​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.