A beautiful June morning set the backdrop for a Christopher Whisperings author reading at historic Cheney Mansion in Oak Park, Illinois. The multiple exposures to natural light of the stunning solarium seemed to account for the glow that alighted on the event, yet the readings and warmth of all present contributed the same effect. With a fantastic platter of delicious cookies provided by Taylor Street's Original Ferrara Bakery alongside coffee and other refreshments, guests settled in for a literary morning of readings, tears, and laughter. To top things off, a crew from WGN's "Around Town" starring Chicago’s beloved Ana Belaval featured the reading event on their Morning Show.
After introductions, Geralyn Hesslau Magrady read from When Walls Talk, Maria Giuseppa read from R&R: A Feast of Words, and J. Shep read from After Me. "It's great that Christopher Whisperings was able to host a free event open to locals that featured local authors and their works," Shep noted, adding, "There were high schoolers who loved The December Issue and teachers who enjoyed After Me." The spectrum of attendees was large. Shep read about the moment Ellande noticed a transformation, a turning point, in his little sister Madeleine-Grace as she stood up for herself to her bitter aunt.
The venue coincided nicely with the event. "The Cheney Mansion in Oak Park was a stunning setting that elevated this literary event," Hesslau Magrady shared. Amid the calming blues and greens of the solarium, Hesslau Magrady read of Toni's taking the hammer to the walls of the one-time Russo bakery during its transformation into a bookstore. Guests remarked that they can't wait to find out what the mysterious painting is that Toni stumbles across, hidden behind a wall.
Giuseppa added, "I enjoyed the opportunity to get immediate feedback from the audience," and immediate feedback she received when encountering the tears elicited during her moving reading of Rachi's heartfelt attempt at explaining that, after losing the one man she had spent a lifetime loving, she finds herself searching for who she was, who she is, and how to get back on her feet.
Capturing some moments from the morning were Ana Belaval and her team from WGN's "Around Town," including amazing producer Natalie Skryd, as they toured Cheney Mansion. To highlight the many uses of the space, they popped into the reading for a listen. The segment from her show can be viewed below.
WGN's Ana Belaval finishes her tour of Cheney Mansion for "Around Town" with a stop at the Christopher Whisperings author reading event in the solarium as guests start to arrive.
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Christopher Whisperings wishes to thank WGN's Ana Belaval and Natalie Skryd, Cheney Mansion's staff, especially Susan Crane, Original Ferrara Bakery, and all those who attended the reading.
If you are interested in hosting an event for our authors or artists, please contact us at pr@ChristopherWhisperings.com