Crowds attend Morristown’s Festival of Books despite the weather

MORRISTOWN When author Edward J. Larson was researching his book on George Washington, he found his 17 pairs of false teeth housed at his Mount Vernon home fascinating. He also realized why our nation’s first president wasn’t well-known for his public speaking.

“We don’t think of Washington as a speaker like Lincoln, but he had these terrible teeth. By the time of his inauguration, he only had one tooth of his own in his mouth. He never had any made of wood, by the way. His teeth were usually made from ivory. But he liked tea and tea stains ivory so it probably looked like wood,” said Larson, a Pulitzer Prize winning author.

Larson spent a year at Washington’s Mount Vernon home, reading through his notes and walking where he did, to get a sense of him.

“He could never make a public speech but he was a lively conversationalist. When he was in Morristown, people loved to talk to him. He could tell these great stories in small groups. People loved him.”

The cold and dismal weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds on Saturday as Morristown’s Festival of Books hosted thirty authors from children’s, young adult, non-fiction and fiction fields, who spoke, answered questions and signed their books in a large tent on the lawn of the Vail Mansion.

“I love this. I had been to other book festivals and this one lives up to its billing. The authors are wonderful and such a variety,” said Margret Brady of Morristown.

“So many types of books are being discussed. Everyone can find something, no matter your age or what you like.”

Larson drew a crowd of more than 200 listeners when he presented “Searching for George Washington, 1781-1789,” about researching his book, “The Return of George Washington,” in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

The author of 17 books, Larson’s book covers a crucial six-year period in American history. Large screens throughout the church projected photos of Washington and of the author on location or with prominent people such as President George W. Bush.

“I try to write on-site and deep in the original scenes. It helps make the book real. Morristown is special because you can feel Washington here. That makes it special to me. Morristown is a great place to do research on Washington.”

The mission of the Festival of Books is to celebrate the power of the written word to challenge, transport and transform us, while bringing us together in conversation.

In its second year, the festival is the brainchild of Morris Township residents Jay and Linda Hellstrom, who conceived the idea while attending a book festival in Savannah, Georgia. Turning to friends and contacts, they made the first Festival of Books last year a reality, drawings thousands to downtown Morristown.

“We couldn’t do this without our wonderful sponsors,” Linda Hellstrom said. “We’re just so happy to have everyone here.”

All events were free with the exception of Friday night’s keynote speakers, Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, authors of “A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity,” who drew more than 1,000 listeners to the Mayo Performing Arts Center. The event was a fundraiser for the Festival.

The presenting sponsors were Wendy Aresty, the Mayo Performing Arts Center, Towne Toyota and Hyundai and Kim & Finn Wentworth. Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management sponsored Friday night’s keynote speakers.

“We’re thrilled with the incredible response we’ve had in the community. More than a thousand people last night heard a wonderful talk about helping others,” said Karen Gruenberg, co-chair of the Festival’s Marketing Committee.

“I don’t think the rain will stop these book lovers. One of the wonderful things about this event is even if you didn’t read the book, you can listen to the lecture, ask questions and then come meet the author at a book signing. There’s something for everyone here. It’s just a great day.”

All the events were held just a few short blocks of each other in downtown Morristown and allowed easy travel from site to site. The Festival venues included the Morristown and Morristown Township Library, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Mayo Performing Arts Center’s Starlight Room, The Parish House of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown and the lawn of the Vail Mansion.

Volunteers in bright red shirts and wearing big smiles waited at each corner and venue to help visitors traverse their way around the Festival.

Hector Tobar, author of “Deep Down Dark,” the story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped beneath the earth that kept the world on edge in 2010, talked with moderator Neda Ulaby before a packed house at the Church of the Redeemer. The book was recently made into a movie starring Antonio Banderas.

“He’s charismatic. He should play the lead in the movie. My book club read the book. It’s fantastic,” said Kristin Elliott, Gold Author sponsor and author host.

“This is one of the best things that’s happened to Morristown. We involved the whole community. It’s more and more involvement up and down South Street. Best of all, there’s a real sense of community. This is great. It’s putting a different imprint on the town. There were over a thousand for last night’s kickoff. This is proof that people love books and reading.”

For more details, visit www.morristownfestivalofbooks.org.

Staff Writer Leslie Ruse: 973-428-6671; lruse@GannettNJ.com.