Lerner appears at Lawrence Borders

Harriet Lerner, the author of “The Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone when You’re Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed or Desperate,” will talk about and sign copies of her book at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders, 700 N.H.

Lerner will also answer questions from attendees.

For more information about Lerner and her books, go to www.harrietlerner.com.

Wertses to perform at Trail Day fest

Abilene Lawrence musicians Kelly and Diane Werts will perform songs and stories of the pioneer days at the Chisholm Trail Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Heritage Center, 412 S. Campbell.

The festival also includes farming demonstrations, an exhibit of artworks made of straw, a covered wagon packed as if it were heading west, living history demonstrations and arts and crafts.

Admission is $3 for adults and free to children under 12 when accompanied by an adult.

Auditions to be held for holiday musical

Lawrence Community Theatre will hold auditions for “The Christmas Schooner,” a holiday musical, at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the theater, 1501 N.H.

The musical tells the story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German-American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago. His voyages become a yearly tradition despite his wife’s misgivings, until a fateful trip makes her realize the true importance of his mission.

The show will be directed by Jeff Montague, with musical direction by Francene Beall.

Roles are available for children and adults. Those auditioning should prepare a short song. An accompanist will be provided.

Perusal scripts may be checked out with a $10 deposit.

Burton speaks at Emporia

Emporia LeVar Burton, best known for his role as Jordi LaForge in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and his PBS program “Reading Rainbow,” is the guest speaker at the William Allen White Children’s Books Awards Oct. 5 at Emporia State University. He will appear at a fund-raising dinner from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50.

This year’s award winners will be recognized at a program from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The winners are Andrew Clements for “The Landry News,” and Christopher Paul Curtis for “Bud, Not Buddy.”

Tickets are $8 for children and $15 for adults.