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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

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

April 5: Wheeling in the Great War

In commemoration of the U.S. entry into World War I in April 1917, Ohio County Public Library programming coordinator Seán Duffy will present a program called “Wheeling and the Ohio Valley in the Great War” on Tuesday April 5 at noon as a part of the library’s Lunch With Books series. Duffy will examine the impact of the First World War on the Wheeling area, including a look at those who served, the war’s impact on Wheeling’s German community, and the establishment of Post 1 of the American Legion. 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, March 22, 2011

MARCH 29: CIVIL WAR STEAMBOATS

Steamboat historian John Bowman will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday March 29 at noon to discuss his new book, Steamboats on the Western Rivers in the Civil War. The program will feature, among other things, information about the designer of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. In a segment called "Charles Ellet, Jr., Civil Engineer, War Strategist and Creator of the Civil War Ram Fleet,” Mr. Bowman will explain Ellet's ambitions and efforts to have the Navy accept his steamboat "Ram" idea for use during the war. 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.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Tuesday, March 22 at noon: Pittsburgh Poet Sam Hazo

On Tuesday March 22 at noon, Pittsburgh based poet Sam Hazo will read from his work at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library. Hazo will be in town under the auspices of the distinguished Hughes Lecture Series at West Liberty University. The son of Lebanese and Assyrian immigrants, Hazo has a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh and is a professor of English at Duquesne. Hazo is the author of 30 books of poetry and was the commentator and
narrator on National Public Radio, KDKA, in Pittsburgh. He was appointed the first state poet for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by Governor Robert Casey in 1993, and held this position until 2003. Themes in Hazo's poetry include family, Christianity, war, suffering, the absurdity in life, and the mystery of death. His work reflects a strong association to the importance of observation and wonder. Samuel Hazo is the Founder and Director of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which seeks to demonstrate poetry’s relevance and centrality to the public through its oral presentation. 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.

Jaimy Gordon at LWB!


76 people attended the delightful reading and Q&A by National Book Award winner Jaimy Gordon (Lord of Misrule). It was the 5th straight program with more than 70 in attendance--another program record. Thanks to all who attended!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Special Monday Program: National Book Award Winner!

Author Jaimy Gordon will be at the Ohio County Public Library for a special Monday edition of Lunch With Books on March 21 at noon. Gordon will discuss her new National Book Award winning novel, Lord of Misrule. Set at Indian Mound Downs, a fictional horse racing track south of Wheeling, the book explores the ruthless and often violent world of cheap horse racing. Lord of Misrule has been called “a vivid, memorable and linguistically rich novel." A Baltimore native, Gordon now lives in Michigan and has family in the Ohio Valley, which she describes as “a kind of second home - the rags of fog from the river, the fragile, chocolaty earth and red dust and the close-packed hills.” She has written three previous novels. Copies of Lord of Misrule will be available from Words & Music, Wheeling’s Fiercely Independent Bookstore. 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.

Shamrocking with Black Slaney!

The craic was grand! (and for non-Irish speakers, "craic" means "fun") Black Slaney put on a great Irish music show at Lunch With Books. 121 attended driving the 2011 average up to an astounding 85! Quint, we're gonna need a bigger auditorium! Thanks again to Matt, Erin, Clifton, and Greg.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Celebrate St. Pat's at the Library!

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish folk band Black Slaney will entertain at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday, March 15 at noon. Founded by local musicians Matt Smith and Matt Heusel, Black Slaney offers a rousing mix of traditional Irish songs and original acoustic roots music featuring a blend of banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle. 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.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Press Release: Peace Corps Program (March 8)

FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

The Ohio County Library’s Lunch with Books Program will present “The Peace Corps Experience: 50 Years and Counting” on Tuesday, March 8th at noon. Highlighting their memories as Peace Corps volunteers, local residents Bill and Susan Hogan and Robert Gaudio have planned a multi-media presentation featuring a discussion of their host countries as well as an overview of the evolution of Peace Corps since its creation by President John F. Kennedy in March, 1961.

Throughout its history, Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. Teaching everything from basic reading and language skills, clean-water technology, AIDS education, emerging technologies, environmental preservation and new market economies, Peace Corps volunteers have worked in villages, towns and cities around the globe representing a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America’s modern history and positive image abroad. Peace Corps volunteers’ unique heritage continues to inspire our young citizens. Since 1961, over 200,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps and served in 139 countries, making a positive difference with an American face every day.

Susan Hogan, former executive director of the Wheeling Symphony, and Bill Hogan, a retired businessman, were volunteers from 1987-1991 in the Republic of Benin, a tiny nation in west Africa, where they taught life skills to the poor and handicapped. Gaudio, a local attorney, spent his volunteer service as an English teacher and hospital-maintenance supervisor in the Yemen Arab Republic from 1977-1979.

On March 8th, these former volunteers plan to present a lively, informative program about their experiences in celebration of Peace Corps’ 50th birthday. The Library’s Lunch with Books program is open to the public and free of charge. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and complimentary beverages are served. Call 304-232-0244 for more information.

More Photos from Judge Buergenthals' Program



Friday, March 4, 2011

Judge Buergenthal Ties Record!

One hundred ninety-eight (198) people attended the presentation given by Judge Thomas Buergental today at a special Friday edition of Lunch With Books! The number matched the all time attendance record for the program. The huge crowd also pushed the average LWB attendance for the year to 81, another record. Judge Buergenthal discussed and answered numerous questions about his memoir, A Lucky Child, which recounts his experiences as one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz. Judge Buergenthal served on the International Court of Justice from 2000 until 2010 -- just one the entries on an extraordinarily impressive list of professional accomplishments.

March 8: Peace Corps: 50 Years & Counting!

Susan & Bill Hogan (below) along with Bob Gaudio (in Yemen at right) will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday March 8 at noon to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Peace Corps. Tracing its roots and mission to 1960, when then Sen. John F. Kennedy challenged students to volunteer to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries, the Peace Corps grew into a federal government agency devoted to world peace and friendship established in 1961 under director Sargent Shriver. Since then, more than 200,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 139 countries. Susan and Bob will invite Wheeling volunteers to share their experiences. 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..