Local author and vintage cookbook collector Amy Alessio is back to share hilarious recipes from the 1950s. Enjoy a humours slide show of vintage recipes we used to love along with a tasty snack inspired by the era.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
Don't get rid of your old books! Turn those dusty hardcovers that are sitting on your shelf into beautiful folded book art. We will provide the books and templates that you can try here and finish at home.
Don't get rid of your old books! Turn those dusty hardcovers that are sitting on your shelf into beautiful folded book art. We will provide the books and templates that you can try here and finish at home.
Local author and historian William Hazelgrove is back to promote newest book, the very first biography of Sally Rand. She would pave the way for every sex symbol to follow from Marilyn Monroe to Lady Gaga, but in the end she would die penniless and in debt. She broke the mold in 1933, by proclaiming the female body as something beautiful and taking it out of the strip club with her ethereal fan dance. She was a poor girl from the Ozarks who ran away with a carnival, then joined the circus, and finally made it to Hollywood where Cecil B. Demille set her on the road to fame with silent movies.
Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?
Starring: Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen
Rated: PG | Running Time: 2 hr., 9 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Women of WWII: Serving Soldiers at the Whistle Stop Canteen
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a historical presentation by local author Barb Warner Deane on the women who helped serve troops traveling in trains across the country on their way to World War II.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, American troops started traveling across the U.S. for recruitment, induction, training, and deployment. Most servicemen had never been far away from home and certainly not on an over-crowded troop train, destination unknown. You may have heard of the Stage Door Canteen or Hollywood Canteen, where celebrities offered food, dancing, and entertainment to our servicemen. But the real surprise came at train stations all across the country, such as North Platte, NE, Dennison, OH, Reno, NV, and Connellsville, PA, where local women, children, and senior citizens sacrificed their own food and ration stamps to provide a morale boost to hungry, homesick, and frightened soldiers. Come learn about how the Greatest Generation pulled together to help our troops.
NEW DATE AND ROOMS! Genealogy Club has moved to third Wednesday of the month (except in September and December) from 6:30-8:45 p.m. in the larger Meeting Rooms A/B. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
Anna Brady plans to travel to Dublin, Ireland to propose marriage to her boyfriend Jeremy on Leap Day, because, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it.
Starring: Amy Adams and Matthew Goode
Rated: PG | Running Time: 1 hr., 40 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
NEW DATE AND ROOMS! Genealogy Club has moved to third Wednesday of the month (except in September and December) from 6:30-8:45 p.m. in the larger Meeting Rooms A/B. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
Strange & Wonderful Illinois - Part 2: Stuff You Didn't See The First Time!
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a tour of Illinois' biggest, smallest, tallest, and shortest, most strange and wonderful sights throughout our state, and plan your weirdest summer road trip ever with local roadside attraction and graveyard experts, Jim & Paula Hantak.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
In this seminar, attorney John Pankau will go beyond the basics of wills and trusts and expand on the topic to include specialty trusts, such as: special needs trusts, testamentary trusts, ATF compliant NFA trusts, pet trusts, IRA trusts, grandchildren trusts, and spendthrift trusts. He will also review Powers of Attorney for property and healthcare as well as HIPAA releases. Prior attendance at the Basics seminar is not required.
Readers unite! Join us for book recommendations, refreshments, trivia, and book group services at the library. Register for either the afternoon or night Book Club Binge.
Readers unite! Join us for book recommendations, refreshments, trivia, and book group services at the library. Register for either the afternoon or night Book Club Binge.
US-Cuba Relations 1898-2018: What They Didn't Teach Us In School
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
In 1898 the US declared a successful war against Spain to expel that country from the Americas and begin its exploitation of Cuba. Learn how American business interests dominated US-Cuba relations until the Cuban Revolution of 1956-59 when subsequent land reform injured American business and political pride, resulting in political and economic sanctions that continue to this day.
Never found in America's schoolbooks, this hidden story will be discussed by Walt Zlotow, a member of the West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
The story of America’s great river - its course, character, and general river life - as experienced by a modern-day Huck Finn while canoeing solo all 2300 miles down the “Mighty Mississippi” from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
John Lynn of Peoria has photographed all 2400 Illinois cities, villages, and towns. He has also hiked, biked, and canoed enough historic and scenic trails, roads, and rivers in North America and Britain to circle the globe. He has now shared his experiences with over 4000 audiences in three countries.
When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie's Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all.
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska
Rated: PG-13 | Running Time: 1 hr., 58 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn
Rated: PG-13 | Running Time: 2 hr., 5 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
Consummate con man Roy Courtnay has set his sights on his latest mark: the recently widowed Betty McLeish, worth millions. But this time, what should have been a simple swindle escalates into a cat-and-mouse game with the ultimate stakes.
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey
Rated: R | Running Time: 1 hr., 49 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
Silver & Gold: What Are Your Coins and Precious Metals Worth?
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
What are your old coins, gold and silver jewelry worth? Dave Ekstrom, a lifelong coin collector, member of the American Numismatic Association and retired school teacher, will offer a presentation on coin collecting and gold and silver values. You will also have an opportunity to have your coins and gold or silver items appraised for free after the presentation (this does not include precious stones).
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
This presentation will explore the many new options for European travel including apartment rentals, new train/air offerings, and using the internet to research and customize your travel. Travel enthusiast Gene Flynn will discuss both short and focused travel and longer trips covering several regions. Europe has never been easier to visit. Good advanced planning can greatly enhance the experience.
A founding member of the Impressionists, Claude Monet found inspiration in scenes of modern life and in the French landscape. His travels to England and Italy led to paintings featuring landmarks in London and Venice. In this lecture, learn about Monet’s career and his favorite series subjects including train stations, grain stacks, poplars, and waterlilies.
Art historian Jeff Mishur presents this lecture. Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions, a company that provides private guiding in Chicago; boutique art and culture tours in the United States; and lectures on a wide range of subjects. A popular speaker about art historical and travel topics, he has his M.A. in Art History from Northern Illinois University and has taught at the university level for many years.
Gokhale Method is a posture modification method that is probably "the greatest contribution ever made to non-surgical back pain treatment." (Helen Barkan, M.C., Neurology, Mayo Clinic). In our free workshop, we offer some simple tips for people to get started on their journey to eliminating structural pain. By viewing our ancestors, populations that have little structural pain, and young children (before they learn bad postural habits), Esther Gokhale has put together a system that has helped thousands.
Local Gokhale Method practitioner, Chris Pedersen, has presented free workshops regarding posture modification in various venues over the past 3 years including NOW Foods and private homes.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Meditation: Dealing with the Stress of Modern Life
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The ancient tradition of meditation has become even more valuable for people of our modern times. People today still face a great deal of turmoil in their private lives and in the world, however meditation is a tool that can be used to cope with the challenges of everyday life and reduce stress. There are many benefits that come from meditation on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. During this engaging workshop you will learn a simple time-tested technique and even have the chance to try this out! Please join Zelma Chamerlain, M.Ed, long time meditator for this powerful workshop.
Brief Bio for Zelma Chamberlain, M. Ed
Zelma Pierce Chamberlain, M.Ed, is a retired educator with over 20 years of experience working with a non-traditional school population. Zelma has been meditating for over 35 years and has found that meditation is key to living a life of peace and love. Coping with stressful situations is not easy, however, meditation allows her the opportunity to navigate life’s challenges with grace and serenity. Zelma is a National Women’s Retreat Coordinator for a non- profit organization. She facilitates and presents at women’s retreats throughout the country teaching a meditative technique that is widely respected and provides numerous benefits. Many have found her presentations direct, engaging and resonating with practical experiences that are enjoyed by all.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
This presentation features photography from the length of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and tells the overall story of the epic 8000-mile expedition from the Mississippi to the Pacific and back, but it focuses mainly on the outbound portion of the journey. Drawing on Lynn’s modern travels by mountain bike, the program places special emphasis upon the Corps of Discovery’s difficult 400-mile crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains in today’s Montana and Idaho, the last 180 miles down the Columbia River and along the Pacific Coast in today’s Washington and Oregon, and on to winter quarters at Astoria, the saltworks at Seaside, and over Tillamook Head to its point of farthest reach at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
John Lynn of Peoria has photographed all 2400 Illinois cities, villages, and towns. He has also hiked, biked, and canoed enough historic and scenic trails, roads, and rivers in North America and Britain to circle the globe. He has now shared his experiences with over 4000 audiences in three countries.
In just 25 years, we have found more than 4,000 planets around other stars. This presentation will highlight how we are searching for them, showcase some of the (very!) weird planetary oddballs, and discuss if any of these planets are like our own Earth.
Presented by Adler Planetarium Astroeducator, Michelle Nichols!
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Keeping the Wolf from the Door: A Look at Wise Folk Sayings
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This presentation looks at the origins of colorful, age-old folk sayings that are part of our everyday language. People know these sayings and may even use them — but they aren’t exactly sure where the sayings come from and what they mean. This program explores the origins of more than two dozen folk idioms and explains the meaning of each. If you need to keep the wolf from the door, let the cat out of the bag, or strike while the iron is hot, then take the bull by the horns and enjoy this presentation.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
This presentation features photography from the length of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and tells the overall story of the epic 8000-mile expedition from the Mississippi to the Pacific and back, but it focuses mainly on the homeward bound portion of the journey by way of the Missouri River. “Big Muddy” and its tributaries played a central role in the overall story of the expedition, accounting for almost 5000 miles of its travels and 18 of the expedition’s 28 months of explorations. Drawing on Lynn’s modern voyage by canoe and kayak down the length of the Missouri River, the program places special emphasis upon the Corps of Discovery’s 2300-mile descent of the Missouri River from Three Forks, Montana to the Mississippi and on to St. Louis.
John Lynn of Peoria has photographed all 2400 Illinois cities, villages, and towns. He has also hiked, biked, and canoed enough historic and scenic trails, roads, and rivers in North America and Britain to circle the globe. He has now shared his experiences with over 4000 audiences in three countries.
When The Music Died…The 50th Anniversary of The Beatles Break-Up
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
It was 50 years ago in spring/summer of 1970 that the Beatles called it quits. Incredibly, it was only 6 years earlier that the Beatles exploded in America on the Ed Sullivan Show. However, in that brief period they became - and remain - the world’s most iconic band thanks to a treasure chest of memorable songs and an uncanny ability to chart fresh musical direction with every new release. Using performance and interview clips we’ll investigate the reasons it all fell apart 50 years ago and what – if anything - could have been done to keep the band intact.
Presented by Gary Wenstrup, who teaches pop music history at several colleges' Continuing Education Departments including Oakton, Harper, and College of DuPage.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
In this lecture, Jeff Mishur discusses a selection of history’s most notorious art heists, some that have been solved and others that still remain open. Her first exposure to this subject came as a result of living and researching in Venice, Italy. The church adjacent to where she lived had a painting stolen that was never recovered. Dr. Mishur’s discussion features art crimes that involved The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, and more.
Jeff Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions, a company that provides private guiding in Chicago; lectures; and boutique art and culture tours in the United States.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
March of the Women: Music for the 100th Anniversary of Suffrage
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
2019 marks 100 years since Congress passed the 19th amendment — forbidding states to deny the right to vote on the basis of sex — on June 4, 1919, and sent it to the states for ratification. Illinois was one of the first three states, along with Michigan and Wisconsin, to ratify the amendment, just six days after Congress passed it. 2020 marks 100 years since August 26, 1920, when Tennessee became the last of the necessary 36 states to ratify the amendment, thus making it the law of the land.
This program consists of songs about women’s suffrage from as early as the mid-nineteenth century, through 1920, performed by Phil Passen. In addition, the program includes songs from the twentieth century about the role of women in society, including songs about equal work for equal pay; reproductive rights; and other relevant topics. This is an entertaining and informative look at the fight for women’s right to vote and the continuing fight for women’s rights.“
In this living-history portrayal, Actress and Scholar Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., portrays suffragist Alice Paul, one of the most dynamic leaders in the fight to win votes for women. An innovative and tireless worker, Paul arranged parades, organized the first picketing demonstrations outside the White House, lobbied politicians, and endured imprisonment for women’s suffrage. As fearless as she was pioneering, she remains an icon in the struggle for equal rights.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
Speakers from non-partisan pro-democracy organizations Represent Us and Citizen Advocacy Center will deliver a presentation on bottom-up anti-corruption strategies to bring ethics reform to DuPage County, the state of Illinois and the nation. The presentation will be followed by a Panel Discussion/Living Room Conversation.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in September & December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
David Wylly of the Medicare Solutions Network will be presenting a free educational seminar to get you up to speed on what Medicare covers, what it doesn’t, and your potential out of pocket exposure. David will discuss Supplements, Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Coverage, and cost saving strategies for the years ahead.
Join Steven Briggs, Financial Adviser & CCO of Briggs Financial, as we explore the different factors that contribute to Social Security payments and what you can do to get the most out of your Social Security benefit.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Edouard Manet took on the conservative art world in Paris by painting modern life as opposed to “accepted” subjects. By challenging the French academic system Manet inspired Morisot, Renoir, Monet and other Impressionists. In this lecture, learn about important works in Manet's oeuvre including Luncheon on the Grass, The Balcony and A Bar at the Folies-Bergère.
Art historian Jeff Mishur presents this lecture. Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions, a company that provides private guiding in Chicago; boutique art and culture tours in the United States; and lectures on a wide range of subjects. A popular speaker about art historical and travel topics, he has his M.A. in Art History from Northern Illinois University and has taught at the university level for many years.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
400 years ago, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, on 6 September 1620 and arrived at Cape Cod on 9 November 1620, after a 66 day voyage. Join us as we journey back through time to 1621 to investigate the origins of Thanksgiving at Plimouth Plantation. On the Mayflower II we will learn about the Pilgrim’s trip across the ocean. In the English Village we will see how they built their houses, cooked their food, and tended their farms. The Native American interpreters at the Wampanaog Homesite will tell us about life before the English arrived.
Presented by retired librarian and travel enthusiast, Nancy McCully.
The Monday Night Page Turners book discussion group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., except August and December. The group reads contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Genealogy Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month (except in December) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. A Local History librarian provides internet and archival genealogy instruction and research support. Members share ideas and meet other researchers, receive help with research questions and brick wall dilemmas, and share genealogy finds. Use of the genealogy collection in the Local History Department and individual help and instruction is also available.
The Great Decisions discussion program is a civic education program administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association. In preparation for the discussion, participants read the relevant chapter on a particular foreign policy issue in the Great Decisions briefing book that will be available for check out. A short DVD will be shown followed by a moderated discussion among the participants.
'Tis the Season: Holiday Traditions from Radio's Golden Age
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For many people, the holidays are a time of traditions—and there were plenty of entertaining traditions during the "Golden Age" of radio, from Jack Benny's annual shopping trips to Lionel Barrymore's portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge. This presentation offers a stocking stuffed with classic seasonal sounds from radio's past, designed to spur the imagination and share a bit of Yuletide spirit.
The Historical Book Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Books are selected on topics of American history from pre-Revolutionary War to current time including biographies, history books, historical fiction and classics. Copies of the selections are available at the Circulation Desk.
Winter may seem like a quiet time, but it is actually filled with bizarre tales and stories of cannibalistic spirits, Krampus the anti-Santa Claus, werewolves, witches, people being buried alive, and numerous other Holiday traditions for the darkest days of the year.
Paranormal enthusiast Chad Lewis, who has written over 20 books on the supernatural, is back to share some spooky legends and folklore about the holidays.
Working as an elf in a year round Christmas store is not good for Kate, the wannabe singer who constantly makes bad choices. However, she meets Tom and her life takes a new turn, which seems too good to be true.
Starring: Emma Thompson, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding
Rated: PG-13 | Running Time: 1 hr., 43 min.
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided and enter for a chance to win this month's movie on DVD - you must be present to win!
Celebrated annually on December 23, Festivus was created by writers of the TV series Seinfeld. This holiday "for the rest of us" as symbolized by a silver pole devoid of decoration mocks Christmas and all the commercialism that accompanies it. The irony, of course, is that Festivus was invented to bring in (and it still makes) a massive profit at Christmastime.
Join Dr. Kelli Marshall to learn more about the origins of this silly holiday and its place in popular culture, Chicago's included. A screening of the Seinfeld episode featuring Festivus will precede the lecture.
Monday Night Page Turners - Our Favorite Picks Party
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Special December date - second Monday of December
Drop in for our end of year party! There's no book discussion this month. Instead, we'll be talking about our favorite picks of the year, while enjoying some light refreshments. A list of all shared titles will be available after the party, so you're sure to find some great book, movie, and TV show recommendations. All are welcome!
