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Of Wind & Sky: Illinois Author Marguerite Henry and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague Island

Jamie Poorman presents the free program as part of Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau

St. Joseph, IL – January 2025 — This March, the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library will host Jamie Poorman as she explores the life and legacy of Illinois Author and pony-lover Marguerite Henry.

Susan McKinney, Librarian, stated, “I’m so excited for this program! When I was a little girl in Indiana, Marguerite Henry’s book were some of my favorite books! As a child, I always loved stories about horses and tried to find as many of her books as I could in my school library and public library.”

The presentation, Of Wind & Sky: Illinois Author Marguerite Henry and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague Island” will take place on March 31stat the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, St. Joseph, IL at 6 p.m.

Henry was born in Milwaukee in 1902 and moved to Illinois after her marriage, writing many of her most famous works here. She published 59 books, mostly animal tales for children. Henry was an avid library user and conducted in-depth research before visiting the places that inspired her stories. Her works won many awards, including the Newbery Medal.Henry once wrote “Some people, by the very tone of their voices, can make a story sound exciting. But then, when you follow up on the idea, it often turns out to be little or nothing. With Misty, the reality was more exciting than the promise.” You won’t want to miss this incredible story of an Illinois author and her impact on generations of readers and an island community nearly 1,000 miles away.

This event is co-presented by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau. Road Scholar speakers travel throughout Illinois sharing free, dynamic presentations about literature, philosophy, theater, local history, film, music, politics, and more, at no cost to host organizations. The program enables local nonprofit organizations to present free-admission cultural programs to their communities.

Jamie Poorman is Head Librarian at Marshall Public Library. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and an MSLS from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She is a dedicated genealogist and local historian and serves on the board of the Clark County History Society. Personally, she and her family are dedicated to a small homestead raising lots of veggies, goats, Saint Bernards and one sassy Chinocteague Pony.

“Of Wind & Sky” will take place Monday, March 31^st at 6 p.m. at the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. Third, St. Joseph, IL. The event is free and open to all audiences. For more information, please visit www.stjosephtownshiplibrary.info or contactSusan McKinney, Librarian at 217-469-2159 or stjosephtownshiplibrary@gmail.com

About St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library

The first library in St. Joseph was founded by volunteers from the St. Joseph Women’s Club in 1929 in a room of a local beauty shop.  Later that same year the collection was moved to the St. Joseph High School.

In 1956, a new building was provided by Mrs. Maude Davis in honor of her parents.  The new building was built at 201 N. Third Street and was to be known as the Swearingen Memorial Library.  A trust was established by Mrs. Davis upon her death to provide for the maintenance of the building.  Members of the St. Joseph Women’s Club continued to volunteer their time to staff the library.
 
In 1973, a referendum was passed by the Township of St. Joseph to establish a tax base for the library.  At this time, a Library Board of Directors was elected and a Librarian was hired.  The library was renamed the St. Joseph Township - Swearingen Memorial Library. In 1988, the library received a state grant to expand the existing structure and was temporarily closed for renovation.  The library reopened in February 1989 with its current layout and design.

About Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that spark conversation, foster reflection, build community, and strengthen civic engagement for everyone in Illinois. Founded in 1974, we are the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities and supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with Illinois Humanities on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.

 

 

 

Alexis Nikole Nelson is a forager and an outdoor educator using her platforms, TikTok account alexisnikole and Instagram page blackforager, to celebrate all the edible plants hiding in plain sight.  She peels back historical layers on African American and Indigenous food traditions that have traditionally been repressed and empowers those living in food deserts with greater self- sufficiency.  Nelson received the James Beard Award for “Best Social Media” 2022, was chosen for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and as a TikTok Tastemaker, and was honored as part of Fortune Magazine’s Creator 25 in 2021.  Nelson gave a TED Talk in 2022 and in 2023 joined the YouTube channel Crash Course to host a 15-episode botany series. Alexis Nikole Nelson will be joined in conversation with Natalie Evans, a wild edible foods instructor.

 

Register Here!  This program is Thursday April 10th at 7 p.m.

 

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

 

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com