Wednesday, May 15th

12pm – 1:30pm

presented by Wylheme Ragland

King’s Memorial United Methodist Church, Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Garner Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are landmark congregations in Old Town Decatur.  They share a common Wesleyan connection, however their names suggest different denominal histories.

What’s in a name? What do the abbreviations mean?  UMC, AMEC, and CMEC represent more than alphabets.  This program will provide an introduction to their histories, witness select photos of early pastors, and discover contributions of the The Methodists to quality of life in Old Town Decatur.

Wednesday, June 5th

12:00pm – 1:30pm

Community Room at DPL

presented by John Allison

Morgan County Archivist John Allison will share the story of Lelia Seton Wilder Edmundson, a successful businesswoman who  navigated the male-dominated fields of agriculture, real estate speculation, and finance with intelligence, cunning, and skill.  Edmundson went on to earn  the moniker “Cotton Queen of Alabama, ” was involved in Alabama’s earliest stirrings of the women’s suffrage movement, and later became the first Alabama woman to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Wednesday, June 12th

12pm – 1:30pm

presented by Ranger Daphne Moland

Join Ranger Daphne for a look at the history of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, recent upgrades and renovations, as well as plans for the future.  She will also share some before and after photos of the Public Use areas of the Refuge.

Wednesday, July 10th

12:00pm – 1:30pm

Community Room *Training Center*

presented by Dianne Pierson

Learn basic information on the differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages, risk factors, research, and FDA-approved treatments.  Presented by Dianne Pierson, M.Ed., CDP, from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Wednesday, August 7th

12pm – 1:30pm

presented by Dr. Kyle Blanchette

*TRAINING CENTER* at DPL (downstairs, under the Community Room)

In a culture as divided as ours, we are constantly faced with the temptation to go into fight or flight mode when controversial topics come up.   We either seek to lecture those who disagree with us into submission, or we avoid controversial topics altogether, to spare ourselves the disagreements that can damage or even destroy relationships.

This talk will offer strategies for avoiding these two temptations and for approaching the issues that divide us with both conviction and grace.  Dr. Blanchette holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Rochester.  All are welcome to this free program.

Wednesday, August 14th

12pm – 1:30pm

presented by Peggy Allen Towns

Local historian Peggy Allen Towns will discuss the dangers of travel for African Americans in the early part of the 20th century and how Victor Hugo Green’s book made travel a little safer for Black people.  She will describe the perils of traveling, discuss sundown towns, Esso service stations, and what was in a ‘travel kit’ for Black travelers.  She’ll tell us about the Fannie Parker Hayes Boarding House here in Decatur – listed in the Green Book – and other services listed.  Peggy Allen Towns has authored three books of local history and is an active leader in the preservation of local historical sites.