Chautauqua presents Mount Vernon’s Connection to the Donner Party

MOUNT VERNON – What do you think of when you hear the name The Donner Party? For most, it brings to mind a group of people snowbound and surviving by breaking the taboo of cannibalism. Although most wagon trains west got through with nearly all surviving, the Donner Party sticks out because 36 members died, 25 resorting to eating the flesh of the dead to survive.

Most people in Knox County don’t realize there is a direct connection between Mount Vernon, Ohio, and the tragedy that beset the Donner Party. The connection that Mike Petee will present involves a book written by a man born and raised in Mount Vernon named Lansford W. Hastings, generally scapegoated as the cause of the Donner Party tragedy. Mike will present the history of the Donner’s journey west and defend Hastings, pointing out the decisions and circumstances that lead to so many deaths.

This presentation will occur as part of the Chautauqua Series, now in its 9th season. The program is presented by Elixir [a local group] and supported in part by a grant from The Ariel Foundation and is a donation based event. The program will take place this Thursday, August 6 at 7 PM at ThePlace@TheWoodward [120 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio]. Doors open at 6 PM to allow others with special needs to be seated in this first floor theater.

Opening the program will be Bob Ford, musician/historian/entertainer and then at 7:45 PM the story of the Donner with a question and answer period immediately following the presentation. Find out more about this program and others in the series by calling 740-392-6102 or by visiting www.elixirsings.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. To receive a gentle reminder on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

 

Chautauqua Features Man behind Schindler’s List

MOUNT VERNON – Most people recognize the movie title “Schindler’s List.” Some know it won Academy Awards; some that Steven Spielberg directed it and others might remember the way the Nazi’s treated the Jews of Poland. But who is Schindler and why is what he did important?  

This coming Thursday, July 30, the Chautauqua Series invites you to meet Oskar Schindler as portrayed by Ken Hammontree. Hammontree, a Chautauqua Series favorite, has portrayed over 30 different historical first person living history characters over his 40 year career and brings to life people he feels need their stories kept alive to audiences all across the United States.

Oskar Schindler is important, not only because they made a movie about him, but as Ken tells us, “this German Industrialist initially protected his Jewish workers from the Nazi’s extermination camps for profit, changed over time and dedicated himself to saving as many of his Jewish workers as he could. Because of his efforts there are over twice as many descendants of his list living in Poland today [6000] as opposed to the number of Jews left after the Nazi’s tried to irradiate the Jews in Poland.”

The event will take place at ThePlace@TheWoodward [120 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio] on Thursday, July 30. Doors open for this program at 6 PM and the program starts at 7 Pm with a selection of Jewish Klezmer music presenter on accordion by Marian Funk. Oskar will be speaking to you as if you were his workers and the announcement of the Allies coming is being made. Oskar will be asking for questions from you the audience as his workers] and then open up to any questions about the War, Schindler or any other questions you might have for Ken.

This donation based program is sponsored by Elixir and rent is paid by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation. All donations go directly to the presenters of the program. For information on this and upcoming programs visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018. If you would like an email the Sunday before each program as a gentle reminder, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

On August 6, Mike Petee will be presenting a program about the Donner Party tragedy that has a very interesting and very important Mount Vernon, Ohio connection. Come and find out what that connection is.

MOUNT VERNON – The name Howard Hughes brings many things to mind:  business tycoon, aviator, inventor, filmmaker, Spruce Goose, recluse with fear of germs and eccentric behavior. The fact is that Hughes means so many things it is hard to know who the real man really was. On Thursday, July 16, you will be able to decide for yourself as Howard Hughes, portrayed by Jim Stoner, will speak at the Chautauqua Series, held at ThePlace@TheWoodward [120 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio].

Jim Stoner has presented many characters during the 9 year history of the Chautauqua Series, including among others: Woody Hayes, Paul Lynde, John F. Kennedy and Edgar Allan Poe. Opening for the program will be Desmond Wall. The doors open at 6 PM, Desmond Wall will perform music to set the mood at 7 PM with Howard Hughes taking the stage at approximately 7:45. Immediately after Hughes presentation, the microphones will be open for a question and answer period with the audience.

These programs are brought to you on a donation basis and organized and presented by the members of the locally based trio Elixir and supported in part by a grant from the Ariel Foundation. For more information on this or upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102. If you would like a gentle reminder on the Sunday before each program please contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.