'The Lost Mother' is the talk of town
Published on February 14th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - Finally, Stoneham is wrapped up in a blanket of snow, and what better time to hunker down with a good book!
The Stoneham Public Library invites you to join your friends and neighbors in Stoneham Reads, a town wide book discussion that kicks off a grand collaboration between the Library and the Stoneham Theatre, and reminds some of, while introducing others to, an important time in America's history.
Perseverance: A Celebration of the American Spirit in the 1930's is a program made possible by a number of local groups including Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham Public Library, the Stoneham Public Schools, The Griffin Museum of Photography of Winchester, Stoneham Cultural Council, Stoneham Senior Center, Stoneham Cable Access, Stoneham Historical Society, Stoneham Independent, and the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce.
Kicking off the celebration of this important time in American history is the novel The Lost Mother by Mary McGarry Morris. It is the moving story of one family's struggle through the Great Depression, in which Morris describes the wrenching circumstances that befall the Talcott family in rural Vermont during the financial disaster of the the 1930's.
The Chicago Tribune called the book "...a vivid portrait of an underreported world."
Last year, Stoneham Library Assistant Director May Forkin envisioned a community wide reading group based on a similar program in Seattle back in 1998. The idea that started that program was 'What if Seattle read the same book?' The Emerald City did come together to read, and eventually the program took off in Chicago, New York, and other cities and towns around the country. The program intrigued Forkin, who likewise thought 'What if Stoneham read the same book?'
She successfully secured a federal grant through the Library Services and Technology Act. This particular grant titled "On the Same Page," funds libraries with the books needed to encourage community wide programs, such as a book discussion. Author Mary McGarry Morris heard of the idea through the Stoneham Friends of the Library and was interested in participating. With the grant money, Stoneham Library was able to purchase 240 copies of Morris' book, The Lost Mother.
Recently, Stoneham Theatre spoke of its interest in collaborating with the Library on a community-building program. With its upcoming production of Frank Galati's adaptation of the John Steinbeck classic novel The Grapes of Wrath (running March 1-18), an idea of celebrating this historical period was born.
"Community building - that's what the theatre is all about," said Stoneham Theatre Managing Director Jon White-Spunner.
Although the Stoneham Book Group had recently read The Grapes of Wrath, it was evident that The Lost Mother would be a perfect fit for such a program, as both stories deal with the Great Depression, family dynamics, and the theme of perseverance.
Once the idea took shape, "there was never a moment's hesitation," White-Spunner said. "It's always been 'let's do it.' The enthusiasm has been intense."
Forkin believes that the theme of the Great Depression still resonates today, with distinctions between rich and poor so vivid as it was back then, along with the very real sense of a diminishing middle class.
"I think that (this theme) is relevant... because people can relate to it even today."
Copies of The Lost Mother are currently scattered in houses and offices around town, with copies still available at the Stoneham Library. Stoneham High School's entire Junior class is currently engrossed in the book as well. Renewed interest in the Steinbeck classic has also been evident and Stoneham Library is relying on its Noble Net connections with area libraries to keep all readers happy.
"(This program) highlights the fact that communities are looking for ways to come together," White- Spunner said. Despite the fact that we're all stretched and resources scarce, he explained, dreams continue to be big and hopeful.
"When you reach out, people are there and want to work together. We hope that this is the first of many opportunities to collaborate."
When the theatre decided to bring The Grapes of Wrath to Stoneham, it was looking for ways to make it more accessible to people. Collaboration with the Library has proved to be a great avenue. In fact, a series of performances and events to highlight the era of The Grapes of Wrath and The Lost Mother are scheduled throughout February and March.
During the month of February, residents are encouraged to pick up a copy of The Lost Mother at the Library, and The Stoneham Historical Society will be displaying 1930's photographs and newspaper articles at the library and other locations.
From February 14th through the 28th, The Griffin Museum of Winchester will display an exhibit of well-known photographer Arthur Griffin's works from the 1930's in the Gallery at the Stoneham Theatre.
Also during the month, exact dates still to be determined, Cheryl Webb Scott will interview representatives of each of the groups involved in the Perseverance: A Celebration of the American Spirit in the 1930's program on Stoneham TV and other area cable stations.
Members of the Stoneham Senior Center will discuss with members of the Stoneham High School Senior class what it was like to grow up in the depression of the 1930's, in Senior-to-Senior interviews.
On February 27th at 1:30 p.m., the Senior Center will host a discussion of The Lost Mother, followed by a discussion at the Stoneham Library on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. with the author herself.
From March 1 through 18, Frank Galati's Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath, directed by Weylin Symes, will be presented at the Stoneham Theatre with performances scheduled on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Stoneham Theatre Box Office 781-279-2200 or online at www.stonehamtheatre.org.
Following the March 4 production, author Mary McGarry Morris will be at the Stoneham Theatre for a post-performance discussion about the play, and will be available to sign her book. A free concert, titled Banjos, Bones, and Ballads with musician Jeff Warner is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stoneham Theatre. For information on all the events listed and more in this series, please visit www.stonehamtheatre.org. For more about the author and book visit www.marymcgarrymorris.com.
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