The second annual “National Author’s Day” celebration features four  guest author presentations and an evening reception on Nov. 1.This free community celebration is a collaboration between the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society (Submitted photo).

NORWICH – A free community celebration, sponsored by the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS), will once again be hosted on Nov. 1. The festivities feature four guest author presentations and an evening reception to honor writers of the annual CCHS Journal.

During the guest author presentations, speakers will share about their writing process and what is involved in becoming a published author. The schedule of featured writers includes: 

1 p.m. Anne Hanson –  Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida. Hanson has written for the  Boston Globe  and numerous other newspapers, as well as for corporate publications and the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s  American - Ancestors  magazine. Hanson grew up in suburban Philadelphia and earned a degree in African studies from Wesleyan University. She also works for a software company and lives near Boston, Mass.

2 p.m. James “Jim” Ford –  Sweet Cider Days: A History of Mott’s in Bouckville, New York. Ford is author of several history books, all covering Madison County and researched from first-person accounts and local news. A graduate of SUNY Oneonta, Ford retired from the Madison Central School – his alma mater – after teaching for 33 years, during which time he developed and led a 10-week middle school local history course. 

3 p.m. Sharon Donahe –  Eastside Cemetery, Afton, Chenango County, New York. Donahe has written dozens of books, including company histories about Bennett-Ireland and I.L. Richer. Her expertise is local churchyards, particularly Evergreen Cemetery at White Store. Raised in Bainbridge, Donahe lives in Norwich and is retired from Proctor & Gamble – originally the Norwich Pharmacal Company – the focus of her current research.

4 p.m. Thomas Travisano –  Love Unknown: The Life and Worlds of Elizabeth Bishop. Travisano is founding president of the Elizabeth Bishop Society. He is the author or editor of nine books on modern and contemporary American poetry, and has been writing about the Elizabeth Bishop’s life for more than 40 years. An emeritus professor of English at Hartwick College, Travisano was named a 2013 Guggenheim Fellow.

At 5 p.m., the CCHS  Journal  Author’s Reception will begin. Celebrating  Journal  authors of all editions, those who have contributed to the 2023 issue are invited to share their insight as a writer. This year’s article authors are: John J. Antonowicz, Carole Coy, Casey Jakubowski, Karol Kucinski, A. Gail Merian, Jerry E. Sayles, Donald A. Windsor, and Howard Zendle.

All activities will be held at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, located at 20 Conkey Ave., Norwich. Refreshments will be available throughout the event. For more information, email  norwich@morrisville.edu  or call (607) 334-5144.

First established in 1939, CCHS is the primary organization dedicated to actively and comprehensively preserving the history of Chenango County. The area’s premier heritage museum, the organization celebrates local culture – unique traditions, noteworthy residents, and unusual stories of the region.  CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

- From the CCHS