Wheaton Library presents World War I series
With "Wheaton Reads: World War I," a monthlong event commemorating the centennial of The Great War, the Wheaton Public Library will offer a series of events exploring the first world war.
The library events are tied to "World War I and America, a two-year national initiative of The Library of America presented in partnership with The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and other organizations, with support from The National Endowment for the Humanities.
"Wheaton Reads: World War I" includes historical presentations, musical performances and a panel discussion as well as programs for teens and tweens at the library, 225 N. Cross St.
Discussions will be offered for two books: Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" and Anita Shreve's "Stella Bain." The library also will show movies set in World War I: "The Promise," "War Horse," "Testament of Youth," "Wonder Woman," and "Paths of Glory." For details, visit the library's website at wheatonlibrary.org.
Below are some of the programs in the series:
• Living History: General Charles Dawes, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. Actor RJ Lindsey portrays World War I Gen. Charles Dawes and narrates a slide program with animated battle maps, military strategies and period photos. Registration required: (630) 868-7520 or wheatonlibrary.org.
• WWI Heroes of Wheaton, 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. Five hundred men from the Wheaton area enlisted to serve in WWI, 13 of whom died in service. Nancy Flannery of the Wheaton Historic Commission discusses Wheaton's local WWI heroes. Registration required: (630) 868-7520 or wheatonlibrary.org.
• Songs of World War I, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. Roger Kotecki plays guitar and sings the songs of WWI with bass and percussion accompaniment. Registration required: (630) 868-7520 or wheatonlibrary.org.
• First Division in WWI, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Paul Herbert, executive director of the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, discusses the history behind the First Division infantrymen of WWI. Registration required: (630) 868-7520 or wheatonlibrary.org.