MOUNT VERNON –  “HOW....DEE!!!”  That familiar greeting you might have enjoyed if you watched the “Hee-Haw” television program that first ran on CBS from 1969-1971 and has been in syndication ever since. The woman behind that greeting, wearing a hat the still had the $1.98 price tag on it, was none other than Minnie Pearl, comedienne, storyteller and a sort of singer. What started out as a character she created after attending acting school, it became a lifelong role she portrayed for over 27 years.
 
On Thursday, July 25, the Chautauqua Series invites Minnie Pearl portrayed by Chris Petee, one of the founding members of the Chautauqua Series. Chris will bring Minnie Pearl to life, entertain you, tell about her life and so much more you didn’t know about the woman you saw from time to time on television, the Grand Old Opry and constant touring around the country.
 
The performance will be at the Grand Hotel in Mount Vernon, Ohio, located at 12 Public Square. Elixir Presents brings these year round Chautauqua programs to you on a donation basis with the assistance of a grant from the Ariel Foundation and, with support from The Grand Hotel.
 
Opening the program will be Gerry Rensel bringing the type of music Minnie Pearl loved and enjoyed to set the mood for the featured performer.
 
The doors open at 6 PM for the program to accommodate those with special needs such as wheel chairs, walkers or strollers. The program begins at 7 PM with 30 minutes of music presented by Gerry Rensel, followed shortly thereafter by Minnie Pearl and then a question and answer period with the audience and Minnie.
 
For more information about this and upcoming programs in the Chautauqua Series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018. If you’d like to receive a gentle reminder email on the Sunday before each program, send request to Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com 

 
MOUNT VERNON – Here are a few facts about Woodrow Wilson Guthrie. His son Arlo headlined the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival in 1992, songwriters from Bob Dylan to Harry Chapin to Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen acknowledge him as a major influence on their writing. You may not recognize his name  but you most likely will recognize his most famous song, “This Land is Your Land.”
 
This coming Thursday, July 11, Jeff Putnam will present a living history appearance as Woody Guthrie, talking about his life, adventures during the Dust Bowl era and performing some of his songs, including the story of the origin of the song “This Land is Your Land.”
 
The program will be held at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square) in downtown Mount Vernon. The presentation is donation based with all donations going to the performers. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with no opening act this time due to the fact that the program will include musical performances. Immediately after the show there will be a question and answer period with Woody.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents bringing year round living history to our community along with the support of The Grand Hotel and a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. All donations collected 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 – According to noted historian and author John Ellis, “On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote two letters to his beloved Abigail exuberantly reporting that history had been made: One day earlier, the Continental Congress had voted to declare American independence from the British Empire. Henceforth, Adams predicted, July 2 would be celebrated by every generation with parades, speeches, songs and what he called "illuminations." He got everything right, even the fireworks. But he got the date wrong.
 
Or perhaps we get the date wrong. The widespread assumption is that the Fourth of July is the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, the actual moment the founders pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the Great Question of Independence. So why do we celebrate the Fourth? Because that is the day the declaration was sent to the printer, who then put that date on the top of the document, copies of which were distributed throughout the colonies and beyond. It became the date that readers then and Americans ever since, recognized as the anniversary of American independence, even though nothing of historical significance actually occurred on that day.
 
So what was John Adams like? This coming Thursday, June 27, just in time to celebrate whichever date is the birthday of America, Chautauqua veteran, Greg Patterson will portray Founding Father, 2nd President of the United States and co-writer of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams. The program is held at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square) in downtown Mount Vernon. Doors open for this donation event at 6 PM and the facility is accessible to those with special needs.
 
The program will start with music of the 1700’s provided by Meg Litteral and the group The Skeptikells with John Adams starting at about 7:45 PM with a questions and answers period with the President immediately following his address.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and provided by Elixir Presents with the support of the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. For more information about this and future programs in the series, 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.   

Did you know that in the years preceding the Civil War there also many abolitionists in Knox County and the region served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting many runaway slaves? Friends and neighbors differed in their opinions about slavery and whether it should or should not be allowed in the United States.

This coming Thursday, June 13, Bob Ford will act as the moderator, discussing what we the audience, want to do in regard to the Fugitive Slave Act? Do we, as a community, want to help runaway slaves or turn them to the bounty hunters? Bob will take us on a journey explaining what it means to be a slave and what it will mean aid an escaped slave. The presentation will be similar to what did take place in many communities in the North leading up to and during the Civil War.
Bob will include musical examples of the era and use interesting examples of things we the audience need to think about as we make our decision and vote on our decision.

The Chautauqua Series is held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs, service dogs and strollers. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Series, now in its 13th season, is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this 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.

​MOUNT VERNON – “Let’s build some happy little trees.” That was but one of the many catch phrases Bob Ross would say during his very popular PBS program, “The Joy of Painting.”  In most episodes, Ross would note that one of his favorite parts of painting was cleaning the brush. He would smile and often laugh aloud as he said to "beat the Devil out of it".  Ross would instruct viewers in oil painting using a quick-study technique from the imagination that used a limited palette of paints and broke down the process into simple steps.  
 
On Thursday, May 30, Ken Barnett will bring Bob Ross to life on the Chautauqua stage including painting as Ross would on his show and donating the finished painting to an audience member. Ken has performed at the Chautauqua Series many times over the years with his spot on portrayal of Mark Twain, Red Skelton and many more. This will be the first time Ken will portray Ross, having worked on his painting technique for the past few years to bring a special element to his presentation.
 
Opening the theme of a PBS night program will be Jeff Putnam, Chris and Mike Petee performing the music of Peter, Paul and Mary.
 
The Chautauqua Series is held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs, service dogs and strollers. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Series, now in its 13th season, is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this 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 Comedian Phyllis Diller
MOUNT VERNON – Born in Lima, Ohio, appeared in 40 films, multiple television shows and multi-award winning actress, Phyllis Diller is best known for her eccentric stage persona, her self-deprecating humor, her wild hair and clothes, and her exaggerated, cackling laugh.
 
This coming Thursday, May 16, Susan Kahrl will once again grace the Chautauqua stage, performing first person living history as Phyllis Diller. Susan has written and performed many Chautauqua characters over the years and this portrayal will leave the audience in stitches (preferably of the laughing kind).
 
Opening the program will be Lowell Borchers, tickling the ivories and singing the songs of the era. Lowell has performed multiple times for the Chautauqua Series and captivates the audience with the music of the 1950’s and 1960’s setting the stage for the appearance of Susan Kahrl as Phyllis Diller.
 
The Chautauqua will be held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs and will be helped to their seats by Elixir Presents volunteers if needed. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this 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.

MOUNT VERNON – Southern black women operating as spies, scouts, couriers and guides were willing and able to offer enormous support to Union military personnel and operations. With a deep devotion to a war they pushed to be one of emancipation, and often relying upon Southern prejudices that ignored the intelligence of black women, they were able to provide invaluable covert assistance to the Union military. Harriet Tubman was the best known of these women.

This coming Thursday, April 25, Dr. Annette Jefferson, an amazing speaker will once again grace the Chautauqua stage and bring to life the contributions of not only Tubman but many of the black women few of us knew about but were just as important.
The program will be held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs and will be helped to their seats by Elixir Presents volunteers if needed.

Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with music of the era presented by local group FolkTails. After the presentation by Annette, she will open up the program to questions from the audience.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
​
For more information about this 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.

​President and Mrs. Lincoln to Visit Chautauqua Series
MOUNT VERNON - At the time of the inauguration in 1861, Abraham and Mary Lincoln had been married for 18 years. Lincoln described them as “the long and the short of it.” He was six foot four; she was five foot four. He never completely shed his frontier upbringing. She was raised in a world of manners and could be very formal. Each was extremely moody. He was often withdrawn; she could be explosive. Both were ambitious and devoted to each other and their family.
On Thursday April 11, the Chautauqua Series is happy to announce an evening with Abraham and Mary Lincoln, sharing stories about their wildly different childhoods, family and life in the White House. Note: this is a schedule change from the originally scheduled Fay Templeton program due to health issues. We will try to re-schedule when possible. Robert and Barbara Brugler were available on April 11 to bring the Lincolns back to Mount Vernon, presenting an evening unlike any they have performed for our audiences in the past.
Opening the program will be local favorite Timothy Noble, a gifted pianist, vocalist and all around performer.
The Chautauqua Series brings first person living history programs to Knox County on a donation basis and are the only monthly year round Chautauqua series in the United States. We are able to provide the series on a donation basis because of the support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel.
The event is located in the conference room in the lower floor of the Grand Hotel at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon and is easily accessible to those with special needs such as wheelchairs, walkers, strollers or guide dogs. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts with opening act Timothy Noble at 7 PM.
For more information on this and future programs visit www.elixirpresents.com or 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.

​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.