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.