R.C. Durkee

     Saturday weather began with snow, turning ice and then, rain, but it did not deter members of the Emma A. Chester Chapter of Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War from attending my program held at Bistro 83, North Ridgeville. 

     Thank you, Connie B. for inviting me to speak to your chapter. Last year, she invited me to speak to her chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, so I truly appreciate her support of my work.

     Speaking to groups such as this, is a learning experience for me as well, as members often have fascinating information to share. I learned, for example, that Emma A. Chester, who their chapter is named for, was a nurse attending Union soldiers during the Civil War. There are local, state and national...

     Had another fantastic experience at Case Western Reserve University Leonard Gelfand Stem Center's SHIPWRECK CAMP held at Cleveland's beautiful University Circle CWRU campus in mid July. The young students are awesome, and organizers, instructors and volunteers are top notch. I never cease to be amazed at what the students do and create. I feel privileged to be part of this experience. I also had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the parents of the students, and enjoyed our interesting discussions. Thank you, Kathy and crew for inviting me back!

     August, I attended a Civil War event held at Hale Farm and Village in Akron. The reenactors are always eager to share the history of the subject matter they are representing...

     I was invite to speak about my book and local Prohibition rum running at the meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution. My friend, Norm M. attended. His great-great grandfather and mine were together in the same regiment and company during the Civil War. Last year, Norm provided me with a  copy of a photograph of their company taken in 1863. It is the only photograph I have of my 2xs great grandfather during the war, so I am so grateful to Norm for sharing that photo. Our grandfathers were pals like Norm and I are now. After my program was finished, I witnessed Norm's induction into the Sons of the American Revolution. Thank you, Charles W. and SAR President, Lance B. for inviting me to speak.

     I had a good turnout for my Lake Erie rum running program. Thank you, Doug H. for setting up the program and director, John M. for inviting me to speak. My book's setting includes the city of Sandusky. Afterwards, the museum director contacted me to see if I would be interested in helping with their new display about Lake Erie rum runners. That is a honor I don't want to pass up! If and when the display is finished, I will post a photograph of it. 

May started off with a blast (artillery demonstration) at the Ohio Civil War Show in Mansfield,Ohio. The next day, I was honored to be guest speaker for the Daughters of the American Revolution's Firelands Chapter. They are a wonderful and welcoming group, and I enjoyed meeting them. A friend just informed me my book, RUM RUN is now for sale at Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum's gift shop, located at Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. I am happy and honored to be included at such a distinguished place.

It was wonderful to meet the members of the Firelands Historical Society who invited me to speak about my book and Lake Erie/area during Prohibition. I created a new PowerPoint presentation to try out on them and I think it went well although I left out some fascinating information on Lake Erie rum runners they would have found interesting. Thank you, Mary for inviting me and coordinating the program, and thank you Firelands Historical Society.