The Big Read activities set to launch

WEATHERFORD — For the next four weeks, Parker County

will be a “happenin’ place,” promises Linda Bagwell,

project director of The Big Read: Parker County Reads

Together.

“We’ve planned more than 50 community-wide events and

activities for the entire Parker County area,

scheduled from about April 15 through May 14, each

centered around the literary classic My Àntonia by

Willa Cather.

“Just check out the schedule! There’s something for

everyone almost daily at all times of the day and

evening, so there’s just no excuse not to get involved

in some of these activities!”

The enthusiasm expressed by Bagwell, director of

communications and public relations at Weatherford

College, is built around activities planned by the

partnership formed by the College, Weatherford ISD,

the City of Weatherford Public Library and the Doss

Heritage and Culture Center. 

The partnership was one of only 127 in the entire

nation to have been awarded a prestigious “Big Read”

grant from the National Endowment of the Arts last

fall. Additionally, Parker County’s proposal was one

of only eight in the state of Texas accepted. The NEA

Big Read is an initiative designed to bring the

reading, particularly that of classic literature, back

into the lives of Americans.

My Àntonia, Cather’s 1918 masterpiece, was chosen from

among a list of 16 literary classics approved by the

NEA, mainly because of its relevance to the Parker

County area, Bagwell said. “Its main themes of

immigration, of the settling of the frontier and the

spirit of pioneer life, the hardships and triumphs and

failures, friendship, lasting relationships … all of

these spell out how Parker County was settled, and

offer tremendous opportunities for us to emphasize

them in our activities and events we planned.”

The activities include book discussions, movie nights,

special receptions, speakers, performances, a hoedown

and luncheons, just to mention a few. A Steering

Committee made up of members from the four main

partners and community volunteers have been meeting

for more than seven months, planning the extensive

schedule, which is available online at

www.bigreadparkercounty.com or www.neabigread.org.

“Not one of us could have done it alone,” said

Bagwell. “This is another example of the themes

running through My Àntonia — working together, just as

the early settlers of this land did. And the four

partner agencies have actually expanded throughout the

county with generous support and sponsorships from

local businesses and individuals.”

Bagwell said it “wouldn’t be fair” to try to list all

of them (the sponsors) here, right now. “I’d be afraid

I’d miss somebody by accident, and I certainly don’t

want to do that. But at each event and especially at

The Big Read Big Finale May 14, each of our local

sponsors will be recognized and honored publicly for

their generous contributions to this marvelous affair!

We have some very supportive, involved citizens in

Parker County, and they need their just rewards! We

appreciate them all!”

Most events are free and open to the public, and

support materials to enhance the enjoyment of the

reading of the novel will be available, as well.

Reader’s Guides, audio tapes, schedules, and other

materials are free for the taking. Opportunities to

win door prizes will be a highlight at each event, as

well.

For more information about The Big Read: Parker County

Reads Together, contact Bagwell at (817) 598-6274,

lbagwell@wc.edu, or Evelyn Payne, (817) 598-6273, epayne@wc.edu.

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