“Crossroads” Volunteers Needed!

The Dillsboro Public Library is looking for friendly people to volunteer as “Docents” to help groups, classes and individuals tour the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street exhibit, entitled Crossroads: Change in Rural America, during the exhibition period of September 7 – October 20. The Crossroads exhibit, made possible through the generous support of Indiana Humanities, can certainly be viewed without assistance. However, a docent helps visitors appreciate and enjoy the exhibit more fully. The docent can encourage visitors to think about the subject matter and invite them to share memories and personal connections to the exhibit.

You do not need to be an expert on any subject to be a docent, just a have a friendly and patient nature to help with the expected crowds. To make sure you are well prepared, there will be an orientation/training session on Wednesday, August 28 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. You may email cathy@eAPLD.org or call the library at 812-954-4151 to volunteer.

 

Made by Me! Crafternoon at Dillsboro Library

I know the weather is sweltering right now, but it is NOT too early to start thinking about Christmas. I truly enjoy making gifts for people, especially those that appreciate handmade gifts. My list is long, so it is never too early to get started with the process of discovering cute ideas and getting them completed in plenty of time for the holidays.

When I first saw the hand-stitched felt pouch, I began to think of all the possibilities. Could it be a coin purse? Business card holder? Earring holder for travel? What if I learned the technique and then decided to change the shape and size? The possibilities are unlimited!

Adults and teens are invited to join me at the Dillsboro Library for a “crafternoon” on Tuesday, August 20, from 4-5:30. We will make a rounded felt pouch to learn the technique, plus embellish it with buttons and other fun things to make your pouch unique. You will also get ideas for using the technique to make other useful and fun holders. These will be great for gift-giving, without emptying your wallet.

To register, stop by or call the Dillsboro Public Library at 812-954-4151.

Stoker: The Name Lives On

Bram Stoker was an Irish writer known for Dracula, the classic 19th century horror novel. He was born in 1847 in Ireland.

His longtime role was acting as an assistant to the actor Sir Henry Irving in the 1870s. During that time he began his second and his most known career as a writer. He published his first novel, The Primrose Path, in 1875. Three years later, he published Dracula. Stoker died before the fictional vampire became popular through films and literary adaptations.

Dracula is the famous Gothic classic that is made from journal entries, letters, and telegrams written by the main characters. Many people theorize that Dracula is based on the Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler. They theorize that Stoker picked the name Dracula after reading a book about Vlad that was revealed to him in translation from Romanian.

Stoker’s Dracula was the reason why vampires became so popular in films and novels alike. The story was received well when it was first published, but it grew to its immense popularity by the many adaptations that it inspired. Nosferatu was the first film to be based on Dracula in 1922, but actually plagiarized the story.

Because of Dracula, vampires have spread across the world and starred in modernized adaptations like Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. Others have chosen to stick closer to Bram Stoker’s idea for vampires like Stephen King does in Salem’s Lot.

Dacre Stoker is the great grand nephew of Bram Stoker and has chosen to rework the idea of Dracula that his uncle had for the character by co-writing Dracula the Un-Dead as well as co-editing The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker: the Dublin Years. He currently manages the Bram Stoker Estate with his wife.

Because of all the controversy and the way adaptations were changing vampires, Dacre Stoker, decided to reawaken the story of Dracula with J.D. Barker. Dracul was inspired by notes left behind by Bram Stoker. It doesn’t only reveal Dracula’s origins but Bram Stoker’s as well!

 

We currently have both Dracula and Dracul on our shelves. Any other books by the author we could get through inter-library loan in Indiana.

Information taken from:

“Dracul By J.D. Barker, Dacre Stoker | Penguinrandomhouse.Com: Books”. Penguinrandomhouse.Com, 2019, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/570086/dracul-by-jd-barker-and-dacre-stoker/.

“Dracula | Summary, Characters, & Facts”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dracula-novel#googDisableSync.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early People From Aurora Who Helped Make Cincinnati Famous

Talk about Aurora History is a roundtable discussion held four times a year at the Local History Library at the Depot. This program is conducted by Roy Lambert who recently presented his 100th Talk.  This program has proven to be very successful, and it may be that this is the only library in the area holding this type of historical roundtable.

This is quite an interesting event for those who are local history buffs and is also helpful to those new to the community searching for details of Aurora.  And, of course, it provides humor, as the attendees share their own folklore.

Various subjects are discussed.  Some past events have included churches, doctors, schools, ferries, businesses, World War II, even caves and the Underground Railroad. Our topic this month is Early People From Aurora Who Helped Make Cincinnati Famous.  Talk About Aurora History begins at 6:00 P.M., is open to the public, and is free of charge. New topic suggestions are always welcome.

Come and join us for an educational, but also entertaining evening on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.  Remember Talk About Aurora History is held at The Local History Library @ The Depot located at 510 Second Street.  For more information you may phone the History Library at 812-926-0646 ext. #3.