As the weather warms up in Montezuma County, the Dolores Library’s “Winter Tales” lecture series will wrap up with stories from Peru, Mexico and Thailand.
For the second year in a row, the library is hosting a series of lectures by local people about their experiences traveling around the world. Starting Jan. 5, the events have taken place every other Thursday and have featured stories about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, going on safari in Botswana and other adventures. The last three lectures are scheduled for March 2, 16 and 30.
“There are so many interesting people around here who are doing a lot of interesting things with their lives, and people are usually pretty willing to share what they do,” library assistant Sheri Mills said.
Next up is Michael Williams, a retired museum exhibit specialist who worked at the Anasazi Heritage Center for many years. He has also worked as an archaeologist and traveled extensively in South America. On March 2, he’ll share his expertise in an overview of the history of the Incas in Cusco, Peru.
On March 16, Fort Lewis College professor Janneli Miller will talk about her work with the Tarahumara people of northern Mexico. The series will finish on March 30 with Joanie Trussel’s presentation on her visit to elephant and monkey sanctuaries in Thailand. Trussel has also spoken at the Mancos Public Library as part of its “Life Is an Adventure” lecture series.
Mills said the lecture series has been a big hit. Most of this year’s presentations have drawn about 30 people to the library, which is enough to fill the public meeting space where they are held.
The library also hosts a “Fall Foreign Film Fest,” which will extend into March this year. They have shown critically acclaimed movies from Brazil, France and other countries throughout the winter. The last two movies, to be shown on Feb. 23 and March 9, will be from Spain and Italy. But Mills said the film series hasn’t been as well received as the lectures, and she’s not sure if the library will continue it next year.
But library staff are putting together a list of possible speakers for next year’s lecture series. Mills said anyone who lives in Montezuma County and has an exciting story to tell is welcome to volunteer.
“We want to show ... the diversity of the area people,” she said.