Replica Alston Cather statue to grace Gering Public Library

The Gering Civic Plaza Sculpture Project Committee, Crystal Sandberg, Rita Stinner and Gretchen Peters, are bringing a Littleton Alston sculpture of Nebraska author Willa Cather to Gering to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and 50th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Interstate-80 sculptures. Come join us at the following venues for learning more about Willa Cather and the Gifting of the sculpture to the City of Gering. All events are free to the public.

May 19:

• 10 AM Installation of Willa Cather sculpture at Gering Public Library
• 5:30 PM Emporium Bean and Bottle, 1650 10th St, Gering
  Sculptor Littleton Alston will give a mini-seminar about the symbolism and history he incorporated into his Willa Cather sculpture.
  Root beer floats will be served to attendees, sponsored by the Gering Public Library Foundation.

July 2:

• 7:00 PM Historic Midwest Theater, 1707 Broadway, Scottsbluff
  The movie “O Pioneers” starring Jessica Lange and based on Cather’s book will be shown. Ashley Olson, Executive Director of the Cather Foundation in Red Cloud and Cather expert, will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the movie and to lend depth to the project.

July 3:

• 1:30 Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St, Gering
  Really Big Willa Cather Book Club Event. Read Cather’s My Antonia and meet for interactive discussion with fellow readers. Ashley Olson will present her talk “My Antonia: The Story of an American Novel”. She will lead discussion and field questions. Scottsbluff and Gering Libraries have copies of My Antonia on hand for check out.

July 3:

• 6:00 Gering Civic Plaza, 1450 11th St, Gering
  Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary and 50th Anniversary of Interstate-80 Sculptures and the Gifting of Willa Cather sculpture to the City of Gering.
  Welcome and Introduction by Rita Stinner
  A reading of Nebraska Poet Jewel Rodgers’ “America 250” poem by Madelynn Battles
  A performance of “Beautiful Nebraska” by Jessica Schluter
  A short presentation about the cultural and historical significance of Willa Cather by Ashley Olson.
  A walk to the Gering Library, 1055 P St, for those who are able, for the Unveiling by Library Officers and Presentation of the Sculpture to Mayor Kent Ewing for the City of Gering
  A concert by the Back Porch Blue Grass Band on stage at the Plaza. Sponsored by Gering Tourism – Bring your own picnic or Scott Free Brewery and Mixing Bowl food trucks will be on the premises for food and drink. Bring your lawn chair for a fun, patriotic, and historical evening!