​Pioneer Woman Tells Her Story at Chautauqua
 
MOUNT VERNON - Olive Oatman was a fourteen-year-old girl whose family was killed in 1851 in present-day Arizona by Native Americans, who captured and enslaved Olive and her sister. A year later Mojave Indians adopted the two girls. The Mojave marked both Oatman girls on their chins with indelible blue cactus tattoos in keeping with tribal custom. According to Mojave tradition, such marks were given only to their own people to ensure that they would have a good afterlife. After four years with the Mojave, during which time her sister died of starvation, Oatman returned to white society. In 1858 Olive went on the lecture circuit. These appearances were among the few occasions on which she appeared in public without wearing a veil to cover her tattooed face.
 
On Thursday March 28 at 7 PM, Elixir Presents Julia Geiger as Olive Oatman at the Grand Hotel located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio. The program is part of the Chautauqua Series, now in its 13th season, bringing living history to Knox County on a donation basis. The series is sponsored by a grant from the Ariel Foundation and also supported in part by the Grand Hotel.
 
Julia Geiger is a gifted story teller, history scholar and teacher. She is making her fourth appearance on the Chautauqua stage, having portrayed Roseanna McCoy, Sacagawea and Mary Jemison and now Olive Oatman; all strong women and all with amazing life stories.
 
Opening the program is a return appearance by Christina of the Colonies, bringing her own brand our music from our ancestors.
 
For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

​MOUNT VERNON – Do you know what state has produced the most Presidents? Virginia. Know who is second? Ohio.  Seven Presidents were born here. Three of those Presidents First Ladies will be featured at the next Chautauqua on Thursday March 14.  Elixir Presents supported in part by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation along with the Grand Hotel welcome Tammy Souhrada as Lucretia Garfield, Amy K. Stoner as Helen Taft and Chris Petee as Julia Grant.
The ladies will talk about their lives in and out of the White House and personal stories. Lucretia Garfield’s husband was a Civil War hero and assassinated in office. Helen Taft was the only woman to be the wife of a President and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Julia Grant besides being married to a General from the Civil War and President was the first of the First Ladies to have her memoirs published. All three promise to bring a very unique Chautauqua to Knox County.
Opening the program will be Zac and Katie Sherman, playing original material written by Zac and combines the beautiful voice of Katie along with Zac’s singing and piano. This will be their third appearance and have received excellent reviews for their songs.
This by donation based presentation will be held at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon. The hotel is located at 12 Public Square. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with question and answer period with the audience after their program.
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents bringing year round living history to our community. All donations go directly to the performers for their research, writing and bringing a wide variety of historical figures to life.
For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

MOUNT VERNON – You might remember him as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in  The Pink Panther movies, or his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, some might even know him for his comedy on the influential BBC program, The Goon Show. However you remember him, once you’ve seen or heard him, you will never forget him. Peter Sellers influenced everyone from the Beatles to Monty Python to Robin Williams and was considered the best comedian since Charlie Chaplin.

This coming Thursday, February 28, Leeman Kessler will bring Sellers to life at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon. The hotel is located at 12 Public Square. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with questions and answers from the character immediately after his presentation. If you need a good laugh and a wonderful time, mark your calendars.  

Opening the program will be Vernon Town, a local group that features familiar songs and great vocals.
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. These programs bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers for their research, writing and bringing a wide variety of historical figures to life.
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For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

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MOUNT VERNON – You might remember him as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in  The Pink Panther movies, or his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, some might even know him for his comedy on the influential BBC program, The Goon Show. However you remember him, once you’ve seen or heard him, you will never forget him. Peter Sellers influenced everyone from the Beatles to Monty Python to Robin Williams and was considered the best comedian since Charlie Chaplin.
This coming Thursday, February 28, Leeman Kessler will bring Sellers to life at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon. The hotel is located at 12 Public Square. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with questions and answers from the character immediately after his presentation. If you need a good laugh and a wonderful time, mark your calendars.  
Opening the program will be Vernon Town, a local group that features familiar songs and great vocals.
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. These programs bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers for their research, writing and bringing a wide variety of historical figures to life.
For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

Chautauqua Welcomes WWII Enigma Code Breaker

MOUNT VERNON – The 2014 movie “The Imitation Game” introduced to many, the English mathematician Alan Turing, who played a pivotal role in cracking intercepted coded messages that enabled the Allies to defeat the Nazis in many crucial engagements and in so doing helped win the war. The Alan Turing story and life will be presented by veteran Chautauqua contributor Ken Hammontree on Thursday February 14 at 7 PM. The program is part of the Chautauqua Series 13th season at the Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in Mount Vernon.

The Chautauqua Series is brought to you be Elixir Presents and sponsored in part by the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel, bringing year round living history to our community. The Series is presented on a donation basis, so you, your family, home schoolers, regular schoolers and friends can enjoy and learn history that goes well beyond what you read in books. All donations go directly to the performers for their research, writing and bringing historical people to life. At the end of each presentation the presenter will answer questions from the audience.

Opening the program will be The Mount Vernon Players performing a gold age radio show from the 1940’s. The program is held in the lower level of the Grand Hotel and doors open at 6 PM to accommodate those with special needs.
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For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

​Dan Emmett Opens 13th Season of Chautauqua Series
Mount Vernon – What better way to start the new Chautauqua Series season than visit Mount Vernon’s own Dan Emmett. One of Knox County’s most famous citizens, Dan Emmett was the author on hundreds of songs including Old Dan Tucker, Blue Tail Fly, Turkey in the Straw and Dixie. He was a founding member of the Virginia Minstrels, recognized as the first true minstrel show group.
 
Making his first appearance on the Chautauqua Series stage will be Carl Young, who played the part of Dan Emmett in the play “With Pen in Hand” the Dan Emmett Story. That play written by Mike Petee brought the audience the chance to learn about who Dan Emmett was and why he was important. Carl will present portions of that play in a first person living history presentation, with Bill Miller and Mike Petee presenting music written by Dan throughout Carl’s presentation.
 
The Chautauqua will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 7 PM at the Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon. Doors open at 6 PM to assist those who might need assistance and have special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs and strollers.
 
These programs are presented on a donation basis and supported by Elixir Presents, the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. They are family friendly living history presentations that are intended to enhance our understanding of history in a fun and entertaining way.
 
Opening for the program will be Bill Miller, playing minstrel era music on period instruments. Bill and Mike Petee will also perform various Dan Emmett songs during the Dan Emmett presentation. At the conclusion there will be a question and answer period with the audience.
 
For more information about this or upcoming programs in the series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018 or 740-392-6102. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” of each program in the Sunday before each performance, please contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

​​MOUNT VERNON - The 7th annual Foodstock concert organized by Elixir Presents benefits the Food for the Hungry drive and will be held at the Knox County Memorial Theater (112 E. High St.) on Tuesday Dec. 4 at 7 PM.
 
This year the program will be a tribute to Tom Petty, who passed away in 2017. The musicians will honor Petty as well as his friends Roy Orbison and George Harrison in a visually faithful look of what the three artists would have looked like and sounded on stage together. Music will include a significant number of Tom Petty songs, as well as selections from Roy Orbison, George Harrison and the Traveling Wilburys.
 
As in past years the musicians from Knox County and surround communities have put together another live concert with special guest John Belushi and a mystery guest, who will make an appearance in the second set.
 
The concert is family friendly and the cost is by donation. Food and needed items, can be found on the www.foodforthehungrycares.org  website.  Money including checks (made out to Food for the Hungry). Each dollar raise equals $10 of buying power at the Central Ohio Food Bank. All proceeds go to the Food for the Hungry campaign.
 
If you are unable to donate or you are one of our needy neighbors, we ask for you to please come and bring your families as this event is also considered a Christmas gift to you from the musicians of Knox County.
 
The doors will open at 6 PM and concert starts at 7 PM.  For more information on this event, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018.

 
MOUNT VERNON – Starting at the age of 8, he starred on his parents radio and television show, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”. He used the television program to help launch his singing career that racked up 53 songs on the Billboard charts including his first number 1, “Poor Little Fool” and ending with a number 6 hit, “Garden Party.” Desmond Wall will take the Grand Hotel audience on a journey through Nelson’s music and life at The Grand Hotel (12 Public Square), Thursday November 29 at 7 PM.

The Chautauqua Series, sponsored in part by the Ariel Foundation and Grand Hotel, bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis, so you, your family, home schoolers, regular schoolers and friends can enjoy and learn about people from history that goes well beyond what you read in history books. Donations directly to the performers for all their work in researching, writing and bringing these people to life and taking questions from the audience at the end of their presentation.

Opening the program will be the piano stylings of Lowell Borcher. The program will be in the lower level of the hotel at 7 PM on Thursday November 29.  Doors open at 6 PM to accommodate those with special needs.

For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org, or www.wqio.com. You can also call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

And remember to join us at the 6th annual Chautauqua Series Foodstock concert at the Memorial Theater on Tuesday December 4 at 7 PM. All food and money go to the annual Food For the Hungry campaign. This year the concert will feature the music of Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and George Harrison.

President Lincoln to Address Chautauqua Audience
MOUNT VERNON - In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring “a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise,” making it an official national holiday to be observed annually. The proclamation came after a 36-year campaign started by the a woman who became known as the “mother” or “godmother” of Thanksgiving, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale—a magazine editor and writer who  also wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”
As an early Thanksgiving present, Elixir Presents, the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel invite you to join us on Thursday, November 8 at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon) as the Chautauqua Series is proud to present President Abraham Lincoln as our special guest of honor.
Portraying President Lincoln will be Robert Brugler, who seems almost more comfortable portraying the President than portraying Robert Brugler. If you ever wondered what it was like to be in the presence of Lincoln, this will be the closest you’ll ever get.
Opening the program will be the music of FolkTails, bringing alive the music of the 1800’s in their own unique way.
The program is brought to you on a donation basis and the theater room is easily accessible to those with special needs. Doors will open at 6 PM with the program starting at 7 PM. Immediately after President Lincoln’s program is completed, he will take questions from the audience.
For more information on this and upcoming programs in the Chautauqua Series visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018.  If you would like to receive a “friendly reminder” on the Sunday before each program please send a request to elixir_petee@hotmail.com. 
Mark your calendars for the annual Foodstock concert to benefit the Food For The Hungry campaign. The donation based event will be held at the Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon on Tuesday December 4 at 7 PM and will feature a musical tribute to Tom Petty and Friends. Come and join us and help your needy neighbors at the same time.

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MOUNT VERNON – Have you ever wondered what the people of Pompeii experienced when Mount Vesuvius erupted covering the entire area with lava? The one bright from the disaster was that the site was left kept intact and not rebuilt and archaeologists have been able to piece together what life really was like at that time. According to britannia.com, “The extent of the archaeological sites makes them of the greatest importance, for they provide a unique source of information about so many aspects of social, economic, religious, and political life of the ancient world. The many well-preserved house shrines give a hitherto unexpected picture of the vitality of religion in the family. The bakeries complete with mills, kneading machines, and ovens, some still containing loaves of bread, show how this staple of everyday life was produced. Numerous fulleries (processing and cleaning plants for wool) make it possible to study this important industry. The shops of the sculptor, toolmaker, and gem cutter, as well as the factories for garum (fish sauce) and lamps and the many wine and food shops, document other aspects of ancient life.”

On Thursday, October 25, the Chautauqua Series welcomes Tammy Souhrada will portray a tourist guide the day before Mount Vesuvius erupts at Pompeii. The program will be presented at 12 Public Square, The Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon. The series with support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel is organized by Elixir Presents on a donation basis for the education, entertainment for our community. Now in its 12th season the Chautauqua Series, the only year round monthly Chautauqua in the United States, is a wonderful way to learn more about people and times from history that goes well beyond history books or the History Channel.

The Grand Hotel provides a comfortable conference room that is accessible to people with special needs. The doors open to the room at 6 PM with the Mount Vernon Players Shakespeare starting at 7 PM with Tammy taking us on a guided tour of Pompeii at 7:45 followed by a question and answer period immediately after her presentation.
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For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org, or www.wqio.com. You can also call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.