Stroll through the gardens behind the Bath House (across the street from McIntosh Memorial Library) and read this nature-inspired book, printed on panels for all to enjoy. The Story Walk is open for the duration of the Ridges & Rivers Book Festival.
The Story Walk is sponsored by the McIntosh Memorial Library.
Local author Sue Berg will give an overview of the series and describe her writing process as well as illustrate how she develops ideas and share what she learned on the way to publication.
Nature writer Steve Johnson will lead a discussion of outdoor adventures in Wisconsin and beyond. Camping, backpacking, and anything outdoors will be highlighted.
Poets Cynthia Marie Hoffman, whose latest volume explores her OCD, and Sarah Kain Gutowski will read from their work and discuss how their work is informed, shaped, and inhibited by their mental health.
Chad Lewis takes the audience on a ghostly journey to some of the most haunted places in the state, from the Northwoods and its wandering ghosts to a haunted B&B in Milwaukee. From phantom creatures prowling the woods to graveyard apparitions located in your own backyard, ghosts haunt every corner of Wisconsin.
Grandma Riley (aka Jane Schmidt) will take readers of all ages on a trip in which Finnegan, her rat terrier mix, recounts his backpacking adventure on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Kevin and Patsy Alderson will discuss the history and purpose of round barns, and why they fell out of favor. Also included will be information about Algie Shivers, who along with his crew build many of the round barns in the area. Algie is the son of Thomas Shivers, who was born into slavery in Tennessee and came to Cheyenne Valley near Hillsboro after the Civil War. Patsy Alderson's paintings of Vernon County will be featured as well.
What “secret” knowledge do you hold? What stories do you carry from family and community? What languages do you know, what voices do you carry, what echoes from people, places, or spirits inhabit you? How can you “translate” these hauntings in your writing? This generative workshop will offer prompts, examples from other writers, and scaffolding exercises to inspire new work. We will experiment with a “jazz” poetry in which we join our disparate voices in one conversation, one creative piece.
Coptic bookbinding was developed by the Egyptian Copts in the 2nd century A.D. and represents the earliest known form of a true codex. This multisection, nonadhesive binding features an exposed spine that reveals the decorative, braid-like sewing of the binding—commonly known as a chain stitch. These books lie flat when opened, making them easy to write in and an ideal for journals and notebooks. This class will include a brief introduction to material considerations, and each participant will bind a book to take home.
Listen to book fair vendors and local authors read from their work. Stop by the community room inside Western Technical College during the festival hours on Saturday, April 27. Sit back and listen to writers sharing their unique stories, essays, and poetry.
Nothing brings families closer together—or farther apart—than a good old-fashioned road trip. Join author and traveler B.J. Hollars for a step-by-step guide to dreaming and planning your own family adventure and how best to document your experiences for wider audiences. In addition to inspiring you to hop in the car, this presentation will also offer travel tips and a discussion of various travel-writing approaches and opportunities.
Our favorite story-time characters Pizza and Taco are back! Designed for young children and their caregivers, the series of graphic novels by Stephen Shaskan starring best friends Pizza and Taco will be brought to life by local teachers and librarians during a delightful storytelling session. Essential for school and reading readiness, story times support healthy, play-based learning and whole-child development while fostering early literacy and social-emotional skills. Join us in celebrating the fun of reading!