“PLACE & STORY” will take place over five Thursday
evenings this spring from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at different locations around
Allegany County. Participants read books in advance then come together for a
facilitated discussion, delving into the themes of Americans’ relationships to
wildlife and the environment, from New York City to the Western
wilderness.
“Something special happens when we talk about what we read
with others in our community,” says Sara Ogger, executive director of
Humanities New York. "With its thematic focus, this reading and discussion
program offers an unusual twist on the standard book group format by making
time for thinking deeply about one idea, over time, from a variety of
perspectives. In this way, texts can become catalysts for personal reflection,
civic engagement, and cultural understanding.”
“PLACE & STORY” will be facilitated by Emma Percy, an
eco-artist and visiting professor at Alfred University who states, “Reflecting
on the ecology of a place in my (artistic) material and content choices is a
way of recognizing and honoring my ongoing relationship with that environment.”
Participants are invited to read and take part in the
discussion of five main texts:
• The Grizzly
Years by Doug Peacock -- March 28 -- Angelica Free Library, 55 W. Main St.,
Angelica
• Nine Mile
Wolves by Rick Bass -- April 11 -- Rushford Free Library, 9012 Main St.,
Rushford
• Red-Tails
in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park by Marie Winn -- April 25 -- Marjorie
Dieter Mastin Historical Society, 9 Pratt St., Canaseraga
• Angle of
Repose by Wallace Stegner -- May 9 -- Fassett Greenspace 55 Main St.,
Wellsville
• An
Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters, and the
Fight for Seadrift, Texas by Diane Wilson -- May 25 -- Bolivar Free Library,
390 Main St., Bolivar
The program is free and open to the public. Fifteen copies
of each book are available for participants to borrow on a first-come,
first-served basis, so pre-registration is required. For more information about the series dates,
locations, and acquiring books in advance, email contactusccac@gmail.com or
phone/text 585-466-4474.
CCAC is a 501c3 environmental advocacy group that meets
monthly in Angelica. Learn more at
ccallegany.org or follow us on FB. Email
contactusccac@gmail.com or call/text 585-466-4474.
