Edgar Allan Poe was the man of the hour Monday night as the Forsyth Certified Literate Community Program and public library system launched this year’s Forsyth Reads Together program.
A group of about 40 gathered Monday at the Cumming library branch for a celebration to kick off the second annual event.
The program, which seeks to unify the county through reading, this year is focusing on “Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.”
“We came to the Forsyth Reads Together events last summer and have been looking forward to it again this summer,” said Amy O’Connell, who was joined by her mother, Gloria O’Connell.
Attendees enjoyed a viewing of a movie version of Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
They also heard a dramatic reading of Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” by Otwell Middle School students Patrick Dudley, Maggie Little, Caroline Loveless and Kristi Sagona.
Steven Brehe, a literature professor at North Georgia College & State University, also gave a brief presentation on Poe as a literary figure.
Brehe said literary critics from Poe’s time through today haven’t given the writer much respect, though he is probably the most widely read American author of his time.
“Among readers, Poe is still the man,” he said.
Christie Loveless, whose daughter Caroline was one of the dramatic readers, brought her entire family to the kickoff.
“We came to support [Caroline] and learn more about Poe in the process,” she said.
A variety of Poe-inspired events will take place through July as part of the communitywide program.
The next is Teen POE-etry Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Sharon Forks library branch.
Other events include a horror writers-inspired magic show, several book discussions and movie nights.
Lorraine Stewart, executive director of the Forsyth Certified Literate Community Program, said organizers hope the program, which encourages reading throughout the community, will be fun for all ages.
“We’re trying to get things that can appeal to a lot of different levels, kids, teenagers, families,” she said.
E-mail Crystal Ledford at crystalledford@forsythnews.com.
A group of about 40 gathered Monday at the Cumming library branch for a celebration to kick off the second annual event.
The program, which seeks to unify the county through reading, this year is focusing on “Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.”
“We came to the Forsyth Reads Together events last summer and have been looking forward to it again this summer,” said Amy O’Connell, who was joined by her mother, Gloria O’Connell.
Attendees enjoyed a viewing of a movie version of Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
They also heard a dramatic reading of Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” by Otwell Middle School students Patrick Dudley, Maggie Little, Caroline Loveless and Kristi Sagona.
Steven Brehe, a literature professor at North Georgia College & State University, also gave a brief presentation on Poe as a literary figure.
Brehe said literary critics from Poe’s time through today haven’t given the writer much respect, though he is probably the most widely read American author of his time.
“Among readers, Poe is still the man,” he said.
Christie Loveless, whose daughter Caroline was one of the dramatic readers, brought her entire family to the kickoff.
“We came to support [Caroline] and learn more about Poe in the process,” she said.
A variety of Poe-inspired events will take place through July as part of the communitywide program.
The next is Teen POE-etry Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Sharon Forks library branch.
Other events include a horror writers-inspired magic show, several book discussions and movie nights.
Lorraine Stewart, executive director of the Forsyth Certified Literate Community Program, said organizers hope the program, which encourages reading throughout the community, will be fun for all ages.
“We’re trying to get things that can appeal to a lot of different levels, kids, teenagers, families,” she said.
E-mail Crystal Ledford at crystalledford@forsythnews.com.