Activities  surrounding Fishtraps 2011 Big Read continue with the second of two Tom Sawyer Family Game Nights and the showing of a classic film.

Game night comes to Wallowa from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, Jan. 27,  when old-time games take over the Wallowa Senior Center. Folks of all ages are encouraged to come shoot marbles, play jacks, jump tiddlywinks and take part in the other classic pastimes like double-dutch jump rope, the cupcake walk and good ol checkers. 

Dropping wooden clothespins into an empty Mason jar was especially popular during the game night in Joseph, where close to 100 youngsters and parents took part. 

Prizes are given to those who participate in every activity. Game coaches from the Wallowa High School Rotary Interact Group will be on hand as game guides.

The final game night will be held Feb. 17 at Odd Fellows Hall in Enterprise.

Everyone is invited to watch a showing of 1938 classic film, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer  Monday, Jan. 31, at  OK Theatre. Among actors in the film is Walter Brennan, who plays the part of Muff Potter. Movie starts at 7 pm, with a book discussion planned first at 6 p.m. at Lears. Admission is free, with donations greatly appreciated and applied to The Big Read activities. 

Also planned is Aunt Pollys Cooking Class Sunday, Jan. 30, with local chef Lynne Samples, who will guide her students  in making a dinner Mark Twain himself might have sat down to, with grass-fed steak, potatoes, greens and baked apples on the menu. Cost is $25, including all ingredients, and the class size is limited. Contact Fishtrap at 426-3623 to register. 

The Big Read runs through Feb. 13, when the Community Finale at the Hurricane Creek Grange  Hall will include a performance by Mark Twain Impersonator Kurt Sutton. Tickets (limited to 100) are available for $10 at The Sheep Shed, The Bookloft, Blonde Strawberry, or by contacting Jon Rombach at Fishtrap, 541-426-3623 or jon@fishtrap.org.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. 

The literary project is supported nationally by a number of corporate and foundation sponsors.

In addition to these financial supporters, local sponsors include Community Bank and the Bank of Eastern Oregon. 

Fishtraps other Big Read partners include The Bookloft, Joseph School District, Wallowa School District, Enterprise School District, Imnaha School, Enterprise Alternative School, Enterprise FCCLA, Joseph High Schools Child Development Class, Wallowa Rotary Interact, Hurricane Grange, Mutiny Brewing, Lears Main Street Pub and Grill, Wallowa City Hall, the OK Theatre, KWVR Radio and a long list of individual volunteers.