Library Concert Series continues with Indiana National Guard Band/Turbo
Westchester Public Library’s free concert and family film series will continue on Friday, June 20 at 7pm with the 38th Infantry Division Band of the Indiana National Guard. The concert will be followed by a family friendly film – Turbo - at dusk, about 8 pm. Those who attend either or both the concert and film are invited to bring lawn chairs and picnics to the bandstand in Thomas Park at the corner of Broadway and Calumet and enjoy the fun. To complete the enjoyment of the evening, members of the Rotary will be selling popcorn and soda. In the case of rain, both events will be offered in the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton.
The 38th Infantry Division Band of the Indiana National Guard has long been recognized as one of the finest musical organizations in the Midwest. The band, stationed in Indianapolis, performs for community and military functions, and is the only military band in the state of Indiana.
As musical ambassadors of the Indiana National Guard, these Citizen-Soldiers have a passion for music and a desire to serve their country. The members live throughout the Midwest and have full-time civilian jobs that include band directors, police officers, college students and more. The band includes musical groups consisting of jazz, rock, ethnic and other popular styles.
The 55-member unit is commanded by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Patrick L. Palumbo. For more information about the band, its audition practices and its schedule, visit the Indiana National Guard public web site at www.in.ng.mil. Find the band link under “Organization.”
In Turbo, Theo the snail dreams of greatness as he tries to get his race time up to maybe one meter per day. His brother Chet cautions him to put aside his dreams but ends up helping him achieve them once Theo/Turbo receives magical powers that increase his speed. Turbo puts his heart and shell on the line to prove that no dream is too big and no dreamer too small as he embarks on the journey to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
This series of concerts and films is partially funded through generous donations from the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club. The series will continue on Friday, June 27, with Lee Murdoch, followed by Epic, rated PG.
For more information, call the library at 926-7696.
Summer Reading Program for Children: Neighbors of the World – Celebrate China
Participants in Neighbors of the World, Westchester Public Library’s 2014 summer reading program for children age two through grade five are invited to enjoy an interactive exploration of world cultures at the four Friday Adventures this year. All of the Adventures will take place at the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 2-3 pm. Registration for the Adventures is not necessary. Families of participants are also welcome to attend.
Join Hiu Hua and others for a celebration of China at the first Friday Adventure on June 20. Enjoy games, music, dancing, and more.
Peru will be the focus of the June 27 Friday Adventure. On July 11, children will enjoy a live video call to caretakers at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee during the program about Zimbabwe. The final Friday Adventure, July 18, will take a look at Poland.
Mexico will be celebrated at the end of the summer reading party. Family Fiesta will take place at Thomas Centennial Park on Saturday, July 26, from 10 am-2 pm. Enjoy the fiesta and then browse the European Market. The park is located at the corner of Broadway and Calumet in downtown Chesterton.
Each week of the summer reading program, both Thomas and Hageman Libraries will host storytimes. Toddler Storytimes for 2s and 3s will take place Mondays at Hageman Library and Wednesdays at Thomas Library, both at 10 a.m. Stories and Kicks for 4, 5, and 6 will take place Tuesdays at Thomas Library and Thursdays at Hageman Library, also at 10 a.m.
For more information, call the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696, or Hageman Library, 926-9080. A calendar of events is available at both libraries.
The American Civil War: A Series on the Major Battles: Gettysburg
The American Civil War: A Series on the Major Battles will continue at Westchester Public Library with a look at the Battle of Gettysburg. Join Thomas Murphy in the Bertha Wood meeting room at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 10 am-noon on Saturday, June 21. There is no registration required; attendance is free of charge.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee concentrated his army around Gettysburg, PA, upon the approach of Union General George G. Meade’s forces. On July 1, 1863, Confederates drove Union defenders through Gettysburg to Cemetery hill. The next day Lee struck the flanks of the Union line resulting in severe fighting at Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Culp’s Hill, and East Cemetery Hill.
Southerners gained ground but failed to dislodge the Union host. On the morning of July 3, fighting raged at Culp’s Hill with the Union regaining its lost ground. That afternoon, after a massive artillery bombardment, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Road and was repulsed with heavy losses in what is known as Pickett’s Charge. Lee’s second invasion of the North had failed.
The American Civil War series will continue on August 2 with a look at the Battle of Manassas.
History buff and Civil War enthusiast Thomas Murphy will present each program. Murphy is an RSVP volunteer and has presented a number of programs at the library. Future programs will cover the battles at Antietam and Chickamauga.
For more information please call the library at 926-7696.
Bookmarks at the Museum presents A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
Join Susan Swarner for Bookmarks at the Museum on Thursday, June 19, at 2 pm at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Avenue, Chesterton. Refreshments will be served.
Seventeen-year-old Zelda Sayre met army lieutenant F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1918 – before he became a famous author – and falls for him. Zelda’s father was unimpressed with him, but after Scott sells his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Zelda marries him.
Life began a hectic pace as celebrity made a legend out of both of them in their own time. Everywhere they went was a playground where they joined the endless party of the glamorous, sometimes doomed Lost Generation that included Ernest Hemingway, Sara and Gerald Murphy, and Gertrude Stein.
But who was Zelda, other than the wife of a famous – and infamous – husband? How did she forge her own identity while fighting her demons and Scott’s, too? With brilliant insight and imagination, Therese Ann Fowler brings us Zelda’s irresistible story in This Side of Paradise.
Bookmarks takes place on the third Thursday of the month at the museum and on the third Friday of the month at Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., Michigan City.
It is not necessary to read the book before attending. Books are available at both Thomas and Hageman Libraries.
The museum, a free cultural and educational service of Westchester Public Library, is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. Call 983-9715 for more information.
Memoir, Short Story and Essay Writing for Adults at Thomas Library
Westchester Public Library will host Memoir, Short Story and Essay Writing for Adults in four sessions on Monday, June 23 and 30, and July 7 and 21, from 6-7:30 pm. The four classes will take place at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, in the Bertha Wood meeting room. Registration is required and will begin June 9, 14 days prior to the first class date. Visit or call the Reference desk to register. Those who sign up should plan to attend all sessions.
Adults are invited to join David Rodich in this series of classes that will provide inspiration for writing memoirs, short stories, and essays. The classes will provide distinctions of styles as well as prompts born out of class discussions about life experiences and personal opinions.
Rodich has a passionate interest in education. He is a graduate of Indiana University with both a B.A. in History and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. His experience ranges from teaching elementary school classes to helping prepare oral histories for the Library of Congress to freelance writing and research to tutoring. He is a published creative writer who has traveled across Europe, New Zealand and the United States.
For more information or to register, call Thomas Library at 926-7696.
The Art Box Continues at Thomas Library
Westchester Public Library’s drop-in craft program, The Art Box, will continue each Saturday in June during the hours of 10am-2pm at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Children of all ages are welcome; parents are asked to accompany their little ones. No registration is necessary, just drop in.
Bring your imagination and take a peek into the art box to find out the project for the day – and then create it!
For more information, contact the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 926-7696.
Block Party at Hageman Library
Block Party will continue at Hageman Library, Westchester Public Library’s branch located at 100 Francis Street, Porter, each Friday morning in June and July, at 10 am. Children ages 2-5 years old and their caregivers are invited to the building party. Registration is not required; participation is free. Cookies will be served.
Block Party is a special play time for kids – beginning with a great story and fun music. Attendees will then use their imaginations to build. This building program offers the chance for children to play independently or together to design and build unique structures. Materials will be supplied by the library – children will supply the imagination!
“While playing, children learn about their world, acquire skills necessary for critical thinking, discover how to solve problems, and develop self-confidence. Play encourages healthy brain development while fostering exploration skills, language skills, social skills, physical skills and creativity…Libraries have long emphasized pretend (dramatic) play.” (Sue McCleaf Nespeca for the Association for Library Service to Children)
For more information, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.
News at Noon @ Hageman Library
If you love to discuss current events, Westchester Public Library’s monthly news discussion program is for you. Interested adults are invited to News at Noon at Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, on Thursday, June 19, from noon-1 p.m. Registration is not necessary. Attendance at the program is free of charge.
State Representative Chuck Moseley, District 10, will visit the group this month to answer questions and discuss concerns.
Whether you get your news from the newspaper, magazines, or the Internet, join the discussion on issues and events happening in the world today and sample other viewpoints. Attendees are encouraged to bring a news clipping or an idea of something they would like to discuss.
For more information, call Hageman Library at 926-9080.