The South Danbury Christian Church will continue its speaker series on Friday evenings throughout the fall months. “Our summer series included a different talk or performance every week, which seemed appropriate for the season, but now we’re looking forward to a more relaxed rhythm of a second- and fourth-Friday schedule,” says Kathy Neustadt, one of the series’ organizers, “with both a local and ‘big picture’ focus.” The events begin at 6:30 PM and are free to the public, with light refreshments (donations accepted) served at the end of the programs.

The fall schedule began with a talk by local historian Fred Ogmundson of Wilmot on October 11. Fred talked about “The Rise and Fall of Fowlertown,” a once-thriving neighborhood of Wilmot that prospered in the 1800s but became a ghost town by the 1930s. Fred lives near the site of the old settlement and has made a lifelong study of the life and times of the people who lived, prospered, and ultimately faltered in that lost hill town of long ago.

History buffs in general and train enthusiasts in particular will enjoy the presentation “All Aboard the Northern Railroad” on Friday, October 25. Danbury train enthusiast Tom Curren will kick off the evening with a brief history of the railroads of northern New England and will open the floor to discussion by other “experts,” collectors, and members of the community.

“The old Northern Railroad, and its successor, the Boston and Maine, was a vibrant link among the towns between Concord and White River Junction,” notes Curren. “Before radio, and television, before the Interstate highway system, and before our national dependence on petroleum, the railroad was our link to the rest of the country and our economy. We will remember the time when more money came into town than flowed out of it — and how it was that the railroad made the difference.” Please bring your memories and memorabilia!

Other lively presentations are planned for November and December. The South Danbury Christian Church is located at 1411 Route 4 in South Danbury. For more information, call 768-3191.