Press Release: "Nelsonville from A to Z" To Launch October 25, 2019

The buildings, locations, and traditions unique to Nelsonville take focus in the alphabet book "Nelsonville from A to Z," to be released by Monday Creek Publishing on Oct. 25 at a launch event at Stuart's Opera House. Each page of the book describes a Nelsonville site or event--such as the Public Square, General John Hunt Morgan's raid during the Civil War, or the outdoor art displayed around the town--in a brief prose paragraph, a poem, and a watercolor illustration.

Celeste Parsons edited the book, soliciting poems from Nelsonville area residents about topics chosen for the letters of the alphabet. The authors of poems selected for publication include students from Nelsonville-York High School, the Tri-County Career Center, and members of Stuart's-sponsored writing classes, as well as individual local writers. Hannah Sickles, a member of Athens Art Guild who specializes in enamel jewelry and watercolors of animals and nature, painted the glowing, intricately detailed illustrations.

The resulting volume celebrates the people, buildings, and events that make Nelsonville a unique small town. All profits from sales will benefit the Stuart's Opera House Arts Education Program. According to Emily Prince, the Arts Education director, this program offers theater performances for primary students; an afterschool music program; a visiting artist and artist-in-residence program; a drama club and production for Nelsonville-York High School; a creative writing program for adults; regional coordination for the national Poetry Out Loud competition; private music lessons for children ages 6-18; an Appalachian Music Program in partnership with Athens County Public Libraries; and free admission to all children under 12 to the Nelsonville Music Festival.

Launch event attendees can view Hannah's original artwork, hear readings by some of the featured poets, and collect autographs from contributors. "Nelsonville from A to Z" will be on sale at the Stuart's Opera House gift store and other local stores.

"I am thrilled to have this project come to fruition and be able to hold the book in my hands," says editor Celeste Parsons. "It confirms my belief that the Nelsonville area contains some amazingly talented people. And the profits couldn't go to a better purpose."