As part of the 13th annual Fishing and Heritage Day, copies of "Murder in the Adirondacks" by Craig Brandon and "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly will be provided to participants registered for the "Shedding More Light on an American Tragedy: Grace Brown's Story Reimagined" program. The program will also feature showings of the movies "Incident at Big Moose Lake" and "An American Tragedy." (Submitted photo)

OTSELIC — As part of the 13th annual Fishing and Heritage Day, which will be held on Saturday, May 21, the Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Association will present two exciting programs that will allow participants an opportunity to experience the world of Grace Brown.

Hike the same roads that Grace and her family would have used to travel from their farm on Tallett Hill into the hamlet of South Otselic. Join other interested enthusiasts in examining the life of Grace and her tragic death at the hands of Chester Gillette.

The first program is Billy’s Walk, a special guided hike that consists of a four-mile, moderate walk that follows the route that Grace Brown would have used to travel from her farm into town. Registered participants will meet at the United Methodist Church in South Otselic at 8:45 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, May 21 and take a short bus ride to Grace’s home.

At the homestead, a brief overview of Grace’s life will be presented by Grace Brown aficionado Paul Heagerty before the walk begins. We will not be entering the house, and no personal vehicles are allowed on the property. Participants who are hiking should wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather, and be able to walk the four miles unassisted.

If space is available on the bus, participants who would like to visit Tallett Hill and listen to the program but not participate in the walk may return to town on the bus. Pre-registration for both the walk and just the farm visit is required by calling Peg Fuller at 315-653-7345 or email at peg379@gmail.com.

Folks who only visit the farm and return to town on the bus will be given the opportunity to attend guided stops at the home of Dr. J. Mott and Maude (Kenyon) Crumb, and Grace’s grave site at the Valley View Cemetery. Hikers will also be provided the same guided tours once their walk is finished.

The second event is a two-part program entitled Shedding More Light on an American Tragedy: Grace Brown’s Story Reimagined. This program, made possible through a grant from the Roger W. Follett Foundation, will be presented by Grace Brown scholars Jack Sherman and Michael Foor-Pessin.

Registered participants will be provided with a set of two books: Craig Brandon’s “Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited” (2nd edition) and Jennifer Donnelly’s “A Northern Light” free of charge.

Both parts of the program will be presented at the United Methodist Church in South Otselic from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served each night.

The opening session will be held on Saturday, May 21. Beginning at 6 p.m. books will be distributed to participants, and they will be treated to the music of the Vestal Mountain Dulcimer Players. Dulcimer player Beth (Crandall) Fallon (OVCS 1994 graduate) will be joined by her fellow band members who will play an assortment of music, including Celtic, Irish, old time music, folk, hymns, and country.

At 7 p.m. introductions will occur, followed by the showing of the documentary film “A North Woods Elegy: Incident at Big Moose Lake.”

The second session will occur Saturday, June 18. Jack Sherman will facilitate a discussion of “Murder in the Adirondacks” and Mike Foor-Pessin will follow up with a discussion of “A Northern Light.” Following the book talks, the 1931 film, “An American Tragedy,” directed by Josef von Sternberg, will be shown.

Copies of both books can be reserved by emailing Mike Foor-Pessin at foorpessin@gmail.com or calling him at 315-653-7811. Reservations of books will be taken until all copies are reserved. Folks who already have the books are also welcome to participate in both sessions.

-Information provided by the Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Association