Inside the Metropol, a Life is Lived. Inside your Library, a World Awaits. This series of blog posts explores the rooms of the Hotel Metropol, setting of this year’s One Read title, and recommends books and films related to each scene. For a true admirer of the written word, one book is never the end…
Continue reading "The One Read List: Part Five" Adults
Learn about a local myth or legend Rather than immerse myself in mythic, far-off lands, I preferred to keep my Summer Reading challenge close to home. Activities from this year’s program motivated me to explore the rich Black history in mid-Missouri. First embarking on the African-American Heritage Trail, I learned about local legends like Annie…
Continue reading "Imagine Your Story: Legends of Local Black History" Adults
Did you know that Thanksgiving was not an official holiday until 1863? In fact, the so-called “first Thanksgiving” wasn’t even the first Thanksgiving feast; both the English and the native Wampanoag had celebrated similar harvest feasts for centuries. Furthermore, the first Thanksgiving table probably did not feature turkey, and they certainly didn’t serve pumpkin pie…
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The Columbia City Cemetery is the oldest and longest running business in Columbia. Burials began as early as 1821. The original entrance to the cemetery was actually on the east side where Locust Street becomes the entrance of Lucky’s Market. You will notice that most of the stones face the east. It was much later…
Continue reading "History Comes Alive: Mary Paxton Keeley" Adults
This Juneteenth, consider including some new-to-you foods that honor our country’s African American heritage. If you find that doing this is remarkably easy and delicious, don’t be too surprised. In the founding days of our nation it was usually Black Americans, typically enslaved people, feeding not only most of the founding fathers but also the…
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Have Memorial Day plans? Mark your calendar to spend time with us as some old faces of Columbia come to life at the Columbia Cemetery. On Monday, May 28, the Friends of the Historic Columbia Cemetery will be hosting their second annual History Comes Alive tour of notable people buried in the cemetery. This free…
Continue reading "History Comes Alive: Victor Barth & John Lange, Sr." Adults
As a teen, I thought history was only about presidents, generals and Henry Ford. Perhaps that had something to do with the textbooks in use back in the day. I didn’t realize the biographies I loved to read — Amelia Earhart was a favorite — also counted as history. For more than thirty years, the National…
Continue reading "Women’s History Month: Women in Labor and Business" Adults
February is Black History Month! This is the time of year to talk to our children about the great civil rights leaders, musicians, athletes and politicians who fought for equality and justice for all people. As parents, educators and caregivers, we encourage our children to grow into tolerant, open-minded individuals, so this month I have…
Continue reading "Celebrate Black History Month" Kids
Writers often reach into the past to find inspiration and content for their stories. Often an entire event or period is recreated in their books or screenplays or, perhaps, the facts of history simply provide a background for the plots that they weave. The American Civil War captured people’s imaginations even as the muskets and…
Continue reading "Hollywood and the American Civil War" Adults
“Fitter, happier, more productive Comfortable Not drinking too much Regular exercise at the gym Three days a week Getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries” – Radiohead, “Fitter Happier” If you want to get a glimpse of a real life dystopia not far from your home, I suggest you visit a gym in the…
Continue reading "Know Your Dystopias: Fitter, Happier, More Productive" Adults