‘Orange Reads Poe'

‘The Big Read’ focuses on Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and poetry Orange County’s literary heritage will be spotlighted through “The Big Read” as the county’s 17 public libraries celebrate the short stories and poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. The Orange Library Association (OLA), sponsor of “Orange Reads Poe,” is the recipient of a $17,050 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. OLA also raised matching funds to conduct the program. “Edgar Allan Poe is an excellent choice for Orange County’s Big Read because of his connection to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point,” said Lisa Hewel, president of the Orange Library Association. Poe was a cadet at West Point from July 1830 through Feb. 19, 1831, when he was dismissed. Although he did well academically, he was not suited for the West Point life. He was expelled for failing to attend class and skipping mandatory chapel services. The Big Read kicks off with a weekend of free events at the Lycian Centre Pavilion, Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf. David Keltz appears as Edgar Allan Poe in a performance of Poe’s poems, short stories, essays, literary criticism, letters and reported conversations at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1. Annmarie Paoli directs a production of Jeffery Hatcher’s play “Murder by Poe” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. The Friends of Middletown Thrall Library Inc. will sponsor the keynote presentation, “Edgar Allan Poe: Mysterious as a Cat” with Anne Sandor, a professor at SUNY Orange, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, 0ct. 3. For more information, call Laurie Angle at 986-1047.