EVENTS & CLASSES

YEAR OF VONNEGUT

The Library continues to celebrate the Year of Vonnegut events at branches throughout the fall. For more information about community events, be sure visit the Year of Vonnegut Web site at www.yearofvonnegut.org.
Lectures | Film | Music | Crafts

LECTURES

Vonnegut, His Family & City History: How They Intertwine

Great success as well as overwhelming tragedy has touched the extended family of novelist Kurt Vonnegut, whose ancestors helped shape the city of Indianapolis beginning in the 1850s. Nelson Price, the author of books about famous Hoosiers and city history, will share insights about the impact of the Vonnegut family as Indianapolis has struggled, blossomed and searched for an identity.
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Your German Ancestors: German-American Genealogy

Learn German-American research tips from an expert. Betty Warren, Secretary for the Indiana Chapter of the Palatines to America, will discuss Pennsylvania German family records in the Fraktur tradition, census and cemetery records, immigration, and oral history. Kurt Vonnegut’s family tree and connection to Indianapolis will be showcased.
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FILM

Southside German Immigrants of Indianapolis
Describes and shows the schools, businesses, churches and leisure activities of the German community on the Southside of Indianapolis that thrived prior to World War I.
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MUSIC

Saengchor
Founded in 1885 as a German choir of men and women, choral works are sung in all languages, predominantly in German. Still connected with a network of German choirs, the singers compete in the Indiana/Ohio/Kentucky region.
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CRAFTS

Scherenschnitte
Discover the German tradition and folk art of papercutting with instructor Connie Squires of Creative Cuttings. Each participant will leave with a completed design.
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German Paper Stars
Learn to create these traditional German multi-colored holiday ornaments that can also be used as jewelry or as decorations on small packages.
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German Feather Trees
Create an heirloom feather tree with host Mike Williams. The tradition of feather trees began in Germany in the mid-19th century, when the cutting-down of trees was banned to save German woodlands. In recent years, feather trees have achieved a new level of status among Christmas enthusiasts and especially Christmas crafters.
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