Mt. Vernon Register-News

Features

January 16, 2007

Sesser hopes for attention from Oprah, NYC

By LEAH NICOLE WILLIAMS

leah.williams@register-news.com

SESSER — With one out and nobody on, Mayor Ned Mitchell steps up once again to the batter’s box in hopes of scoring one for Sesser.

Mitchell began a media blitz late last month to obtain national coverage for Gary Moore’s book “Playing With The Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, a World at War and a Field of Broken Dreams.” The book is based on Moore’s father, Gene, a former Sesser resident who captivated the interest of a Brooklyn Dodger Scout before entering World War II.

But last week, the mayor learned that his challenge to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg struck out.

“I was kind of disappointed,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s challenge to Bloomberg was to get a fair review of Moore’s book in a New York publication and in return, Mitchell would promise a review of New York-based book, “The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and the Shot Heard Round the World,” in the Southern Illinoisan.

But Bloomsberg’s office contacted the marketing department of Moore’s publisher to say the mayor is not interested in participating.

“I know he is a tremendously busy person … but it was just such an impersonal response,” Mitchell said.

Now, the Sesser mayor has issued the same challenge to former mayor Rudy Giuliani, and this time, he said he thinks he will receive a more positive result.

“I think he is more of a people-person,” Mitchell said.

Sesser has also set its sights on media icon, Oprah. A film was made and sent to the producers in hopes of catching her interest and featuring the book on her show. Students from the kindergarten through 12th grade classes lined up to do a cheer. Fans were made, saying “We’re Oprah fans!” and 500 bumper stickers were printed enticing Winfrey to call Sesser for a booking.

A billboard has been set up on Illinois 154 to let passersby know about the mayor’s challenge to Oprah. Mitchell has even promised to rename the Sesser Opera House “the Sesser Oprah House” for a day if the TV mogul decides to pay the Franklin County community a visit.

Mitchell said the story of Gene Moore is one of hope and small-town life and could make a great feature for the talk show.

“It’s unheard of in the day,” Mitchell said. “And it’s unheard of today.”

The book is also set to be made into a feature film with Gerald Molen, who has worked on “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List” and “Minority Report.” Gary Moore’s son, Toby, will play his grandfather in the movie.

Moore said at a November book-signing that he sees a lot of the qualities of his father in the people he has met in Sesser.

“I love coming down here,” he said. “It’s like my book has come full circle.”

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