Around the World in 72 Days
 
MOUNT VERNON - Taking her pen name from a song by Stephen Foster, Nellie Bly started her journalism career in Pittsburgh. After continually being assigned to cover society, gardening and fashion after being chastised for her exposes on women in factories, she moved to New York City and talked her way into working for Joseph Pulitzer. In 1888 Bly suggested to her editor at the New York World that she take a trip around the world, attempting to turn the fictional “Around the World in Eighty Days” into fact for the first time. A year later, at 9:40 a.m. on November 14, 1889, and with two days' notice, she boarded the Augusta Victoria, a steamer of the Hamburg America Line, and began her journey.

What was it like to attempt something that had never been done? Did she make it? On Thursday April 26, you can find out the answers and much, much more about this amazing woman. Susan Kahrl, a veteran of the Chautauqua stage, will portray Nellie Bly in a first person living history presentation at The Grand Hotel located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio.

The Chautauqua Series, sponsored by Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel, bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis, so you and your family and friends already have your tickets and just pay what you can afford. The money taken in is distributed to the performers on stage for all their work in researching and writing and bringing to life real people who you know or don’t know but will always find interesting.

Opening the program will be JMJ Crescent comprised of Jeff Langworthy, Meg Litteral and JR Rhodebeck playing a mix of old time music, Celtic and folk with a couple singalongs as well.
The program will be in the lower level of the hotel at 7 PM on Thursday April 26 with doors opening 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 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.

MOUNT VERNON - While battling for her widow’s pension, Mary Todd Lincoln traveled to Germany in 1868 for her health and to escape her many creditors. Left almost penniless and both mentally and physically ill in February 1870, she poured out her troubles and petitioned James Orne for money. Orne was a prominent Philadelphia Republican married to a good friend of Mary’s. She asked Orne to use his influence to settle her affairs so that she could improve her dire situation. Mrs. Lincoln finally received her pension later in 1870 and returned to America in 1871. She was briefly committed to an asylum and died in 1882.
 
What did really happen to Mary Todd Lincoln after her husband was murdered? On Thursday April 12 you can find out when Barbara Brugler returns as Mary Lincoln after the assassination. Barbara has presented Mary in the White House and along with her real husband Robert, the couple portray Abraham and Mary at many gathering around the country.
Barbara will be presenting a first person Chautauqua brought to you by Elixir Presents with the support of the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. The program is donation based and held at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square, lower level conference room) and is easily accessible to those with special needs. The doors open at 6 PM and the program begins with the musical stylings of Bill Miller, acoustic instrument musician.
For information on this and upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org  or call either 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” via email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. If you would like to friend us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/elixir.americana.