Big Read and Kickoff Party to Follow March
OnFocus – A “March to End Sexual Assault” will take place on Saturday, March 10th in Marshfield, beginning and ending at the Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library (105 S. Maple Ave.). Marshfield’s NEA: Big Read Kickoff and Party will follow the march.
Participants are encouraged to congregate in the Felker Family Genealogy & Local History Room at 3:00 p.m. for sign making and organizing. Marchers will leave the library at 4:00 p.m. and walk a round trip to Thimbleberry Books, returning to the library around 5:00 p.m. (This is a tentative route and may vary depending on the weather.)
Upon the marchers’ return, a gathering will be held in the Everett & Delores Roehl Atrium where Library Director Lori Belongia will explain the Big Read project concept. Dr. Julie Tharp, a professor of English and American Indian Studies at UW-Marshfield/Wood County, will then introduce and discuss Native American author Louise Erdrich’s novel, The Round House.
Themes in The Round House centralize around the impact that sexual assault has, not only on the victim, but on the victim’s family and community as well. The Legal Program Coordinator/Supervisor and SA/DV Legal Advocate with the Personal Development Center, will speak about the local sexual assault landscape. The speakers will also include a medical professional who will talk about the impact and treatment of sexual assault.
The gathering will end with a sampling of Native American recipes and time for open conversation/discussion (6:00-7:00 p.m.). Dishes will include Pumpkin Fry Bread, Three Sisters Soup, and Great Northern Vegetarian Cassoulet, along with coffee, tea, and dessert.
Funded by the National Endowment for Arts and Minneapolis-based Arts Midwest project, the Big Read program seeks to broaden understanding of the world and communities through the sharing of a good book. The project has received additional funding from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, the Friends of the Marshfield Public Library, the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College Library, the Marshfield Community Foundation, the UW Colleges.
For more information on the Big Read project and a complete listing of events in your area, please visit http://wisconsinreads.org or contact Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library Director Lori Belongia at (715) 389-2745.
