It’s a Party!

Congratulations to Our Mini-Grant Winners

      To help celebrate the success of What If All Kentucky Reads the Same Book?, KET offered “mini-grants” of $50 each to people hosting viewing parties to watch Barbara Kingsolver Talks with Kentucky on the night of May 31, 2001. Congratulations to the following winners—and thanks for participating!

• Sue Churchill, Versailles. A teacher at Woodford County High School, Sue hosted a party for students and fellow teachers at her home. But she says they went pot-luck on refreshments and instead planned to use the What If grant to help print the 2001 edition of the school’s annual Creative Writing Anthology featuring students’ work.

• Marjorie Flowers, Owensboro. She applied on behalf of a group of Western Kentucky Kingsolver fans who “share her passion for social justice issues” ... and “will jump on any excuse to have a party!” They invited Kingsolver’s brother to their gathering at a private home in Owensboro.

• Joyce Frasher, Louisa. Her group, the Louisa Bookclub—“true fans of Kingsolver,” she says—gathered at a private home.

• Diane Holbrook, Louisville. She hosted her party at home.

• Jamie Malley, Scottsville. Jamie was the staff member in charge of organizing a public discussion of The Bean Trees at the Allen County Public Library.

• Montie Manning, Louisville. Montie, the branch manager at the Crescent Hill Library, used the money to cover refreshments and a door prize for the viewing party there.

• Ellen Birkett Morris, Louisville. She hosted a group of Kentucky feminist women writer/consultants who “have a strong affection for and sense of kinship for Kingsolver” at her home. To top off the evening, they saluted the What If project with a celebratory champagne toast.

• Johnna Puttoff, Frankfort. Her book group, the Sisterhood (named for their second selection, The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood) used some of the money for invitations and refreshments at their own party, and the rest to buy a book each for three kids who can’t afford one at the Second Street School book fair.

• Joy Richey, Muhlenberg County. She hosted a viewing party at home.

• Amy Sexton, Letcher County. She and her fellow book lovers formed the 21st Century Pine Mountain Book Club, with The Bean Trees as its first selection. Their viewing party was at Appalshop in Whitesburg, and she used the money to print and mail invitations in hopes of recruiting new members.

• Michelle Sohner, Lexington. At her party for the regular book group from the Northside Branch of the Lexington Public Library, one of the activities was to pick a book to purchase and donate to the library using some of the What If grant money.

• Holly Tincher, Versailles. She hosted a party for her newly formed book group, which had already read another Barbara Kingsolver novel, Prodigal Summer.

• Laurie Todd, Hardin County. To thank parents who’ve bought books and provided refreshments for previous book discussions, she hosted a gathering at the West Hardin Middle School library.

• Donna Wainscott, Lexington. She used the money to serve up an appropriately Southwestern buffet for her book group of more than 15 years—which, despite the fact that they meet on Wednesdays now, is known as the Thursday Night Book Group.

• Jennifer Webb, Louisville. She hosted a party at her home for the members of her regular book group.

• Betty Wehner, Erlanger. Adult learners who’ve been reading The Bean Trees and community leaders were invited to her party at the Tichenor Middle School Youth Service Center.

• Pamala Wilson, Henderson. Her gathering was at Henderson Community College—and everyone was invited!