Stories launch literacy week at McHenry County College

McHenry County College will kick off Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Sept. 13-17 with a performance by Jim May, Emmy award-winning storyteller, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the college's conference center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

May presents stories for the whole family. The performance at MCC will include a mix of humorous stories of growing up in McHenry County, with a touch of the ghostly and fanciful. May lives in Alden with his wife, visual artist Nancy Seidler.

"Telling stories within the family can be the glue that binds families together," May said. "For generations, families have told stories to entertain, to teach lessons and family history, and to put children to sleep at night. Stories give family members a sense of connection and belonging."

May co-founded the Illinois Storytelling Festival, held for 22 years in Spring Grove, now in its 26th year in its new home at Dominican University in River Forest. May's book, "The Farm on Nippersink Creek," recounting 150 years of his family's life in McHenry County, has won a Best Book award from the National Public Library Association. His new ghost book, "Shut Up, Billy," appears in the collection "Scary Stories to Tell Out Loud."

May has performed at schools, corporations, professional groups and festivals throughout U.S. and Europe.

May also will be available for book signings for the following books: "The Farm on Nippersink Creek," "The Boo Baby Girl Meets The Ghost Of Mable's Gable" and "Scary Stories to Tell Out Loud."

In addition to the storytelling event, college faculty and staff will donate books for adult education students to share with their children. Also, some MCC classes will visit ESL classes to engage in conversation during the week.

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week is the first congressionally-approved week focused on adult education and family literacy.

For details, call (815) 455-8752.