Press release submitted by Jan Gustafson



The Western District Library in Orion will be offering a monthly evening program for the public during the coming year. In order to receive the 2013 per capita grant for Illinois the library had to target a section of the population that does not use the library often and try to improve service to that particular group in 2013. The library board decided to target both the adult male and young adult male populations of the district, so each month a program will be offered designed to interest them, but everyone is encouraged to attend.
The first program will be Jan. 16, and Bob Reade, former football coach at Geneseo and Augustana College, will speak about football. On Feb. 20 Neil Dahlstrom, archivist for John Deere, will discuss the history of John Deere and the people involved in the founding of the company. On March 20, Kenny White from Corn Crib Market will discuss spring lawn and garden preparation.
Dan Ford, local prize-winning fisherman, will give tips for fishing on April 17. Professional photographer Kevin Colby, whose pictures are currently on display at the St. Ambrose Galvin Fine Arts Center, will give photography tips for amateurs on May 15. On June 19 meteorologist James Zahara from WQAD will discuss weather.
Dan Pearson, former KWQC sports announcer, will discuss his current involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on July 31. On Aug. 28 there will be two speakers. Orion graduate Mike Baumann will give an introduction to Fantasy Football, and afterwards the Dispatch newspaper sports editor, Marc Nesseler, will give his best predictions for the fall football teams. On Sept. 18 Marty Kurtz, past National President of the Financial Planners Association and founder of the Planning Center in Moline, will discuss the complex world of money and ways to build a better financial life.
On Oct. 16 Darrell Bush, well-known outdoor and wildlife artist, will discuss his art work and techniques. On Nov. 19 Beth Carvey, director of the Blackhawk State Park Hauberg Museum, will discuss the history of local Native American tribes. The final presentation will be given on Dec. 11 by Dr. Paul Olson, an Augustana College professor and track coach. He will discuss The Brothers K, a humorous modern American novel about baseball and redemption by David J. Duncan.
All of the programs will begin at 7 PM and be held at the library on Wednesday evenings (except November). No registration is required.