The Whistling Irishman is Heading to Wheeling

First-ever biography of Danny Murtaugh to be featured at Lunch With Books.

Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling will welcome a very special guest: legendary Pirate Manager Danny Murtaugh’s granddaughter, Colleen Hroncich, on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at noon.

Against all odds, Murtaugh led the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates to an upset victory against the mighty New York Yankees. As Pirate fans (and Yankee foes) around the country remember that magical season they can re-live the “good ol’ days” in The Whistling Irishman: Danny Murtaugh Remembered.

With hustle, determination, and strength of character, Danny Murtaugh scraped his way out of poverty and became a two-time World Championship manager. In The Whistling Irishman, Hroncich tells his life story through in-depth research and first-hand accounts from those who knew him best: family, friends, teammates, players, and fans. Hroncich interviewed over 50 sources for the book, including such Pirate greats as Ralph Kiner, Bill Mazeroski, Bill Virdon, Dick Groat, Vernon Law, Al Oliver, Manny Sanguillen, and more. Former Pirate pitcher and current announcer Steve Blass, who pitched complete game victories for Murtaugh in Games 3 and 7 of the 1971 World Series, wrote the book’s foreword.

According to Hroncich, “In addition to a remarkable baseball career, my grandfather was a
very good, humble, and down-to-earth man. I look forward to introducing him to
the great baseball fans visiting Lunch With Books.”

This Lunch With Books programs is free and open to the public. It will include a lecture, a Q&A session, and a book signing. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages and popcorn will be provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Benwood Mine Disaster Remembered

Joseph A. Tellitocci of Boggs Run, Benwood, has done extensive research on the Benwood Mine Disaster of April 28, 1924 in which 119 men— mostly Polish, Italian, and Hungarian immigrants— lost their lives. Among those killed was Istvan (Stephen) Vargo, Mr. Tellitocci’s great-grandfather. Mr. Tellitocci will present a program about the disaster on Tuesday April 26 at noon at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling. The presentation will include a summary of the events surrounding the explosion and a heartfelt tribute to the men who died and the families they left behind 87 years ago. 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.

Mural City

The Ohio County public Library will soon be joining Wheeling's mural initiative. Four local artists --Anne Foreman, Liz Neuman, Patricia Croft and Andreé Weimer--are creating murals representing four major periods in Wheeling's history (including the Civil War/Statehood period) to be displayed in the library's auditorium. A reception will be held in August at which the murals will be revealed. Stay tuned for more information.

April 19: Author James Foreman

Author James Foreman (son of Noel and Anne Foreman of Wheeling) will present a program on social media, blogs, e-books, and self-publishing and how these new developments have impacted modern writers. The program is called “Making Stuff Up on the Internet: How New Media Helps Us Tell New Stories” and will be presented on Tuesday April 19 at noon at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library. James is the author of a short story called “Heat Death of the Universe” published in Machine of Death (Bearstache Books) a collection of stories about people who know how they are going to die. James Foreman is a 1995 graduate of Linsly School and a 2000 graduate of West Virginia University. He writes primarily satire/humor and magic realism (science fiction, fantasy and horror). For more about the author, visit: jamesforeman.com. 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.

Wheeling Civil War 150

Check out this new Facebook page for Wheeling's Civil War and Statehood 150 activities.


http://www.facebook.com/wheelingcivilwar150

New People's University Class Begins April 26!

LIBRARY LAUNCHES SECOND INSTALLMENT IN THE PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY SERIES THE PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY, SERIES 2: WORLD GEOGRAPHY Andrew Carnegie called the public library “The People’s University.” He believed the public library was an essential institution of learning for people of all ages, and he knew that a vital part of the library’s mission was to provide the information and knowledge citizens needed. Today, the Ohio County Public Library seeks to continue to assist local residents in the pursuit of knowledge and education in order to promote an enlightened citizenry and to enrich their quality of life. As a key element in achieving this goal, the OCPL will offer a second installment in a new series of programs entitled, “The People’s University.” The program will cover the full range of liberal arts and provide an opportunity for adults to learn or refresh their knowledge of art, music, history, government, philosophy, and a variety of other areas of learning. Courses will be free of charge and presenters will be experts in the fields. The first series, A History of Wheeling with Dr. David Javersak was a huge success, and the second series, World Geography, will offer a glimpse at the landscapes, cultures, histories, and economies of the planet's major regions. Series 2 Schedule: World Geography Classes meet on Tuesday evenings @ 7:00 PM Week 1 (April 26): NORTH AMERICA with Dr. David Javersak Week 2 (May 3): AFRICA Part 1 with Dr. David Javersak Week 3 (May 10-): AFRICA Part 2 with Dr. David Javersak Week 4 (May 17): EUROPE with Dr. Brian Crawford (WLU) Week 5 (May 24): ASIA Part 1 with Dr. Joseph Laker Week 6 (May 31): ASIA Part 2 with Dr. Joseph Laker Week 7 (June 7): LATIN AMERICA with Dr. John Poffenbarger (WJU) Week 8 (June 14): OCEANIA & ANTARCTICA with Dr. Joseph Laker To register for the World Geography series, please call 304-232-0244 or email lunchwithbooks@yahoo.com.

The Forgotten First Campaign of the Civil War

W. Hunter Lesser, noted Civil War author of Rebels at the Gate, and a member of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Speakers Bureau will present a talk entitled “The Forgotten First Campaign: Western Virginia, 1861” at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday April 12 at noon. 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.