People's U: ASTRONOMY

The new People's University series, Astronomy, begins March 4.

Register by sending us an email here or by calling 304-232-0244 or by visiting the Ref Desk at the library.

Explore the Legends of Fort Henry

The history of Fort Henry tends to be built around a trilogy of legends: Sam McColloch, Lewis Wetzel, and Betty Zane. Due to a recent discussion in the Facebook Group "Memories of Wheeling" concerning a postcard showing the McColloch's Leap monument, it seemed like a good time to discuss some of the myths and misinformation that have grown up around all three Wheeling historical figures. Our friend Joe Roxby graciously agreed, with very little time and notice, to speak and to host the discussion and Q & A. We hope you will be able to join us for what is sure to be a very informative program this Tuesday, Feb. 4 at noon in the auditorium.

Steve Mazure program postponed. Up next: A Night at the Opera...

POSTPONEMENT: Steve's Mazure's program scheduled for today (Jan. 21) has been postponed until Tuesday March 4 due to the inclement weather.

UP NEXT: THE WHEELING FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

The Wheeling Film Society, a partnership among the Ohio County Public Library, Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Cinema, and Wheeling Jesuit University’s Fine and Performing Arts Department will continue its second annual season of screening-discussions of classic Hollywood films with a screening of the Marx Brothers’ A Night atthe Opera (1935-96 minutes) at Towngate Cinema on Friday, January 24 at 7PM. The Wheeling Film Society’s Conversation about the film will take place atLunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on the following Tuesday,January 28 at noon. John Whitehead, professor of film studies at Wheeling Jesuit University and author of Appraising The Graduate: The Mike Nichols Classic and Its Impact in Hollywood, will serve as host for both the screening and conversation. The Marx Brothers made one of their greatest comedies – about immigration and employment and class-consciousness – during the depths of the Great Depression.  In one of their most deliriously absurd set-pieces, Groucho and Chico gleefully deconstruct the legalese of performance contracts.  Harpo gleefully deconstructs just about everything else, using a large mallet (and other blunt instruments).  Kitty Carlisle and Alan Jones play the talented young singers kept apart by the towering ego of a small-minded tenor.  Naturally, all of them are upstaged by Chico’s piano and Harpo’s, well, harp.  Somehow, opera is both trashed and celebrated in the same film, while baseball is purely celebrated.  A sparkling time of music and comedy will be had by all. All programs – screenings and conversations – are free of admission charge. Attend as many or as few programs as your schedule allows. All are welcome, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parental Guidance is recommended for all screenings and conversations. 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 visit ohiocountylibrary.org,call 304-232-0244, or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.

Next: Sean O'Leary on Jan 14

Sean O’Leary, a newspaper columnist, playwright and Warwood native, will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling on Tuesday, January 14 at noon discuss his book, The State of My State, A Native Son’s Search for West Virginia, essays from O’Leary’s column in the Martinsburg Journal. 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 visit ohiocountylibrary.org, call 304-232-0244, or visit facebook.com/lunchwithbooks for more information.