Local History meal and crime book discussion

Published 4:39 pm Monday, June 24, 2019

On Thursday, June 27, the Local History Potluck Dinner Program will feature Stuart Sanders, history advocate for the Kentucky History Society, speaking about “The Radicalization of ‘Bloody-Handed’ Bill Davison: How a Union Soldier Became a Pro-Confederate Bushwhacker.”

By the time Davison was shot and killed at the end of the Civil War, he had been marked as a notorious pro-Confederate guerrilla. Saddled with a $5,000 bounty on his head and called “the bloody-handed Davison,” the Louisville Daily Journal judged him “one of the most corrupt scoundrels unhung.”

Only three years earlier, he was recognized for gallantry at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh while serving as a captain in the Union army.

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The Emancipation Proclamation, his anti-authoritarian streak, deep personal flaws and anger toward the policies of President Abraham Lincoln’s administration radicalized Davison.

Sanders will illustrate how Davison made the transition from hero to villain in the eyes of the Union.

If you want to join the potluck meal, bring a dish and arrive at 6:15 p.m. If you prefer to attend the program, arrive a few minutes before 7 p.m.

Either way, please register to attend. Call 744-5661 or use the Evanced registration system on the Clark County Public Library’s website, www.clarkbooks.org.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, Adult Services Librarian Jennifer Mattern presents “Introducing Mystery Lovers to True Crime.”

Many library patrons, especially those who attend Local History Potluck Dinner Programs, know Jennifer for Bluegrass Murder and Mayhem programs she presents with Adult Services Librarian Angela Turner.

Jennifer spends months researching local and regional crime stories for those programs and she is always on the lookout for an intriguing mystery.

She and Angela have gained such reputations for their Murder and Mayhem programs they present training seminars for the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Jennifer was featured on The History Channel’s “Dead Files” show.

If you love mysteries and want to participate in a lively conversation about the ever-popular true crime genre, come to Jennifer’s program next Saturday.

She’ll tell you about true crime read-alikes based on your mystery preferences. Come prepared to discuss your favorite types of mysteries.

Jennifer’s program is free and open to the public, but participation is limited to 15, so please register to attend.

Other programs next week:

— Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Meeting of Minds. The library’s discussion group ponders growth, sustainability, and fun. How can we grow a community while preserving the beauty of our countryside and make Clark County a pleasant place to live? All perspectives are welcome. Join in the discussion.

— Wednesday at 2 p.m., Kentucky Picture Show presents a highly regarded 2019 comedy about the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who’s hired to help him. Rated PG-13.

— Thursday at 9:15 a.m., Gentle Yoga. This class is taught by Kathy Howard, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. For information, call 859-745-4699 or email kkh1231@roadrunner.com. There is a $5 charge per class.

— Friday at 10 a.m., Write Local asks: Does the Never Ending Story have chapters or is it written on one continuous roll?

— Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Outside the Lines Adult Coloring brighten up a dreary, rainy month.

Special thanks this week to library smbassador Lisa Johns who demonstrated good citizenship, congeniality and savvy by reminding a Bookazine shopper that a plethora of Bookazines can be checked out free for 28 days (the shelf life of a Bookazine) at the library.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.