Former NASA CAPCOM Hal Getzelman to speak at Gail Borden Library July 19

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing when former NASA CAPCOM Hal Getzelman discusses the "Future of Human Space Flight" at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

Getzelman, who grew up in the Elgin area and attended Elgin High School, will give a brief review of the Space Race and talk about current efforts around the world regarding human space flight as well as answer questions from the audience.

Getzelman was the NASA Lead CAPCOM for the International Space Station and chief engineer. He was the Lead CAPCOM for Expeditions 12 and 20 and for Shuttle Missions 120 and 130.

While attending Elgin High School, he spent time at Elgin Area School District U-46's Observatory and Planetarium. He studied with the observatory director Don Tuttle who taught him how to make a telescope.

The "50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing" celebration continues on Saturday, July 20, in the library's Meadows Community Rooms

Celebrate the moon landing with dancing, singing and family music in "Family Music: ScribbleMonster Rock It! Science" from 11 a.m. to noon. Registration is required at www.gailborden.info.

Drop in and celebrate the first moon landing with crafts, learning stations and games with the "Moon Landing Party" from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The library wishes to thank Master Replicas Group and Acme Design of Elgin for loaning the library a replica of the Apollo 11 boot print. Visitors can take that imaginary step themselves when checking out the moon landing station. The library also thanks Fabric Images for the backdrop showing the view of the earth rising from the moon. It was created for a library display in 2016.

For information, call the library at (847) 742-2411 or visit www.gailborden.info or www.facebook.com/gailbordenpubliclibrary/.