THE WASHINGTON COUNTY READ

Lifetime Learning, a group of volunteers who have been bringing outstanding speakers and classes to the Washington County area since 2002, has proposed a Big Read for the Washington County area.  Here is a preliminary description of the Washington County Read.

Purpose:
A gripping retelling of individual stories about the return of Iraq War military casualties to their families in the U S. will be the centerpiece of the Washington County Read, a community-wide focus on a book guaranteed to touch the hearts of all Americans.
 
Based on an idea promoted by the National Endowment for the Arts, communities around the country have sponsored a “Big Read.”  The idea of a whole community getting excited over one book is to encourage reading and appreciation of books and literature.  The idea is that the community is invited to read the same book during a period, usually a month to six weeks.  The Washington County Read will be specifically tailored to our community.

During the designated period, various activities are scheduled in locations around the community.  Local organizations participate by encouraging their members to read the book, discuss the book at a meeting, and donate books to the local high school.  At the end of the period, the author visits the community to review the book. 

Book: 

“Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives” by Jim Sheeler
http://web.mac.com/jsheeler/jimsheeler.com/jim_sheeler.html

The book was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award, and a recipient of  the Christopher Award. The Wall Street Journal said of the book: "Final Salute is a must read accounting of [the cost of war] but most importantly a tribute to those who must bear it.”

Jim Sheeler is a scholar in residence at the University of Colorado and a freelance reporter. He won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for feature writing while reporting for the Rocky Mountain News.    

Sponsoring Organizations:

• Lifetime Learning
• Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library
• Brenham Independent School District
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce
• The Banner Press
• TEXASLIVE Magazine.

Schedule of Events:

DATE	EVENT & LOCATION
September	South Central TEXASLIVE Magazine Ad
September 17	Washington County Rotary, Book Review by Tom Stevens
September 17	Proclamation by Brenham City Council
September 22	Proclamation by Washington County Commissioners’ Court
September 24	Lifetime Learning ad in the Banner Press and the Banner Extra
September 27	Round Top Book Club will discuss “Final Salute”
September 27	Lifetime Learning ad in the Banner Press
September 27-30	Books will be presented to Brenham High School by Veterans’ Groups for a kickoff of the Washington County Read.
October 1- November 13	Display at Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library
October 1- November 13	Lifetime Learning notice in Community Brief section of Banner Press
October 6	Beverly Duree will review “Final Salute” for The United Methodist Women’s Club at 9:00 a.m.
October 8	Beverly Duree will review “Final Salute” for the Fortnightly Club at 1:00 p.m.
October 13	Elen Moncrieff will review “Final Salute” for the Brenham Rotary.
October  21	Unity Theater will stage a reading by professional actors at 7:30pm.., on the Main Stage.  The reading will last about 50 minutes, following which there will be a discussion.
October 22	Fortnightly Club - 12:00 Noon - Review & Discussion at Earnies Restaurant - Private Dining Room
November 5	Lifetime Learning ad in Banner Press and Banner Extra
November 5	Chamber of Commerce @ 5:00pm - Review & Discussion at the Holiday Inn Express.
November 8	Lifetime Learning ad in Banner Press
November 13	Author Jim Sheeler will speak to the student body at Brenham High School, and make a presentation from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at a reception open to the public at Blinn College.

 

Dates to be determind:

 

         

          Barbara Hemmer has challenged the American Legion to read and discuss the book.

 

          Barbara Hemmer will lead a discussion group with the Washington County Healthy Living

          Group (Senior Citizen Center).

 

Promotion: 

We will ask participating organizations to promote the event through their regular channels. Book Nook and HEB will be asked to stock the book, and have a display. The proclamations and press releases should generate newspaper articles.

Contact:   info@lifetimelearningbrenham.org