Special programs will be held at various public libraries and other locations throughout September, October and November 2007, tied in to the themes and subjects of The Worst Hard Time. Some of these programs are still being finalized — keep watching this web site for further details.
This list of special programs and events is available on this web page and as a handout at all Lincoln City Libraries. All events are free and open to the public, and we encourage you to attend!
DUST BOWL PHOTO EXHIBIT — Traveling Photo Display
This exhibit consists of many of the photos that appear in Bill Ganzel’s book Dust Bowl Descent, which he will discuss in his presentation (below) on October 7th. Regularly housed at the Boys Town Hall of History in Omaha, this exhibit is comprised of four free-standing kiosks. The exhibit will be traveling to various libraries throughout the scheduled One Book — One Lincoln events. Here is the schedule of locations:
- Anderson Branch Library — September 7 – 23
- Gere Branch Library — September 24 – October 7
- Bennett Martin Public Library — October 8 – 18
- Walt Branch Library — October 19 – November 1
- Eiseley Branch Library — November 2 – 18
THE PLOW THAT BROKE THE PLAINS — Plus Book Discussions
There will be several showings of the documentary, The Plow That Broke the Plains, mentioned prominently in The Worst Hard Time. Showings will be held at various branches throughout the library system, and each showing will be followed by a discussion of the documentary, as well as the book The Worst Hard Time. Here is the schedule of locations:
- Anderson Branch Library — September 16, 2:00 p.m.
- Gere Branch Library — September 30, 2:00 p.m..
- Bennett Martin Public Library — October 14, 2:00 p.m.
- Walt Branch Library — October 21, 2:00 p.m.
- Eiseley Branch Library — November 14 [time t.b.a.]
DUST BOWL DESCENT
Sunday, October 7 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Lincoln Community Playhouse
2500 S. 56th St. [next to Gere Branch Library]
Author and presenter Bill Ganzel located and interviewed a number of individuals who survived the Depression by using photographs taken by the Farm Service Administration. This program follows his journey in locating these people, recounts their stories and juxtaposes recent photographs with the 60-year-old images to provide a compelling account of the triumph of the human spirit over hard times.
Discussion of Ganzel’s book, Dust Bowl Descent, will follow this presentation, at the Gere Branch Library across the parking lot.
GREAT PLAINS WEATHER — IT’S NOT NORMAL TO BE NORMAL!
Sunday, October 28 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Walt Branch Library
6701 S. 14th St.
Dr. Ken Dewey, Regional Climatologist at UNL’s School of Natural Resources, provides a presentation on climate extremes in the Great Plains Region, both historically and in more contemporary times.
Discussion of the book will follow this presentation.
WEATHERING THE DUST BOWL: HIGH PLAINS CLIMATE DURING THE 1930S
Sunday, November 4 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Eiseley Branch Library
1540 Superior St.
Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist, will discuss the actual weather conditions of the Dust Bowl, and what it was actually like to live through this time in history.
Discussion of the book will follow this presentation.
GRAPES OF WRATH SHOWING
Sunday, November 11 2007, 2:00 p.m.
State Theater
1415 “O” St.
(There is an admission fee for this event. Contact Nicole Zink at 441-0164 for ticket information.)
Sponsored by the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries. A special showing of the classic film, The Grapes of Wrath, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by John Steinbeck, and starring Nebraska native Henry Fonda as Tom Jode, leading his family out of the Dust Bowl stricken states to California in search of a better life. This 1940 movie, voted #23 on the list of the top 100 movies of the 20th century by the members of the American Film Institute, will be shown in Lincoln’s newly reopened State Theatre. Dr. Fran Kaye, an English Professor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will provide background information and historical notes about The Grapes of Wrath before the film is shown. [For more information, see the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries’ page for this event (now defunct).]
TIMOTHY EGAN LIVE TELECONFERENCE
Friday, November 16, 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m.
NETV – UNL East Campus
1800 N. 33rd St.
One Book — One Lincoln participants who want to see and hear the author won’t want to miss this event! Timothy Egan, author of the National Book Award-winning The Worst Hard Times, will appear live, from Seattle, in a teleconference that provides readers with an opportunity to ask questions and learn about his research for the book.
TOURS OF THE LESTER F. LARSEN TRACTOR MUSEUM
Sunday, November 18 2007, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
UNL Tractor Museum – East Campus
Staff at the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum on UNL’s East Campus will lead visitors on a guided tour of the museum, which includes photographs, machinery and farming equipment that dates back to the years spanned in The Worst Hard Time. Both tours will emphasize the equipment used from the era dating 1901 to 1939, and will included vocal commentary on the different types of farming equipment and techniques used during the Depression and Dust Bowl, as well as providing information on possible links between farming and the cause of the Dust Bowl during the Depression. [Note: Two identical tours will be provided, at both 1:00 and 3:00 on this date, with the Meghan Sittler presentation (below) scheduled for 2:00 between the tours.]
THE WORST(?) HARD TIME: PAST AND PRESENT DROUGHT IN NEBRASKA
Sunday, November 18 2007, 2:00 p.m.
UNL East Campus
Hardin Hall — Room 163
Meghan Sittler, from the National Drought Mitigation Center, provides a presentation that draws on the idea that past experiences of drought and possible future climate changes could rival the dust bowl. [Note: This presentation will be given between two tours of the nearby Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum on UNL’s East Campus (see above).]
