Read All About It!

Hello! My name is Mary Stoner and am starting here at Open Books as a literacy intern for the fall. I am very excited to be surrounded by others that support literacy, to be working in schools, and to get involved in the many programs and help with the behind-the-scenes work in the office.

I was born in Chicago but raised in Milwaukee, WI. I loved growing up there and adore the Midwest, but when it came time for college I wanted to get far away from home! After hunting for a great school out west, I ended up in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah. I loved it! Utah is an amazingly gorgeous state and I loved exploring what is has to offer. In my free time I like to be active outside as much as possible, so living at the mouth of the Wasatch Mountains was perfect for me. During the winters I loved to down hill ski, snow shoe and cross country ski. I also loved fishing, floating down rivers, camping, hiking, and biking whenever the weather was pleasant. I moved to Chicago a year ago because I finally decided I wanted to get back to the Midwest, and wanted to be in a bigger city. I love Chicago’s energy and endless possibilities of things to do. I struggle with the mountains not being so close, but hey, we have the lakefront which is amazing if I want a dose of nature.

I have been living in Chicago for a year and have spent my time teaching, nannying, tutoring and waitressing. I am really excited about being at Open Books because it seems like a step in the right direction for me. I graduated from the University of Utah a year ago with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. Since moving to Chicago a year ago I have been looking for a place to get involved with literacy promotion. I am also thrilled to be entering the non-profit world because I have been considering going to grad school for non-profit management or administration.

In my free time I love cooking, riding my bike, going on walks, visiting museums, trying new restaurants, doing anything outside, and being with my family and friends. I love learning new things so if you are down for an adventure, please let me know!

Hi!

My name is Laurel Eatherly, and I’m originally from Cody, Wyoming. I’m a senior at Lake Forest College majoring in Communication and English, and I stay busy working as a writing tutor on campus. I love to travel and studied abroad in nine different countries last fall with the Semester at Sea program. My previous internships were at a museum and a newspaper, so I’m very excited about the opportunity to work closely with students as a literacy intern at Open Books.

Hello everyone!

As today is my first day here at Open Books, I’m going to use this first blog post just to introduce myself (briefly) and the awesome stuff that I’m into these days. One thing that I am NOT into, however, is quiet! Fortunately, everyone seems interesting and I’m excited to make new friends (if you’re an intern and reading this, that means you!) and the craziness will inevitably follow.
I moved back to Chicago just two weeks ago after many adventures, notably in Cleveland and Lebanon. I live with my parents and my pets, a dog and a cat (although the cat might be moving due to custody issues), all of whom I love and spend lots of time with. I have two sisters, who both live in Chicago, and they aren’t bad either.
I studied Political Science at Case Western in Cleveland, and graduated in December 2009. I then began teaching ESL full-time and volunteering for an environmental campaign. In June, I left Cleveland to study Arabic in Beirut, Lebanon for two months. I traveled, ate, and drank my way through the Middle East and already miss it.

Now that the boring stuff is out of the way… on to better things about me! I like music, including Daft Punk and Earth, Wind, and Fire, and I watch way too much TV (mostly soccer). I read mostly American fiction, my favorite author being Mark Twain, but I also read a good deal of non-fiction and short stories.

Since you are all going to get to know me very well anyways, I’ll tell you my vices now and try to have a sense of humor about them! I am a long-time smoker, bleeding-heart animal lover, and NOT a morning person. I drink too much coffee, and definitely judge people who drink tea (which is terrible). Also, I eat fast food like it’s my job. I know it’s bad for the environment and my health, but I love the Big Mac.

I hope this covers some of the basics, and obviously I will tell you anything you want to know about me. I can’t wait to get started (for real) and meet everyone!

A picture is famously worth a thousand words. This picture, on the other hand, is nothing but words…and gives a pretty good idea of what regular readers of this blog come here for every week.

Make your own at Wordle!

This fall, Open Books will host its first annual gala called The Revelry: A Night Fair. If the word revelry only brings to mind a Kings of Leon song, you may be wondering, what does revelry have to do with Open Books?  Well, revelry is noisy partying and merrymaking, and with the fantastic live music, delightful dancing, incredible auctions, delectable hors d’oeuvres, and thrilling entertainers we have planned for the evening, the name was a perfect fit!

The Revelry: A Night Fair will be a spectacular Open Books fundraiser supporting the expansion of our literacy programming and highlighting the urgency of literacy in Chicago. This dynamic, dazzling, and dramatic night of hope and inspiration, supported by our local community and dedicated to the fight to end illiteracy, will be a celebration of reading, writing and the REVELATORY power of used books!

The swinging sounds of the Flat Cats and the funky décor at our incredible venue, Salvage One, will provide the perfect setting for our soiree.  With delicious desserts from Eli’s Cheesecake, an exciting array of strolling Night Fair-inspired entertainers (think mimes and magicians!), and other spectacular surprises, there is something for everyone to revel in.  Whether you’re committed to ending illiteracy by supporting Open Books or are simply itching to dance your socks off, buy your tickets to The Revelry: A Night Fair today!

Join in the merrymaking at Salvage One on Friday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.

For more information about The Revelry visit this page or e-mail revelry@open-books.org.

We hope to see you there!

P.S. It’s not too late to become a sponsor for The Revelry! If you would like to have a reserved seating area at the event and see your name or logo on tons of Revelry materials, become a sponsor today!