There are three more events in May before the Speaker Series closes out its spring season at the South Danbury Church. “Because of the five Fridays in May,” says Kathy Neustadt, one of the series’ founders, “we have three events planned for the month before we break for the summer, and we’re very excited about the variety and scope of our topics: a combination of local and global presentations.” After the summer break, the fall season starts up again in September.
The first event, on Friday, May 1, will be Poetry and Pastries, a chance for local residents – young and old – to read their own poetry or favorite verse by someone else while eating delightful sweet things. The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the George Gamble Library in Danbury, who will be providing the pastries, and all donations for the evening will go to benefit the Library.
“We wanted to recognize National Poetry Month (which is held in April, nationally, but Danbury has its own pace),” says Friends member Deb Crawford, “so we thought this would be a good way to get people involved: poetry and libraries draw people together.” The George Gamble Library, built in 1911, is located at number 29 Route 104 (near the Danbury Post Office) and is open on Wednesdays, from 1 to 6, and Saturdays, from 10 to 3.
To sign up to read your selection of poetry (of up to five minutes), e-mail GambleLibraryFriends@nullgmail.com to confirm your slot on the roster, or just stop by the Library to check out all the new things that are happening there.
On Friday, May 15, A Photographic Journey across Iraq, 2006 will be presented by Gene Lambrecht, former commander of the Army Fixed Wing Cargo Mission in Iraq from December 2005 through November 2006. “Our mission involved 35 men flying 11 old planes to deliver people and cargo from Kuwait all across Iraq,” Gene explains, “which allowed me to see most of the country, and it was fascinating.”
Gene, who is Audrey Curren’s son-in-law, will be sharing photographs and videotapes he took while on mission of historical features – Mesopotamian ziggurats and Roman aquaducts crossing the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers – as well as contemporary ones, including the ubiquitous artwork painted by American soldiers on the protective concrete T-barriers at operating bases around the country: a unique insider’s view.
On Friday, May 29, Liz Charlebois, the director of education at the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, will talk about Local Native American Culture, Yesterday and Today. In addition to being the chair of the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs, which seeks to recognize the historic and cultural contributions of Native Americans in the state, as well as to promote and strengthen their heritage, she is also a recognized Abenaki traditional artist: a master at beadwork and basket-making, especially the Abenaki Black Ash and Fancy baskets.
“Basket-making is one of the traditions of my people, but it was dying out, and I thought someone from my generation should take it on,” she says. “So, for awhile, I was the only one in my generation doing it in the area – now, happily, there are others.” Through her baskets, Liz will address Abenaki history in the region as well as what’s happening today.
All three of the May talks begin at 6:30 PM, with light refreshments served afterwards; they are free to the public, and donations are welcome. South Danbury Christian Church (an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ) is located at 1411 US Route 4 in South Danbury. For more information about the spring series, call 768-3191.