The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

  • Home
  • To Know
  • To Do
  • To Ponder
  • Obituaries
  • Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • More
    • Share your story
    • Submit an Event
    • Contact

FAB Fest Features Fascinating Facts of the Past

August 29, 2018 By Susanne Bacon

Submitted by Susanne Bacon.

History in Washington is incredibly young and therefore the (pioneering) past so much more immediate than in so many other parts of the US. Maybe that is the reason why there are so many ambitious authors digging into the sources that lie beneath of what and who we are today. The 6th Annual Lakewood Film, Arts, and Book Festival presents quite a few local authors who have found amazing facts and commit them to public memory with their great books.

How the Great Plains became the breadbasket of the world is presented in “Civilizing the Great Plains” by Don Wilbur. The author researched on site what turned a region occupied by indigenous tribes into farmland. Promises of homesteads from the government drew mainly Europeans to take up the challenge. These hardy pioneers faced attacks by the natives and braved dust storms, freezing winters, crop losses, and government interferences. A stunning story that still reverberates with us today.

A bit closer to Washington homes is surely Walter Neary’s and Steve Dunkelberger’s book “Legendary Locals of Lakewood”. Once the site of British farms and the first US military base in Washington territory, Lakewood was a vibrant community long before it became incorporated in 1996. Who in Washington State hasn’t heard of Chief Leschi, who spent his last days here before he was hanged? Or about George Pickett, who served here and became famous in the Civil War? Or names such as Carman or Weyerhaeuser? Or of the first female black mayor of Washington State? Even Ivan, Lakewood’s captive gorilla who captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide, has his own chapter. A must-read for any citizen from Lakewood.

 

A truly dramatic and tragic incident was carefully researched by author Russell Holter. “The Fateful Fourth” analyzes the socio-economic conditions which led to the City of Tacoma hosting a grand Independence Day celebration in 1900. It attracted guests from all over the state, but the transportation system was totally overburdened. Disaster came in the shape of one the most horrific streetcar accidents in US history. It actually changed transportation forever. A story that makes the past chillingly come to life again.

Of course, all authors will be present at the festival and gladly answer your questions and sign their books for you. The 6th Annual Lakewood Film, Arts, & Book (FAB) Festival takes place on September 28, 29, and 30, 2018 from 12 through 9:30 pm at the Shirley McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard SW. The book/author section is open from noon till 6 pm. Please find further information, also about the eight award-winning movies shown at the Film Festival, at www.facebook.com/lakewoodfilmartsbooks.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

About Susanne Bacon

German-American journalist Susanne Bacon is also the author of the Wycliff novel series (available in local bookstores or on Amazon). The latest, published in 2020, is Suddenly Snow. Her Suburban Times column “Home from Home” is also available as a book now. Its German title is “In der Fremde daheim". She lives with her husband in Lakewood, Washington. You can contact her at Facebook. If you are interested in an express delivery of Susanne's columns, subscribe to her Bacon's Bits email, delivery free to your inbox. Click here to sign up.

Top Stories

  • COVID in Lakewood
    COVID in Lakewood
  • Obituary Notices - February 23, 2021
    Obituary Notices - February 23, 2021
  • A Search for Office Chairs
    A Search for Office Chairs
  • 103 new Pierce County COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths confirmed Feb. 22
    103 new Pierce County COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths confirmed Feb. 22
  • Update on Attorney General’s Office review of Manuel Ellis’ death
    Update on Attorney General’s Office review of Manuel Ellis’ death

Become a better informed citizen.

Join over 30,000 readers each month and get real-local news and information direct to your inbox, Monday-Saturday.


Recent Comments

  • Jaynie Dillon Jones on A Search for Office Chairs
  • Scooter on The Long Song – Slavery and Beyond – PBS Series Review
  • steve on A Search for Office Chairs
  • steve on COVID in Lakewood
  • Mary Clare Benson on A Search for Office Chairs

Contact Us

The Suburban Times
P.O. Box 39099
Lakewood, WA 98496

Ben Sclair, Publisher
253-312-1804

Stephen Neufeld, Marketing Executive
stephen@thesubtimes.com

Copyright © 2021 The Suburban Times • Log in • Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.