Monthly E-News from Michael Bouman, Executive Director
Missouri Humanities Council

Contents:

• "Between Fences" in Clinton Creates Interest
• Chautauqua 2008, "That's Entertainment"
• Governor's Humanities Awards 2008 - Last Call for Nominations
• Creating a Family Storytelling Tradition
• Adding Value by Subtracting

Clinton, Missouri Creates Interest "Between Fences"

If there is only one "essence" in this wide field of local history and family reading it is this: each of us can take some action to create interest in history, its places, and its objects. The most remarkable things begin to happen when we open doors for people in the community to take an interest and share something of themselves.

My colleague, Patricia Zahn was at the Henry County Museum in Clinton, Missouri last Saturday for the opening of the Smithsonian's "Between Fences" exhibit. The star of the show, as always, is what local imagination has added to the touring exhibit. Patricia's account of that experience is on the link below:

http://mohumanities.org/E-News/March07/clinton.htm

Chautauqua 2008, "That's Entertainment"

Patricia Zahn is moderating a group of people who are designing next year's Chautauqua program. She helped the group refine its wishes and the result is a focus on mass entertainment. From circus acts to movies, from popular fiction to popular music, "THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!" spotlights innovative figures who shaped this field. Far from the highbrow, these figures brought often-inexpensive entertainment to new audiences.

Patricia tells me that she will post a "casting call" for Chautauqua performers in the next few days, and that we'll be able to post a call for sponsor communities within a month. We intend to confirm sponsor towns in early June this year, giving a year of lead time to all of them.

Last Call for Gov's Award Nominations

The "Governor's Humanities Award" is a small crystal bowl mounted on a base of cherry wood. It symbolizes the sort of achievement that deserves wider recognition. There are several categories of award, and there are often several awards in each category.

This is not a competition to identify "the best person" in a particular field. We know there are many "best people" in Missouri. The purpose of the awards is to give overdue recognition to people who have done something to deserve the thanks of a State.

Is there a school teacher in your town who is creating interest in history or literature in a fresh and exciting way? Do you know of a wonderful book about Missouri? Have you noticed that someone has added new life and vitality to a museum, a historic house, or a historic place? Is someone doing an exceptional job of involving the community in its heritage? Do you know of someone who is making the community story wider, by bringing in new voices or stories? If you do, I hope you will submit a nomination by April 27 so that they can receive full consideration as we move the process to the desk of Governor Blunt this summer. Details about the nomination process are at the link below.

http://www.mohumanities.org/programs/awards/index.htm

Creating a Family Storytelling Tradition

I think anyone who reads Julie Douglas's piece on Irish storytelling in her family will have a fond memory. I hope you share your memory with us! Mother's Day, Father's Day...these are annual occasions to remember how our parents charmed us with stories.

http://mohumanities.org/E-News/March07/irish.htm

Adding Value by Subtracting

One of these days, I'm going to write my little columns with "readable" sentence length so I can record them and make pod casts, blogs, and all manner of wizardry I'm only beginning to learn, now that Beth Felice is digging in to her new job as Communications Director. I will learn to write short sentences. I will write things that don't require the deep breathing of Houdini. I will write short, but not curt. I will go into sentences like that first one up there and make them better by taking things away. That is the theme of what I learned in Chillicothe....

http://mohumanities.org/E-News/March07/subtract.htm