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"I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons...who welcomed me like a long-lost cousin. It takes two to have a successful reading: an enthusiastic presenter and an engaged audience, and boy did the stars align for us." -Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums

"Lunch With Books is an outstanding program -- one of the best in the country." -NPR Journalist Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man


"With a new book in hand, I’ve visited a lot of libraries lately, and I think the Ohio County Public Library is my all-time favorite. People are kind and welcoming, and deeply appreciate a visiting writer." -Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule (National Book Award)

“I wanted the book launch to be at Lunch With Books because it is the best library book program in West Virginia and because Wheeling and the Wheeling area was centrally involved in so many of the firsts in West Virginia sports.” –Bob Barnett, Hillside Fields: A History of Sports in West Virginia

This blog is being discontinued.

This blog is being discontinued.
Please visit: www.ohiocountylibrary.org/calendar

Monday, November 30, 2009

JUST ADDED: Craig Karges and J. David Diosi on December 22!


NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Craig Karges, Wheeling’s own “Extraordinist,” returns along with co-author J. David Diosi on Tuesday, December 22 at noon to discuss the new book, Extraordinary Tales: Stories from the Road. One part travel memoir and one part encyclopedia of the paranormal, the book takes readers around the world to explore the mystery of Atlantis, King Solomon's Mines, the Ark of the Covenant, Jack the Ripper, the secrets of the pyramids, Bigfoot, the White Witch of Jamaica, the Bermuda Triangle, and WV’s Mothman. It's a fun-filled world of ghosts, vampires and crystal skulls. Don't miss the pre-Christmas magic at Lunch With Books!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Tuesday, Dec 1: Witness at Hawk's Nest with Dwight Harshbarger

On Tuesday, December 1 at noon, WVU Psychology professor and author Dwight Harshbarger will be at the Lunch With Books program at the Ohio County Public Library to discuss his new book, Witness at Hawk’s Nest. The book explores the Depression era story of WV men (2/3 of whom were African American) who worked digging a tunnel for Union Carbide. More than 1000 workers eventually died from silicosis in one of America’s worst, and least known, industrial disasters. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Tuesday November 24: Alan Fitzpatrick

On Tuesday, November 17th at noon, Alan Fitzpatrick will be at the Lunch With Books program at the Ohio County Public Library to tell us about his new book, In Their Own Words: Native American Voices from the American Revolution. The book contains a unique and never before published collection of speeches of 18th century Native-American orators painstakingly transcribed from the Haldimand Papers housed in the British Library and National Archives of Canada. These documents provide insight into American Indian views of the events of the war in the Ohio Country. Cecy Rose, who created the cover art for the book, will accompany Mr. Fitzpatrick and will display some of her paintings. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Tuesday, November 18: The Swedish Nightingale

History will come alive at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday November 17 at noon as actress JoAnn Peterson portrays 19th century Swedish singer Jenny Lind. Known as the “Swedish Nightingale,” Lind was an acclaimed performer in Europe before being invited by P.T. Barnum to tour the United States, where she gave 93 concerts. In 1851, Lind visited Wheeling, performing at the Old Fourth Street Church. It was her only performance in West Virginia. Ms. Peterson’s appearance is made possible by the West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive program. While Peterson is a seasoned actor and vocalist, the program is not a concert, but a first-person presentation. Peterson regularly performs at West Virginia Public Theatre, writes and directs murder mystery plays, and provides entertainment for groups and organizations. She is the owner of Mountaineer Country Tours, which arranges group tours to West Virginia. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

November 10: Stonehenge

On Tuesday, November 10 at noon, Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library will welcome Pamela Apkarian-Russell (aka, The Halloween Queen) will return to discuss her new book, Stonehenge: Myth, Mystery, & Fog, featuring vintage photographs of the famous site. A display of Pamela's Stonehenge-related collectibles can currently be seen in the library's main display case. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Top Ten Lunch With Books Programs

Program; Presenter; Attendance; Date

1. SAENGERFEST; Eintracht German Singing Society; 200; 07-17-10

2. A Lucky Child; Auschwitz Survivor Judge Thomas Buergenthal; 198; 03-04-11

3. Fashion Show; Civil War 150; 194; 11-20-11

4. Ruanaidh; Art Rooney, Jr. and Jim O'Brien; 168; 06-15-10

5. Follow the River; James Alexander Thom; 160; 06-05-08

6. Warwood Memories; 157; 12-18-12

7. The Quiet Man Pub Reading; 150; 08-30-12

8. Wheeling Then and Now; Sean Duffy; 146; 09-07-10

9. Bloch Brother Tobacco; Stuart Bloch; 131; 04-27-10

10. Reasons to Believe; Dr. Scott Hahn; 126; 08-21-07

Book Discussion Groups

The Ohio County Public Library facilitates book discussion groups for both young adults and adults. Currently, the OCPL offers two adult groups, which meet on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month.

In addition to its own growing collection, the OCPL has access to the book discussion collection of the West Virginia Library Commission.

To join or form a book discussion group, or for more information, please call 304-232-0244.

Meeting of the Minds Philosophy Group

The Meeting of the Minds Philosophic Inquiry Forum is facilitated by David Weimer. The group meets virtually every Tuesday at 6 PM. Call the library for meeting room locations.

For more information, visit www.firstknowthyself.org/m&mphilosophy.htm or contact group organizer, David Weimer, at 740 526-0985 or by email at dwwweimer@comcast.net..