“To me, it isn’t Christmas unless I read it,” said Michelle Tapper-Racine from the basement of the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, where she and a group of Charles Dickens enthusiasts – ranging from casual to serious – gathered to participate in a reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday morning.
The group, organized in part by Library director Gail Roberts, came from all over the area and as far as Cape Cod to take part in the reading of the classic Christmas tale of Mr. Scrooge, and Roberts said that she hopes it will become a local tradition.
“We just think it’s a great read, and not that many people do it,” said Roberts, a self-proclaimed Dickens fanatic. “We hope it becomes an annual event.”
Roberts said the idea for the reading came from library patron Stan Moszczenski, and together, they organized the event. After speaking with the other library directors in Marion and Mattapoisett, Roberts said there is the potential to have the event celebrated across the Tri-Town area in the future.
“The other libraries are keen on that,” said Roberts.
The reading, which was inspired in part by the marathon reading of Melville’s “Moby Dick” at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford, was attended by about 10 or so people, but Roberts said that the cooperation of the other libraries, coupled with word of mouth about the event, could help it grow in the future.
“We put the call out—Dickens fans came out from all over the area,” she said. “I think eventually it will spread [even more].”
Dr. Elise Frangos, Assistant Superintendent of Old Rochester Regional Schools, said that the story is part of the seventh grade curriculum at the schools and that reading it aloud brings extra life to it.
“The human voice adds such a richness to this book,” she said.
Lee Heald, who is the Director of AHA! in New Bedford and who’s been involved in organizing the Moby Dick readings as well, said that events like this one are important in local communities.
“I think it’s important to get out of the house and have public events based around books and literature,” she said.
By Nick Walecka
