May will be a month for Pike readers

MILFORD — The American Readers Theatre will paint the town purple with John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” events during the month of May during “The Big Read.” The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. There will be book discussion groups, signings, films, and a gala opening ceremony on May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Delaware Valley High School, featuring an evening of music, dance, and dramatic readings from the screen play. All events are free but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable can of food for the local food pantry. The Big Read’s kickoff highlight will be an original dance rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” choreographed by Joffrey Ballet Master Teacher and local resident, John Magnus and performed by several members of the Joffrey Ballet Company. Also performing are local soloist Sandy Stalter, and The American Readers Theatre Company performing readings from Grapes of Wrath. In addition, there will be performances by the DVHS Band and Chorus, the Ding-Del Elementary Chorus, and the High School Jazz Band. Copies of “The Grapes of Wrath” are available at the Pike County Public Library and throughout the month Big Read Book discussion groups will meet. On May 9, 7-9 p.m. “Pike County Remembers the Depression” at The Columns there will is a live discussion with Pike County residents talking about their own experiences in living through the Great Depression. In addition: there will be a discussion of Matamoras Airport, a WPA Project, at the Matamoras Fire House on May 8, from 7-9 p.m., and a book signing for Peter Osborne on May 10 at the Mill Run Book Store from 2-4 p.m. and Grey Towers from 5:30-7 p.m. Film critic and author John DiLeo will have a book signing at Emerson House in Milford on May 18, from 3-5 p.m. John Beck, of Keystone College will talk about Steinbeck at the DVHS on May 15, from 7-9 p.m.. A closing ceremony for the month will be held at the DV Middle School Cafeteria in Milford on May 31 from 6-10 p.m. Film Festival- Films about the era May 10, 7-10 p.m.: Film: 42nd Street, The Columns May 16, 7-10 p.m.: Film: “Grapes of Wrath,” Ding-Del Middle School May 17, 7-10 p.m.: Film: “Grapes of Wrath,” D.V.H.S. Milford May 23, 7-10 p.m.: Film: “It Happened One Night,” The Columns May 29, 7-10 p.m.: Film: “Purple Rose of Cairo”, The Columns May 30, 7-10 p.m.: Film: “42nd Street,” Ding-Del Middle School Discussion groups about the book May 3, 12-3 p.m. : Hemlock Farms Book Club - HFCA Community Room May 4, 1-3 p.m.: Lackawaxen Branch , Pike County Public Library May 6 & 29, 12:30-2 p.m.: DV Middle School Library May 13, 12:30-2 p.m.: DV District Office May 14, 6:30-8 p.m.: Dingmans Branch, Pike County Public Library May 18, 2-4 p.m.: Emerson House, Milford May 20, 12:30-2 p.m.: DV Middle School Library May 22 & 28, 6:30-8 p.m.: Dingmans Branch, Pike County Public Library