Skip to content Skip to navigation

Gateway releases Walworth County NEA Big Read events list

Gateway Technical College has announced the array of Walworth County activities which will be held in connection with the Charles Portis classic “True Grit.” Activities will be held by Gateway and the many organizations which have partnered with the college to bring this event to our community.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.


NEA Big Read True Grit Book Discussion

Please join us for a book discussion on the Charles Portis novel True Grit.

Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan 53115

Tues., October 11, 2016 • 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.


The Real Life Rooster Cogburn

Please join us for a look into the real life inspiration for the character in “True Grit” named Rooster Cogburn. The Wild West Museum in Elkhorn will be leading the talk.

Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn 53121

Thurs., October 13, 2016 • 6:30pm – 8:30pm


Elkhorn Oktoberfest

Please stop by the NEA Big Read booth hosted by Gateway Technical College for information regarding NEA Big Read events for our chosen book True Grit by Charles Portis. We will also be giving away free copies of True Grit every 5 minutes until the supply runs out.

Veterans & Pocket Parks, Downtown Square, 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn 53121

Sat., October 15, 2016 • 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.


NEA Big Read True Grit Book Discussion

Please join us for a book discussion on the Charles Portis novel True Grit.

Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn 53121 

Wed., October 19, 2016 • 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.


True Grit Book Discussion

Please join us for a discussion of the book True Grit by Charles Portis.

Elkhorn Campus Library at Gateway Technical College, 400 County Rd. H,
Elkhorn Campus Library Room #4, Elkhorn 53121

Wed., October 26, 2016 • 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.


NEA Big Read Across the Chasm: From Print to Film

Paul Colt, critically acclaimed local author of numerous popular westerns will lead us on the journey that transforms a book to film. Paul will draw on his experiences as a western writer and anecdotes from film professionals with Emmy and Oscar winning credits. His friendships include writers who worked on Steven Spielberg’s Into the West, classic television series The Rebel, early John Wayne films and the HBO miniseries, John Adams. Taking examples from local library collections as well as contrasting cinematic interpretations of True Grit, he examines the question: How does a book translate into film?

Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan 53115 

Tues., November 1, 2016 • 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.


Film Screenings
NEA Big Read True Grit (1969)

A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn teenager track down her father’s murderer in Indian territory. Starring John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell.

Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan 53115 

Mon., October 17, 2016 • 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.


Film Screenings
NEA Big Read True Grit (2010)

A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn teenager track down her father’s murderer in Indian territory. Directed by the Coen Brothers; starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld.

Gateway Technical College, 400 County Rd. H, North Building, Room N210, Elkhorn 53121

Thurs., October 20, 2016  • 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.


Aram Public Library, 404 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan 53115 

Mon., October 24, 2016 • 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.