The Hailey Public Library continues to ramp up its programming, offering up a Writer-in-Residence. Dr. Susan Swetnam participates in three programs throughout the summer, beginning with two events this week at the library, all of which are free of charge.
The first program will be a reading and author talk at noon on June 2. Swetnam will read from her book of essays "Home Mountains: Reflections From a Western Middle Age." After her discontented youth in the East, the author writes about her surprise at finding herself at home for the first time, in the mountains of southeastern Idaho. In essays written over the course of ten years, Swetnam chronicles life choices and necessary adaptations, always returning to the love she feels for her adopted state. Swetnam is a Professor of English at Idaho State University, a Blue Ribbon bread baker from the Idaho State Fair, a volunteer fire fighter, a gourmet chef, a runner and a charismatic speaker.
The second program, on June 3, will be a non-fiction-writing workshop "Recipes in Context," running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Swetnam's residency at Hailey Public Library is part of TumbleWords, a collaborative effort among 12 western states to bring writers into communities that may be underexposed to creative writing due to geographical or economic circumstances. Both programs are free of charge, but pre-registration is necessary for Recipes in Context.
Other programs the library is offering this summer include:
July 13, 6:30 p.m. Lecture by Dr. Susan Swetnam: Project scholar for the travelling Smithsonian Institution exhibit "Key Ingredients: America by Food," Swetnam gives the keynote address "Nostalgia and Social Change: Food in Contemporary America" plus a preview of the exhibit. Free.
July 15-Aug. 26 "Key Ingredients: America by Food" exhibition: Through historic photographs, regional recipes and food memorabilia, "Key Ingredients" examines how culture, ethnicity, landscape and tradition influence what is on the dinner table tonight. Free.
July 18, 5-7 p.m. World War II Rationing Party at the Hailey Public Library. Grand opening celebration for "Key Ingredients: America by Food" exhibit. Free.
July 22, 1-2:30 p.m. I Love Lucy (and Chocolate) Festival: Screening of two of Lucy and Ethel's most famous food-related episodes, plus Chocolate Truffle Potato making. Free.
July 25, 6:30 p.m. Screening of "Fast Food Nation": Morgan Spurlock's documentary about super-sizing, followed by a panel discussion of the movie and of "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser.
Aug. 1, 6:30p.m. Slide-show lecture: "From Camas and Cowboy Beans to Croissants and Curry: History of Food and Dining in Idaho and the Wood River Valley" presented by Boise historian Arthur Hart, with some kibitzing about local food and dining institutions by library staff. Free.
Aug. 12, 3 p.m. Hailey Coffee Company Roastery tour: Meet at the Hailey Public Library. Free of charge but must pre-register as group size is limited.
For more information about any Hailey Public Library program, or to register for a place in the writing workshop, please call the library at 788-2036.
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A series highlighting the summer activities offered by individual Wood River Valley organizations. Cut out and keep the printed schedules or visit our Web site, sunvalleycentral.com for all the articles in the series. This week: The Hailey Public Library.
Dr Swetnam will read from her selection of essays "Home Mountains" on Friday, June 2.
