Sheboygan County Research Center

History is alive in Sheboygan County,Wisconsin. Much of the interest and excitement is due to the Sheboygan County Research Center in Sheboygan Falls. With the leadership of Beth Dippel, Executive Director, her staff and a host of volunteers the center has carved out an impressive place in preserving and sharing the area’s history.

“Second Saturdays” is what they’ve labeled Saturday morning programs that start in September and continue through May. The 2009-1010 program topics range from Windmills to Wisconsin’s Champion Trees, from Wisconsin wine-making history to the history of deer hunting in Wisconsin.

I was privileged to talk with more than 100 people who crowded into the basement meeting room of the Sheboygan Falls Public Library as part of the Second Saturday series. I shared a bit from my novel, BLUE SHADOWS FARM. Why and how I write historical fiction, and the importance of stories in keeping history alive and interesting.

I was speaking to the choir. This group knows about the importance of history in the lives of people. I applaud the Research Center, its staff and volunteers such as Marge Pearce, who runs the Saturday programs, for their efforts in keeping history alive, vibrant, and interesting. They also serve a good cup of coffee. Go to www.schrc.org for more information about the center.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Learn from many; be taught by all.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 7, 1:00 p.m. Sugar Creek Camp, Ferryville, WI. Stories From the Land.

December 12, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Fireside Books, West Bend, WI. Book signing. Presentation at 10:30 a.m. Blue Shadows Farm.

January 4, 11:45-12:30. Wisconsin Public Radio, Ideas Network. Telling Wisconsin Stories. (With Larry Meiller)

January 14, 6:30 p.m. Madison History Round Table. West Side Business Men’s Association. Old Farm

January 19, Noon luncheon. SAIL (Supporting Active Independent Lives) Black Hawk County Club, Madison. Telling Stories—Why and How.