From: Mike Michna <mich3349@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2023 13:39:43 -0600 Message-ID: <CAGxg7hD83k83n-8vYvpXnQivuJt3shEYRZoXc_uYs-sbwxDebA@mail.gmail.com> Subject: Re: St. Patrick/St. Urho Days Celebration
*FIRST IMPRESSIONS*
“*Remember the Ladies”*
Jessica Michna, recipient of the Presidential Service Center's
Distinguished Service Award, is widely known for her riveting portrayals of
First Ladies, notable women of history and 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.
The usual presentation runs approximately one 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.
YES, WE DO VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING!!
CONTACT:
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
Please visit and like my Facebook page.
*https://www.facebook.com/Historical-First-Impressions-368216830438020
<https://www.facebook.com/Historical-First-Impressions-368216830438020>*
*PROGRAMS NOW AVAILABLE:*
*ABIGAIL ADAMS: “A Lifeline of Letters”*
*DOLLEY MADISON: “The Lady Who Saved Washington”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “Preserve the Union”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “An Intimate Conspiracy”*
*MARY TODD LINCOLN: “A Widow Forgotten”*
*EDITH GALT WILSON: “To End All Wars”*
*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”*
*HELEN KELLER: “A Life Nearly Lost”*
*MARY ANN BICKERDYKE: “To Heal a Nation”*
*SALEM WITCH TRIALS: “Trial by Fire”*
*MARGARET CUMMINS: “Christmas at Balmoral” *
*MRS. CHARLES DICKENS: “The Best Of Times”*
*MRS. CHARLES DICKENS: reads “A Christmas Carol”*
*LAURA INGALLS WILDER: “Road to the Little House”*
*GOLDA MEIR: “The Journey Home”*
*FRANCES FOLSOM CLEVELAND: “A May-December Romance”*
*ELEANOR MAHER; “On Wings of Angels”*
*JENNY APPLESEED; “Lost Lore and Tall Tails”*
*JESSICA MICHNA; 100 years of woman's suffrage “Women Who Dared
*
*CAROLINE INGALLS; “Mittens on the Tree”*
*MARY S. LOGAN; “Out of the Shadow”*
*KATHARINE WRIGHT; “Those Flyboys from Dayton”*
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 – “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.”
*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.
*Frances Folsom Cleveland - “A May-December Romance”*
June 2, 1886 – The Blue Room was an explosion of color. Yellow pans
ies,
garlands of roses and greenery adorned the chandeliers and windows. As the
Marine Corps Band, under the direction of John Phillip Sousa, struck up the
Wedding March, twenty-one year old “Frankie” Folsom entered
on the arm of
her groom, President Grover Cleveland. Truly a “May-December romanc
e”. The
new bride would fascinate the public as the nation's youngest First Lady.
*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.
*Mrs. Mary S. Logan - “Out of the Shadow”*
A devoted soldier's wife, Mary Logan would be an eye witness to one of the
greatest conflagrations of American history, the Civil War. Mrs. Logan was
understandably proud of her husband's accomplishments, but she emerged from
his shadow to become a prominent power in Washington.
*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.
*Mrs. Charles Dickens – reads "A Christmas Carol”*
Join Mrs Dickens as she reads an annotated version of Charles Dickens
classic tale of redemption, “A Christmas Carol”. After the
reading, Mrs.
Dickens will enlighten the audience describing the circumstances that led
to the writing of this timeless classic.
*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.
*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.
*Eleanor Maher - “On Wings of Angels”*
Eleanor Maher, a World War I nurse, takes the audience on a journey through
time. Eleanor will relate her story as the first nurse from Wisconsin to
sign up for the Army Nurse Corp in WWI and then relate true tales of
heroism and self-sacrifice during times of great conflict. The
inspirational tales transport the listener from the American Revolution to
the twenty-first century Afghanistan War.
*Jenny Appleseed – “Lost Lore and Tall Tales”*
Dip your tiny toes into American Folklore. Meet Jenny Appleseed, the
fictional sister of “Johnny Appleseed”. She will,of course
talk of apples
but then let your imagination fly as she takes you on a journey through
American Folklore. Along the way you will meet such memorable characters as
Rip Van Winkle, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and of course, John Chapman.
*Jessica Michna - “Women Who Dared”*
Cristabel and Emmeline Pankhurst, Susan B. Anthony, Emma Davisson,
Elisabeth Cady Stanton; some names you may recognize, others you may not.
In this program Jessica Michna appears as ...HERSELF! You will learn of
these and other women (and men) who championed the cause of women's
suffrage in this country and overseas in the late 19th and early 20th
century. You will learn of the protests, jailings, victories and defeats
culminating with the signature of President Woodrow Wilson that would
forever give women the right to vote.
*Caroline Ingalls -“MITTENS on the TREE”*
Just in time for the Christmas season. Stoke the fire! Trim the tree! Join
Ma Caroline Ingalls, mother of noted author Laura Ingalls Wilder, as she
prepares for Christmas of 1886. Caroline shares the recipes and traditions
of the season, collected over the years, as the family traversed the
Midwest.
*Katharine Wright - “Those Flyboys from Dayton”*
Behind the genius of the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, was their
beloved and devoted sister, Katherine. She may be often overlooked by
history but make no mistake, She was the integral variable in the equation
that solved the mystery of controlled flight.
Michael E. Michna, manager
First Impressions
www.historicalfirstimpressions.com
262-758-2131
On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 1:25 PM Kevin Wollemann <On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 1:25 PM Kevin Wollemann <kwollemann@pctcnet.
net>
wrote:
> February 24, 2023
>
>
>
> To all the friends of the Knox Creek Heritage Center, I am happy to
> announce the Knox Creek Heritage Center will hold our “Saint Patr
ick/Saint
> Urho Days celebration” scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023 beg
inning at
> 3:00pm. We will have our soup buffet which we know you’ve all en
joyed. We
> will hold our annual meeting with election of officers, since we’
ve missed
> this in recent times. A review of the KCHC financials will be announced
> and we will talk about projects that need to be completed. We will also
> be soliciting volunteers and compiling a list of volunteers to help with
> some of these projects on short notice. We look forward to seeing you
> all to commiserate with good company. We will plan to hold our outdoor
> event in June for our “Mid-Summer celebration” scheduled
for Saturday, June
> 24, 2023 and get back on our regular schedule for events in September,
> December, March and June going forward. Keep up with us on our Facebook
> page at: https://www.facebook.com/knoxcreekheritagecenter
>
> Thank you all and stay healthy.
>
>
>
> Kevin Wollemann
>
> President and Photographer
>
> Knox Creek Heritage Center
>
> A Clearing in the Woods
>
>
>