For the past few years, ‘One Town, One Book,’ the well-established, national program that seeks to challenge communities to read the same book and discuss reactions with friends and families has been a summertime fixture in the Town of Oyster Bay. Town Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia recently announced that in the coming summer months, participants will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland.
“For the past few summers, the town has sponsored ‘One Town, One Book’ with two clear goals in mind: to promote literacy and to create a greater sense of community within our town,” Alesia said. “In only a few short years, the program has flourished and helped some to forge an enduring relationship with literature that may not have been there before. I am excited to have it return this summer and offer all residents the chance to actively participate.”
Alesia noted that this year’s celebration, which invites residents of all ages to read tales based on the general topic of Alice in Wonderland, will include a poster and essay contest for interested participants, as well as a screening of the Disney classic.
“This year, to further encourage the creativity of our residents, Oyster Bay Reads will once again feature an essay and poster contest through local libraries,” said the councilwoman
Anyone interested in participating is invited to create a poster based on their favorite scene from an Alice related work. Posters may be submitted to your local library. Essays, which should highlight the writer’s favorite part of their Alice selection, can be sent to Alesia’s office at ralesia@oysterbay-ny.gov or mailed to her attention at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay NY 11771. Residents of all ages are invited to participate in either contest. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Information on how to participate in the poster or essay contests is available through the town’s website, www.oysterbaytown.com or via the official ‘Oyster Bay Reads’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/onetownonebookoysterbayreads.
This year’s celebration will culminate with a special town-wide finale on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Farmingdale Public Library at 7 p.m. In addition, residents can attend the screening of the Disney classic Alice in Wonderland on Tuesday, July 21 at Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, with pre-movie activities beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“We anticipate this year’s program to be a great success, especially as we celebrate 150 years of Wonderland,” Alesia said. “I encourage anyone interested in participating or looking for more information to visit the Town website, the official ‘One Town One Book’ Facebook page, or by calling my office at 516-624-6364, and my staff will help you get in contact with your local library in the coming weeks, to inquire about the ways in which they also are taking part in ‘One Town, One Book: Oyster Bay Reads.’”
