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Roy Bird
Director, KCFB
800.432.3919
► kcfb@kslib.info
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Your observance of Kansas Reads The Virgin of Small Plains can be as simple as putting up one of the posters with a copy of the book or hosting one—or more—of the
presenters listed below. Fees for the speakers not associated with the Kansas Humanities Council will vary and be sure to give them plenty of lead time when planning your activities.
The following are ideas that you can tailor to your own community’s needs—please tweak as needed. Don’t be afraid to come up with something entirely different! And
remember to tell the rest of the state what you are doing by contributing to the Kansas Reads blog at (insert link to blog here). Blog COMING SOON!
Author Visits to Libraries/Communities
Discussions
Ghost stories tie-in
Have an evening where local “ghost” stories or lore are shared. Consider preserving the event with audio or video taping and
transcription for library’s local history collection. You may also want to share the results with the Kansas Folklore Society at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/orgs/kfs.
Hold a ghost story writing contest and have winners read their entries at a special program.
Host a panel discussion on paranormal phenomena. Check local colleges and the Internet for presenters or simply get local people together to share experiences
and opinions.
Cemetery tie-ins
Host the KHC program “Talking Tombstones: History in the Cemetery” by Albert Hamscher, Dept. of History, KSU, 208 Eisenhower Hall, Manhattan, KS 66502, (785)
532-0436, aham@ksu.edu. For more information, see the KHC catalog at
www.kansashumanities.org/pdf/KHC_HA_SB_catalog-7.pdf
(PDF)
KHC program “Cemeteries Galore: Continuity & Change in Kansas Graveyards” by Randall Thies, 5033 SE 4th Terr, Tecumseh, KS 66542, (785) 379-9488,
rthies@cox.net.
For more info, see the KHC catalog: www.kansashumanities.org/pdf/KHC_HA_SB_catalog-7.pdf
(PDF)
Contact your local cemetery sexton or history buff to prepare a talk (and tour, weather permitting) of the local cemetery. Discussion could include cemetery
history, tombstone symbolism, grave witching, local legends and true stories.
Sponsor an art contest with entries depicting the tombstone/monument to the virgin in the story.
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Tornado tie-in
Sponsor the KHC program “Twisters: Living in Tornado Alley by Jay Antle, Dept. of History, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park,
KS 66210, (913) 469-8500, Ext. 4245, jantle@jccc.edu.
For more info see the KHC catalog: www.kansashumanities.org/pdf/KHC_HA_SB_catalog-7.pdf
(PDF)
Contact local weather forecasters or storm chasers to talk about their experiences.
Flint Hills tie-in
Jim Hoy, author of Flint Hills Cowboys, can also be booked through the KHC Speakers Bureau -- see
www.kansashumanities.org/pdf/KHC_HA_SB_catalog-7.pdf (PDF)
-- for his programs on Boots & Stetsons: the Kansas Cowboy and Home on the Range: Kansas Folklore. He can be contacted at 938 Road 130, Emporia, KS 66801, (620) 343-3192,
jhoy@emporia.edu.
For a program on growing up in the Flint Hills, contact Ken Ohm, author of "Ducks Across the Moon" & "Spatzies & Brass BBs: Life in a One-Room Country School",
at 3006 SW Staffordshire Rd, Topeka, KS 66614 Ken.Ohm@Washburn.edu.
Ken Warren, Managing Director of The Land Institute, can speak on the history and issues of land use and new methods of agriculture for the future based
on the Kansas prairie model). He can be contacted at The Land Institute, 2440 E. Water Well Road, Salina, KS 67401, 785-823-5376, email:
warren@landinstitute.org.
Display photos of the Flint Hills taken by local photographers
Mysteries, Mystery Writers
Hold a program on the history of the mystery or other topics on the genre. One possible resource is Kaite Stover, Head of Central Library Readers &
Circulation Services, Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th St, Kansas City, MO 64105 kaitestover@yahoo.com
Displays
Book displays featuring the works of Nancy Pickard, the read-alikes listed elsewhere on the website, Kansas pictorial works, or Kansas ghost stories.
Sponsor art show or contest with local artists. Themes could include Kansas plains, local cemetery, tornados, or something inspired by the novel itself.
Think about partnering with local art council, cemetery boards, or art classes. If you need help funding such an endeavor, apply for Grassroots Grant from the Kansas Arts Commission at
http://arts.state.ks.us
Exhibit photography and/or sponsor contest with local amateur photographer(s) or professional Kansas photographer(s): Themes could be Kansas plains, local
cemetery, or tornado images. Think about joining forces with local art councils, cemetery boards, photography club or store, local newspaper, or 4-H Club.
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