​
 
MOUNT VERNON - She is the Queen of Gospel music with over 30 albums and dozens on million selling singles. Other honors include: 4 Grammy Awards, a 3 time inductee in the Grammy Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Star on Hollywood Blvd. and was honored on the U.S. 32 cent stamp in 1998. Any guess who she is?
 
At 7 PM this Thursday, May 26 at ThePlace@TheWoodward [currently located at 120 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, moving soon to 101 S. Main] you will meet the Queen and hear her story. Portrayed by veteran Chautauqua stage regular, Dr. Annette Jefferson will proudly present her presentation of Mahalia Jackson, considered the greatest voice in Gospel, television personality, civil rights activist, ambassador of goodwill for the United States in other lands and an exemplary servant of her God.
 
Opening the Chautauqua is another Gospel treasure, Mount Vernon’s own McManaways. The doors open at the first floor facility at 6 PM, the McManaways will open the program at 7 PM with Dr. Jefferson as Mahalia Jackson taking the stage at approximately 7:45 with a Question and Answer period immediately after the portrayal.
 
The Chautauqua Series is supported in part by a grant from the Ariel Foundation and is the only year round monthly Chautauqua in the United States. The programs are presented on a donation basis and educational and fun for all the family. For more information on this and upcoming programs, call 740-392-6102 or visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. To receive a reminder the Sunday before each program email Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. 

MOUNT VERNON – From 1975 to 1980, every Saturday evening you heard hear the opening of SNL with “Live from New York – It’s Saturday Night Live” and then the rundown of the cast that included Gilda Radner. Gilda made so many people laugh with her characters including Baba Wawa, Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner and probably her most famed character Roseanne Roseannadanna. Radner passed away in 1988 of ovarian cancer and the world lost a great comedienne.

On Thursday May 12 at 7 PM at ThePlace@TheWoodward (120 S. Main Street and soon moving to 101 S. main Street) in downtown Mount Vernon, the Chautauqua Series presents Amy K. Stoner as Gilda Radner. Amy has portrayed many historical personages over the years and is a regular Chautauqua presenter and this program will bring tears of sadness and tears of laughter as only Gilda could. Opening the program will be The Harmony Brothers featuring Jeff Putnam and Duane Barber, bringing their own blend of 1960’s through 1980’s music.

The Chautauqua Series, now in its 10th season, is the only year round monthly Chautauqua in the United States, and its right here in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The programs are organized by the members of the local area musical and entertainment group, Elixir and supported in part by a grant from the Ariel Foundation. The Series is presented on a donation basis with all monies collected going to the performers on stage.
​
For more information on this or upcoming Chautauqua’s call 740-392-6102 or visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. If you would like a reminder on the Sunday before each program in the form of an email, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.