MOUNT VERNON – Have you ever wondered what the people of Pompeii experienced when Mount Vesuvius erupted covering the entire area with lava? The one bright from the disaster was that the site was left kept intact and not rebuilt and archaeologists have been able to piece together what life really was like at that time. According to britannia.com, “The extent of the archaeological sites makes them of the greatest importance, for they provide a unique source of information about so many aspects of social, economic, religious, and political life of the ancient world. The many well-preserved house shrines give a hitherto unexpected picture of the vitality of religion in the family. The bakeries complete with mills, kneading machines, and ovens, some still containing loaves of bread, show how this staple of everyday life was produced. Numerous fulleries (processing and cleaning plants for wool) make it possible to study this important industry. The shops of the sculptor, toolmaker, and gem cutter, as well as the factories for garum (fish sauce) and lamps and the many wine and food shops, document other aspects of ancient life.”

On Thursday, October 25, the Chautauqua Series welcomes Tammy Souhrada will portray a tourist guide the day before Mount Vesuvius erupts at Pompeii. The program will be presented at 12 Public Square, The Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon. The series with support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel is organized by Elixir Presents on a donation basis for the education, entertainment for our community. Now in its 12th season the Chautauqua Series, the only year round monthly Chautauqua in the United States, is a wonderful way to learn more about people and times from history that goes well beyond history books or the History Channel.

The Grand Hotel provides a comfortable conference room that is accessible to people with special needs. The doors open to the room at 6 PM with the Mount Vernon Players Shakespeare starting at 7 PM with Tammy taking us on a guided tour of Pompeii at 7:45 followed by a question and answer period immediately after her presentation.
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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.

Chautauqua Highlights the Freedom Riders

MOUNT VERNON – Freedom Riders were groups of white and African American civil rights activists who participated in bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals. They tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters in a non-violent manner at bus stations in Alabama, South Carolina and other Southern states and were confronted by arresting police officers—as well as horrific violence from white protestors—along their routes that drew international attention to their cause.

On Thursday, October 11, the Chautauqua Series welcomes Dr. Annette Jefferson to The Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon. Dr. Jefferson has portrayed Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Ethel Waters and Rosa Parks for the series in the past and always has an amazing way of bring history to life and showing the struggles of blacks and whites through the years.

The Grand Hotel provides a comfortable conference room on the lower floor that is easily accessible to people with special needs such as wheel chairs, walkers and baby carriages and is a great setting for these family friendly programs. The doors will open at 6 PM, with opening performers Jeff Putnam, Chris Petee and Mike Petee performing the music of Peter, Paul & Mary starting at 7 PM with Dr. Jefferson at approximately 7:45. Immediately after the presentation Dr. Jefferson will answer any question about this civil rights era and the activities surrounding the Freedom Riders and is a great way to enhance students’ understanding of the period in history.

The Chautauqua’s are organized and presented by Elixir Presents with the support of the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel on a donation basis. For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, please visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. 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.
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Finally, mark Tuesday December 4th on your calendar. The annual Food For The Hungry Concert will be held at the Memorial Theater featuring the music of Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan and George Harrison and the cost will be a can of food and/or cash for our needy neighbors.
 

Mary Spence portrays Annette Funicello of Mickey Mouse Club and Beach movie fame. Opening the show will be Desmond Wall. Show at The Grand Hotel at 7 PM. Donation based and presented by Elixir Presents, The Ariel Foundation and The Grand Hotel. For more information visit www.elixirpresents.com.

​Chautauqua Series Features Author of Peter Rabbit
MOUNT VERNON – Though Beatrix Potter was typical of women of her generation in having limited opportunities for higher education, her study and watercolors of fungi led to her being widely respected in the field of mycology. In her thirties, Potter self-published the highly successful children's book “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”. Following this, Potter began writing and illustrating children's books full-time, with the proceeds from the books and a legacy from an aunt buying a farm and in the following decades, purchased additional farms to preserve the unique hill country landscape. 
On Thursday, September 13, the Chautauqua Series welcomes Raylene Hlavaty will portray Beatrix Potter in a first person living history format at The Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon. The series with support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel is organized by Elixir Presents on a donation basis for the education, entertainment and benefit of the community. Now in its 12th season the Chautauqua Series is the only year round monthly Chautauqua in the United States, a wonderful way to learn more about people from history and find out more than the history books tell us.
The Grand Hotel provides a comfortable conference room that is accessible to people with special needs. The doors open to the room at 6 PM, with opening performer Joshua Hlavaty performing music starting at 7 PM with his mom Raylene taking the stage as Beatrix Potter at 7:45 followed by a question and answer period with the Beatrix immediately after her presentation.
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.

​Chautauqua Speaker - Jacob Coxey - Before Ariel Foundation Park and PPG
MOUNT VERNON – Before there was the Ariel Foundation Park, before there was PPG, there was Jacob Coxey’s Steel and Silica Sand Company that graced the property that has become a beautiful recreation and entertainment area for the community.
Coxey built his plant with girders salvaged from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Those same girders today dot the landscape around the ruins. Several walls remain from a 1902 brick building constructed as a steel casting plant by Jacob Coxey. Some may remember that Jacob made it into the history books by leading a group of unemployed workers in one of the first protest marches on Washington, D.C., becoming famous as “Coxey’s Army.”
On Thursday, August 30, the Chautauqua Series welcomes Perry Brokaw will portray Coxey in a first person living history format at The Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon. The series with support from the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel is organized by Elixir Presents on a donation basis for the education, entertainment and benefit of the community and is now in its 12th season as the only year round monthly Chautauqua series in the United States and a wonderful way to learn more about people from history and how they were much more than the history books tell us.
The Grand Hotel provides a comfortable conference room that is accessible to people with special needs. The doors open to the room at 6 PM, with opening performer Noah Shull performing music from Coxey’s era starting at 7 PM. Perry Brokaw as Jacob Coxey will start at approximately 7:45 and will take questions immediately after his presentation.
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 – For many of you, the first glimpse of his comedic genius was the Mork & Mindy television show, some witnessed his rapid fire comedy routines, others experienced his dramatic takes in such movies as “Good Will Hunting” or at the other extreme, “Mrs. Doubtfire”. But what you could never forget, once exposed to the man, was his amazing talent that sadly came to an end when he committed suicide that his wife attributed to his struggle with Lewd Body Disease and the opioid he used to try to control it. Carrying on his wide range of character portrayals, Jim Stoner will take the Grand Hotel audience on a journey into the mind of Robin Williams. The Grand Hotel is located in downtown Mount Vernon at 12 Public Square.

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, your family, home schoolers, regular schoolers and friends can enjoy and learn more about people from history well beyond what you read in history books or the newspapers. The money taken in donations goes directly to the performers on stage for all their work in researching, writing and bringing these people to life in a fun and entertaining manner and taking questions from the audience at the end of their presentation.

Opening the program will Jeff & Martha presenting a musical program that includes era music and selections just right to set you in the mood for Robin Williams. The program will be in the lower level of the hotel at 7 PM on Thursday August 16 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.

​W C Fields to Tickle Funny Bone at Chautauqua
 
MOUNT VERNON – On Thursday, July 26, the Chautauqua Series invites a famous comedian to leave everyone laughing. We can all use some humor and we are happy to bring to our community, W.C. Fields portrayed by Greg Patterson, a professional entertainment lawyer, former impressionist and comedian (some irony there). Before becoming a lawyer, Patterson opened programs for Bob Hope.
 
New to say about W.C. Fields, try this out for size. He was one of the characters that adorned the cover of The Beatles album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” that was released 50 years ago. Paul McCartney and John Lennon chose to honor Fields at the suggestion of painter Peter Blake.
 
As W.C. Fields, Patterson will use his Impressionist skills to display the comedic timing of Fields and take us on a journey to what it might be like to witness the wit and wisdom of the real William Claude Dukenfield, better known as W.C. Fields.
 
The performance will be at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio, located at 12 Public Square and is offered on a donation basis. Elixir Presents in association with the Ariel Foundation and The Grand Hotel bring our community year round Chautauqua style performances of historical figures from a wide range of eras from the American Revolution to World War II the Entertainment World to less famous women and men, who have made a difference to our community and the world.
 
The doors open at 6 PM for the program that is assessable to those with special needs and begins at 7 PM with the Mount Vernon Players presenting an Old Time Radio Show, an audience favorite, a performance by W.C. Fields, and concluded with a question and answer period with the audience.
 
For more information about this and upcoming programs in the Chautauqua Series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-6102 or 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.

“Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it”

• Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme Song – written by Sonny Curtis

 
MOUNT VERNON - Who can forget Mary Tyler Moore, whose witty and graceful performances on two top-rated television shows in the 1960s and ’70s helped define a new vision of American womanhood? She won four of her seven Emmy Awards in the role of Mary Richards, where she expressed both the exuberance and the melancholy of the single career woman who could plot her own course without reference to cultural archetypes.
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Although Mary Tyler Moore died in 2017, Amy K. Stoner will bring her to life in the Chautauqua style first person living history as part of the 2018 Chautauqua Series at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon) on Thursday July 12 The Chautauqua Series supported in part by the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel is organized and brought to our community on a donation basis by Elixir Presents.

The programs feature an opening act to set the mood, this show will open with Chris Petee singing the music of Linda Ronstadt. After the opening act, Amy will become Mary Tyler Moore and after her presentation she will take questions about Moore from the audience.

Doors open at 6 PM at this theater that is special needs friendly with show starting at 7 PM.
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For more information about this or upcoming programs - visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or phone                   740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” email on the Sunday before each program, please contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com or friend us at ww.facebook.com/elixir.americana.

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MOUNT VERNON - When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Union and Confederate officers could never have predicted the role women would play in gathering information about the enemy. But as Northern and Southern women began providing critical intelligence on everything from the enemy’s movements to its military strategy, both sides began to actively recruit them as operatives. Over the course of the war, hundreds of women acted as undercover agents, willing to risk their lives to help their cause.

On Thursday, June 28, the Chautauqua Series invites Elizabeth Van Lew, a Northern spy, who lived in Richmond, Virginia, to describe the life of a woman spy in confederate territory during the American Civil War. Elizabeth will be portrayed in first person living history format by Chris Petee, bringing to life a part of history the has not received enough attention over the years and highlights the huge contribution women spies made to restoring the Union.

The performance will be at the Grand Hotel in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio, located at 12 Public Square and is offered on a donation basis. Elixir Presents in association with the Ariel Foundation and The Grand Hotel bring our community year round Chautauqua style performances of historical figures from a wide range of eras including the American Revolution, Civil War, Old West, WWI & WWII, the Entertainment World and some of the many contributions made by local, Ohio, country and international women and men, who have made a difference to our community and to the world.

The doors open at 6 PM for the program that is assessable to those with special needs and begins at 7 PM with 30 minutes of Civil War era music presented by Steve Ball, followed by the portrayal of Elizabeth Van Lew and concluded with an open question and answer period with the audience.

For more information about this and upcoming programs in the Chautauqua Series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-6102 or 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 

​Take the Highway to Heaven with Michael Landon
 
MOUNT VERNON – Born Eugene Maurice Orowitz in 1936, Michael Landon wanted to be an athlete before injuring his arm and deciding to take up acting. He made his big breakthrough on television as the youngest son of Ben Cartwright on “Bonanza”, expanded his audience as the patriarch on “Little House on the Prairie” and then his audience expanded even further as he became an angel whose job was to save peoples’ lives and work for God, his boss. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1991.
Making his first appearance of 2018, Jim Stoner will be appearing as Michael Landon, sharing his live in first person living history format on Thursday June 14 at the Grand Hotel located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon.
The Chautauqua Series is sponsored in part by Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel and brings year round living history to our community on a donation basis. Give what you can afford. The money collected is distributed to the performers on stage for their work in researching, writing and bringing to life people from history and letting you know who they really were like and well beyond what the history books tell you.
The program will be in the lower level of the hotel with doors opening at 6 PM to accommodate those with special needs with the program starting at 7 PM with the opening act consisting of husband and wife, Zac and Katie Sherman, followed by Michael Landon and finally an open question and answer period where the audience can ask Michael Landon questions.
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.