Vuillaume's legacy enlivens library via literacy festival

"If the entire world would speak their mind, but still listen to what other people say, then Heaven on Earth would be created." — Carl Vuillaume

As the Write-On Literary Festival unfolds at Indian Prairie Public Library, area adolescents are inspired to develop their literary talents as a tribute to Carl Vuillaume, a gifted teen from Darien.

At the Open Mike and Poetry Slam slated from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, students in seventh through 12th grades are invited to share their poetry or simply enjoy the café setting and refreshments.

Monica Dzierzbicki, head of Youth Services at Indian Prairie, conveyed her enthusiasm for the poetic program.

"The Open Mike and Poetry Slam should be a lot of fun. We looked for a way to give students a chance to express themselves and be creative in a really cool and fun atmosphere. And, of course, we wanted our event to reflect the things that Carl Vuillaume loved to do," Dzierzbicki replied.

Vuillaume, a vibrant young man who attended Hinsdale South High School, loved reading, writing, theater and music. He enjoyed sports and outdoor activities. Whether he was playing the piano, writing a short story or hiking outdoors, Vuillaume relished each moment of his existence.

Vuillaume was the son of Robert and Charleen and the brother of Dan and Renee Vuillaume of Darien. Following his untimely death at age 16 in 2005, the Vuillaume family created The Gift of Carl Foundation, a nonprofit organization to honor the memory of their beloved Carl.

The three-day workshop for aspiring young writers, held Nov. 9, 10 and 11, promises to unleash the creativity of future authors.

On Nov. 10, award-winning author Elisa Carbone visited the library and discussed several of her novels with the assembled teens. Carbone has written several historical fiction books including "Storm Warriors," winner of the American Library Association's Notable Children's Book and "Stealing Freedom," winner of ALA Best Book for Young Adults and her most recent release, "Blood on the river, James Town, 1607."

"I use my imagination and then, by putting down on paper what I have imagined, I create a doorway that invites others to see what I have in my minds' eye," Carbone explained.

"It was a great opportunity for teens to spend time with an author who said, 'Don't forget to find the fun in your writing,'" Dzierzbicki noted.

On Nov. 9 freelance journalist and author Kelly James-Enger presented a workshop titled, "From the Writer's Point of View." The program offered tips for teens on how to get published and how to nurture the creative process. James-Enger writes columns for numerous magazines and has authored several books, including "Six Figure Freelancing," and "Ready, Aim, Specialize!" The volumes address issues of getting published, making more money and finding an area in which to specialize.

"We are thrilled to be working with The Gift of Carl Foundation on this really cool event for our teens. Both the library and the Carl Foundation hope to see this literary festival continue as an annual event," Dzierzbicki added.

To learn more about the Gift of Carl Foundation or make a donation, visit the Web site at www.giftofcarl.org.

Ideas and items for Willowbrook Windows can be mailed to Lifestyle, c/o Liberty Suburban Chicago, 1101 W. 31st St., Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515, or call (630) 368-8892.

--Vicki Martinka

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Teen literary festival features authors

The "Write-On Literary Festival" for teens will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 11, at Indian Prairie Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien.

Freelance journalist and author Kelly James-Enger will lead a hands-on writing workshop "From the Writer's Point of View" offering teens a chance to hear tips on how to get published and how to nurture the creative process. The program will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 9. James-Enger writes regular columns for a number of magazines and has authored several books, including "Six-Figure Freelancing" and "Ready, Aim, Specialize!" that not only address how to get published, but how to make more money and how to find an area in which to specialize.

Then award-winning author Elisa Carbone will visit the Indian Prairie Public Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Carbone, author of several historical fiction books, including "Storm Warriors" and "Stealing Freedom", will discuss these books and her most recent release "Blood on the River, James Town, 1607".

The festival concludes with an "Open Mike and Poetry Slam" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Teens can enjoy a cafe setting with refreshments.

Reservations for all programs are being taken at the Youth Services Desk or may be made by calling (630) 887-8760, Ext. 264.

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Family shares thanks for literary festival

The Gift of Carl Foundation Inc. and the Vuillaume family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Indian Prairie Public Library for hosting the first annual Write-On Literary Festival.

The festival was held Nov. 9 to 11, and was a great success. Special thanks to Monica Dzierzbicki for organizing the three-day event. The guest authors who presented on Thursday and Friday night, and the poetry slam on Saturday, were very entertaining and educational.

Thanks to all the young adults who attended and who shared their creative poems and short stories in the writing contest.

Rob and Char Vuillaume

Darien

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Library plans literary fest

The Indian Prairie Public Library and the Gift of Carl Foundation are co-sponsoring the Write-On Literary Festival from Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 9 to 11, featuring writing workshops and an open mic night for budding poets.

The Gift of Carl Foundation was created in honor of Darien teenager Carl Vuillaume, a 16-year-old high school student from Darien who drowned in July 2005 while vacationing with his family in Minnesota. The foundation's Web site is www.giftofcarl.org.

On Thursday, Nov. 9, freelance journalist and author Kelly James-Enger will lead a writing workshop called "From the Writer's Point of View" that will offer tips on how to get published and how to nurture the creative process. James-Enger writes regular columns for many magazines and has authored several books — including "Six-Figure Freelancing" and "Ready, Aim, Specialize!" — that not only address how to get published, but how to make more money doing so and how to find an area to in which to specialize.

The workshop is open to teens attending any schools within the library's district, but registration is limited to 30 participants. The Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien, serves all of Willowbrook, most of Darien and parts of Burr Ridge and unincorporated areas.

"We are thrilled to be working with the Gift of Carl Foundation on this really cool event for our teens," said Monica Dzierzbicki, the library's head of youth services.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, award-winning author Elisa Carbone, author of several historical fiction books, will discuss her recent release, "Blood on the River, James Town, 1607," and her other books, "Storm Warriors," winner of the American Library Association's Notable Children's Book, and "Stealing Freedom," winner of ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11, the library will host an open mic and poetry slam for young poets to read their work. Teens in seventh through 12th grades are invited to share their poetry or simply enjoy the café setting and refreshments. The event is open to any teen who attends a school within the Library District.

Registration is required and can be completed by stopping by the youth services desk at the library or by calling (630) 887-8760, Ext. 264.

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Play delivers poignant message at Hinsdale South

Wilder's play tells the story of the intertwined lives of two families in the fictional town of Grover's Corners, as members of each family search for the meaning of their lives through their experiences of school days, marriage and family, and ultimately the death of a loved one.

It was the subtle ability of the play to convey the powerful message of the value in living life to its fullest that resonated with members of the Drama Club. That made the play an easy choice to perform, in light of a tragic summer for South students in which two members of the Drama Club died, according to director Pam Baker.

"We originally planned before the summer to perform a comedy," Baker said, adding that the club produces five to seven shows of different formats each school year. "But after the loss of two students who were involved in our club, we decided we wanted to perform something more serious in their honor."

School officials asked that details of the students' deaths remain private. Hinsdale South Principal Claudia Geocaris said what was important was the drama department's decision to use the tragedy in a positive way.

"The club has chosen to remember their classmates in a positive light," Geocaris said, commending the group for its efforts.

Baker said she met with Drama Club officers at the end of the summer to discuss possible play options to perform. After describing Wilder's "Our Town," she said the students she directs felt the story best embodied the spirit of their deceased classmates.

"It's important with a difficult dramatic performance like 'Our Town' for cast members to be committed to the story line for it to work," Baker said. "What I like about this cast is that from our first meeting, they were committed to the message of this play."

The play's theme of appreciating life is a message that Baker said was epitomized in the sad events of the summer.

"I think it's common for high school students to feel a sense of invincibility in their youth," Baker said.

When students lose a classmate or friend, she said the loss should cause them to think about what is important in their lives — an example she said the characters of "Our Town" provide.

"We want to communicate the message of 'Our Town' for those we lost," Baker said, "because they lived life to the fullest."

Tickets for the play are $6 and will be available at the door beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 3. All proceeds benefit the Hinsdale South Drama Club. For more information, call Baker at (630) 468-4352.

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Foundation to collect instruments

People wondering what to do with an old trombone or French horn, the Gift of Carl Foundation has an answer: Donate it.

Named after 16-year-old Carl Vuillaume, a Darien high school student who died in 2005, the foundation will hold an instrument drive from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Eisenhower Junior High School, 1410 75th St.

Used and new instruments will be accepted to benefit the Eisenhower Junior High Band and other area schools.

Donors will get an appraisal by P.M. Music in Aurora, a tax-deductible receipt and a free spaghetti dinner.

Carl Vuillaume played the cornet when he was a student at Eisenhower.

"He was pretty good," said his father, Rob Vuillaume, who established the foundation after his son drowned in Minnesota on a family vacation in July 2005.

The foundation will make sure that the donated instruments are given to schools and students who need them. Darien School District 61 will get first pick.