Oskar Schindler Tells His Story at Chautauqua
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MOUNT VERNON –  Many remember the Steven Spielberg movie, “Schindler’s List” bringing international attention to a man who helped save the lives of over 100 Jews from Nazi extermination. In a letter by his former factory workers and signed by the workers they state, “We, the undersigned Jews from Krakow, inmates in Plaszow concentration camp, have, since 1942, worked in Director Schindler’s business. Since Schindler took over management of the business, it was his exclusive goal to protect us from resettlement, which would have meant our ultimate liquidation. During the entire period in which we worked for Director Schindler, he did everything possible to save the lives of the greatest number of Jews, in spite of the tremendous difficulties, during a time when receiving Jewish workers caused tremendous difficulties with the authorities. Director Schindler took care of our sustenance, and as a result, during the whole period of our employment by him there was not a single case of unnatural death. All in all he employed more than 1000 Jews in Krakow.”

On Thursday May 17, Ken Hammontree, grand master of the Chautauqua format will be portray Oskar Schindler as he talks to us the audience as if we were his factory workers just prior to the Allies coming to close down his factory and taking him prisoner.  The Chautauqua Series with support from The Ariel Foundation and The Grand Hotel, bring year round living history to our community on a donation basis. The series spotlights the lives of historical figures in first person living history bringing the person to life and showing the audience the person behind the history and the times in which they lived.

Opening the program will be Vernon Town making their Chautauqua debut and featuring a mix of music to set the mood for the Oskar Schindler program.

The program will be in the lower level of the hotel at 7 PM on Thursday May 17.  Doors open at 6 PM to accommodate those with special needs.

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.

Around the World in 72 Days
 
MOUNT VERNON - Taking her pen name from a song by Stephen Foster, Nellie Bly started her journalism career in Pittsburgh. After continually being assigned to cover society, gardening and fashion after being chastised for her exposes on women in factories, she moved to New York City and talked her way into working for Joseph Pulitzer. In 1888 Bly suggested to her editor at the New York World that she take a trip around the world, attempting to turn the fictional “Around the World in Eighty Days” into fact for the first time. A year later, at 9:40 a.m. on November 14, 1889, and with two days' notice, she boarded the Augusta Victoria, a steamer of the Hamburg America Line, and began her journey.

What was it like to attempt something that had never been done? Did she make it? On Thursday April 26, you can find out the answers and much, much more about this amazing woman. Susan Kahrl, a veteran of the Chautauqua stage, will portray Nellie Bly in a first person living history presentation at The Grand Hotel located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio.

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 and your family and friends already have your tickets and just pay what you can afford. The money taken in is distributed to the performers on stage for all their work in researching and writing and bringing to life real people who you know or don’t know but will always find interesting.

Opening the program will be JMJ Crescent comprised of Jeff Langworthy, Meg Litteral and JR Rhodebeck playing a mix of old time music, Celtic and folk with a couple singalongs as well.
The program will be in the lower level of the hotel at 7 PM on Thursday April 26 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.

MOUNT VERNON - While battling for her widow’s pension, Mary Todd Lincoln traveled to Germany in 1868 for her health and to escape her many creditors. Left almost penniless and both mentally and physically ill in February 1870, she poured out her troubles and petitioned James Orne for money. Orne was a prominent Philadelphia Republican married to a good friend of Mary’s. She asked Orne to use his influence to settle her affairs so that she could improve her dire situation. Mrs. Lincoln finally received her pension later in 1870 and returned to America in 1871. She was briefly committed to an asylum and died in 1882.
 
What did really happen to Mary Todd Lincoln after her husband was murdered? On Thursday April 12 you can find out when Barbara Brugler returns as Mary Lincoln after the assassination. Barbara has presented Mary in the White House and along with her real husband Robert, the couple portray Abraham and Mary at many gathering around the country.
Barbara will be presenting a first person Chautauqua brought to you by Elixir Presents with the support of the Ariel Foundation and the Grand Hotel. The program is donation based and held at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square, lower level conference room) and is easily accessible to those with special needs. The doors open at 6 PM and the program begins with the musical stylings of Bill Miller, acoustic instrument musician.
For information on this and upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org  or call either 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” via email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. If you would like to friend us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/elixir.americana. 

MOUNT VERNON – According to Biography.com, “Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1882, she was stricken by an illness that left her blind and deaf. Beginning in 1887, Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, helped her make tremendous progress with her ability to communicate, and Keller went on to college, graduating in 1904. During her lifetime, she received many honors in recognition of her accomplishments.”
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The Chautauqua Series, now in its 12 season, is happy to present Amy K. Stoner as Helen Keller at the Grand Hotel, located at 12 Public Square in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The event is donation based program with the donations going to the presenters. And will be held on March 29, 2018 at 7 PM with doors opening at 6 PM to help those with special needs to be seated in this first floor conference room.

Amy K. Stoner is no stranger to the Chautauqua stage, having portrayed several first person living history performances of women throughout the ages, from Pocahontas to Amelia Earhart, Helen Zelkowitz to Princess Diana and now Helen Keller.

Opening the event will be the music of Kat’s Eye Moon from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, making their Chautauqua debut.

The Chautauqua Series is supported in part by a grant from The Ariel Foundation and is the only monthly year round Chautauqua in the United States. The Chautauqua Series goal is to present to our community the lives of local, state, national and international people that goes beyond the history books to portray each person as realistic has possible and delve into like they really were like.
 
For information on this and upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org  or call either 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” via email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. If you would like to friend us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/elixir.americana.
 

Chautauqua Welcomes the Cosmos According to Carl Sagan

MOUNT VERNON – Get ready to have the world famous Astronomer and author explain the question on everyone’s mind. Did he actually say the quote everyone attributes to him….”there are billions and billions of stars.” According to Sagan, "I said there are maybe 100 billion galaxies and 10 billion trillion stars. It's hard to talk about the Cosmos without using big numbers...But I never said 'billions and billions.' For one thing, it's too imprecise."

Although he didn’t say billions and billions, but he did leave over 600 scientific papers and 20 books. The Chautauqua Series is happy to present Leeman Kessler as Carl Sagan at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square in Mount Vernon, Ohio) on Thursday March 15 at 7 PM. The event is donation based program with the donations going to the presenters.

Opening the event will be music to set the mood as provided by Bill Carpenter and Mike Petee. Don’t worry; they won’t play billions and billions of songs.
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Leeman Kessler, who is a Chautauqua stage veteran, will then present an evening with Carl Sagan, with a living history, first person portrayal of Sagan. At the end of his program, Leeman will answer questions from the audience as Carl Sagan and come out of character for additional questions.
The Chautauqua Series is supported in part by a grant from The Ariel Foundation and is still the only monthly year round Chautauqua in the United States.
 
For information on this and upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org  or call either 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like to receive a “Gentle Reminder” via email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. If you would like to friend us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/elixir.americana.
 

Sergeant York Opens Chautauqua Series Season
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MOUNT VERNON – He was born in a two-room log cabin in Tennessee, obtained only 9 months of schooling and was drafted into the army in World War I and received the Medal of Honor for killing and capturing a German machine gun post, taking down six Germans with fixed bayonets who charged his position.
 
In the 12 year history of the Chautauqua Series, the programs have included a wide range of historical people telling their stories but World War I has never been covered until now. What better way to open the 13th season then to listen to the most decorated soldier from the Great War.
 
Ken Hammontree, the grand master of Chautauqua portrayals, will unveil his newest character, sergeant Alvin York and take you beyond the myths and legends of the movies and popular culture to the real Alvin York tell the story view of the Great War from his point of view and America’s place in that war on January 25 at 7 PM at the Grand Hotel (12 Public Square) in downtown Mount Vernon.
 
Opening the program will be Joe Rollin Porter, a gifted guitarist and interpreter of the blues and Appalachian rural music of the era, including selections from his soon to be released CD, “Take This Hammer”.
 
The Chautauqua Series is provided to the community through the efforts of Elixir Presents with financial assistance from the Ariel Foundation. The goal of the series is to provide educational and entertaining programming for families, school children and seniors to increase their understanding of history beyond the text books and movies. The programs are donation based with all donations going to the presenters and family friendly based.
 
Doors open for this event at 6 PM, Joe Rollin Porter at 7 PM and Sergeant York at 7:45 PM. Immediately after the presentation Sergeant York will take questions from the audience. For more information on this and upcoming programs, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102 or 740-392-3018. If you would like a “Gentle Reminder” via email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com. If you would like to friend us on Facebook place visit www.facebook.com/elixir.americana.
 
 
 

​It Was 50 Years Ago Today - Foodstock Features Beatles' Music
 
MOUNT VERNON – Our society loves to celebrate anniversaries. In that tradition the theme for this year’s Chautauqua Series Foodstock Concert is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles landmark album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” with a tribute to the music of The Beatles.
The concert will be held at The Memorial Theater (112 E. High Street, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050) on Thursday, December 7,  with doors opening at 6:30 PM and concert starting at 7 PM. The cost of admission is food item(s) and/or cash. Suggested food items can be found on the www.foodforthehungrycares.org website. Cash is preferred because $1 donated will gets $8 of food from the Central Ohio Food Bank. In addition, cash or checks [made out to Food For The Hungry Cares] help with rent and medical needs for our neighbors in need. For those who cannot afford food or cash, the concert is a Christmas gift from us to you and your family. Please share this information with those who might not have access to this press release. All funds collected will be donated to the Food for the Hungry campaign.
It has been 35 years since the Food for the Hungry campaign in Knox County began as a food and money drive on WMVO radio to benefit Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army in 1982.
The Chautauqua Series joined the campaign 7 years ago and are honored to provide family friendly music and share  the talent of many area musicians. This year Elixir Presents in association with the Ariel Foundation and the County Commissioners are proud to present a special evening of the music of the Beatles. The four members of the band will be Bill Miller on drums/vocals, Roy Rush on lead guitar, Desmond Wall on guitar/vocals and Mike Petee on bass/vocals. The group, who use “Sgt. Pepper”  for their performances, will be joined on stage with a string quartet to assist on such classics as “Yesterday” and “Eleanor Rigby” and a chorus of voices for “My Sweet Lord” and “Happy X-Mas (War is Over).” A wonderful time is guaranteed for all.
 
For more information about the concert, visit: www.elixirpresents.com, www.foodforthehungrycares.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-3018 or 740-392-6102. 

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MOUNT VERNON – After Thanksgiving, what better way to spend an evening than hearing the words of wisdom from George Washington? Ken Hammontree, a Chautauqua Series favorite returns in the role of one of our Founding Fathers on Thursday, November 30.  Elixir Presents in association with The Ariel Foundation will provide an evening with the President at 7 PM, doors opening at 6 PM.  Presented in first person Living history, Ken will bring George Washington to life and if you have not witnessed a performance by Ken Hammontree, you are in for a special treat.
This event will be held on a donation basis at The Grand Hotel (12 Public Square) Banquet Room on the lower level of the hotel. The program starts at 7 PM with music of music from the 1700’s on traditional instruments, performed by JMJ Crescent, George Washington at 7:45 and conclude with a Q&A period with the audience immediately after the program.
Elixir Presents encourages anyone with an interest in learning more about the real people in history and what they were really like, to come and learn in a family friendly and enjoyable evening out with family, friends and neighbors.
The final program of the season will be the Annual Food For The Hungry concert at the Memorial Theater (112 E. High Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio) on Thursday, December 7th at 7 PM, featuring the music of the Beatles for a small donation of a food stuff, cash or check payable to Food For The Hungry, to aid our needy neighbors. After Thanksgiving and before Christmas what better way to help your neighbors and be rewarded with classic music.
For more information on this program and future programs in the series, visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102. If you would like to receive a gentle reminder the Sunday before each program, please send a request to Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

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Chautauqua Welcomes Wife of Martin Luther
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MOUNT VERNON - They say behind every great man there is a great woman. In the case of Martin Luther, one of the most important participants in the Reformation was his wife, Katharina von Bora. 15 years his junior,  Katharina was sent to a nunnery at age 5 and escaped to join the reform movement 13 years later. The marriage of Katharina von Bora to Martin Luther was extremely important to the development of the Protestant Church, specifically in regards to its stance on marriage and the roles each spouse should concern themselves with. Although several told Luther that marriage would hurt the Reformation because of potential scandal, Luther eventually came to the conclusion that "his marriage would please his father, rile the pope, cause the angels to laugh, and the devils to weep."

In keeping with the theme of the Chautauqua Series, Elixir Presents brings the life of an historical person to life through first person living history. Although some characters may be more famous, the series' goal is to highlight the many contributions of a wide variety of people throughout history, their lives, their struggles, their successes, their failures, showing that one characteristic of all these people is that they are just like us, the everyday man and woman and that they go through the same struggles in life and joys and sorrows as the rest of us do.

Raylene Hlavaty, a veteran of the Chautauqua stage will bring Katharina to life and share her story at The Grand Hotel (12 Public Square, Mount Vernon, Ohio) on Thursday November 9 at 7 PM. Doors open for this donation based program, at 6 PM. Opening the program will be Chautauqua favorite, Tim Noble, an amazing Christian pianist/vocalist.
 
Coming Thursday December 7 at The Memorial Theater will be the annual Food For The Hungry Foodstock Concert, in association with the Chautauqua Series, Ariel Foundation and the Knox County Commissioners. The concert will feature a tribute to the music of The Beatles, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". For more details about both programs and other shows in the Chautauqua Series, please visit www.elixirpresents.com, www.VisitKnoxOhio.org or call 740-392-6102.