OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMMING: December 2015

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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

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Jan. 5: Woodsdale Memories

The Neighborhood Nostalgia Series continues with Out the Pike, Stop 2. Share your favorite memories of life in Woodsdale and Edgwood. Bring your photos and have them scanned.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Dec. 22: Wheeling During the Civil War

Members of the Wheeling Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee will discuss the articles they wrote for this compilation that takes a month-by-month look at events in Wheeling during the civil war years using local newspapers as the main primary source.

Wheeling During the Civil War, speakers announced:

Margaret Brennan - Nov/Dec 1860
Jeanne Finstein - May 1862
Ed Phillips - Aug 1862
Wilkes Kinney - Feb 1863
Jon-Erik Gilot - Feb 1864
Joe Laker - Sep 1864
David Javersak - Jan 1865
Kate Quinn - Mar 1865
John Bowman - Apr 1865

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joyeux Noel (Dec 14 and 15)

Joyeux Noel captures a rare moment of grace from one of the worst wars in the history of mankind, World War I. On Christmas Eve, 1914, as German, French, and Scottish regiments face each other from their respective trenches, a musical call-and-response turns into an impromptu cease-fire. But when Christmas ends, the war returns. See the 2006 film on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 PM, then join WLU professor emeritus Dr. Art Barbeaux on Dec. 15 at Lunch With Books at noon for a discussion.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Saturday: Wheeling Stories and Tuesday: A Mountain Christmas

SPECIAL Saturday edition of LUNCH WITH BOOKS, Dec. 5 at noon Digital Storytelling Premier

California University of PA students of Professor Christina Fisanick will be at a special Saturday edition of Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on December 5 at noon to debut their digital video stories focusing on local history. These short films take a closer look at the Benwood Mine Disaster, West Liberty University's Nelle Krise Rare Books Room, the creation of the state of West Virginia at Independence Hall, the Sweeney family and glass, and the agricultural legacy of Earl Oglebay. The event is in partnership with the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch and complimentary beverages are provided. Call the library at 302-232-0244 or visit the library's web site at www.ohiocountlibrary.org for more information.

Tuesday Dec. 8 at noon: LUNCH WITH BOOKS Mountain Christmas

Author Marc Harshman and illustrator Cecy Rose will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday, December 8 at noon to discuss their new collaboration, Mountain Christmas. Miracles await the reader in this instant Holiday classic. Every page reveals a new glimpse of Santa coming to the mountains with his sleigh and reindeer. You do not have to be a West Virginian to enjoy this book, but natives will certainly recognize iconic scenes featuring such familiar sights as the State Capitol, Green Bank Observatory and Blackwater Falls. Rose has crafted magnificent illustrations to complement the story that add their own rich layer of visual storytelling to Harshman’s compelling voice. With poetic stanzas, each of which teases us with the coming arrival of Santa Claus, this is sure to become a keepsake volume for children of all ages. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch and complimentary beverages are provided. Call the library at 302-232-0244 or visit the library's web site at www.ohiocountlibrary.org 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

Feedback from Guests

“Speaking [at Lunch With Books] was the highlight of my summer. A spectacular facility, a wonderful array of speakers, and a community dedicated to one of its finest resources. You all should be proud of what you're doing. I look forward to returning.” -Rudy Dicks, The ’63 Steelers

"I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons and their fearless leader, Sean Duffy, 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. It’s not always easy to read one’s fiction in public, but this library family provided a sea of welcoming faces filled with warmth, attentiveness, and good will. Their generous laughter and emotional investment helped me to bring my prose fully to life. A thousand blessings to you all." -West Virginia Author Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums

“We set a personal attendance record and personal best for the number of books sold!”

-Peter Zeranski, Polish Classic Recipes

"I enjoyed my talk at your library very much indeed. There was a very special rapport between the audience and me. The informality and good humor with which you conducted the proceedings also helped make my visit most enjoyable. I can see why so many people attend your programs." -Judge Thomas Buergenthal, A Lucky Child

"A Few Words about the Ohio County Public Library:

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.

This is a handsome library in the historic riverfront city of Wheeling, with a dedicated and articulate Coordinator of Programs, Sean Duffy, who brings in a large and spirited audience. There’s a real sense of community here, almost of family. People are kind and welcoming, and deeply appreciate a visiting writer, especially one who shows an interest in their city. I had a wonderful time there." -Jaimy Gordon, National Book Award Winning Author of Lord of Misrule

"If I want the best and most attentive and responsive audience I know I will have it during Lunch With Books...at the Ohio County Library. No one is looking for a free lunch. They're looking to learn more about the latest books and they buy their share of them. I wish I could find more venues as good as this one.." - Author Jim O'Brien, The Chief and Steeler Stuff

"It was a great event, a real highlight of my trip. I look forward to returning when my next book comes out! You guys run some really great programs. Keep up the good work.” -Author Matthew Algeo, Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure

"It was (another) smashing success. Lunch With Books is an outstanding program -- one of the best in the country. Hopefully, I will get another chance to get back to Wheeling." -Author Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man

"I'm truly impressed with 'Lunch with Books.' You have built up a great program. Keep up the fine work... If the distance wasn't so great I'd love to be a lunchtime regular myself."

-Author Hunter Lesser, Rebels at the Gate

"Our visit with you was one of the highlights and most memorable of our book tour. We had as much fun as the patrons...It was an honor for us to join you…” -Janice & Sylvester Myers, author of From Coal Fields to Oil Fields and Beyond

"I am very impressed by Lunch With Books. This is the best series of its kind that I've seen in all my travels in OH-WV-PA.” -Author Jim Joyce, The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom, & Wanderings

"The audience was very responsive and made the event fun for me. You have made the Lunch With Books program a great success. It is the best adult library program that I have seen in the state. You should be proud of your achievement...Thank you for giving me a great forum to discuss my book." -Bob Barnett, Growing Up in the Last Small Town: A West Virginia Memoir

OHIO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMMING

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This blog is being discontinued.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Jan. 5: Woodsdale Memories

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Dec. 22: Wheeling During the Civil War

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joyeux Noel (Dec 14 and 15)

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Saturday: Wheeling Stories and Tuesday: A Mountain Christmas

Top Ten Lunch With Books Programs

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