Dearborn Hosts Community Big Read Events Exploring Immigration

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn is celebrating The Big Read, a community-wide initiative based on the novel The Namesake, with a slew of family-friendly events now through the end of next month. Special activities planned include a cooking demonstration, quilting project and food tasting. The event kicked off this month and wraps up April 28.

The theme is Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel which focuses on a married couple from India who immigrate to America and their children, who were born in the United States. The book explores their different experiences and themes surrounding immigrant families of all backgrounds.

Here’s a look at some of the events taking place:

• Thursday, March 22, 6:30-7 p.m. University of Michigan-Dearborn Sociology Professor Arifa Javed will lead the keynote lecture focusing on The Namesake and Jhumpa Lahiri at Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue.
• Friday, March 23, 7- 8 p.m. The Dearborn Historical Museum will present the lecture: From Gulley to Wyoming: the Origin of Street and Place Names in Dearborn at the McFadden Ross House, 915 Brady.
• Monday, March 26, 7-8 p.m. Amy Janczarek of Mango Languages will share the wealth of language learning tools offered with this powerful database. Learn how to best use Mango to study a foreign language or to learn English as a second language at the Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Avenue, Dearborn Heights
• Wednesday, March 28, 7-8 p.m. The Real Melting Pot: Immigrant Contributions to What we Eat. Immigrant recipes have shaped the landscape of the American diet from the beginning. The talk will draw upon the collections at The Henry Ford. It takes place at The Henry Ford, Benson Ford Research Center, 20900 Oakwood Boulevard.
• Tuesday, April 10, 6-8 p.m. Quilting Project. Help design a square for the Big Read “What’s in a Name?” quilt. Use a fabric pen to design a quilt square relating to your name or your family heritage. Supplies and assistance provided by Zaman International. For ages 10 and up. Registration is required. Call 313-943-2330 or visit dearbornlibrary.org. This event will be held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue.
• Thursday, April 12, 6-8 p.m. Researching Your Family Name. Kiersten Gawronski, a high school English teacher by day and a genealogy sleuth by night, will give a presentation on how to research your family name at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue. Registration is requested so that the presenter knows how many copies to prepare and is able to do some precursory research on your name. To register, call 313-943-2330.
• Thursday, April 19, 7-8:30 p.m. Ethnic Cooking. Culinary instructor Mary Spencer will prepare a variety of ethnic foods reflecting the diverse cultures in metro Detroit. She will prepare panzanella (Italian bread and tomato salad), Hungarian chicken paprikash, and warm Indian rice pudding. Recipes and samples will be provided. Registration appreciated. 313-791-3800. This activity takes place at Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Avenue, Dearborn Heights.
• Friday, April 20, 6-8 p.m. Food Around the World. Sample a diverse range of culinary delights from local restaurants at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue. Tickets are $25 each or $45 for two. (Sale date to be determined). Call 313-943-2330 or visit dearbornlibrary.org or bigreaddearborn.org for more information.
• Saturday, April 28, 2-4 p.m. Wrap Up. Multimedia musical performance by Dearborn resident Jeff Karoub, who will explore his family experiences with immigration at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue.

The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest, and is a One Book One Community program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). For more information or to register for events, visit www.bigreaddearborn.org.

Photo courtesy The City of Dearborn