The Big Read Wrap Up Event is on Saturday, March 19, 2-4 p.m. at Henry Ford Centennial Library. Hope you can attend! This is your chance to meet Poe, hear his story, and ask him questions! Click here to view the flyer and here to view a front-page article from the Dearborn Press & Guide. We also will have the drawing for a FREE night at the Poe House, courtesy of Dearborn Inn. Additionally, you will have a chance to view a draft copy of Dreaming Dreams No Mortal Ever Dared to Dream Before, the anthology of Poe inspired stories and poems with contributions from over 150 authors, many of whom have close ties to Dearborn. Click here to view a draft of the cover. 
Author Archives: Big Read Dearborn
Al Aaraaf Lecture
Consider attending Professor Stephen Rachman’s lecture on Poe’s poem, “Al Aaraaf” in the auditorium at the Arab American National Museum on Tuesday, March 15, 6-7 p.m. Here is the flyer.
Upcoming Events Week 6 (last week of The Big Read!)
March 14: Book Discussion
Location:
Henry Ford College – Eshleman Library, 5101 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn
12:00 – 1:00pm
Discuss Poe’s “Great Tales and Poems” with Professor John Rietz of Henry Ford College.
March 15: Al Aaraaf Lecture
Location:
Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
6:00 – 7:00pm
Using Poe’s early poem “Al Aaraaf” as a focal point, Professor Stephen Rachman of Michigan State University will explore Poe’s interest in Arab and Islamic literature, his orientalism, and its connections to his more famous works.
March 16: Paranormal Investigations: The Spirit of Poe
Location:
Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George St., Dearborn Heights
7:00 – 8:30pm
Kristy Robinett has always had helpers in spirit, but when she was thirteen, she met the most fascinating spirit guide of all: Edgar Allan Poe. Robinett’s book, Forevermore: Guided in Spirit by Edgar Allan Poe, tells the true story of how Edgar Allan Poe helps Kristy fulfill her destiny as a writer and a psychic medium. In this talk, Kristy will discuss the life, death and the afterlife of Poe, but even more so, she will show how personal growth can come from the unlikeliest places.
March 17: Poe Craft
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library
11:00am – 7:00pm
Enjoy a Poe-inspired craft. Available while supplies last. Younger children may require assistance from caregivers.
March 17: ESL Book Discussion
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library
6:00 – 7:00pm
Discuss Poe’s “Great Tales and Poems” using bilingual copies of the book (English/Arabic). Pick up a free copy of the book at any Dearborn Public Library.
March 19: Wrap Up Event – Meet Poe!
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library
2:00 – 4:00pm
This is your chance to meet Poe, hear his story, and ask him questions!
There will also be a drawing for a FREE night at the Poe House, courtesy of Dearborn Inn.
Additionally, we hope to have a draft ready of the book of Poe inspired stories and poems, Dreaming Dreams No Mortal Ever Dared to Dream Before, so the authors can take a sneak peek.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Explore history at the “Gothic Revival” and “Dearborn in Poe’s Time” events
Don’t miss the Gothic Revival program happening at The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center Conference Room on Wednesday, March 9, 6-7 p.m. 
Another way to learn more about history is to attend the Dearborn in Poe’s Time event at the Dearborn Historical Museum on Thursday, March 10, 6-8 p.m.
Upcoming Events Week 5
March 7: Tales of Terror (1962)
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library
7:00 – 8:30pm
Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife’s black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man’s death. Starring Vincent Price. Directed by Roger Corman. Not rated. 89 minutes.
March 8: Book Discussion
Location:
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mardigian Library
12:00 – 1:00pm
Discussion of Poe’s “Great Tales and Poems” with Mardigian Library’s book group, R.E.A.D.
March 8: Dreaming Dreams Storytime
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library
6:30 – 7:00pm
Enjoy some of our quirkier picture books and a craft in the spirit of Poe. Ages 5 – 8 years. (Younger children welcome, but please be aware the some stories may be scary.) Space is limited. .
March 8: Return of the Raven Puppet Show
Location:
JFK, Jr. Library – Dearborn Heights
6:30 – 7:30pm
Youth Librarian Mr. Jim is faced with doing a cheerful humorous program dealing with the works of Edgar Allan Poe. However, Edgar Allan Poe didn’t write any poems or stories that are cheerful and humorous. It’s Tiberious T. Tiger to the rescue. Only time travel might be involved. Will Jim be able to do a program or is his career as a storyteller, in the mortal words of the Raven, “Nevermore”?
March 9: The Gothic Revival
Location:
The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center Conference Room, 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn
6:00 – 7:00pm
Charles Sable, Curator of the Decorative Arts at The Henry Ford, will talk about the origins of Gothic Revival (GR), tying in Poe’s Dark Romanticism, and calling out examples of GR in the museum’s collection.
March 10: Dearborn Arsenal in Poe’s Time
Location:
Dearborn Historical Museum, 915 Brady St., Dearborn
6:00 – 8:00pm
Learn what Dearborn was like in Poe’s day.
March 11: Whodunnit at the Library
Location:
The Henry Ford Centennial Library
6:00 – 8:30pm
Help solve a mystery at the library! Tickets required. Sponsored by the Dearborn Public Library Foundation.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Dream Interpretation, Wine Tasting, and Mortuary Science Lecture
Please don’t miss the dream interpretation event on Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m.-noon in the Henry Ford Centennial Library auditorium.
We have a few tickets left for the Cask of Amontillado Wine Tasting, which is happening on Friday, March 4, 6-8 p.m. on the mezzanine level at Henry Ford Centennial Library. Taste a variety of wines presented by Scott Wilson of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits in partnership with Merchant’s Fine Wine, and sample foods that have been donated by local businesses including Bangkok 96, Buddy’s Pizza, Park Place Catering, and Westborn Market. If you want to purchase your ticket ($15 each), please call Library Administration at 313-943-2037 while supplies last.
The Mortuary Science Lecture is tonight, 7-8 p.m. in Room 30 at Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Visit our calendar for a full list of Big Read events.
Upcoming Events Week 4
Here are the upcoming events for week 4 of this literary adventure! We also wanted to say we posted a video, provided by City of Dearborn Television, about the students who created the “Do You Know Poe?” tabloid: https://bigreaddearborn.org/book/tabloid/
March 1: Return of the Raven Puppet Show
Location:
Caroline Kennedy Library – Dearborn Heights
7:00 – 8:00pm
Youth Librarian Mr. Jim is faced with doing a cheerful humorous program dealing with the works of Edgar Allan Poe. However, Edgar Allan Poe didn’t write any poems or stories that are cheerful and humorous. It’s Tiberious T. Tiger to the rescue. Only time travel might be involved. Will Jim be able to do a program or is his career as a storyteller, in the mortal words of the Raven, “Nevermore”?
March 2: Book Discussion
Location:
1:00 – 2:00pm
Discuss Poe’s works with Poe enthusiast David Spence.
March 2: Medicine, Mental Illness & the Macabre: Malady in the Works of Poe
Location:
6:00-7:00pm
This discussion will focus on descriptions of medicine and psychology in Poe’s writing. It is widely believed that Poe suffered from mental illness himself and his own experiences may have informed the ways in which he described his characters. Drawing from such classic Poe tales as “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Black Cat,” we will delve into the madness and medicine of the man and his stories. Here’s the flyer.
March 3: Mortuary Science Lecture
Location:
7:00 – 8:00pm
Learn about mortuary science with Professor Mark Evely of Wayne State University. Here’s the flyer.
March 4: Cask of Amontillado Wine Tasting
Location:
6:00 – 8:00pm
Come and taste a variety of fine wines. Purchase tickets ($15 each) at the Henry Ford Centennial Library administration office. Light hors d’oeuvres included. Space is limited. Ages 21 and over. Sponsored by the Dearborn Public Library Foundation. Here’s the flyer.
March 5: Dream Interpretation wth Mike Stratton
Location:
10:00am – 12:00pm
Dreams are a fascinating way of exploring the mystery of the human experience. Is it science or art? In his work with dreams, Mike Stratton takes an approach that focuses on dream appreciation rather than dream interpretation. He believes that dreams are meant to inform us and help us to learn lessons, but there is a way to live with the dream and appreciate its message without taking a “fast food” ap-proach to labeling meanings diminishing the message of the dream. Join him for this special talk to learn more about your dreams. Click here to view the flyer.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
Poe Pub Crawl and Dreaming Dreams Keynote
Just a reminder: the Poe Pub Crawl is tonight starting at Dearborn Brewing (7-9 p.m.) and then heading to Bailey’s (9:15-11 p.m.). Check out the flyer here.
Also the Dreaming Dreams Keynote Lecture is happening in Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Thursday, February 25, 7-8 p.m. Here’s the flyer. Hope you can attend!
Visit our calendar for a full list of Big Read events.
Upcoming Events Week 3
Feb 22: Poe Film Festival: House of Usher (1960)
Location:
Henry Ford Centennial Library7:00 – 8:30pm
A man, upon entering his fiancees’ family mansion, discovers a savage family curse and fears that his future brother-in-law has entombed his bride-to-be prematurely.
Starring Vincent Price. Not rated. 79minutes.
Feb 23: Daring Dreams Storytime
Location:
6:30 – 7:00pm
Enjoy some of our quirkier picture books and a craft in the spirit of Poe. Ages 5 – 8 years. (Younger children welcome, but please be aware that some stories may be scary.) Space is limited.
Feb 24: Poe Pub Crawl
Location:
Dearborn Brewing (7:00-9:00pm)
&
Bailey’s (9:15-11:00pm)
Join the crawl and discuss Poe while having a Poe inspired drink along the way. Participants will receive $1 off pints at Dearborn Brewing and light appetizer’s at Bailey’s. Click here for the flyer.
Feb 25: Dreaming Dreams Keynote Panel Discussion
Location:
UM-D Mardigian Library
Room 1212
7:00 – 8:00pm
Join professors Shelly Jarenski of University of Michigan-Dearborn, Stephen Rachman of Michigan State University, and John Rietz of Henry Ford College to explore the role of dreams in Poe’s works. Click here for the flyer.
Feb 27: No Mortal Dares to Dream Tween+ Party
Location:
2:00 – 4:00pm
In this bleak Midwinter, celebrate all things Poe. Snacks, craft, and a little storytelling are all waiting, if you dare to come. Grades 4+. No younger siblings. Space is limited.
Visit Bigreaddearborn.org for more information and a full list of Big Read events.
NEA Big Read-Dearborn 