Author Rilla Askew, Panel to Discuss ‘Kind of Kin’ Tonight

When “Sweet” Brown Kirkendall’s father winds up in the Latimer County Jail in Wilburton for aiding illegal immigrants, events in the novel “Kind of Kin” begin to unfold. Characters—including State Rep. Monica Moorehouse of McAlester—react differently to the problem of undocumented workers, and therein lies just a part of the plot of Rilla Askew’s acclaimed new book.

Askew, winner of the American Book Award for her earlier novel about the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, “Fire in Beulah,” is in Southeastern Oklahoma this week to introduce audiences to her fifth book. She has made appearances at Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma (SEPLSO) libraries at Poteau, Heavener and Wilburton, and at a lecture honoring Women’s History Month at Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) called “In Search of Character: Celebrating Oklahoma Women in Fact and Fiction.”

She will conclude her book tour in this area Thursday night at McAlester Public Library at a reading and special panel discussion sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council called “Immigration Issues in ‘Kind of Kin’ by Rilla Askew.” The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room.

Askew says she hopes readers will “simply be touched by the human story behind these issues. I would hope readers would come away asking themselves…`what would I do?’.”

Audience members will have the chance to win a free copy of the novel at the conclusion of the program. There will also be books available for purchase.

Following a reading from the novel—which has garnered positive reviews in the New York Times Book Review and the Washington Post—Askew will join a panel of area leaders to discuss issues raised by “Sweet” Kirkendall’s family story.

Panelists will include News-Capital editor Kandra Wells, former State Sen. Richard Lerblance of Hartshorne, Rev. April Coates of Wilburton, local author J. Michael Matkin and Dr. Richmond Adams of EOSC.

Askew says she is getting very positive reactions across the area, especially when readers recognize real places. In addition to the Latimer County Jail and the “Cedar” community, which resembles Askew’s home town of Red Oak, there are many other locations readers will recognize, such as a Mexican restaurant called “Abuelita’s.”

“The response I hear again and again is ‘I know these people. I recognize, in the book’s characters, the very people I come from.’” she said. “It seems readers here feel their place and their people validated in the story. Readers also like the description of the church people…how they wrestle with the questions raised in the novel.”

The program is funded in part by the OHC and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, finding, conclusions and recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH. Local funding is provided by the J.G. Puterbaugh Foundation and SEPLSO.

 

 

Travel Our Way in March for Author Visit, Classes, More

By KATHY McGILBERRY

Take a trip with us in March as we travel the forgotten landmarks of Route 66, journey across Oklahoma with characters from Rilla Askew’s new and acclaimed novel “Kind of Kin” and hopscotch through many more events designed to instruct, entertain and challenge you.

Children’s activities roll along with the usual Tuesday Lap Sits and Movie Times, Wednesday Story Times and Thursday Game Times. See Miss Anita’s calendar for details. Teen activities this month are limited to Thursday Game Times at 3:45. Look for teen activities rev up and get back to full-speed-ahead when our Teen Librarian returns in April.

Plus, we have some exciting programs already set for you in April. You’ll want to register early for computer classes taught by Anthony Smart. Anthony says to watch the newspaper for announcements. You still have time to register for beginner’s Knitting for Fun classes, taught by Frances Walker. That free class will meet for six weeks on Fridays at 11 a.m., beginning April 5. We also have the return of Family Fun Night the first Tuesday in April. Amanda McPhetridge will talk to parents at 5:30 p.m. about healthy eating, while Children’s Librarian Anita Ross entertains the kids next door. Look for flyers soon about this returning family program.

But first let’s cruise through the March calendar. Fasten your seat belts.

*Wednesday, March 6—All spaces are full for the Basic Computers class at 4 p.m., taught by the aforementioned Anthony. In fact, all March computer classes are full. So if you’ve registered, be sure to be there.

*Thursday, March 7—Dr. Lewis Parkhill of Tishomingo will present “Route 66: The Mother Road” by Michael Wallis at the first session of the spring “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” reading and discussion series. The theme is “Get Your Reading Kicks on Route 66.” Be sure to attend at 6 p.m. and you could win a nostalgic Route 66 sign or license plate. Free refreshments, too.

(NOTE: The regularly scheduled meeting of The Bookies has been moved to Thursday, March 14 at 1 p.m. The group will discuss “The Midwife of Hope River” by Patricia Harman.)

*Saturday, March 9—Second Saturday Cinema at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room East will feature another great family film. Matthew Broderick and Oklahoma’s own Kristen Chenoweth star in a remake of a classic musical that originally starred Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. Plenty of free popcorn at this G-rated, 76-trombone-having movie.

*Monday, March 11—Join us for some campy Women’s History Month fun as Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. features a 1950s sci-fi classic. There’s a very tall woman. And she attacks. That’s all the hint you’re getting. Free popcorn, of course.

*Wednesday, March 13—The Free Crafts Workshop at 1 p.m. will tackle the twig birdhouses and milk jug bird feeders from February, delayed by inclement weather. The class is already full, but be on the lookout for the April project. We always meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. Then at 4 p.m., Anthony will teach “A Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Office.”

*Thursday, March 14—The Oklahoma Humanities Council is the sponsor for a special evening program featuring noted author Rilla Askew. The Southeastern Oklahoma native recently published her fifth book, the novel “Kind of Kin.” Hear a reading, meet the author and then listen to a panel discussion about the book and the issues it raises. You could also win a copy of this highly-acclaimed novel. Panel members will include Kandra Wells, News-Capital editor; former State Sen. Richard Lerblance; local author J. Michael Matkin; Rev. April Coates of Wilburton; and Dr. Richmond Adams of Eastern Oklahoma State.

*Monday, March 18—The library will be closed one day only for Spring Break.

*Tuesday, March 19—Friends of the Library will gather at noon for their regular meeting. Then at 6:30 p.m., Night Readers will meet to discuss Tina Fey’s “Bossypants.”

*Wednesday, March 20—Anthony’s 4 p.m. computer class will be “Everything Facebook.”

*Thursday, March 21—Dr. Trisha Yarbrough will present Dorothy Garlock’s “Mother Road” at 6 p.m., the second book of the “Let’s Talk” series. Free refreshments and a great door prize, as always.

*Saturday, March 23—Learn what it took to be a caveman in a Discovery Channel documentary with Morgan Spurlock, at the 2 p.m. Documentary Matinee.

*Monday, March 25—The Light Readers will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss Mel Odom’s “Deployed.” Free refreshments. And over in the Whiteacre Room, the Film Movement independent movie will be “Teddy Bear.” This unrated film from Denmark has English subtitles. Here’s the plot: “The 38-year-old bodybuilder Dennis would really like to find true love. He has never had a girlfriend and lives alone with his mother in a suburb of Copenhagen. When his uncle marries a girl from Thailand, Dennis decides to try his own luck on a trip to Pattaya, as it seems that love is easier to find in Thailand. He knows that his mother would never accept another woman in his life, so he lies and tells her that he is going to Germany. Dennis has never been out traveling before and the hectic Pattaya is a huge cultural shock for him. The intrusive Thai girls give big bruises to Dennis’ naive picture of what love should be like, and he is about to lose hope when he unexpectedly meets the Thai woman Toi.”

*Tuesday, March 26—Socrates Café will meet at 10 a.m. for brunch and philosophical discussion. Last month we welcomed a newcomer to our little group of thinkers, and we came very, very close to adhering to the suggested format for discussion. Help us toe the line by attending, won’t you?

*Wednesday, March 27—The computer class at 4 p.m. will be “Picture This,” all about digital images.

*Thursday, March 28—Join us for a “Let’s Talk” movie special at 6 p.m. See Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen in an odd love story, Rated R. How is this out-of-this-world movie related to Route 66? It was shot in many Route 66 locations, that’s how.

*Friday, March 29—Ellen Barlow’s Friday Foodies group will meet to trade recipes and samples. The theme is “breads.” Yum!

*Saturday, March 30—Deadline to enter the annual Essay and Short Story Contest. A complete list of rules is available on the website, http://www.mcalesterlibrary.net, or at the front desk. The theme is “Communities Matter.” You could win one of four cash prizes, and see your work published on our blog. Funding for the contest is provided by the J.G. Puterbaugh Foundation.

 

‘Get Your Reading Kicks on Route 66’ Starts Thursday

Route 66 spans from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California and reflects the dreams and memories of people traveling or living on it during the Great Depression. It was the road to adventure for treasure-seekers, displaced farmers and Hollywood hopefuls. Route 66 conjures up memories of two-lane highways, family vacations, picnic lunches at roadside tables, souvenir shops, reptile pits, cozy motor courts and an Orange Crush with a two-cent deposit. It has traveled through mountains and deserts, plains and forests.

Today it is known as the world’s most famous highway, even though it officially no longer exists. Route 66 began with the ordinary needs of a growing nation and the vision of one Oklahoman, Cyrus Avery.

It’s history was captured in the book “Route 66: The Mother Road,” by Tulsan Michael Wallis, the first book in the Spring, 2013 Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma reading and discussion series at McAlester Public Library.

Dr. Lewis Parkhill will give a scholarly presentation about the book at 6 p.m. Thursday in the library’s Whiteacre Room. Dr. Parkhill is Professor Emeritus of English and past chair of the Department of English and Languages at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. His Ph.D. in American Literature is from the University of Texas at Austin.

He has taught writing, humanities, film and world, British and American literatures. He served on the board of the Oklahoma Humanities Council and is a former chair of the OHC board.

He has served as a member of the Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma advisory board, is a co-developer of the LTAIO Vietnam series, assisted with the American Renaissance, and he has given many LTAIO presentations.

His essay, “The Humanities: A Conversation of Story and Place,” appeared in the May 2008 Oklahoma Humanities magazine. A member of the Tishomingo city council for thirteen years, he is currently serving a fifth term as mayor.

In “Route 66: The Mother Road,” state for state, Michael Wallis chronicles the history of Route 66 against the backdrop of American history. As America grew, so too did Highway 66. The highway connected Americans from every walk of life. The road served as a lifeline from east to west for everyone from the roadside gas station owner to the fathers of the great highway up to the dawning of the interstate system.

Starting in Illinois, Wallis weaves his way across the West to California like so many American travelers who satisfied their pioneering spirit.

Wallis cares for the highway and the people along it. He takes time along the journey to pull over and enjoy life just off the road. From the Funk family’s homemade maple syrup in Illinois, to Buster Burris’ motel, café, and service station, Wallis captures the spirit and adventure of a bygone era.

The book touched off an effort to preserve the memory of Route 66 after it was published in 1990.

Books, services and other materials are provided by LTAIO, a project of the Oklahoma Humanities Council, with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Local funding is provided by the J.G. Puterbaugh Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Library of Congress ‘American Memory’ Site

SEARCHING AFRICAN AMERICAN RECORDS Computer Class at McAlester Public Library Wednesday was attended by Mindy Timmons and Becky Williams of the Broken Bow Public Library, Delores Smith of McAlester, Ellen Barlow and Jancie Saaranen of the McAlester Public Library, Carrie Patrick of SEPLSO, and others. The class was taught by Steve Beleu of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (seated). More classes on searching Hispanic records and Native American records are scheduled later this year.