Explorer/Author/Orator Coming to Zanesville

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Library System has a wide variety of books and materials that cover the many interests of and inspire the residents it serves.

MCLS Adult Services Manager Suzanne Helms announced an upcoming event sponsored by the Straker Foundation that will reward students and motivate everyone who attends. 

“Well we’re having an author talk, Thursday, December 14th, 9:30 a.m. down at Secrest. So this event is open to the public and we’re really excited to be hosting Erik Weihenmayer. He was the first blind man and is still the only blind man to have summited Mt. Everest. Not only has he summited it, he has taken other expeditions up and led them himself.”

Aside from climbing Everest and kayaking through the Grand Canyon while blind, Weihenmayer has also worked with disabled U.S. military veterans to help them readjust to life and overcome the new challenges they face. 

Muskingum County students were challenged to read Weihenmayer’s work and share their perspectives in a writing competition that will be recognized during Weihenmayer’s visit.

“This is actually in conjunction with the Mary Helen Straker Award in Writing. So that’s a writing contest open to all Muskingum County students, ages Sophomore and Junior years. And those winners will receive monetary awards. They’re not scholarships, it is just a monetary award for doing well and applying themselves and choosing, because it is a choice to compete.”

Weihenmayer has been hired by several global corporations to speak to their employees and is coming to the Secrest Auditorium, located at 3rd and Shinnick Street in Zanesville at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday to share his perspectives on overcoming adversity.  

The event is free and open to the public and the library has Weihenmayer’s books available for checkout or purchase.