From: Mike Michna <mich3349@gmail.com> Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:28:34 -0600 Message-ID: <CAGxg7hAUr6nP00A-MCV6DK-Zy+dhaZV2jduwWC=8rg_-GEYeAQ@mail.gmail.com> Subject: Re: Historical Society City of Peshtigo
Here is a good idea for programming.
*FIRST IMPRESSIONS*
Jessica Michna has become widely known for her riveting portrayals of First
Ladies and other historic women as well as her fictitious characters. She
has entertained groups throughout America including guests from as far away
as New Zealand, Japan and Brazil. Audiences ranging from young children to
senior citizens have been equally enthralled. She has appeared before
historical societies, schools, libraries, living history museums, senior
centers, churches, and has been guest hostess at parties and weddings.
Mrs. Michna’s performances are compelling and emotionally enthralli
ng.
Audiences laugh along with her humorous anecdotes. They share in her tears
as she relates how the horrors of war have impacted families. She has a
powerful effect on an audience. Once they have seen one of her characters
they can*t wait to see the next one.
The normal presentation runs approximately an hour. The program can be
shortened or lengthened to meet specific needs. Two act versions for
community theatre can also be provided. Jessica is always open to questions
after the program. Performance fees are very reasonable, based on the
length of program and distance traveled.
CONTACT: *marytodd1880@yahoo.com <marytodd1880@yahoo.com>*
Michael or Jessica Michna *mich3349@gmail.com <mich3349@gmail.com>*
5328 Willowview Road VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Racine, WI 53402 *www.historicalfirstimpressions.com
<http://www.historicalfirstimpressions.com/>*
262-681-2591 or 262-758-2131
*PROGRAMS NOW AVAILABLE:*
*ABIGAIL ADAMS: “A Lifeline of Letters”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “Preserve the Union”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “An Intimate Conspiracy”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “A Widow Forgotten”*
*ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: “First Lady of the World”*
*ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: “Brother Can You Spare a Dime”*
*SARI “Ma” SEMPLE: “The Truth as I Recollect
*
*CORDELIA HARVEY: “Angel in a Gray Bonnet”*
*DOLLEY MADISON: “The Lady Who Saved Washington”*
*HELEN KELLER: “A Life Nearly Lost”*
*MARY ANN BICKERDYKE: “To Heal a Nation”*
*SALEM WITCH TRIALS: “Trial by Fire”*
*MARGARET CUMMINS: “Christmas at Balmoral” *
*EDITH GALT WILSON: “To End All Wars”*
*MRS. CHARLES DICKENS: “The Best Of Times”*
*LAURA INGALLS WILDER: “Road to the Little House”*
*(Available mid Sept. GOLDA MEIR: “The Journey Home”*
INDOOR/OUTDOOR EVENTS – CUSTOMIZED PRESENTATIONS AND INTERACTIONS
“First Impressions” and its’ materials are protecte
d by US copyright laws.
References, biographical information, detailed program information and
photos available upon request.
*Abigail Adams – “A Lifeline of Letters”*
After forty years of marriage, Abigail looks back to the days of her early
marriage as the young wife and mother. Referring to the many letters
written between the Adams, she recalls the days of revolution and
uncertainty. She reminisces about the friendships forged in France and
England as a diplomat’s wife. Mrs. Adams brings to life the early d
ays of
Washington, D.C. as seen from the windows of an unfinished White House.
*Mary Todd Lincoln – “Preserve the Union”*
Mary recalls her early years and education in Lexington, Kentucky. She
tells of her move to Springfield, Illinois, where she would meet and marry
the young prairie lawyer. Mary introduces the audience to life in
Washington, regaling her listeners with stories about her boys, including
her biggest boy Mr. Lincoln. In this time of national strife, the Lincolns
would suffer personal tragedies, concluding on that fateful day in April of
1865.
*Mary Todd Lincoln – “An Intimate Conspiracy”*
Nearing the end of her life, Mary Lincoln was ill in mind, body and soul.
She wandered endlessly, always seeking comfort and solace. At what seemed
to be the lowest point in her life she would suffer the ultimate betrayal,
at the hands of her son, Robert.
*Mary Todd Lincoln – “A Widow Forgotten”*
Mrs. Lincoln’s life has come full circle as she returns to Springfi
eld,
Illinois to take up residence with her sister Elizabeth. She recalls the
days of her girlhood in the genteel society of Lexington, Kentucky, her
marriage to the gangly young lawyer, and eventually her rise to become the
First Lady.
*Eleanor Roosevelt – “First Lady of the World”*
Eleanor Roosevelt shares with the audience her tragedies and triumphs. Born
into the opulent wealth of America’s “Golden Age” s
he would grow from the
shy, homely orphan into a confident, driven woman. Annealed by personal
tragedy, she would emerge as a champion of civil rights, author, and
stateswoman. She is best summed up by President Harry S. Truman, who dubbed
her “The First Lady of the World.”
*Eleanor Roosevelt – “Brother Can You Spare a Dime”
*
Upon Roosevelt’s election in 1932 he remarked to a friend that the
country’s problems must be solved immediately or he would be the la
st
President. The First Lady would take on the role of advocate for those
American’s most seriously affected by the Great Depression
*Sari (Ma) Semple – “The Truth, As I Recollect”*
In the great oral tradition of the story teller, Sari Semple takes us back
to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of the mid-nineteenth
century. As Sari spins her tales the listener is transported to those
hills. The stories blend together the folklore and the gritty reality of
life in the ridges and hollers of Appalachia. Young and old alike will be
spellbound by the rich tapestry of words woven by Sari. She *is* the First
Lady of Appalachia.
*Dolley Madison – “The Lady Who Saved Washington”*
Charming, flamboyant and strong willed, Dolley was tested in the calamity
of the War of 1812. Born into a Quaker family, Dolley was raised to be
obedient and well behaved. Early in her life she married a man selected by
her father. Dolley would soon be strengthened by adversity. Widowed at an
early age she would soon be courted by Congressman James Madison. As First
Lady, Dolley would become the Grand Dame of Washington.
*Helen Keller – “A Life Nearly Lost”*
In the late nineteenth century a little girl struggled out of the depths of
fear. At the age of two, Helen experienced a life threatening illness. She
was plunged into a dark, silent world. Anne Sullivan, a determined young
teacher, would find the key to unlock Helen’s prison. Through Anne
’s
diligence and perseverance, Helen would become a world renowned speaker and
advocate for the disabled.
*Cordelia Harvey – “Angel in a Gray Bonnet”*
Cordelia Perrine Harvey came to Wisconsin as a young girl. Trained as a
school mistress, she would meet and marry Louis Harvey, who would rise to
the governorship of Wisconsin. Cordelia’s life unraveled when she w
as
widowed after less than three months in the Governor’s Mansion. Her
husband’s tragic drowning left Cordelia rudderless and without purp
ose. She
would set aside her grief to become the healing angel of a nation wracked
by civil war.
*Goode Rebeka, Trial by Fire – “The Salem Witch Trials
*
It was a new world. The settlers from England had gained a foothold in the
verdant land called “Amerika”. Old traditions would be laid
aside, new ones
instituted. Greed, jealousy, suspicion would still persist. Were these at
the root of “The Salem Witch Trials”? Innocent residents of
Salem,
Massachusetts were tried and many executed in perhaps the most infamous
chapter in early American history.
*Mary Ann Bickerdyke – “To Heal a Nation”*
During the American Civil War more soldiers would die from disease than
wounds. The care these men received often was worse than the illness
itself. Many women in both North and South would step forward to act as
nurses. Mary Ann Bickerdyke would distinguish herself during this period.
She was beloved of the soldiers, who referred to her as “Mother Bic
kerdyke”.
*Margaret Cummins – “Christmas at Balmoral”*
Join the Christmas festivities at Balmoral Castle. Meet Margaret Cummins,
head housekeeper of Balmoral during the reign of Queen Victoria, as she
prepares for the arrival of the royal couple and their nine children. Learn
about the traditions and history of the season.
*Edith Galt Wilson - “To End All Wars”*
Prohibition is the law of the land as the new year of 1925 begins. The
decade will become known as the “Roaring Twenties”. The sto
ck market is
booming, Hollywood is cranking out silent films; there is bathtub gin and
“Flaming Youth”. Mrs. Wilson has greeted another New Year q
uietly after the
death of the President in February, 1924. The “war to end all wars
” is now
a memory. Mrs. Wilson has stood by the President stoically as she saw his
strength sapped from the stress of the war and his dream of a League of
Nations fade. Edith Galt Wilson sits alone now, answering the hundreds of
letters of condolence.
*Mrs. Charles Dickens – "The Best of Times"*
Charles Dickens, author, playwright, actor and social activist, was indeed
a master of characters. Many of his characters were drawn from life. Meet
Catherine Dickens, his long suffering wife and mother of ten children. Mrs.
Dickens will introduce the audience to such women as; Nancy from “O
liver
Twist”, Miss Havisham from “Great Expectations”, Be
tsey Trotwood from
“David Copperfield and others.
*Laura Ingalls Wilder - “The Road to the Little House”*
Generations of children worldwide have been fascinated by the stories and
books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her “Little House” series wa
s the basis for
a successful television series. But how did her life really evolve? What
motivated her to put her experiences to paper? In this new First
Impressions presentation by Jessica Michna you will meet Mrs. Wilder,
older, wiser and reflecting back on her life. She will tell you her life
story and how she came to produce her literary works.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER 2017
Golda Meir - “The Journey Home”
How does a girl born in the Ukraine, raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, travel
a path that will lead her to become Prime Minister of Israel? This
informative, entertaining program, developed by Jessica Michna, explores
that rather circuitous route. What roadblocks and detours were thrown in
Golda's way and how did she overcome them? The journey is a fascinating
one, filled with joy, sorrow, seriousness and humor. Let Golda, as
portrayed by Ms Michna, tell you in her own words
On Thu, Feb 16, 2017 at 2:59 PM, Cathi Malke <cathim@cityofpeshtigo.us>
wrote:
> We are at a time when we want to recruit younger people to join and we ar
e
> looking for any suggestions that might help. We would also like to start
> holding events in our community to get more people involved, if anyone ha
s
> any suggestions we would appreciate them.
>
> We would also entertain partnering with other Historical Societies to pla
n
> bus trips and events to encourage participation within our state.
>
> We are very open to new things and look forward meeting new friends to
> share them with.
>
>
>
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Cathi Malke
>
> City of Peshtigo Historical Society
>