July 7 at Noon: A Visit from Phillis Wheatley
As a part of our America 250 observation, LWB will welcome Founding Mother Phillis Wheatley, who has been called “the poet laureate of the American Revolution.” An enslaved person, she was also the first published African American poet and writer. After she dedicated a poem to George Washington, the general was impressed enough to visit her in Boston. Phillis died at 31 in poverty in a boarding house with little heat. The world would be less beautiful, less inspired, without Phillis Wheatley. Dr. Daisy Century, also a published author, portrays this talented poet with respect and flair (www.daisycentury.com).
Dr. Century recalls the thrill of receiving a standing ovation for her 3rd grade recitation of The Creation and credits this as the beginning of her desire to perform. Trained as a teacher, Dr. Century earned a BA in Biology at Claflin University, a Master’s in Science Education from South Carolina State University and a Ed.D. from Temple University, also in Science Education. This naturally talented teacher and actor couples scientific methods with creative imagination in order to discover how the historical characters she interprets would respond to a given situation. An inspiring educator whose students have returned year after year to thank Dr. Century for the difference she has made in their lives, Daisy has continued to inspire through her thoroughly-researched, dramatically intense portrayals. Dr. Century is a published author, writing under the name Emily Nelson, and is an accomplished singer.
Since then, Daisy has appeared in venues that include the National Defense Organization, Belmont Mansion, National Archives, Sojourner Truth House, Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Helicopter Museum, and numerous schools, libraries, museums and historic sites throughout the United States.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
July 14 at Noon: The Singing Sisters of Mount St. Joseph
Dr. Chuck Julian will present “From Bach To Broad-way: Harmonically Exploring The Singing Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.” During 1964 and 1965, a group of talented women religious from the Sisters of Saint Jo-seph (in Wheeling) shared their musical gifts by touring in concerts throughout the State of West Virginia and Wheel-ing Diocese to raise much needed funds for their Order. Hear some of the music that was presented, explore some of the talents that were shared, and meet in person some of the remaining Singing Sisters during this fascinating musical exploration of our musical past.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
July 21 at Noon: Wheeling Poetry Series with Zeina Azzam
Zeina Azzam is a Palestinian American poet, writer, editor, community activist, and former Poet Laureate of the City of Alexandria, Virginia. Her full-length poetry collection, Some Things Never Leave You, was published in 2023 by Tiger Bark Press. Zeina’s poetry appears in a number of literary journals and anthologies, such as Enemy of the Sun: Poems of Palestinian Resistance. Zeina serves as a mentor for We Are Not Numbers, a writing program for youth in Gaza. She volunteers for humanitarian organizations that support Palestinian development. Her educational background includes an M.A. in Arabic language and literature from Georgetown Univ., an M.A. in sociology from George Mason Univ., and a B.A. in psychology from Vassar College.
The Wheeling Poetry Series is curated by West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
July 28 at Noon: Wheel Vegas Week Pt. 1: Frank Sinatra
The Vitalie auditorium will be transformed into a mid-century Las (Wheel) Vegas casino as we step back into the swingin’ sound of Ol’ Blue Eyes. Pianist and vocalist Jay Daniels will pay tribute to The Chairman of the Board in “That’s Life: Sinatra in 1966.” This concert will feature unforgettable selections from Frank Sinatra’s iconic albums, That’s Life and Strangers in the Night, including hits like “Summer Wind,” “All or Nothing at All,” and, of course, “That’s Life.”
Journey with us back six decades to enjoy mocktails, table games, candy cigarettes, and free snacks with Jay and the Wheel Vegas Rat Pack!
About Jay Daniels: What makes certain songs memorable? What allows them to stand the test of time? For pianist and vocalist Jay Daniels, the answer is simple. These songs possess a rich combination of melody and lyrics, unsurpassed by many modern compositions. These are the songs you love, popularized by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, and others. At each performance, Jay not only brings a fresh interpretation of these classics, but he makes a lasting impression with his audience. For Jay, it’s not merely an opportunity to perform. For Jay, it’s an opportunity to share his gift of music.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
Aug. 4 at Noon: Wheel Vegas Week, Pt. 2: Neil Diamond
Our old friend The Troubadour (Bob Gaudio), returns triumphantly to LWB to play selections from Neil Diamond’s muscular, hit-packed, musical catalogue for Part 2 of Wheel Vegas Week! The Vitalie auditorium will be transformed into the Aladdin Hotel circa 1976 as Bob regales us with foot stomping favorites like “Cracklin’ Rosie” (1970) and “Song Sung Blue” (1972), “Longfellow Serenade” (1974), and, of course, the timeless, “Sweet Caroline! (1969)” Break out your bell-bottoms and enjoy more mocktails, table games, and free snacks with Bob and the Wheel Vegas Diamond Heads!
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
Aug. 11: Rob Edwards? (Must confirm closer to date)
Aug. 18 at Noon: tHe (A Novel)
Looking through the wrong end of a telescope, the reader sees an eye looking up. An orphan raised in the Michigan foster care system fulfills his childhood desire of melting into the ocean of human companionship—sailing into a future of family, loss, and love. A reader will accompany tHe’s narrator through the ripples, layers, and echoes of a journey to the end of his road. David Weimer is a local author and philosopher, originally from Michigan.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
Aug. 25 at Noon: Wheeling Park Football
Longtime educator Pete Chacalos will discuss his new coffee table book, Wheeling Park Football: The First Fifty Years, which chronicles the football history of Wheeling Park High School from its inception in 1976 through the 2025 season. Arranged by decades, the book calls on the recollections of players, coaches, and support staff to tell the story of Wheeling Park Football: the rivalries, the All-State players, the opponents, the most significant victories and plays.
To watch our livestreams of these events, go to the Lunch With Books Facebook Page or the Lunch With Books YouTube page and look for the live link, which typically appears about five minutes before each program. The programs typically remain on these same sites as recordings (and on the library calendar pages) that can be watched at your convenience.
