I moved in with my 85-year-old dad four years ago after my mom passed away. Most evenings after dinner I sit with him and watch Gunsmoke, while he talks about “the good old days” and how much simpler things were when he was growing up in the 1950s.
Gunsmoke really isn’t my cup of tea, but I figure when I’m 85 I’ll make a younger person watch reruns of The Mod Squad or I Dream of Jeannie while I give a monologue about how bell bottoms were the perfect item of clothing.
I’m just joking about the bell bottoms. Or am I?
No, seriously, I wouldn’t trade the evenings I have right now with my dad for the world. I fully realize the privilege of still having him around when so many of my contemporaries have lost their parents. And even though sometimes I’m dead tired when I arrive home from work, I always listen to his stories about growing up in the 1950s.
Whatever generation we are from, I think we all like to reminisce about our childhood and what were simpler times for us. In bestselling author Stephen Harrigan’s latest novel, “The Leopard is Loose,” a retired man relates in oral history style the details of his childhood growing up in Oklahoma City in the 1950s, in particular the exciting escape of a leopard from the Oklahoma City Zoo. The happenings in the book take place in 1952, the same year the Boerne Library came into existence.
I’ve asked the author if he would help us celebrate the Boerne library’s 70th anniversary, and he said yes. Stephen Harrigan will join us on Tuesday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m. for an online discussion of his novel. If you would like to register for this free event, please contact me by email for the Zoom link: [email protected] . “The Leopard is Loose” is cataloged in the library in case you would like to read the book prior to or after this program.
This summer we are trying to collect oral histories of people who grew up in the 1950s – and have them share their memories with us, particularly if they grew up in Boerne during the 1950s. If you know someone who would be a good fit for this project, please have them contact me at the library.
There will be other 1950s-themed programming through the summer for all ages. Examples of these programs include a weekly Sock Hop for youth, a Buddy Holly tribute band in July, and Jell-o mold fun, also in July. Our printed summer programs are now available for pick up in the library.
Upcoming programming at the library:
• Thursday, June 2, noon – Mysteries for Lunch book discussion group.
• Thursday, June 2, 1:30 p.m. – Drawing Club in the conference room.
• Friday, June 3, 10 a.m. – Active Movement (Qi Gong).
• Monday, June 6, 9:15 a.m. – Boerne Beat Poetry Group.
• Monday, June 6, 10 a.m. – Marvelous Monday performance for kids in the community room.
Comment
Comments