>Library To Host Film Discussion Series on WWI

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The Lanesboro Public Library will present a weekly film and discussion series called “The World War I Years: America Becomes a World Power” starting Sunday, February 12. This six-week series will feature documentary films and community discussions on the political and social history of America during World War I. The free programs will be held each Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Lanesboro Community Memorial Center Gym, 202 Parkway Ave. S.

To honor veterans, an opening ceremony with the Lanesboro City Council is planned for February 12. Professor Matthew Lindaman from Winona State University will lead the discussion on February 19. Robert Weaver, the program scholar, will lead the discussions of the other films. A community partner will host a reception each week.

SERIES SCHEDULE

Date, Film, Reception Host (in the gym)
Feb. 12, The Road to War, Lanesboro American Legion Post 40
Feb. 19, Over There, Lanesboro Public Schools
Feb. 26, Modern War, Lanesboro United Methodist Church
March 5, The American People in Wartime, Lanesboro Historical Preservation Association
March 12, Peacemaking, Cornucopia Art Center
March 19, After the War: The Turbulent Years, Friends of the Lanesboro Public Library

Additional community partners include the City of Lanesboro, Lanesboro Community Theater, the Rose H. Bell Buy-A-Book Fund, and SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating).

All films will be available for Library checkout at the end of the series. Each film is accompanied by a brief essay which will be available at the Library starting February 1. Essays are also available at www.nvr.org/ww1films/

Exhibits, a Community Book Discussion, and the Yankee Doodle Dandy Vaudeville Show are scheduled in conjunction with the series.

EXHIBITS

Cornucopia Art Center (103 Parkway Ave., N.), in collaboration with the Lanesboro American Legion Post 40 (103½ Elmwood St., E.), will host an exhibit entitled “Contemporary Reflections on The Great War” with an opening reception at Cornucopia on February 12, Noon – 2:00 p.m. The invitational exhibit will feature Kyle Fokken (sculpture), Stuart Klipper (photography), Brentley Michael Davis (masks), Michael Markos (digital), John Ilg (mixed media), Terry Becker (watercolor), and John Kreuger (photography).

The Lanesboro Historical Museum (105 Parkway Ave., S.) will highlight its collection of World War I memorabilia (with additional contributions from community members accepted between February 1 and 11 by Lois Peterson 467-2904).

Cornucopia, the Legion, and the Museum will all be open from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. before each Sunday’s film.

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS AT LANESBORO COMMUNITY MEMORIAL CENTER

Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. – The Emmy award-winning animated film A Soldier’s Tale, about a soldier’s return from WWI, will be shown along with a brief introduction to the music of Igor Stravinsky and WWI by Drue Fergison.

Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. – There will be a Community Book Discussion of The Great Influenza: the epic story of the deadliest plague in history, by John M. Barry, with special guest facilitator Dr. Mary Ann McNeilus. Copies may be reserved through the SELCO catalog or can be purchased by pre-paying $10 to Lanesboro Public Library by January 27 (sorry, no phone or email orders).

Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. – The Lanesboro Community Theater will present “Yankee Doodle Dandy: A Vaudeville Show.”

The World War I Years: America Becomes a World Power is part of a national initiative and is made possible by a grant from National Video Resources in partnership with the American Library Association and with major support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Lanesboro Public Library is the smallest of only 50 libraries nationwide to receive a grant to host the six-part film series. Community partners include the City of Lanesboro, Cornucopia Art Center, Friends of the Lanesboro Public Library, Lanesboro American Legion Post 40, Lanesboro Community Theater, Lanesboro Historical Preservation Association, Lanesboro Public Schools, Lanesboro United Methodist Church, the Rose H. Bell Buy-A-Book Fund, and SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating).