other donations.
Big Read Calendar of Events
Book distribution: January 12-22, 2010 at your library.
When participating in outdoor activities please "layer" your clothing, so that you can shed layers as you warm up and add them back as you cool down. Warm boots, mittens or warm gloves, and a hat (very important) should be worn. Remember, hydration is important in winter dryness; take a comfortable sized bottle of water with you when engaged in outdoor activities.
January 22, 2010
The Call of the Wild Big Read Kick-off for Deer Isle, Stonington, and Isle au Haut begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Reach Performing Arts Center. Come and help us launch this month-long Big Read of Jack London’s classic adventure, The Call of the Wild. Special guest speakers and local luminaries will introduce upcoming events, share stories of the frozen North, and travel back in time through a media presentation to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush. Contact Person: Susan Guilford, 348-6301, ext. 101.
January 23, 2010
The Working Sled Dog. Meg Burden will lead the program, which will take place at the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor from 11 a.m. to noon. Ms. Burden will discuss how the companionship of working sled dogs and their legendary capacity of strength and endurance in winter create a unique working relationship. This relationship is built upon trust and the sharing of responsibility to care for each other and to get each other home safely. Ms. Burden will use three of her sled dogs, and a sled and harness to illustrate. Contact Person: Ponzi Reed, 288-4245.
The Call of the Wild Big Read Kick-off for MDI and the surrounding island communities begins at 2 p.m. at the Mount Desert Island High School Higgins-Demas Theater. Special guest speaker, founder of Maine Reads, Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci, will launch the literary extravaganza, celebrating reading and the month-long Big Read of Jack London’s adventure story. We’ll set the stage with dramatic readings, focus on island history in the 1890’s, and through a mulitmedia presentation transport attendees back to the age of the Gold Rush. Contact Person: Jan Coates, 460-8897.
January 24, 2010
Nature Awareness Hike. Terry Towne of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust will conduct a nature awareness hike on the Giant Slide Trail in Mount Desert. The hike will last from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Depending on the weather, participants may need to bring their own snowshoes. Mr. Towne will talk about the flora and fauna of the area and answer questions that hikers have about their natural surroundings. Contact Person: Terry Towne, 244-5100.
Family Snowshoe Day and Hot Chocolate at MDI High School. Multiple leaders will take participants of all ages snowshoeing on the trails around the high school. Participants will be grouped by experience level. The walk will cover easy, flat terrain and conclude with hot chocolate in the high school cafeteria. Participants should meet at 1 p.m. in front of the gymnasium. Contact Person: Maria Donahue, 288-5049.
January 26, 2010
Book Discussion. Amanda Crafts will lead the program at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library in Bernard at 7 p.m. There will also be an exhibit of Ellen Church’s winter landscape watercolors and Mary Ellen Martel’s wolves and wildlife photographs during January and February. Contact Person: Amanda Crafts, 244-3798.
January 27, 2010
Book Discussion. At the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor at 7 p.m. There will also be an exhibit of working dogs, which will include a display of books and articles about rescue dogs, service dogs, and herding dogs. Contact Person: Ponzi Reed, 288-4245.
Book Discussion. At the Islesford Library on Little Cranberry Island at 7 p.m. There will also be an exhibit - TBA. Contact Person: Cindy Thomas, 244-9565.
Film Screening of The Call of the Wild (1935) at 7:00 p.m., Stonington Opera House. Come and see the 1935 film adaptation of Jack London's The Call of the Wild on the big screen with friends, neighbors, and fresh popcorn. In this classic film, Clark Gable is in his element as the macho, rugged adventurer and outdoorsman, and Loretta Young is captivating as the conflicted woman loved by two men. And Buck is played by a St. Bernard. Shot at 5,000 ft. on Washington's Mt. Baker, this old movie is a five-star gem! Contact Person: Jennifer Morrow, 364-2788.
January 28, 2010
Book Discussion. At the Great Cranberry Library on Great Cranberry Island at 11 a.m. There will also be an exhibit of winter gear, along with books about Alaska, the Klondike Gold Rush, dogs, and survival. Contact Person: Ruth Westphal, 244-7358.
Book Discussion. A book discussion will be held at the Somesville Library at 7:00 p.m. A talk will follow on Jack London and his connection to Mount Desert Island through his marriage to Charmian Kittredge. Contact Person: Tom Lange, 244-7404.
January 29, 2010
Winter Star Gazing. Peter Lord of the Island Astronomy Institute will lead the program, which will take place at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library in Bernard at 7 p.m. Contact Person: Amanda Crafts, 244-3798.
January 30, 2010
Winter Tracking Expedition. Terry Towne of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust will lead a hike/snowshoe at Babson Creek in Somesville and identify tracks and other winter animal signs along the way. The hike will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Person: Terry Towne, 244-5100.
Search and Rescue Dogs. Jennifer Fisk and her rescue dog, Freya, will present a program on the working life of search and rescue dogs at the Jesup Memorial Library from 11 to noon. Contact Person: Ponzi Reed, 288-4245.
Survivor Skills Workshop. The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor will host the program, from 1 to 3 p.m. Activities will include basket-weaving with a Penobscot weaver, fire-making by friction, and survival clothing/materials: then and now. Participants may sit in on one or all four of the 30-minute presentations. The Museum’s exhibits will also be open for viewing. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
Book Discussion. Chase Emerson Memorial Library will host the program in Deer Isle at 1 p.m. There will also be a display of old winter tools, including snow shoes, axes, rifles, and traps. Contact Person: Candace Hall, 348-2899.
Book Discussion. Candice Stover will lead the program at the Southwest Harbor Public Library in Southwest Harbor at 2 p.m. There will also be an exhibit of scrimshaw, featuring old fossil walrus and woolly mammoth ivory from Alaska’s permafrost as well as new, hand-carved pieces by Chris Cambridge of The Scrimshaw Workshop. Contact Person: Candy Emlen, 244-7065.
January 31, 2010
Survivor Skills Workshop. The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor will host the program, which will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Activities will include fire-making by friction, survival clothing/materials: then and now, and soapstone carving. Participants may sit in on one or all four of the 30-minute presentations. The Museum’s exhibits will be open for viewing. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
February 3, 2010
Beasts from Beowulf to Buck. In the Mellon Room of the Northeast Harbor Library at 7 p.m., Dr. Matthew Garrity-Janger, MDIHS Principal, will give a talk about famous beasts in literature. Contact Person: Dr. Garrity-Janger, 288-5011.
February 5, 2010
Movie and a Pizza Night. Come and see the 1972 film version of The Call of the Wild, starring Charleton Heston as John Thornton at the Swan’s Island Library at 6:30 p.m. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a fun evening of entertainment and pizza. A brief discussion will follow. Contact Person: Candi Joyce 460-7293.
Night Sky in Winter. Peter Lord of the Island Astronomy Institute will present an illustrated tour of the winter constellations with tips for beginners. Maine’s unspoiled nights retain much of the same wilderness quality they possessed in the late 19th and 20th century, the time of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Chase Emerson Memorial Library in Deer Isle. Contact Person: Candace Hall, 348-2899.
February 6, 2010
Ice Fishing Demonstration. Rick Jordan of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will lead the program, which will focus on ice fishing tools, laws, and safety rules. It will take place at the Harbor House Community Service Center in Southwest Harbor at 10 a.m. Contact Person: Rick Jordan, 434-5925.
Winter Fun on Isle au Haut. Experience the Call of the Wild by joining Paula Greatorex at 1 p.m. for a fun-filled cross-country ski/snowshoe/hike (depending on conditions). Meet at the teacher’s house in Head Harbor. Contact Person: Paula Greatorex, 335-2521.
Winter Hike in Acadia. An experienced Acadia National Park Ranger will guide you on a tour of one of Acadia’s beautiful trails. The Ranger will answer questions and point out the flora, fauna, and history of the trail. The hike will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Please meet at Sieur de Monts nature center. There are no restroom facilities available. Contact Person: Cynthia Ocel, 288-8822.
Scrimshaw – Touch and Learn. Chris Cambridge of The Scrimshaw Workshop will lead the program, which will take place at the Southwest Harbor Public Library in Southwest Harbor at 2 p.m. Mr. Cambridge will discuss the history, art, and importance of scrimshaw. Contact Person: Candy Emlen, 244-7065.
February 7, 2010
Nature Awareness Games. Michelle Finn will lead the program, which will direct attention to games for kids that will help them become more aware of the natural world. Kids will enjoy learning about wide angle vision from Owl Eyes and acquiring listening skills by playing Smaug’s Jewels. The workshop will run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Southwest Harbor Library in Southwest Harbor. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
Animal Calls, Tracks, and Sign. Roman Rozenski will conduct the program, which will take place in Frenchboro. There will be a chance to explore the trails in the beautiful Frenchboro Preserve and learn about what animals live there and how to identify them by their tracks and signs. Mr. Rozenski will share his homemade animal calls and his skills as a tracker and hunter. Place – TBA. Contact Person: Roman Rozenski, 334-4444.
February 9, 2010
Five Months and 2,600 Miles Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Colleen and Loring Porter will conduct the program, which will take place at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library in Bernard at 7 p.m. The Porters will share slides and talk about their five months of wilderness hiking. Contact Person: Amanda Crafts, 244-3798.
February 10, 2010
Book Discussion. At the Swan’s Island Library located in the Town Office at 3 p.m. Readers of all ages are welcome. Contact Person: Candi Joyce, 460-7293.
Book Discussion. At the Northeast Harbor Library in Northeast Harbor at 5 p.m. There will also be an exhibit of theme-based work by local artists about ice. Contact Person: Anna Carr, 276-3333.
February 11, 2010
Wolves! Naturalist Ruth Grierson and wolf expert Tom Clarke will lead the program, which will take place at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library in Bernard at 7 p.m. Mary Ellen Martel will also show and discuss her photographs of wolves. Contact Person: Amanda Crafts, 244-3798.
February 13, 2010
Birding with Mike Little. Meet at the Island Heritage Trust office in Deer Isle at 9 a.m. We will carpool to look for winter visitors. We will be exploring outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Contact Person: Mike Little, 348-2455.
Book Discussion. At the Stonington Public Library in Stonington at 11 a.m. There will also be an exhibit of The Klondike Gold Rush, featuring nuggets, rocks, and tools the miners would have used, as well as a map showing the route described in The Call of the Wild. Contact Person: Vicki Zelnick, 367-5926.
Tracking and Nature Awareness Hike. Billy Helprin will be your guide on a hike/snowshoe at Northeast Creek in Bar Harbor. Participants will examine winter animal tracks and signs, and identify the flora and fauna along the way. The hike will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Contact Person: Billy Helprin, 244-5995.
Primitive Skills Workshop. The College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor will host the program, which will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Activities will include fire-making by friction, cordage making, and track/sign identification. Participants may sit in on one or all four of the 30-minute presentations. This is a sustained outdoor activity, so please dress accordingly. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
February 14, 2010
Primitive Skills Workshop. The College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor will host the program, which will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Activities will include fire-making by friction, cordage making, and track/sign identification. Participants may sit in on one or all four of the 30-minute presentations. This is a sustained outdoor activity, so please dress accordingly. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
February 17, 2010
Snowshoeing at Scotts Landing. Fun for the whole family. Please gather at the 10 a.m. at the Island Heritage Trust office in Deer Isle. We will have some snowshoes available, but please bring your own if you have them. We will try out snowshoes and then go for a short walk around the Preserve. Dress in layers for the weather. Contact Person: Mike Little, 348-2455.
Ungava Winter Snowshoeing – the Long View. Garrett and Alexandra S. B. Conover will lead the program, which will take place at the Northeast Harbor Library in Northeast Harbor at 7 p.m. The Conovers will give a slide show presentation of their journey following the George River from its beginning as a small headwater stream just north of Schefferville, Quebec to its end, 400 miles later, as it empties into the Ungava Bay. Contact Person: Anna Carr, 276-3333.
Film Screening of The Call of the Wild at 7:00 p.m., Harbor House Community Service Center. This film stars Charlton Heston, as John Thornton and is one of several film adaptations of Jack London’s adventure classic. A discussion of the film will follow. Diana Novella, 244-3713 ext. 102
February 18, 2010
Taste of the North Wilderness at Camp Beech Cliff, from 4 to 6 p.m. On outdoor fire pits, we’ll cook up a moose stew, strips of bear meat, fish chowder, bannock, corn bread, and fruit cobbler to share with those who want to experience The Call of the Wild. Weather permitting, the children will be display their snow huts and nature art projects, demonstrating snowshoeing prowess and other wilderness skills they will have learned during their 2-day camp that week. A fireside discussion of The Call of the Wild will also be included. Contact person: Debra Deal at 244-0365.
February 20, 2010
Quinzhee (snow shelter) demonstration. The program, which will take place at the MDI High School from 1 to 3 p.m., will focus on primitive shelter building. A quinzhee is a snow mound shelter shaped like an igloo but more suited to our Maine climate. As our experiences with Jack London’s The Call of the Wild come to an end, participants will dig out a shelter in teams and experience the warmth and ease of living under the snow. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
Snow Shelter Workshop. Bert Yankielun, author of How to Build an Igloo, will conduct the program. Meet at the Island Heritage Trust office in Deer Isle at 10 a.m. Bring snow shovels and old handsaws (for cutting snow blocks). Dress for the weather. This will be fun for the whole family. Contact person: Mike Little, 348-2455.
February 21, 2010
Quinzhee (snow shelter) demonstration. The program, which will take place at the MDI High School from 2 to 3:30 p.m., will focus on primitive shelter building. Contact Person: Michelle Finn, 334-2944 or 546-1026.
The Finale – A Retrospective on a month with The Call of the Wild and the wide range of accompanying programs. Gather in the Higgins-Demas Theater at the MDI High School for a culminating tribute to London’s classic adventure story and the whole experience of The Big Read. The program will begin at 4 p.m. Following the program, participants are invited to a chili supper in the cafeteria. Contact Person: Jan Coates, 460-8897.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
Additional funding for The Big Read project of Island Readers & Writers and its partners comes from the Maine Charity Foundation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Humanities Council, and other donations.
"I applaud the work of Island Readers & Writers for creating a vision that encourages excitement for reading, which has been recognized and supported by The National Endowment for The Arts; it is clearly an investment in our children and our future as a state."
- Maine's First Lady, Karen Baldacci on IRW’s receiving a NEA grant for The Big Read