Missouri Humanities Council e-News | February 2010 | View Online  

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In this issue:

Transformations Conference March 12-13

Our third statewide conference on improving the life of museums and libraries will take place in Columbia at the Stoney Creek Inn. There's a special opportunity for conference participants to come a day early and take the free workshop, "Introduction to Digital Audio," on March 11 at the Stoney Creek Inn from 9am - 4pm.  Read about the conference at http://www.mohumanities.org/the-missouri-humanities-council/the-humanities/museum-and-library-enrichment/transformations/

Heritage Tourism Training in Ste. Genevieve

Costumed Interpretation

There's a unique learning opportunity shaping up for anyone in the vicinity of Ste. Genevieve. The new alliance of heritage organizations in town is working with the Chamber of Commerce to implement a new style of visitor-friendly interpretation. People between the ages of 16 and 116 are welcome to take a four-session course in heritage tourism training. Alisha Cole, one of the top museum consultants in Missouri, is involved in the heritage training. She has been consulting with Ste. Genevieve on new interpretive ideas for the past 18 months. In 2009 she performed docent training at all of the venues for the touring Smithsonian exhibits.
See details at http://mohumanities.org/E-News/Feb10/SteGenTraining.htm

The 2009 Winners of the Governor's Humanities Awards

We salute the following individuals who will be recognized this spring at a ceremony honoring all the 2009 recipients as well as the state winners in the National History Day competition:

* Greg Olson, Curator of Exhibits and Special Project at the Missouri State Archives, for his book, The Ioway in Missouri, part of the Missouri Heritage Readers series of the University of Missouri Press.

* Karen Glines and Billy O'Donnell of St. Louis for their book, Painting Missouri: The Counties en Plein Air

* Patti Naeger of Ste. Genevieve for her work with the children's "heritage chorus," Les Petits Chanteurs.

* Jerry Craig of Salem, for his work to develop the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center

* Dr. Mark Abbott of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis for his contribution to understanding the unique qualities of various neighborhoods in the city.

Nominations Sought for Governor's Humanities Awards

Deadline Extended to April 9. I've heard that some nominators have been delayed in preparing nominations, so I've taken another look at the calandar and see that we can provide enough lead time even if we move the deadline back. The awards recognize outstanding teaching in Missouri schools, outstanding community outreach activities by individuals and humanities institutions, and exemplary interpretive practices in libraries, history organizations, or other humanities organizations.  In addition, the Governor's Humanities Awards recognize outstanding books that have increased our understanding and appreciation of Missouri's history and culture.

See: http://www.mohumanities.org/the-missouri-humanities-council/the-humanities/celebration-and-recognition/2010-governors-awards/

Download nomination form: http://www.mohumanities.org/resources/ Scroll down to "Celebrations of Recognition."

ReadMOre Project Presents the Legacy of Mark Twain

ReadMoreLogo

ReadMOre, the multi-region library initiative to involve people in reading and discussing the same book, is all about Mark Twain. This is the centennial of Samuel Clemens' death, and people all over the United States will have opportunities to reconsider his writings. This year's ReadMOre schedule features a two-week tour of the state by the distinguished Chautauqua scholar, George Frein. The ReadMOre web site contains all the information about the Twain short stories we'll discuss this year and about Frein's tour as "Mark Twain." http://readmoremissouri.org

The Book, Push, the Movie, Precious, and the Hope of Reading

Julie Douglas's column on family reading provides a heartfelt endorsement of a book about a woman who pins her hope on reading. Read about it at: http://mohumanities.org/E-News/Feb10/Push_book_review.htm

Summer Institutes for Teachers

I've gathered a list of special opportunities on a separate page here: http://mohumanities.org/E-News/Feb10/Teachers.htm There are opportunities galore in this part of the country; something for every interest!

On Reading in a Chinese Museum

Last month I had two wonderful learning experiences during a tour of the Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. My February 3 blog deals with the use of props during a museum tour.