Atlanta Public Library and Museum
2017-2018 Dinner Programs at the Palms

[October 16, 2017] 

ATLANTA

The Atlanta Public Library and Museum will host a series of programs at the Palms Grill Café from November 2017 through March 2018.

The events will be held as an optional “Dinner Program” with a cost involved only for the meal which is served at 5:30 p.m., or come at 7 p.m. just for the program at no cost. Reservations are required and limited to approximately 50 people. The Palms Grill Café will feature a set of dinner specials, including homemade desserts for each program, and feel free to BYOB. Phone [phone] to make a reservation for any of the scheduled Dinner Programs.

The events will feature local speakers who will present after-dinner programs at the Palms Grill Café, located at 110 SW Arch Street in downtown Atlanta.

2017-18 schedule

Friday, November 3, 2017 – “Generosity, The Story of Logan County During the Great War 1917-1919”

We celebrate the 100th Anniversary of America’s entry into WWI this year. In commemoration, join us for a program presented by Bill Donath, with the Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society, who will share stories and information regarding Atlanta and Logan County’s activities in support of The War to End All Wars. The Atlanta Museum will also feature displays of artifacts from its WWI collection.

Friday, November 17, 2017 – “Till We Meet Again: Music from The Great War”

World War I occurred at the time music publishing, ragtime, and Vaudeville reached their peak. Songwriters and singers who were to appear on stages, movies, and even television got their start during the war. Continuing with our commemoration of WWI, Dale Evans and Hannah Kerrigan will play guitars and the banjulele as they sing favorites from the early 1900s. They will also display song sheets from the period and play original 78 rpm recordings on a portable Victrola. Join them as we "Keep the Home Fires Burning" during an evening of song.

Friday, December 1, 2017: “Restoring the Governor’s Mansion”

Justin Blandford serves as the Superintendent of State Historic Sites in Springfield for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. His stewardship and management responsibilities include seven state historic sites in the capital city that annually serve more than 400,000 visitors. Justin will present "Restoring the People's House," an overview of the privately funded restoration of the Illinois Executive Mansion.

Friday, December 15, 2017 – “The Music Makers Chime Choir”

With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, sometimes we just need to sit back, relax, and listen to the sounds of the season to remind us of why we celebrate Christmas. Join us as we welcome The Music Makers Chime Choir from St. John’s United Church of Christ in Lincoln, under the direction of Darlene Begolka, for an evening of holiday music. It’s sure to be a special and uplifting evening. Enjoy!

Friday, January 12, 2018 – “Danny Tackett – Music and Stories”

Retired newspaper editor and author Danny Tackett returns with a presentation of music mixed with banter and gab.

Tackett his career in journalism in September 1968 as a green, cub reporter and left as a managing editor in 2012.

His second book, Even More Big Stories; A Companion to Big Stories from a Small Town, includes personality profiles and incidents that Tackett witnessed and covered for the Lincoln newspaper.

Atlanta related tales focus on the one-of-a-kind Barney Gosda, a gardener, gravedigger, coon hunter, teller of tall tales and other admirable attributes of a self-sufficient man. The other tells the story of Elmer and Arnetta Young, Tackett's first wife's grandparents.

As a retired farm couple that never stopped living off the land, their lifestyle was all about self-sufficiency. Tackett plays guitar and offers up songs, most of which tell a story, including some old time gospel songs and a few tunes he's known since childhood. Tackett will have copies of his books available during his Atlanta performance.

Friday, January 26, 2017 – "The curious history of General Santa Anna’s leg and Atlanta, IL”

After the Mexican War of 1846-48, the wooden leg of Mexican General Santa Anna ended up in the United States, and in Atlanta, Illinois to be specific. It now resides in the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. Join Bill Lear, Curator of the ISMM, as he recounts the leg’s origin and its travels throughout the United States and the world, including its connection to Atlanta.

Friday, February 9, 2018 – Riding the Interurban – the story of the Illinois Traction Railroad

All aboard for what’s sure to be an enjoyable evening, as Dale Jenkins, with the Illinois Traction Society shares stories of the history and operation of the Interurban. This electric rail line provided frequent, cheap, and comfortable transportation to folks who – prior to widespread automobile access – had no other convenient way of getting from town to town.

Friday, February 23, 2018 – “Duncan Manor – A story of historic preservation through community involvement”

Just outside Towanda, Illinois and clearly visible from Historic Rt. 66, sits Duncan Manor - a stately circa 1866, Italianate home, where David and Randi Howell now reside. As a couple, they recognize the benefits of restoring and leveraging historic buildings in small towns and have embarked on a creative path for raising funds through community involvement for their restoration efforts. Together they will share their passion for preservation, as they relate their experiences at Duncan Manor.

Friday, March 9, 2018 – The old “Three Eye”

In the first half of the 20th century, the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League was one of the more respected low minor leagues in professional baseball. Bloomington, Decatur, Springfield, Quincy, and other downstate Illinois communities fielded teams at one time or another. Cooperstown inductees that passed through the Three-I League (also known as the “Three Eye” or “Triple Orb”) included Carl Hubbard, who played for Decatur in 1927, Warren Spahn (Evansville, IN, 1941), and Lou Boudreau (Cedar Rapids, IA, 1938). Join Bill Kemp for an evening of baseball history as he recounts stories of The Old Three Eye league. Bill has served as librarian of the not-for-profit McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington for the past fourteen years.

Friday, March 23, 2018 – “Saving Sprague’s Super Service: A Route 66 Icon”

Dr. Terri Ryburn worked to restore Sprague's Super Service for ten years before the Town of Normal bought it from her. It now houses Ryburn Place, a gift shop featuring Route 66 and local art. Hear how Terri saved the 1930s building as well as the Town of Normal’s future plans for it.

[Bill Thomas]