Dinner Programs at the Palms Grill in Atlanta continue through March

[January 20, 2018] 

The Atlanta Public Library and Museum will continue hosting its series of free Dinner Programs at the Palms Grill Café through March 2018. 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.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. at each event, and there is a cost involved with the meal. The program afterward starts at 7 p.m. and that portion of the evening is free.

There is limited seating, with a capacity of approximately 50 people at the Palms, reservations are required.

Phone [phone] to make a reservation for any of the scheduled Dinner Programs.

Remaining programs for the season are as follows:

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.

Valentine’s Day Special – Wednesday February 14, 2018
Chicken 'n Pickin' Dinner Program Added to Schedule at the Palms Grill Cafe

Due to popular demand, another Dinner Program is being added to this year's series sponsored by the Atlanta Public Library. "Danny Tackett's Chicken 'n Pickin' Orchestra" will return to the Palms Grill Cafe on Wednesday, February 14th for a special Valentines Day Dinner Program, following a sold-out event earlier this January. The evening will include some great gospel and county music, along with a buffet featuring crispy fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, homemade pie and a special Valentine's Day dessert.

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]