We all have a story to tell. We invite you to share yours. 
At some time in our lives, we departed from the routine that defines our days and experienced something extraordinary. It might have been a transcendent moment — a life-changing experience that turned us toward a different path. Or it might have been an aberration — an occurrence so far from the rest of our life experience that it stood out, remarkable for its uniqueness.

The novel selected for Monroe County’s 2013 One Book, One Community of Monroe County program is about stories.  It’s about the importance of stories in our lives — about how they’ve shaped our past and about the healing power of retelling them.  The novel is One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It tells the story of nine people trapped by an earthquake. Faced with the possibility of death, one of them suggests that they share “One Amazing Thing” about their lives. Through their stories, they give us a window into their dreams, their secrets, their fears — as well as insight into their diverse cultures.

The One Book, One Community of Monroe County program invites you to tell your own amazing story. We’ll share your story with the community, in partnership with The Monroe Evening News, Monroe Public Access Cable Television, and the Monroe County Historical Museum.
    

Add Your Own Amazing Thing Story *

• WRITE One Amazing Story

Send your essay to:

Share Your Story, Monroe Evening News
20 W. First Street
Monroe, MI 48161

OR

e-mail your story to saul@monroenews.com

OR

Submit online to The Monroe Evening News
    

*Stories need to be received by March 1, 2013
      

• RECORD One Amazing Story

Stop by the MPACT (Monroe Public Access Cable Television) studios, 20 W. 5th Street (2nd floor of the Benesh Building on the corner of Fifth and Monroe Street in downtown Monroe) at one of two times:

Saturday, February 9, 2013   from noon - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013   from 6 - 8 p.m.

and record your story in a 1 - 3 minute video.  Call (734) 243-5707 to make an appointment, or just come in during those hours.

More videos also will be recorded at the One Book, One Community of Monroe County kick-off event March 18, 2013 at Monroe County Community College’s La-Z-Boy Center.

• PROVIDE One Amazing Artifact

Visit the Monroe County Historical Museum from 1 - 4 p.m. on April 5, 2013 and bring an object of importance to you, your family, or community.  Museum staff will help you write a description of your "one amazing thing" and put it on display at the museum for you, your friends, your family and community to see.

Learn About Other People’s Amazing Things

• LOOK AT Amazing Artifacts

Visit the Monroe County Historical Museum during museum hours and enjoy the ‘One Amazing’ display of artifacts submitted by friends, family, and members of the community.

Friday, April 5  (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 6 (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 10 (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Thursday, April 11 (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Friday, April 12 (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 13 (10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
   

• WATCH Amazing Stories

Watch One Amazing Thing Writers Share Stories

AND

Videos will air on MPACT television on Channel 21 (Comcast) and 95 (Charter) through the month of April.

Sundays  (10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
Mondays  (10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.)
Tuesdays  (11 a.m. & 9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday  (9 a.m. & 1 p.m.)
Thursdays  (7:30 a.m. & 9:30 p.m.)
Fridays  (7:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.)
Saturdays  (10 a.m. & 7 p.m.)

 

   
• READ Amazing Stories

Some of the essays will appear in The Monroe Evening News paper.

AND

Some of the essays will appear on The Monroe Evening News website during February and March. Click here to read some of Monroe County's shared stories. Essays are being added from time to time so come back and visit often.  You may need to refresh this webpage if you are revisiting this page.