New People's University Series Launches August 14

The next installment in the Ohio County Public Library's popular People's University series, American History 1, a survey of the important events and people of the pre-colonial, colonial, and Founding periods, will begin on Tuesday, August 14 at 7 pm and run for 8 weeks through October 2. Instructors will include Travis Henline, David Javersak, Richard Owens, and Donna Simpson. The classes are free and open to the public. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 to RSVP.

Full Schedule (all classes begin at 7 pm)

Aug. 14 Class 1: Pre-Colonial America
A general overview of pre-contact Native America, covering aspects of archaeology, linguistics, migrations, creation stories and oral histories, among other areas.
Instructor: Travis Henline, Coordinator, American Indian Initiative- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Adjunct Instructor- Native American Studies program, West Virginia University.

Aug. 21 Class 2: Frontier Ohio Valley
A look at eastern woodland American Indian history during the period of European contact through the early nineteenth century, with an emphasis on the Ohio River valley.
Instructor: Travis Henline, Coordinator, American Indian Initiative- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Adjunct Instructor- Native American Studies program, West Virginia University.

Aug. 28 Class 3: The American Revolution
Instructor: Dr. Richard Owens, Professor of History, West Liberty University.

Sept. 4 Class 4: George Washington: Man or Monument?
Instructor: Dr. David Javersak, Emeritus Professor of History, West Liberty University.

Sept. 11 Class 5: The Real Greatest Generation: Founding Brothers
Instructor: Dr. David Javersak, Emeritus Professor of History, West Liberty University.

Sept. 18 Class 6: The Real Greatest Generation: Founding Mothers
An overview of the oft-neglected women of the Founding period, including Molly Pitcher, Abigail Adams, Patience Wright, and Martha Washington. This talk will examine the role of these women and others in the American Revolution and foundation of the United States.
Instructor: Dr. Donna Simpson, Professor of History, Wheeling Jesuit University.

Sept. 25 Class 7: The War of 1812: Bicentennial

An examination of a truly neglected and perplexing war.
Instructor: Dr. Richard Owens, Professor of History, West Liberty University.

Oct. 2 Class 8: The Hero in American History
Instructor: Dr. David Javersak, Emeritus Professor of History, West Liberty University.

A Capital Battle: Wheeling vs. Charleston

Billy Joe Peyton, chair of history at West Virginia State, will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling on Tuesday, July 31 at noon to tell the fascinating tale of West Virginia’s break with Virginia and the ensuing, spirited battle between Wheeling and Charleston to be the new state’s capital. The government moved so often between the two cities by steamboat that the state's seat of government became known as the "Floating Capital." Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call 304-232-0244 for more information.

July 24: The Wheeling Ambulance & More...

Betsy Estilow, President of the board of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and instructor in Civil War history at Hood College, will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling on Tuesday, July 24 at noon will discuss medical transportation of the wounded during the Civil War. The program will cover the ambulances, especially the Wheeling ambulance, as well as hospitals trains and hospital ships. Estilow earned an MS degree in clinical microbiology at WVU and was the co-founder of the Society for Women in the Civil War. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call 304-232-0244 for more information.

July 20: A Special Friday Program--Around the World Through Music

On Friday, July 20 at noon, as part of the Ohio County Public Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program themed “Novel Destinations,” Lunch With Books favorite Rev. Bob Willits will perform international folk songs. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call 304-232-0244 for more information.     

July 16 at 7 pm: Civil War Book Discussion & July 17 at noon: African Travels

Tonight, Monday July 16 at 7 pm, don't miss the 3rd installment of our Making Sense of the American Civil War book discussion, "Making Sense of Shiloh," featuring scholar Dr. David Javersak.


And on Tuesday July 17 at noon Author Jana Jirak will be at Lunch With Books to discuss the amazing series of memoirs she transcribed, detailing her grandfather’s 19th-century African travels, including, “Prague to Africa 1882-1884”, "25 years in Africa,” “Under the Scorching Sun," and "The Sons of  the Desert.” Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call 304-232-0244 for more information.

July 14: Wheeling Arts Fest Literary Events

LITERARY ARTS SCHEDULE

OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

The Poetry of James Wright & Open Mike with Dr. David Thomas & C.J. Farnsworth --11:30 am       

Creative Writing Workshop with West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman -- 1 pm   

Poet Bonnie Thurston -- 2 pm

Play Reading: THE BOY IN THE BOX by Sean O’Leary, performed by Hal O’Leary -- 3 pm

WEST VIRGINIA NORTHERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STAGE

Storyteller Rich Knoblich -- 12 pm            

Poet Laura Bentley -- 2 pm               

Storyteller Cheryl Harshman -- 3 pm   

Poet Mark Defoe -- 5 pm               

Poet & Traditional Musician Doug Van Gundy -- 6 pm

Plus music, painting, dance and much more. See the full ARTS FESTevent schedule HERE.

And on Tuesday July 17 at Lunch With Books:

Travels in Africa 

Author Jana Jirak will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling on Tuesday, July 17 at noon discuss the amazing series of memoirs she transcribed, detailing her grandfather’s 19th-century African travels, including, “Prague to Africa 1882-1884”, "25 years in Africa,” “Under the Scorching Sun," and "The Sons of  the Desert.” Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are served. Please call 304-232-0244 for more information.