As the final “Big Read” events surrounding To Kill a Mockingbird, renowned Harper Lee Biographer Charles Shields spoke at Barnes & Noble on the evening of February 24, 2009.
Mr. Shields is author of Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee and I Am Scout, a book about Harper Lee for younger readers. A former English teacher, Mr. Shields spent four years doing research on Harper Lee and delivers a riveting talk about the experience.
At the end of his presentation, a special raffle was held for an autographed copy of the 40th anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird signed especially by Harper Lee for Bowling Green’s Big Read program. Raffle tickets at $10 a piece had been sold at Barnes & Noble ahead of Mr. Shield’s presentation.
Fifteen basket making enthusiasts spent Saturday, Feb. 7th making an Egg Basket at the Kentucky Library & Museum. Using traditional oak hoops, they learned how to weave a Kentucky style “eye”to lash the hoops together under the watchful eye of instructor Beth Hester and her side-kick Scott Gilbert. Everyone took away a new treasure and a sense of admiration for all basket makers.
Ms. Badham was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the movie and was the youngest person ever nominated at that time. She is also the younger sister of film director John Badham who directed the movies “Saturday Night Fever†and “War Games†among others. As an added attraction the film “To Kill a Mockingbird†that Ms. Badham starred in had been shown at the Kentucky Library & Museum prior to her appearance.
