Sample history at lecture series this spring

The McHenry County Historical Society, 6422 Main St., Union, will present its annual four part Sampler Lecture Series on the first and third Mondays in March and April.

This will be the 22nd year of programs on local history, historic preservation and collecting. This year's lineup promises a variety of subjects. All programs will be held at the museum.

• On March 3 Alfred Balk, author of a book on radio history called "The Rise of Radio: From Marconi through the Golden Age," will speak on the subject matter from that book. Balk has a long personal history connected with the broadcasting industry, and served on the Syracuse University faculty while writing about early radio history. He and his wife now live in Sun City in Huntley. His program will be presented from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

• On March 17 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. dentist Samuel S. Wexler of Richmond will examine dental history from the 1840s to the present. In addition to bringing a number of historical dental artifacts, Wexler plans to discuss the national and local regulations that have affected the practice of dentistry.

• From radios to teeth the Sampler now switches gears to the subject of early water-powered mills and their operation and importance to early settlement. The speaker will be Sandra Brubecker, the executive director of the Graue Mill and Museum of Oak Brook. Brubecker is scheduled to speak from 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 7.

• The 2008 Sampler Series ends April 21 with vintage fashion show presenter Janet Harlow of Harvard from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Her program "The Way We Wore," highlights fashions worn between the 1940s and 1970s. Accompanying the fashions and models are Janet's stories of the individuals who originally wore the clothing.

This annual series of four lectures and light refreshments is $40 for adults and $35 for members of the McHenry County Historical Society. Individual lectures are $10 each. Pre-registration is encouraged by calling the society at (815) 923-2267.