Vermont Humanities Events Statewide  

 

May

May 8 — Book Discussion: Night by Elie Wiesel. Part of the World War II: The Loss of the Age of Innocence series. These novels richly illustrate coming-of-age themes against the backdrop of World War II with three memorable protagonists: an Army bombardier, a girl on the American homefront, and a teenage survivor of the Nazi genocide. Led by Barbara Mieder. Hosted by the South Hero Community Library. South Hero Community Library, 75 South St, 7:00 pm. Diana Cleborne, (802) 372-6209.

May 8 — The Irish "Wave" in the Green Mountains. Beginning in the late 1840s and lasting through the 1860s, thousands of Irish immigrants, escaping the potato famine in their homeland, settled in Vermont. They arrived in the Green Mountain State just as Vermont was undergoing a mini industrial revolution—a revolution based on railroad construction, the quarrying of slate and marble, and on textile production. Vince Feeney, author of the recently published history of the Irish in Vermont, Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers, tells the little-known story of the impact of Irish immigrants on Vermont life in the middle of the nineteenth century. Hosted by the Bradford Historical Society. Bradford Academy, 172 North Main Street, 6:45 pm. Lawrence Coffin, (802) 222-4423.

May 9 — Book Discussion: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. Part of the Memorable Memoirs series. Memoirs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They are not autobiographies. Rather than a straight chronology of the author’s life, memoirs hone in on a specific feature of that life. The following memoirs use both traditional and unconventional formats to do just that. Led by John R Turner. Hosted by the Fairfax Community Library. Fairfax Community Library, 75 Hunt St, 6:30 pm. Karyn Norwood, (802) 849-2420.

May 9 — Book Discussion: A Country Year by Sue Hubbell. Part of the Farms and Gardens series. Vermonters know as well as anyone the rich metaphors inherent in farming and gardening. These authors dig deep to explore the philosophical roots, family dynamics, and personal enrichment associated with tending and growing. Led by Alan Berolzheimer. Hosted by the Grafton Public Library. Grafton Public Library, 6:30 pm. Michelle Dufort, (802) 843-2404.

May 13 — The Old Country Fiddler: Charles Ross Taggart, Vermont’s Traveling Entertainer. Having grown up in Topsham, Vermont, Charles Ross Taggart went on to a forty-year career performing in countless stage shows across the country, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua circuit. A fiddler, piano player, humorist, singer, and ventriloquist, he made at least 25 recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies, and appeared in a talking movie picture four years before Al Jolson starred in The Jazz Singer. Fiddler Adam Boyce portrays Mr. Taggart near the end of his career, circa 1936, sharing recollections of his life and career interspersed with live fiddling and humorous sketches. Hosted by the Rockingham Free Public Library. Bellows Falls, Masonic Temple, 61 Westminster St, 7:00 pm. Ed Graves, (802) 463-4270.

May 14 — Book Discussion: America's War  and other books from the Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. Developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, this Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative series uses works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories to examine a broad range of perspectives in an exploration of the American Civil War. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 7:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.

May 15 — The Allen Brothers: Original Vermont Developers. Little has been said about Ethan and Ira Allen's activities as real estate developers. This presentation by Vincent Feeney explains the importance of real estate speculation in the colonies on the eve of the Revolution, how the grants system functioned in theory and in practice, how the Allens acquired thousands of acres in Vermont with little cash, how American independence ruined their real estate empire, and how Ira sought to recoup his fortune in schemes inimical to United States interests. Hosted by the Lowell Historical Society. Lowell School, 52 Gelo Park Rd, 7:00 pm. Sam Thurston, (802) 744-6859.

May 15 — Poetry Reading and Discussion. A Vermont Reads Event. Vermont's Poet Laureate Sydney Lea will read and discuss poetry. Refreshments will be provided. Hosted by the Quechee Library. Wilder Club and Library, 78 Norwich Ave, 5:30 pm. Kate Schaal, (802) 695-6341 or (802) 295-1232.

May 17 — Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense. Hitchcock famously said “Some films are slices of life; mine are slices of cake.” His career spanned forty years and many film eras. Film expert Rick Winston will discuss the evolution of Hitchcock’s craft, exploring his favorite themes, his relationship with his collaborators, and his wry sense of humour no matter how grisly the subject matter. By drawing on twelve film clips, starting with his 1925 silent The Lodger and continuing through to his Hollywood classics such as Notorious and Rear Window, Winston will illuminate the arc of Hitchcock’s brilliant career. Hosted by the Weathersfield Proctor Library. Ascutney, Weathersfield Proctor Library, 5181 Route 5, 7:30 pm. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 674 -2863.

May 19 — Alec Turner: A Trek from Slavery to Freedom. Alec Turner was born a slave in 1845 on the John Gouldin plantation of Port Royal, Virginia. He died a freeman, farmer, and landowner in Grafton, Vermont in 1923. His is a remarkable narrative, told by Alec to his family and recounted to Jane Beck by his daughter, Daisy, who was born in Grafton in 1883. Alec Turner's saga is rich in detail, with compelling anecdotes painted on a well-textured canvas. We are drawn to the power of Alec Turner's spirit, his humanity, and the measure of the man himself. Hosted by the Hartland Historical Society. Hartland, First Congregational Church of Hartland, 10 Station Rd, 2:00 pm. Carol Mowry, (802) 436-3383.

May 20 — Book Discussion: Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer. Part of the Founding Fathers series. The Founding Fathers loom large in the history books, but who were these people really? This series removes the pedestal from beneath these historical luminaries to examine their full humanity—heroic and flawed, witty and scandalous, compassionate and sly, inventive and insecure, brilliant and brash. Led by Helene Lang. Hosted by the Wake Robin Retirement Community. Shelburne, Wake Robin Retirement Community, 200 Wake Robin Dr, 7:30 pm. Natalie Albers, (802) 985-0659.

May 21 — Vermont History through Song. Singer and researcher Linda Radtke, joined by pianist Arthur Zorn, brings Vermont history to life with engaging commentary about the songs found in the Vermont Historical Society's collection of sheet music. Dressed in period costume, Ms. Radtke takes listeners through state history, using the songs Vermonters published in their communities. Hosted by the Williamstown Historical Society. Williamstown, The Gardens at Williamstown Square, Dining Room, 2844 Vt Route 14, 6:30 pm. Mary Norman, (802) 433-1600.

May 22 — Vermont and the Civil War. From Cedar Creek to Gettysburg, Vermonters were central to the Union cause. Vermont author and Civil War historian Howard Coffin addresses the Vermont contribution to the Civil War. Hosted by the Berlin Historical Society. Berlin, First Congregational Church, Parish Hall, 1808 Scott Hill Rd, 7:00 pm. Norbert Rhinerson, (802) 223-1203.

May 23 — Book Discussion: Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education by Michael Pollan. Part of the Farms and Gardens series. Vermonters know as well as anyone the rich metaphors inherent in farming and gardening. These authors dig deep to explore the philosophical roots, family dynamics, and personal enrichment associated with tending and growing. Led by Alan Berolzheimer. Hosted by the Grafton Public Library. Grafton Public Library, 6:30 pm. Michelle Dufort, (802) 843-2404.

May 24 — Suspended Worlds: Vermont's Painted Theater Curtains. Between 1880 and World War II, painted theater curtains were artistic features of most New England villages and towns. In Vermont, painted curtains graced stages in town and grange halls, opera houses, and community theaters. A culture of local variety shows and traveling, professional talent flourished in front of those curtains in some very remote places. Former Vermont Museum and Gallery Alliance director Christine Hadsel provides a tour of some of the 177 curtains in Vermont, offering a glimpse into the world of talented and often sophisticated artists who were part of the rural cultural scene. Hosted by the Moretown Historical Society. Moretown, Town Hall, Main St, 7:00 pm. Denise Gabaree, (802) 496-2090.

May 28 — Book Discussion: Here and Nowhere Else: Late Seasons of a Farm and Its Family by Jane Brox. Part of the Farms and Gardens series. Vermonters know as well as anyone the rich metaphors inherent in farming and gardening. These authors dig deep to explore the philosophical roots, family dynamics, and personal enrichment associated with tending and growing. Led by Patricia S Norton. Hosted by the Pope Memorial Library. Danville, Pope Memorial Library, 7:00 pm. Deidre Palmer, (802) 684-2256.

May 30 — Shipwrecks of Lake Champlain. Learn about Lake Champlain's most harrowing shipwreck stories from the Revolutionary War to the present day with Lake Champlain Maritime Museum archaeologist Adam Kane. With over 300 wrecks in its dark, cold waters, Lake Champlain has witnessed feats of heroism and terrible tragedies. Take a memorable tour through slides, drawings, and video of what lies beneath the waves. Hosted by the Swanton 250th Anniversary Committee.Swanton, Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge, 29 Tabor Rd, 7:00 pm. Rebecca Rupp, (802) 868-2879.

June

June 3 — Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project. Drawing on his book Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, Dr. Jack Mayer tells the story of a holocaust hero who rescued 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto, and how three Kansas teenagers, 60 years later, helped to bring that hero’s forgotten story to the world. Hosted by the Burnham Memorial Library. Colchester, Burnham Memorial Library, 898 Main St, 6:30 pm. Debra Woolford, (802) 879-7576.

June 4 — A Sense of Place: Vermont's Farm Legacy. The character of a place is shaped by its cultural heritage and folklife, the informal traditions of family and community that guide the ways in which a person plans a meal, treats a neighbor, or understands civic responsibility. In Vermont the cultural legacy of farming has strongly influenced the identity of Vermonters, and it is these distinctive traditions, which have persisted even with the decline in farm numbers, that help make the state unique. This lecture by Gregory Sharrow explores the fabric of farm culture in the past and probes its relationship to the world of Vermont today. Hosted by the Morristown Centennial Library. Morrisville, Morristown Centennial Library, 6:30 pm. Scott McLaughlin, (802) 888-7617.

June 5 — American Oracle: The Civil War in the Civil Rights Era. David Blight, Yale professor and acclaimed author of Race and Reunion, considers how Americans looked on the War’s centennial during the early 1960s and explores the gulf between remembrance and reality.A First Wednesdays lecture (rescheduled from December 5). Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Congregational Church, 15 Church St, 7:00 pm. Lucinda Walker, (802) 649-1184.

June 5 — Book Discussion: The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald. Part of the The Romantic Ideal series. The characters in these works seek out their ideal of love, happiness, and fulfillment with consequences that are by turns bittersweet, tragic, noble, unconventional, and even comic. But can an ideal ever be met? Led by John R Turner. Hosted by the Kimball Public Library. Randolph, Kimball Public Library, 67 N Main St, 7:00 pm. Lynne Gately, (802) 728-5073.

June 5 — Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense. Hitchcock famously said “Some films are slices of life; mine are slices of cake.” His career spanned forty years and many film eras. Film expert Rick Winston will discuss the evolution of Hitchcock’s craft, exploring his favorite themes, his relationship with his collaborators, and his wry sense of humour no matter how grisly the subject matter. By drawing on twelve film clips, starting with his 1925 silent The Lodger and continuing through to his Hollywood classics such as Notorious and Rear Window, Winston will illuminate the arc of Hitchcock’s brilliant career. Hosted by the Georgia Public Library. Georgia Public Library, 1697 Ethan Allen Hwy, 7:00 pm. Angela Peck, (802) 524-4643.

June 7 — The Old Country Fiddler: Charles Ross Taggart, Vermont’s Traveling Entertainer. Having grown up in Topsham, Vermont, Charles Ross Taggart went on to a forty-year career performing in countless stage shows across the country, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua circuit. A fiddler, piano player, humorist, singer, and ventriloquist, he made at least 25 recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies, and appeared in a talking movie picture four years before Al Jolson starred in The Jazz Singer. Fiddler Adam Boyce portrays Mr. Taggart near the end of his career, circa 1936, sharing recollections of his life and career interspersed with live fiddling and humorous sketches. Hosted by the Groton Historical Society. Groton United Methodist Church, Scott Highway, 7:00 pm. Joan Haskell, (802) 584-3477.

June 9 — Vermont History through Song. Singer and researcher Linda Radtke, joined by pianist Arthur Zorn, brings Vermont history to life with engaging commentary about the songs found in the Vermont Historical Society's collection of sheet music. Dressed in period costume, Ms. Radtke takes listeners through state history, using the songs Vermonters published in their communities. Part of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation's "Vermont Days" weekend Hosted by the Friends of the Morrill Homestead. Strafford, Justin Smith Morrill Homestead, Main House, 214 Morrill Memorial Hwy, 3:00 pm. Michael Caduto, (802) 765-4288.

June 10 — Dorothy Canfield Fisher: A Vermonter for the World. Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote often about Vermont, but she was a writer beyond our region who communicated to the world and to the human spirit. She celebrated the book as the surest tool for thought. In her forty books of fiction and nonfiction, she attacked discrimination, intolerance, brutality, and fraud. Her writing was vibrant and heartening with glorious aspects of living life with courage and joy. This living history presentation by Helene Lang showcases her life's works. Hosted by the Woodstock Historical Society. Woodstock, Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm St, 7:00 pm. Jennie Shurtleff, (802) 457-1822.

June 12 — The Old Country Fiddler: Charles Ross Taggart, Vermont’s Traveling Entertainer. Having grown up in Topsham, Vermont, Charles Ross Taggart went on to a forty-year career performing in countless stage shows across the country, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua circuit. A fiddler, piano player, humorist, singer, and ventriloquist, he made at least 25 recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies, and appeared in a talking movie picture four years before Al Jolson starred in The Jazz Singer. Fiddler Adam Boyce portrays Mr. Taggart near the end of his career, circa 1936, sharing recollections of his life and career interspersed with live fiddling and humorous sketches. Hosted by the Bennington Senior Center. Bennington Senior Center, 124 Pleasant St, 1:00 pm. Susan Hoag, (802) 442-1052.

June 12 — The Vermont Civil War Songbook. Dressed in period costume, singer/researcher Linda Radtke shares songs from Vermont during the Civil War period, with engaging commentary and letters from Vermont soldiers. Seldom-heard songs from the Vermont Historical Society include the comic but poignant "Grafted into the Army," "Yankee Robinson at Bull Run," "Neath the Pines of Vermont" (in which a soldier returns home to die), a satirical song about Jefferson Davis, and sentimental ballads from Vermont during the period. Linda Radtke is joined by pianist Arthur Zorn in this program for all audiences that brings the Civil War period in Vermont to life through music and letters. Hosted by the Northeast Kingdom Civil War Roundtable. Newport, Eastside Restaurant, 47 Landing St, 7:00 pm. Tyler Alexander, (802) 881-2568.

June 15 — An Apprentice Boat Builder in Japan. When people think about Japan, they often think of manga and anime, busy urban centers, and an economy based on innovations in electronics. People may not know of a “second Japan,” with a rich history of traditional arts and crafts, many of which are fast disappearing as modernization has broken down the traditional apprentice system. Since 1996, writer and researcher Douglas Brooks has apprenticed with four boat builders in Japan, building five types of Japanese boats. In this slide talk he shares his experiences with these traditional crafts. Hosted by the Blake Memorial Library. East Corinth, Blake Memorial Library, 676 Village Rd, 7:00 pm. Ken Linge, (802) 439-5338.

June 26 — Early Photographs of Native North Americans. Richly illustrated with nineteenth- and early twentieth-century photos of Native peoples, this talk by UNH Vice Provost and professor Lisa MacFarlane explores the stories behind the iconic and often stereotypical images, providing a glimpse into the history of clashing cultures.A First Wednesdays lecture (Rescheduled from March 6). Hosted by the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main St, 7:00 pm. Mary Ellen Reis, (802) 748-8291.

June 26 — A Sense of Place: Vermont's Farm Legacy. The character of a place is shaped by its cultural heritage and folklife, the informal traditions of family and community that guide the ways in which a person plans a meal, treats a neighbor, or understands civic responsibility. In Vermont the cultural legacy of farming has strongly influenced the identity of Vermonters, and it is these distinctive traditions, which have persisted even with the decline in farm numbers, that help make the state unique. This lecture by Gregory Sharrow explores the fabric of farm culture in the past and probes its relationship to the world of Vermont today. Hosted by the South Hero Community Library. South Hero Community Library, 75 South St, 7:00 pm. Carolyn Brennan, (802) 372-6209.

June 26 — Book Discussion: Madame Bovary by Gustav Flaubert. Part of the The Romantic Ideal series. The characters in these works seek out their ideal of love, happiness, and fulfillment with consequences that are by turns bittersweet, tragic, noble, unconventional, and even comic. But can an ideal ever be met? Led by Gina Logan. Hosted by the Kimball Public Library. Randolph, Kimball Public Library, 67 N Main St, 7:00 pm. Lynne Gately, (802) 728-5073.

June 28 — Alec Turner: Journey's End, Destination of a Dream. Alec Turner was born a slave in 1845 on the John Gouldin plantation of Port Royal, Virginia. He died a freeman, farmer, and landowner in Grafton, Vermont in 1923. His is a remarkable narrative, told by Alec to his family and recounted to Jane Beck by his daughter, Daisy, who was born in Grafton in 1883. Alec Turner's saga is rich in detail, with compelling anecdotes painted on a well-textured canvas. We are drawn to the power of Alec Turner's spirit, his humanity, and the measure of the man himself. Hosted by the Landgrove Meetinghouse. Landgrove Meetinghouse, Landgrove Road, 4:00 pm. Priscilla Grayson, (802) 824-6867.

June 30 — Jews in Colonial America. One of the great contemporary controversies concerning American society is its historic outlook toward religion. Were America’s Founding Fathers Christian, deists, or sometimes something else entirely? We know that minority Christian groups like the Pilgrims and Puritans made a new life and flourished in the New World. What about Jewish “pioneers”? Learn about Jewish life in Spanish, Dutch, and English colonies in the New World up until the American Revolution in this exciting talk by Lars Nielsen. Hosted by the Westview Meadows at Montplier. Montpelier, Westview Meadows, 171 Westview Meadows Rd, 2:00 pm. Chelsea Copeland, (802) 223-1068 x4.

July

July 10 — Book Discussion: I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away by Bill Bryson. Part of the New England Uncovered series. What lies hidden beneath the popular images of New England with its white spires and Yankee frugality? More than meets the eye! Led by Richard M Wizansky. Hosted by the Dover Free Library. East Dover, Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd, 7:00 pm. John Flores, (802) 348-7488.

July 13 — Agatha Christie: Creator of Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. In this living history performance by Helene Lang, Ms. Christie tells you how a typewriter in Torguay spawned over 80 mysteries and created Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. Learn about her life and walk in her footsteps in England. Discover why she was so knowledgeable about the poisons used in her stories; what influences in her life informed the creation of her famous leading detectives; some personal information about her family; and why she went to Yorkshire under an assumed name. Hosted by the Pettee Memorial Library. Wilmington, Memorial Hall Center for the Arts, 4 W Main St, 7:00 pm. Helena Queenie, (802) 464-8204.

July 14 — Vermont and the Civil War. From Cedar Creek to Gettysburg, Vermonters were central to the Union cause. Vermont author and Civil War historian Howard Coffin addresses the Vermont contribution to the Civil War. Hosted by the American Precision Museum. Windsor, American Precision Museum, 196 Main St, 3:00 pm. Sheila Brannan, (802) 674-5781.

July 16 — The Changing Music Scene of the 1940s. Catamount Arts’ Martin Bryan takes a look at the popular music scene of the 1940s — how it was affected by war, the musicians’ union, and the war’s aftermath — and how music styles evolved from the beginning of the decade to its end. Martin’s talk includes selections from original 78 rpm recordings, ranging from Big Band swing to wartime music, from popular Broadway musicals to bebop, and more. Americans marched off to war and returned to a changed society; Martin documents that time through its music. Hosted by the Sherburne Memorial Library. Killington, Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Rd, 2:00 pm. Heather Grev, (802) 442-9765.

July 17 — Book Discussion: Summer by Edith Wharton. Part of the The Romantic Ideal series. The characters in these works seek out their ideal of love, happiness, and fulfillment with consequences that are by turns bittersweet, tragic, noble, unconventional, and even comic. But can an ideal ever be met? Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Kimball Public Library. Randolph, Kimball Public Library, 67 N Main St, 7:00 pm. Lynne Gately, (802) 728-5073.

July 22 — Vermont History through Song. Singer and researcher Linda Radtke, joined by pianist Arthur Zorn, brings Vermont history to life with engaging commentary about the songs found in the Vermont Historical Society's collection of sheet music. Dressed in period costume, Ms. Radtke takes listeners through state history, using the songs Vermonters published in their communities. Hosted by the Enosburg Historical Society. Enosburg Falls, Methodist Church, 7:00 pm. Janice Geraw, (802) 933-2102.

July 24 — Book Discussion: Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. Part of the New England Uncovered series. What lies hidden beneath the popular images of New England with its white spires and Yankee frugality? More than meets the eye! Led by Richard M Wizansky. Hosted by the Dover Free Library. East Dover, Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd, 7:00 pm. John Flores, (802) 348-7488.

July 27 — A Sense of Place: Vermont's Farm Legacy. The character of a place is shaped by its cultural heritage and folklife, the informal traditions of family and community that guide the ways in which a person plans a meal, treats a neighbor, or understands civic responsibility. In Vermont the cultural legacy of farming has strongly influenced the identity of Vermonters, and it is these distinctive traditions, which have persisted even with the decline in farm numbers, that help make the state unique. This lecture by Gregory Sharrow explores the fabric of farm culture in the past and probes its relationship to the world of Vermont today. Hosted by the Mount Holly Town Library. Belmont, Mount HollyTown  Library, 26 Maple Hill Rd, 2:00 pm. Joan McCallum, (802) 259-2318.

August

August 7 — Book Discussion: Affliction by Russell Banks. Part of the New England Uncovered series. What lies hidden beneath the popular images of New England with its white spires and Yankee frugality? More than meets the eye! Led by Richard M Wizansky. Hosted by the Dover Free Library. East Dover, Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd, 7:00 pm. John Flores, (802) 348-7488.

August 10 — The Western Abenaki: History and Culture. Who were the native people of Vermont and how did they live? This lecture, by Jeanne Brink, examines the importance in Abenaki society of elders and children, the environment, and the continuance of lifeways and traditions. Hosted by the Hartford Historical Society. White River Junction, Lyman Point Park, 171 Bridge St, 1:30 pm. Martha Knapp, (802) 295-2713.

August 12 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Compilation of Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections on pride and envy from The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Linda Bland. Hosted by the Fletcher Free Library. Burlington, Heineberg Senior Center, 14 Heineberg Rd, 1:00 pm. Barbara Shatara, (802) 865-7211 or Pam Slattery, (802) 863-3982.

August 14 — The Roaring '20s in Fox Trot Tempo. Perhaps more than any other decade, the history of the 1920s is captured in the popular music of the day. From Lindbergh to Ford's Model A, from the Scopes Trial to the Florida land boom and the crossword puzzle craze, the music of the 1920s tells the story. This lecture by Martin Bryan traces historical events, from the sublime to the ridiculous, and illustrates them with archival recordings. (Lecture can be tied in with Frederick Allen's Only Yesterday.) Hosted by the Morristown Centennial Library. Morrisville, Morristown Centennial Library, 7 Richmond St, 7:00 pm. Scott McLaughlin, (802) 888-7617.

August 14 — Book Discussion: Mating by Norman Rush. Part of the The Romantic Ideal series. The characters in these works seek out their ideal of love, happiness, and fulfillment with consequences that are by turns bittersweet, tragic, noble, unconventional, and even comic. But can an ideal ever be met? Led by Patricia S Norton. Hosted by the Kimball Public Library. Randolph, Kimball Public Library, 67 N Main St, 7:00 pm. Lynne Gately, (802) 728-5073.

August 15 — Vermont and the Civil War. From Cedar Creek to Gettysburg, Vermonters were central to the Union cause. Vermont author and Civil War historian Howard Coffin addresses the Vermont contribution to the Civil War. Hosted by the Bristol Historical Society. Bristol, Howden Hall, 19 West St, 7:00 pm. Gerald L Heffernan, (802) 453-2888.

August 16 — Vermont and the Civil War. From Cedar Creek to Gettysburg, Vermonters were central to the Union cause. Vermont author and Civil War historian Howard Coffin addresses the Vermont contribution to the Civil War. Hosted by the Landgrove Meetinghouse. Landgrove Meetinghouse, Landgrove Road, 4:30 pm. Sally Ogden, (802) 824-3850.

August 18 — Inventive Vermonters: A Sampling of Farm Tools and Implements. Vermonters have always been inventive, especially when it comes to agricultural innovations. Time- and labor-saving inventions that ease the hard work of farming have always been important in our rural, agricultural state. In this illustrated lecture, retired engineer Paul Wood presents a sampling of farm tools, implements, and artifacts invented or produced in Vermont, examining their use, uniqueness of design, and the often fascinating stories of the inventors themselves. Hosted by the Orleans County Historical Society. Brownington, Old Stone House Museum, 109 Old Stone House Rd, 1:00 pm. Reba Korban, (802) 754-2022.

August 19 — A Vermont Music Sampler. Vermont has a significant and fascinating musical folklore. John Philip Sousa wrote "Stars and Stripes Forever" in Isle La Motte; Justin Morgan was first a composer and secondly a horse breeder; many Vermont folk songs and ballads were gathered by Helen Flanders; electronic music was discovered at Bennington College; and there's more! This slide presentation includes listening to music on tape and commentary from musician and scholar William Tortolano. Hosted by the Woodstock Historical Society. Woodstock Historical Society, 26 Elm St, 7:00 pm. Jennie Shurtleff, (802) 457-1822.

August 21 — Book Discussion: A Brother's Blood by Michael White. Part of the New England Uncovered series. What lies hidden beneath the popular images of New England with its white spires and Yankee frugality? More than meets the eye! Led by Richard M Wizansky. Hosted by the Dover Free Library. East Dover, Dover Free Library, 22 Holland Rd, 7:00 pm. John Flores, (802) 348-7488.

August 26 — Agatha Christie: Creator of Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. In this living history performance by Helene Lang, Ms. Christie tells you how a typewriter in Torguay spawned over 80 mysteries and created Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. Learn about her life and walk in her footsteps in England. Discover why she was so knowledgeable about the poisons used in her stories; what influences in her life informed the creation of her famous leading detectives; some personal information about her family; and why she went to Yorkshire under an assumed name. Hosted by the Enosburg Historical Society. Enosburg Falls, West Enosburg United Methodist Church, 1725 Tyler Branch Rd, 7:00 pm. Shirley Duso, (802) 933-4394.

September

September 4 — Book Discussion: Later Life by A.R. Gurney. Part of the The Romantic Ideal series. The characters in these works seek out their ideal of love, happiness, and fulfillment with consequences that are by turns bittersweet, tragic, noble, unconventional, and even comic. But can an ideal ever be met? Led by Jim Schley. Hosted by the Kimball Public Library. Randolph, Kimball Public Library, 67 N Main St, 7:00 pm. Lynne Gately, (802) 728-5073.

September 8 — 400 Miles Down the Connecticut River. New England's longest river, the Connecticut, is rich in history. Michael Tougias, author of fourteen books about New England, offers a narrated slide presentation that takes the viewer down the entire 410 miles of the river, discussing history from the days of loggers, Indian wars, steamships, and canals. Hosted by the Green Mountain Perkins Academy and Historical Association. South Woodstock, Green Mountain Perkins Academy, 1 Academy Circle, Main Classroom, 2:00 pm. Mark Curran, (802) 457-3251.

September 9 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Compilation of Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections on anger and sloth from The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Linda Bland. Hosted by the Fletcher Free Library. Burlington, Heineberg Senior Center, 14 Heineberg Rd, 1:00 pm. Barbara Shatara, (802) 865-7211 or Pam Slattery, (802) 863-3982.

September 14 — Agatha Christie: Creator of Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. In this living history performance by Helene Lang, Ms. Christie tells you how a typewriter in Torguay spawned over 80 mysteries and created Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. Learn about her life and walk in her footsteps in England. Discover why she was so knowledgeable about the poisons used in her stories; what influences in her life informed the creation of her famous leading detectives; some personal information about her family; and why she went to Yorkshire under an assumed name. Hosted by the Essex Free Library. Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, 2:00 pm. Lara Keenan, (802) 879-0313.

September 18 — Book Discussion: Five Great Short Stories by Anton Chekhov. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th Century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th Century roots and its later development as a 20th Century art form. Led by Jim Schley. Hosted by the Brown Public Library. Northfield, Brown Public Library, 93 S Main St, 7:00 pm. Lois R Cooley, (802) 485-7423.

September 19 — Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense. Hitchcock famously said “Some films are slices of life; mine are slices of cake.” His career spanned forty years and many film eras. Film expert Rick Winston will discuss the evolution of Hitchcock’s craft, exploring his favorite themes, his relationship with his collaborators, and his wry sense of humour no matter how grisly the subject matter. By drawing on twelve film clips, starting with his 1925 silent The Lodger and continuing through to his Hollywood classics such as Notorious and Rear Window, Winston will illuminate the arc of Hitchcock’s brilliant career. Hosted by the Friends of the Fletcher Memorial Library. Ludlow, Fletcher Memorial Library, 88 Main St, 7:00 pm. Kay O'Hare, (802) 228-2983.

September 25 — Classic Films of the 1950s. The 1950s were a fascinating time for Hollywood films. Several directors who began their careers in the silent era (Wilder, Hitchcock, Wyler) were in their prime; the studio system was in decline and independent films were gaining a foothold. New stars such as Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, and Audrey Hepburn were making their mark; vital issues of the time such as juvenile delinquency, comformity, and racial attitudes were addressed, however timidly, while the shadow of the Hollywood blacklist loomed. Rick Winston will show clips from several acclaimed films of various genres from that era and discuss their significance. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 153 US Route 5, 6:30 pm. Amy Wisehart, (802) 436 -2473.

October

October 1 — Dorothy Canfield Fisher: A Vermonter for the World. Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote often about Vermont, but she was a writer beyond our region who communicated to the world and to the human spirit. She celebrated the book as the surest tool for thought. In her forty books of fiction and nonfiction, she attacked discrimination, intolerance, brutality, and fraud. Her writing was vibrant and heartening with glorious aspects of living life with courage and joy. This living history presentation by Helene Lang showcases her life's works. Hosted by the Rutland County Retired Teachers. Rutland, American Legion Rutland Post 31, 33 Washington St, 1:00 pm. Martha St Onge, (802) 775-1642.

October 2 — Book Discussion: Poetry and Tales by Edgar Allan Poe. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th Century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th Century roots and its later development as a 20th Century art form. Led by Mary Findley. Hosted by the Brown Public Library. Northfield, Brown Public Library, 93 S Main St, 7:00 pm. Lois R Cooley, (802) 485-7423.

October 3 — The Neolithic World of Stone. Who built Stonehenge and why? When and how was it built? This slide lecture by Bob Manning addresses these and other questions related to the Neolithic monuments of Ireland, Brittany, and the United Kingdom. Stone circles, dolmens, and chambered tombs from Stonehenge, Avebury, Cornwall, Newgrange, Callanish, Carnac, and the Orkney Islands will be featured. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 6:30 pm. Kathy, (802) 885-3108.

October 5 — The Vermont Civil War Songbook. Dressed in period costume, singer/researcher Linda Radtke shares songs from Vermont during the Civil War period, with engaging commentary and letters from Vermont soldiers. Seldom-heard songs from the Vermont Historical Society include the comic but poignant "Grafted into the Army," "Yankee Robinson at Bull Run," "Neath the Pines of Vermont" (in which a soldier returns home to die), a satirical song about Jefferson Davis, and sentimental ballads from Vermont during the period. Linda Radtke is joined by pianist Arthur Zorn in this program for all audiences that brings the Civil War period in Vermont to life through music and letters. Hosted by the Rockingham Free Public Library. Bellows Falls, Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St, 12:00 pm. Ed Graves, (802) 463-4270.

October 14 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Compilation of Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections on greed, gluttony, and lust from The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Linda Bland. Hosted by the Fletcher Free Library. Burlington, Heineberg Senior Center, 14 Heineberg Rd, 1:00 pm. Barbara Shatara, (802) 865-7211 or Pam Slattery, (802) 863-3982.

October 16 — Book Discussion: Selected Works of Flannery O'Connor by Flannery O'Connor. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th Century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th Century roots and its later development as a 20th Century art form. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Brown Public Library. Northfield, Brown Public Library, 93 S Main St, 7:00 pm. Lois R Cooley, (802) 485-7423.

October 17 — The Changing Music Scene of the 1940s. Catamount Arts’ Martin Bryan takes a look at the popular music scene of the 1940s — how it was affected by war, the musicians’ union, and the war’s aftermath — and how music styles evolved from the beginning of the decade to its end. Martin’s talk includes selections from original 78 rpm recordings, ranging from Big Band swing to wartime music, from popular Broadway musicals to bebop, and more. Americans marched off to war and returned to a changed society; Martin documents that time through its music. Hosted by the Bristol Historical Society. Bristol, Howden Hall, 7:30 pm. Gerald L Heffernan, (802) 453-2888.

October 19 — The Neolithic World of Stone. Who built Stonehenge and why? When and how was it built? This slide lecture by Bob Manning addresses these and other questions related to the Neolithic monuments of Ireland, Brittany, and the United Kingdom. Stone circles, dolmens, and chambered tombs from Stonehenge, Avebury, Cornwall, Newgrange, Callanish, Carnac, and the Orkney Islands will be featured. Hosted by the Catamount Arts. St Johnsbury, Catamount Arts, 115 Eastern Ave, 3:00 pm. Jerry Aldredge, (802) 748-5616.

October 26 — One Regiment’s Story in the Civil War: The Ninth Vermont, 1862–1865. From guarding Confederate prisoners incarcerated at Camp Douglas, Illinois, to the woods of coastal North Carolina and finally to the gates of Richmond, the Ninth Vermont Regiment earned a reputation of being well-disciplined and steadfast under fire. Although lacking the renown of other Vermont units, it represented the state well throughout its history. Civil War historian Donald Wickman offers listeners tales of the ninth Vermont, highlighted by the stories of some of the 1,878 Vermonters who comprised it, as it became one of the most traveled regiments in the Federal army. Hosted by the Weston Women's Club. Weston Playhouse, 703 Main St, 4:00 pm. Maureen Brandt, (802) 824-5486.

October 30 — Book Discussion: Park City by Ann Beattie. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th Century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th Century roots and its later development as a 20th Century art form. Led by Gina Logan. Hosted by the Brown Public Library. Northfield, Brown Public Library, 93 S Main St, 7:00 pm. Lois R Cooley, (802) 485-7423.

November 21 — Arming the Union: Vermont Gunmakers and the Technology that Shaped America. During the Civil War, the Union army fielded more than two million men, most of them armed with newlymade, highly accurate rifles. In this illustrated lecture, historian and museum curator Carrie Brown explores the critical role that Windsor, Vermont, played in producing technology that won the war and changed American life and popular culture even after the war ended. Hosted by the Dorset Historical Society. Dorset, Bley House Museum, 34 Kent Hill Road, 12:00 pm. Suzanne Hittle, (802) 867-0331.