GETTING ALL SHOOK UP

Library pays tribute to Elvis on what would have been his 83rd birthday

The king was in the building at the Avon Lake Public Library on Jan. 8 as the staff and patrons celebrated what would have been the 83rd birthday of Elvis Presley.

Shea Alltmont, public relations and marketing coordinator for the library, said they’ve been holding celebrations for Elvis’ birthday for several years.

She said when she began working with the library in August she was informed of the importance of the event.

“One of our staff here is a big fan of Elvis and was the initial push for this back a couple years ago,” she said. “When I got here it was, sort of, put in my ear ‘like, hey Elvis’ birthday is on the 8th of January.’”

She said the library has tried

“Elvis’ birthday is pretty important because he has definitely been, I would say, the foundation of rock ‘n’ roll.” — Shea Alltmont

to do more with the event this year including displays of Elvis memorabilia, a display of the books and movies the library carries about “The King,” a video feed of documentaries and performances, a stream of birthday celebrations taking place at Graceland in Memphis, and coloring sheets in the form of classic velvet Elvis paintings.

“Elvis’ birthday is pretty important because he has definitely been, I would say, the foundation of rock ‘n’ roll,” Alltmont said. “One (of our books here) is by Bruce Springsteen and one of the chapters talks about, for him as a contemporary musician, how Elvis not only influenced him, but he influenced so many others.”

One person who was surely influenced by Elvis was 59-year-old Sue Zimmer of Bay Village. She was home sick one day in 1965, drinking 7-Up from a tall green bottle when she saw a movie on TV that would affect her for decades to come.

“There was a man sitting on a boat singing like a bird,” she said. “I mean his voice was just beautiful.”

After seeing a newspaper clipping on the event, Zimmer knew she had to make an appearance in a shirt styled like the famous jumpsuits Elvis would wear, black leather jacket, a necklace with Elvis written in diamonds and Elvis purse.

She said her home features Elvis memorabilia including commemorative plates, albums, Barbie dolls and movies.

According to Zimmer, Elvis will always be remembered because of the beauty of his hundreds of songs.

“His voice is absolutely luscious,” she said. “His voice got me through every turmoil of my life, every happy event, sad event, I do my housework to Elvis, I do my workout to Elvis.”

Zimmer currently works at Rae-Ann Skilled Nursing, and she picked up a stack of the Elvis coloring pages for residents there to color. She said she has at least one velvet Elvis painting within her home.

“That was the in thing in the ’80s, to have that velvet Elvis,” Zimmer said.

“The velvet Elvis is almost like a neutral,” Alltmont added. “It goes with décor in any room. You really can’t go wrong with a velvet Elvis.”

ERIC BONZAR—THE MORNING JOURNAL Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Shea Alltmont, left, and Sue Zimmer, 59, of Bay Village share a laugh and stories during the Avon Lake Public Library’s “All Shook Up! A Day of Elvis” event, Jan. 8. Zimmer—who said she’s been a fan of “the...

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Sue Zimmer dressed the part for a trip down memory lane, during the Avon Lake Public Library’s “All Shook Up! A Day of Elvis” event, Jan. 8. The 59-year-old, retired nurse, from Bay Village said she came to the library to take part in the celebration...