Did you know that in the years preceding the Civil War there also many abolitionists in Knox County and the region served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, assisting many runaway slaves? Friends and neighbors differed in their opinions about slavery and whether it should or should not be allowed in the United States.

This coming Thursday, June 13, Bob Ford will act as the moderator, discussing what we the audience, want to do in regard to the Fugitive Slave Act? Do we, as a community, want to help runaway slaves or turn them to the bounty hunters? Bob will take us on a journey explaining what it means to be a slave and what it will mean aid an escaped slave. The presentation will be similar to what did take place in many communities in the North leading up to and during the Civil War.
Bob will include musical examples of the era and use interesting examples of things we the audience need to think about as we make our decision and vote on our decision.

The Chautauqua Series is held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs, service dogs and strollers. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Series, now in its 13th season, is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com,
​www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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 – “Let’s build some happy little trees.” That was but one of the many catch phrases Bob Ross would say during his very popular PBS program, “The Joy of Painting.”  In most episodes, Ross would note that one of his favorite parts of painting was cleaning the brush. He would smile and often laugh aloud as he said to "beat the Devil out of it".  Ross would instruct viewers in oil painting using a quick-study technique from the imagination that used a limited palette of paints and broke down the process into simple steps.  
 
On Thursday, May 30, Ken Barnett will bring Bob Ross to life on the Chautauqua stage including painting as Ross would on his show and donating the finished painting to an audience member. Ken has performed at the Chautauqua Series many times over the years with his spot on portrayal of Mark Twain, Red Skelton and many more. This will be the first time Ken will portray Ross, having worked on his painting technique for the past few years to bring a special element to his presentation.
 
Opening the theme of a PBS night program will be Jeff Putnam, Chris and Mike Petee performing the music of Peter, Paul and Mary.
 
The Chautauqua Series is held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs such as walkers, wheel chairs, service dogs and strollers. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Series, now in its 13th season, is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant from the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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.

​Chautauqua Welcomes Comedian Phyllis Diller
MOUNT VERNON – Born in Lima, Ohio, appeared in 40 films, multiple television shows and multi-award winning actress, Phyllis Diller is best known for her eccentric stage persona, her self-deprecating humor, her wild hair and clothes, and her exaggerated, cackling laugh.
 
This coming Thursday, May 16, Susan Kahrl will once again grace the Chautauqua stage, performing first person living history as Phyllis Diller. Susan has written and performed many Chautauqua characters over the years and this portrayal will leave the audience in stitches (preferably of the laughing kind).
 
Opening the program will be Lowell Borchers, tickling the ivories and singing the songs of the era. Lowell has performed multiple times for the Chautauqua Series and captivates the audience with the music of the 1950’s and 1960’s setting the stage for the appearance of Susan Kahrl as Phyllis Diller.
 
The Chautauqua will be held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs and will be helped to their seats by Elixir Presents volunteers if needed. Doors open at 6 PM and program begins at 7 PM.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
 
For more information about this and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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 – Southern black women operating as spies, scouts, couriers and guides were willing and able to offer enormous support to Union military personnel and operations. With a deep devotion to a war they pushed to be one of emancipation, and often relying upon Southern prejudices that ignored the intelligence of black women, they were able to provide invaluable covert assistance to the Union military. Harriet Tubman was the best known of these women.

This coming Thursday, April 25, Dr. Annette Jefferson, an amazing speaker will once again grace the Chautauqua stage and bring to life the contributions of not only Tubman but many of the black women few of us knew about but were just as important.
The program will be held in the lower level at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon).The facility is accessible to those with special needs and will be helped to their seats by Elixir Presents volunteers if needed.

Doors open at 6 PM and program starts at 7 PM with music of the era presented by local group FolkTails. After the presentation by Annette, she will open up the program to questions from the audience.
 
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, the Grand Hotel and supported in part by a generous grant provided by the Ariel Foundation. These programs bring year round living history to our community and are presented on a donation basis. All donations go directly to the performers.
​
For more information about this and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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.

​President and Mrs. Lincoln to Visit Chautauqua Series
MOUNT VERNON - At the time of the inauguration in 1861, Abraham and Mary Lincoln had been married for 18 years. Lincoln described them as “the long and the short of it.” He was six foot four; she was five foot four. He never completely shed his frontier upbringing. She was raised in a world of manners and could be very formal. Each was extremely moody. He was often withdrawn; she could be explosive. Both were ambitious and devoted to each other and their family.
On Thursday April 11, the Chautauqua Series is happy to announce an evening with Abraham and Mary Lincoln, sharing stories about their wildly different childhoods, family and life in the White House. Note: this is a schedule change from the originally scheduled Fay Templeton program due to health issues. We will try to re-schedule when possible. Robert and Barbara Brugler were available on April 11 to bring the Lincolns back to Mount Vernon, presenting an evening unlike any they have performed for our audiences in the past.
Opening the program will be local favorite Timothy Noble, a gifted pianist, vocalist and all around performer.
The Chautauqua Series brings first person living history programs to Knox County on a donation basis and are the only monthly year round Chautauqua series in the United States. We are able to provide the series on a donation basis because of the support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel.
The event is located in the conference room in the lower floor of the Grand Hotel at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon and is easily accessible to those with special needs such as wheelchairs, walkers, strollers or guide dogs. Doors open at 6 PM and program starts with opening act Timothy Noble at 7 PM.
For more information on this and future programs visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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.

​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.

MOUNT VERNON – You might remember him as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in  The Pink Panther movies, or his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, some might even know him for his comedy on the influential BBC program, The Goon Show. However you remember him, once you’ve seen or heard him, you will never forget him. Peter Sellers influenced everyone from the Beatles to Monty Python to Robin Williams and was considered the best comedian since Charlie Chaplin.

This coming Thursday, February 28, Leeman Kessler will bring Sellers to life 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 questions and answers from the character immediately after his presentation. If you need a good laugh and a wonderful time, mark your calendars.  

Opening the program will be Vernon Town, a local group that features familiar songs and great vocals.
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. These programs bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis. 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, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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.

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MOUNT VERNON – You might remember him as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in  The Pink Panther movies, or his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, some might even know him for his comedy on the influential BBC program, The Goon Show. However you remember him, once you’ve seen or heard him, you will never forget him. Peter Sellers influenced everyone from the Beatles to Monty Python to Robin Williams and was considered the best comedian since Charlie Chaplin.
This coming Thursday, February 28, Leeman Kessler will bring Sellers to life 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 questions and answers from the character immediately after his presentation. If you need a good laugh and a wonderful time, mark your calendars.  
Opening the program will be Vernon Town, a local group that features familiar songs and great vocals.
The Chautauqua Series is organized and brought to you by Elixir Presents, Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. These programs bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis. 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, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org 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.

Chautauqua Welcomes WWII Enigma Code Breaker

MOUNT VERNON – The 2014 movie “The Imitation Game” introduced to many, the English mathematician Alan Turing, who played a pivotal role in cracking intercepted coded messages that enabled the Allies to defeat the Nazis in many crucial engagements and in so doing helped win the war. The Alan Turing story and life will be presented by veteran Chautauqua contributor Ken Hammontree on Thursday February 14 at 7 PM. The program is part of the Chautauqua Series 13th season at the Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in Mount Vernon.

The Chautauqua Series is brought to you be Elixir Presents and sponsored in part by the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel, bringing year round living history to our community. The Series is presented on a donation basis, so you, your family, home schoolers, regular schoolers and friends can enjoy and learn history that goes well beyond what you read in books. All donations go directly to the performers for their research, writing and bringing historical people to life. At the end of each presentation the presenter will answer questions from the audience.

Opening the program will be The Mount Vernon Players performing a gold age radio show from the 1940’s. The program is held in the lower level of the Grand Hotel and doors open 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 call 740-392-3018. To receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.