See below story for caption

One Book, One Large Community

Posted on March 20, 2011 - Permalink
Audiences: Alumni Current Students Faculty and Staff HomePage Parents and Visitors Prospective Students Research Trustees

Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, a book by Stephen Puleo, was the subject of a "sweet" event at the Bridgewater Public Library, sponsored by Bridgewater State's One Book One Community project.

"This was a special occasion that featured a discussion of the book, plus a molasses cookie contest and music and antiques from the early 1900s," said Susan McCombe, director of the Office of University and Community Partnerships who had a key role in planning the event.

An audience of more than 80 people filled the library's meeting room to capacity. The aim of One Book One Community is to bring communities together through shared reading and discussion.

Ms. McCombe said the book "describes the collapse of a molasses tank that sent 2.3 million gallons of molasses into the North End of Boston, a tragedy that led to the deaths of 21 people and caused immense damage to property."

On April 25, Mr. Puleo will give a 7:30 p.m. lecture on his book in the Horace Mann Auditorium.

Between now and then, there will be a series of other events focusing on Mr. Puleo's book, including: "Media Coverage of the Molasses Flood," a talk by Donna Halper, a nationally recognized media historian, on April 2, 11 a.m., at the Bridgewater Public Library; a book discussion led by BSU alumni Gloria Moran and Evelyn DeLutis on April 12, 1 p.m., at the Bridgewater Senior Center, with another held on April 15, 11 a.m., in the Moakley Center room 219; and "Boston 1919: Scandal, Epidemic and Prohibition," a talk by historian Gary Hylander, on April 13, 1 p.m., in the Raynham Public Library.

The One Book One Community advisory committee -- which has been sponsoring book events since 2005 -- recently received a "Certificate of Appreciation" from the Central Asia Institute in Bozeman, Mont., for their work supporting a previously adopted book, Three Cups of Tea. Its author, Greg Mortenson, co-founded Pennies for Peace, a service-learning program promoting childhood education in Pakistan and Afghanistan. "They also sent a photo of a group of school children in a classroom who now have hope for a better future as a result of the book project," said Ms. McCombe, who thanked the committee and community for helping promote the book.

For more information, contact the Office of University and Community Partnerships at 508.531.2510 or partnerships@bridgew.edu (story by David K. Wilson, '71, Office of Institutional Communications)

Photo caption: Members of the One Book, One Community advisory council: (from left) Sue McCombe; Nancy Kirk, principal, Williams Intermediate School in Bridgewater; Mary O'Connell, associate director for public service, Bridgewater Public Library; Heidi Letendre (seated), assistant principal, Mitchell Elementary School in Bridgewater; Gloria Moran, adjunct BSU faculty member; Evelyn DeLutis, retired town of Bridgewater teacher; and Lorraine Carrozza, director, town of Bridgewater Office of Elder Affairs.