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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests interrogated suspects during the Murder in the Library: Hulas and Homicides program on May 11 at the Poland library.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests won first place, second place and furthest from being correct during the Murder in the Library program. Pictured are, from left, Lexi Platt - first place, Nancy Kemp - second place and Joanne Stalnacker - furthest from the answer.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Cast members were portrayed by volunteers, many who work for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Pictured are, from left, (back) Stuart Gibbs, John Waller; (middle) Melissa Guthrie, John Yingling, Kevin Clark, Jen Kuczek; (front) Mary Yee, Nicole DiPiero and Mallory Wiand.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Mary Yee and Nicole DiPiero showed off their hula dancing moves on May 11 during the Murder in the Library: Hulas and Homicide program at the Poland library.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests filled the Poland library on May 11 for the Murder in the Library: Hulas and Homicide event.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
More than 80 people used their best detective skills to solve the murder of Winnie Waheli during the Murder in the Library: Hulas and Homicide program at the Poland library on May 11.
This is the third year that librarian Jen Kuczek has hosted a Murder in the Library program. Each year there is a different theme of murder and dozens of people come to listen, interrogate and see who the murderer really is.
The suspects in the mystery are played by volunteers who mostly work for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The volunteers dress for the part and are given a background on the character they are playing.
“I’m thrilled with the turnout. I think we had like 85 people come,” said Kuczek.
Guests came dressed in their best Hawaiian outfits and were given a lei as they walked through the doors. Many people who came to the program came with their friends ready to solve the murder. The guests sat at tables together and prepared to hear statements from the suspects.
The program started out with all of the suspects giving their stories and alibis about what had happened during the night of the murder. The guests were given paper to take notes on and after the suspects gave their statements, clues and newspaper articles were given to each of the tables to help. During intermissions, the guests were served Hawaiian pizza and cupcakes decorated with flowers and mini umbrellas.
The suspects walked around the room during the second part of the program as the guests were given the opportunity to ask questions to try and figure out who did it. At the end of interrogations, the guests wrote down who they thought did it, why the person did it, how the murder was committed and what made them come to their conclusion.
“During the last two programs, we had about five or less guess the right answer,” said Kuczek.
When the program came to an end, the guests found out that Hanna Hobart, played by Nicole DiPiero, was the murderer. Three awards were given, one for first place, one for second place and one for whoever was furthest away from the correct answer.