Events

Dollar-A-Day Boys! A Musical Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps
Monday, August 8 at 7 pm
Rice Lake Public Library

Michigan based author Bill Jamerson will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Rice Lake Public Library on Monday, August 8 at 7 pm. The program includes discussing CCC projects in Wisconsin, reading excerpts from his novel, performing original songs he wrote about the CCC and showing a short clip from his PBS film. Bill has presented his program at numerous CCC reunions around the country.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a federal works program created by President Franklin Roosevelt in the heart of The Great Depression. During its ten year run from 1933-1942, ninety two thousand young men between the ages of 17 and 23 years worked in Wisconsin camps. The enrollees planted 265 million trees, built 483 bridges, erected over 4,000 miles of telephone poles, constructed 4,300 miles of truck trails, stocked half a billion fish, fought forest fires, and built several parks including Devil’s Lake, Peninsula Park, Copper Falls State Park and Wyalusing State Parks. The camps not only revitalized Wisconsin’s natural resources but also turned the boys into men by giving them discipline and teaching them work skills. There were numerous camps in northwest Wisconsin and the CCC planted most of the Chequamegon National Forest.

Some of the songs Bill performs with his guitar include Franklin D., written by an appreciative CCC Boy, Chowtime, a fun look at the camp food, City Slicker, which tells of the mischief the boys find in the woods, and Tree Plantin’, Fire Fightin’ Blues that tells of the hardships of work out in the woods, and Livin’ in a Tent in Winter, looks af the funny side of winter hardships! The folk songs range from heartwarming ballads to foot stomping jigs.

In his talk, Bill will discuss his research methods, some of the interesting enrollees he has met over the years and CCC projects he has visited. A question and answer period and book signing will follow his presentation. Former CCC’ers and their families are encouraged to attend. For more information please call the library at 234-4861 or visit Bill’s website at: billjamerson.com.

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4th Annual Adult Summer Reading Program

• FREE!
• No commitment necessary
• Open to ALL adults 18+ years old
• Any book or audiobook read/listened to between June 10— August 27
• Fill out a book review form (available at the library, or print out the one on this page)
• Drawings will be held every Monday
• Great prizes given throughout the Summer! (Restaurant Gift Certificates, Gas Cards, Books, etc.)