Library News »02/07/2013

Let's Talk About It, Idaho! Paula Coomer to lead Feb. 7 discussion of "Thousand Pieces of Gold"

The third in the five-part Let’s Talk About It, Idaho! series will take place Thursday, February 7 at 7pm in the 1912 Center when Paula Coomer talks about “Thousand Pieces of Gold" by Ruthanne McCunn. The book describes how Chinese immigrant Polly Bemis came to Idaho’s Warren mining district in the 1880s and her courage in the face of anti-Chinese prejudice during that time. Speaker Paula Coomer, a U-Idaho alum and former community health nurse, teaches English at Washington State University.

The book talks call attention to Idaho history as an historical milestone begins, the state’s territorial sesquicentennial year. The theme of this year’s readings and discussions, “Idaho at 150 – Sesquicentennial Days,” explores life in early Idaho and the challenges faced by people settling and developing the state. The University of Idaho Library is partnering with the Moscow Public Library to provide the talks, which bring adult readers together with humanities scholars to discuss fine literature.

The remaining programs are scheduled for: February 26, Barbara Meldrum will speak on Home Below Hell’s Canyon by Grace E. Jordan; and on March 20, Ron McFarland will discuss We Sagebrush Folks by Annie Pike Greenwood. All programs will begin at 7pm and are open to the public. Refreshments will be served.