Geneva Reads Launches Community Read of James McBride, The Color of Water
If Geneva Reads--a local literacy coalition--is successful in promoting its 1st Annual Geneva Community Reads, the month of March 2010 will be an extraordinary opportunity for the community to read and discuss The Color of Water by James McBride, an American memoir of family, race, religion and culture. From Mayor Stu Einstein’s March 3rd declaration that March is the City of Geneva’s Community Read Month to a game show on March 21 at the Geneva Community Center Black Box Theater, activities are planned by local schools, colleges, libraries and others to promote the reading and discussion of the book in March.
The Color of Water is a memoir by James McBride that pays tribute to his mother and explores how the issues of family, race, and religion shaped his mother’s life as well as his own. Ostracized by her family and white society in Segregationist Virginia for her marriage to Andrew Dennis McBride and to Hunter Jordan, both black men, Mr. McBride’s retraces his mother's story and discovers his own that is honest, lyrical and inspiring.
Mayor Stu Einstein, says that the many events planned for the community read “offer something for everyone. The choice of the book is particularly relevant,” he believes, “because many of our families are shining examples of mixed races, ethnicities, and cultures blending into cohesive, harmonious families."
Geneva Reads dedicates this year’s community read to Linda Blackwell, who worked with children at the Geneva Public Library for 19 years and passed away with little warning on February 9. She was much admired for her ability to communicate with children and inspire in children a love to read.
Copies of The Color of Water are available at the Geneva Public Library, the Geneva High School Library, and the College Store on the Hobart & William Smith Campus. Beginning February 22, books will also be available at the Geneva Wegmans and Baroody’s Cigar Store on Exchange Street.
The College Store is offering on March 6 a one-day 30% discount on The Color of Water, with give-ways that include 10 copies of the book, and a complimentary brunch from 11am to 2pm. A Store-wide 20% discount applies on general books, clothing, Gifts, convenience items, and school and office supplies, with some exceptions throughout the day.
The community has an opportunity to discuss the book on Sunday, March 14, at the Geneva Public Library. Complimentary copies of the book are available from the library to the first 10 registrants. To register, contact Beth Horn at the library by calling 781-2935 or emailing bhorn@pls-net.org.
Discussions are also planned for a number of book clubs in the community inluding some discussions by students and faculty at the Geneva High School Library.
People will have the opportunity to share their own memoirs as well. Author Eileen Loveman leads a hands-on workshop on the art of writing memoir at the Geneva High School Library Media Center on Wednesday, March 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Eileen Loveman is a weekly columnist for the Williamson Sun & Record, under byline STORIES FROM THE LAKE, also found online at www.eileenloveman.blogspot.com. Register by contacting Beth Horn, Adult Services Librarian at Geneva Public Library, at 781-2935 or at bhorn@pls-net.org.
The Finger Lakes Times is sponsoring a memoir writing contest as well. local residents are encouraged to draw on the themes in The Color of Water and tell their stories. The deadline for the Finger Lakes Times contest is March 15. Submissions should be no longer than 600 words and either e-mailed to fltimes@fltimes.com (with “Memoir Contest” in the subject life) or mailed to 218 Genesee St., Geneva, 14456.
Contest submissions will be judged by the Finger Lakes Times in two categories — adult and high school. Adults should include their name, age, address and telephone number. Students should note their grade, age and school. Winners will be published in the Finger Lakes Times on Sunday, March 28. Prizes include $100 for first place and $25 prizes for runners-up.
Local students are also involved in the Community Read. All juniors and seniors at the Geneva High School will be reading The Color of Water. “The power and passion that fluency in reading the written word brings has the potential to transform our world,’ believes Geneva City School District Assistant Superintendent Paul Darnell. “The Color of Water lends a vivid portrayal of a mother’s love and the powerful impact that acceptance and love can have on a young man’s life, and that's relevant to us in our schools.”
The month's activities end in game-show fun on Sunday, March 21, when "Parents Are From Mars, Kids Are From Venus: The Game Show" is presented at the Geneva Community Center Black Box Theater from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Produced by the Geneva Human Right Commission, the program features a panel of parent-child couples who are pitted against each other in a game show format to determine what they know (or don’t know) about their shared cultural heritage. The program is free and open to the public.
Sponsors for Geneva Reads 1st Annual Community Reads include the City of Geneva, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva City School District, the Geneva Community Center, Ramada Inn, Finger Lakes Times, Geneva Public Library, and the Geneva Human Right Commission, and the African American Men’s Association. .Additional support was provided by Lyons National Bank.
The Geneva Reads Initiative is a partnership between schools and libraries, government and community agencies, and others in Geneva, to raise the level of literacy in people of all ages and to increase the importance of reading and the reader in the community. Additional information is available at www.genevareads.org.