MONROE, Mich. – The One Book, One Community of Monroe County Committee has finalized the calendar of events planned around the themes in this year’s featured book selection, “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel.
The events formally launch with a kickoff event on the evening of March 15 at Monroe County Community College’s La-Z-Boy Center.
One Book, One Community of Monroe County, modeled after a program developed by the American Library Association, promotes the value of reading by recommending a compelling book that links community members in a common conversation through readings, group discussions, programs and other events.
Set in a post-apocalyptic North America, “Station Eleven” was published in 2014 and is the story of the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of Shakespearean actors and musicians who follow the shoreline of the Great Lakes. Readers are transported into a world dramatically altered by a flu pandemic that destroys 99 percent of the population. The survivors must accept their new reality and move forward to establish new communities. The Traveling Symphony operates under one credo: “Survival is insufficient.”
Residents of the new world come to recognize that art and culture display our best human qualities. The themes of “Station Eleven” will challenge readers from young adults to senior citizens.
Below is the calendar of events. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
March 9
Book Discussion: “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
6:30-8 p.m.
Ida Branch Library
30161 Lewis Ave., Ida
March 13
Film Series: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
6:30 p.m.
3700 S. Custer Road, Monroe
Years after the collapse of civilization, the tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors inside the desert fortress the Citadel. When the warrior Imperator Furiosa leads the despot's five wives in a daring escape, she forges an alliance with Max Rockatansky, a loner and former captive.
Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction (Rated R) 2015 - 2 hour.
Mark Bergmooser, assistant professor of speech, humanities and tae kwon do at Monroe County
Community College, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie candy will be available.
March 15
One Book, One Community Kick-off
6-9 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center Atrium
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
The evening will begin with live jazz music and light refreshments before we move to the Meyer
Theater to see a performance by the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company entitled “Shakespeare
and Station Eleven.” This 35-minute program features scenes from “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” “King Lear,” “The Merchant of Venice,” “Henry V,” “Macbeth,” and “The Tempest,” woven together with narration that shows the connections between Shakespeare’s plays and “Station Eleven.” The evening will also include a used book and art sale sponsored by the MCCC Writing Fellows before and after the event. Copies of “Station Eleven” will be available for purchase. We will cap off the evening with a door prize drawing for an Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation).
March 16
Film Series: “Landfill Harmonic”
3:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College-Room 140, Life Sciences Building
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
“Landfill Harmonic” follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan musical group that plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight.
Drama/Biography/Documentary (Rated R) 2015 - 1h 35m.
Dr. Terri Kovach, reference/technical services librarian and adjunct professor at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this documentary.
March 16-28
Exhibit: Unseen Enemies: Two Pandemics that Touched Monroe
Monroe County Museum
126 S. Monroe St., Monroe
The most dangerous enemies are ones that can’t be seen with the naked eye. In “Station Eleven,” a flu-like virus wipes out most of the human population and forces civilization to rebuild. From 1834 until 1955, Monroe County experienced its own series of pandemics: cholera and the Spanish flu. This exhibit will explore the devastating and deadly effects each pandemic had on Monroe County life and history. A “Museum of Civilization” from each time period will ask the question, “What would life be like if these pandemics hadn't been contained?”
Exhibit dates: March 16 to May 28. The Monroe County Museum is open daily: Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Monroe County, Michigan Residents: Free (Donations Accepted).
Non-Residents: $5 per adult, $3 per child/student (5-17 yrs.)
March 19
Event: Pen to Palette Docent-led Tour
2-3p.m.
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St., Toledo
Using the book “Station Eleven” as inspiration, the staff of the Toledo Museum of Art has created a special hour-long tour for readers of the book. The tour is free, but there is a $7 parking fee for non-members. Make your reservation by calling Rachel Eagle at (734) 384-4153 by March 10. Tour will start at the main museum entrance promptly at 2 p.m.
March 20
Film Series: “Blade Runner”
6:30 p.m.
Ellis Library & Reference Center
3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe
In the year 2019, ex-detective Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to track down and eliminate a team of humanoid androids that have escaped from an outer space mining colony and
have taken refuge here on Earth.
Fantasy/Drama (Rated R) 1982 - 1h 57m.
Mark Bergmooser, assistant professor of speech, humanities and tae kwon do at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie candy will be available.
March 21
Film Series: “Landfill Harmonic”
6:30 p.m.
Dundee Branch Library
144 E. Main Street, Dundee
Mary Bullard, Monroe Public Schools librarian and adjunct librarian at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this documentary.
March 23
Brown Bag Discussion: “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center Atrium
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
March 23
Event: Michigan Rediscovered with Ron Rademacher
6:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center Atrium
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
Join us for an entertaining and educational presentation with author/adventurer Ron Rademacher, as he shares unique road trips through various regions of Michigan. Rademacher is the author of four books about road trips to out-of-the-way places and small towns in Michigan. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation.
March 25
Event: We Have Suffered Much – Too Much – This Season: Cholera in the 1830s Michigan
1 p.m.
Monroe County Museum
126 S. Monroe St., Monroe
Kendra Anspaugh, Monroe County Museum presenter, will discuss the science of cholera and how it affected Monroe County. This presentation will be an overview of the biology and epidemiology of cholera and a look back at the cholera outbreaks that occurred in southeast Michigan during the 1830s. The Monroe County Museum is open daily: Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Monroe County, Michigan Residents: Free (Donations Accepted).
Non-Residents: $5 per adult, $3 per child/student (5 -17 yrs.).
March 27
Event: Plant Reproduction vs. Propagation Presentation
6:30 p.m.
Ida Branch Library
30161 Lewis Ave., Ida
MSU Certified Master Gardeners Christine Eddolls and Karen Hehl will present a gardening program about plant reproduction and propagation.
March 27
Book Discussion: “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
7 p.m.
Carleton Branch Library
1444 Kent St., Carleton
March 29
Children’s Program: Musical Instrument Making
4:30 p.m.
L.S. Navarre Branch Library
1135 E. 2nd Street, Monroe
After reading the book, “Ada's Violin” together, participants will create musical instruments out of everyday household items.
March 29
Panel Discussion: Surviving in a Post-Apocalyptic World
7 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center Atrium
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
We hope it never happens, but if we do ever have to live without our modern conveniences, could we manage it? Experts on survival and living “off the grid” will discuss the dos and don'ts of life in the wilderness, or life at home if it becomes a wilderness. This panel discussion is sponsored by “The Agora,” the student newspaper at MCCC.
April 2
Film Series: “Wall-E”
2 p.m.
Ellis Library & Reference Center
3700 S. Custer Rd., Monroe
In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.
Animation/Adventure (Rated G) 2008 - 1h 38m.
Mark Bergmooser, assistant professor of speech, humanities and tae kwon do at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this film. Complimentary movie candy will be available.
April 2
Film Series: “Landfill Harmonic”
2 p.m.
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance
April 2
Event: Pen to Palette Docent-led Tour
2 p.m.
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St., Toledo
The tour is free, but there is a $7 parking fee for non-members. Make your reservation by calling Rachel Eagle at (734) 384-4153 by March 10.
Tour will start at the main museum entrance promptly at 2 p.m.
April 3
Event: Oddities and Rarities: Mysteries & Legends in Small Michigan Towns with Ron Rademacher
6:30 p.m.
Ida Branch Library
30161 Lewis Ave, Ida
Ron Rademacher, author/adventurer will describe road trips to unique destinations, including historic sites, natural wonders and unusual places. The presentation will run for about 40-50 minutes. Additional time is planned for questions and answers. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the end of the presentation
April 4
Book Discussion: “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Newport Branch Library
8120 N. Dixie Highway
April 4
Event: “Man-Beast” Roustabout Theatre Troupe
7-8:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, La-Z-Boy Center Meyer Theater
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
In the 1800s, the wilds of France were stalked by a fearsome creature. Over three years, the Beast of Gévaudan claimed more than 100 victims. Then, an outcast forester killed a hideous wolf-like creature and presented its corpse to King Louis for a rich reward. However, the story he told may not have been the entire truth. Roustabout Playwright and Executive Director Joseph Zettelmaier will be present for the talk-back and Q&A portion of the program. Anna Simmons, Roustabout reading director, will also be present. The Monroe County Community College Humanities and Social Sciences Division is sponsoring this program as an enrichment opportunity for students enrolled in MCCC Humanities courses, as well as the residents of Monroe County.
April 7
Event: Foods of the Great Lake States
5 p.m.
Monroe County Community College, Dining Room in the Warrick Student Services/ Administration Building
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
The Second Year Culinary Skills and Management Program Students at MCCC, along with Chef Kevin Thomas and Chef Vicki LaValle, will prepare a lavish buffet of sustainable seafood, wild game, and free-range and farm-raised beef, pork and poultry. Farm and dairy products from local resources will also be prepared. Reservations are required. Tickets are available at the MCCC Cashier (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday –Friday) or by calling (734) 384-4272. Cost: $20 per person. Included are drinks, appetizers, salads, breads, entrees and a dessert buffet.
April 7
Film Series: “Landfill Harmonic”
6:30 p.m.
Monroe County Community College-Room A-137-c/d Warrick Student Services/Administration Building
1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe
Cheryl Johnston, assistant professor of reading and English at Monroe County Community College, will moderate the viewing of this documentary.
April 12
Book Discussion: “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
7 p.m.
Bedford Branch Library
8575 Jackman Rd., Temperance
April 19
Children’s Program: Board Game Day
2 p.m.
L.S. Navarre Branch Library
1135 E. 2nd St., Monroe
Join us as we unplug and play games together. We'll have several games available, but feel free to bring one if you have a favorite.
Founding Partners of One Book, One Community of Monroe County include Monroe County Community College, The Foundation at Monroe County Community College, Monroe County Library System and The Monroe News.
Major Sponsors for 2017 include Meemic/Leski Insurance Agency, LLC, and Siena Heights University.
Supporters include The (MCCC) Agora; Friends of One Book, One Community; and the Monroe County Historical Museum.
Educational Reading Partners include Airport Community Schools, Bedford Public Schools, Meadow Montessori, Monroe High School, Monroe Middle College, and Saint Mary Catholic Central High School.