Library Talk – October 12, 2016

The library gets questions on all sorts of topics, and this past week was no exception. Someone hoped we had a picture of the 50’s Diner when it was a gas station/truck stop—we did, a 1955 postmarked postcard worked. Someone else was interested in flood pictures before the 1937 flood, again, postcards as well as photos that have been donated worked out well. Another question came from Ripley’s own John P. Parker historical group—we have said that all of Parker’s kids had gone on to higher education after high school, and if you say it often enough, it must be true….but did we know where? So the question came to confirm the higher education of daughter Bianca and son Horatio. The vast amount of digitalization that is freely shared on the Internet is amazing and constantly expanding, as I know I have looked several years ago for this type of information with no luck. Different this week—I found a scanned copy of Kimball Union Academy 1898-99 catalog with Bianca Parker of Ripley, Ohio in the June 1898 graduating class. The academy is still active, so I contacted the archivist, and she sent me a scan of a photo of Bianca from a class magazine as well as the entire class photo. Kimball Union is in New Hampshire-why Bianca chose to go there we may never know, but until now, we did not have a picture of her. Horatio was at least a junior at the Indiana State Normal School in 1876-77—this school now is Indiana State University. I haven’t heard back from them yet, but I am hoping maybe they too have a photo or at least more information. Librarians and archivists often are generous in sharing information, and it is rewarding to share it with interested parties.

October marches on, and a last reminder that this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. we will be hosting Dr. Ned Lodwick as he tells spooky, local ghost stories under the stars down at the Parker House on Front Street in Ripley. The end of the month also holds treats for programs with the return of Harry Pedigo and a fall Ripley River Jam on Tuesday October 25th at 7:00 p.m.—musicians and music lovers all welcome. (Musicians and audience often start coming in around 6:30) If you hadn’t attended any of the RRJs before, you missed a good time—a true music jam with a bit of a concentration on American roots music—bluegrass, folk, and whatever develops as the evening progresses. Lots of fun. Our round-up for the month is on Saturday the 29th. Popular Shaheen Miro will return at 10:00 a.m. to talk about speaking with the spirit world. After lunch, Shaheen will be available for individual tarot card readings at a reduced cost.