News

Winfield Public Library Hosts Special Author Discussion Featuring John Lewis Memoir Co-Author
On Monday, August 24th, join Winfield Public Library for a special book discussion and rare opportunity to discuss John Lewis’ memoir Walking with the Wind with Mike D’Orso, the author who helped Lewis write his memoir.  Via Zoom, Mike D’Orso will visit the Winfeld community to talk about his experience working with the late Congressman and legendary activist.  The Zoom conversation will take place at 6:30pm.  Registration is necessary; register through WPL’s online calendar or by calling 620-221-4470.  For those who wish to read the book, they will be available for curbside pick-up starting August 7th, however reading Walking with the Wind isn’t necessary to attend and enjoy this conversation.  
Activist and politician John Lewis has been called "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced,” as he dedicated his life to protecting human rights and securing civil liberties.  Walking with the Wind is Lewis’ 1998 memoir that traces his life and role in the fight for civil rights including his work in the Nashville Movement (a student-led effort to desegregate the city of Nashville using sit-in techniques based on the teachings of Gandhi), the Selma marches, Bloody Sunday, the Freedom Fighters, and the on-going endeavor to create what Lewis referred to as the “Beloved Community.” In 1986, he ran and won a congressional seat in Georgia, and kept that office until his death in July at age 80.
In the acknowledgments of his memoir, Lewis thanked Mike D’Orso for his patience and called him a brother.  Before writing Walking with the Wind with John Lewis, Mike D’Orso earned his master's degree in 1981 at William and Mary, where he wrote his thesis on Beat author and poet Jack Kerouac. While in graduate school, Mike worked as a writer and photographer for the college's publications office and wrote a weekly column for The Virginia Gazette newspaper in Williamsburg, which led to a job as a staff writer for Commonwealth magazine, then as a features writer for The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, where he worked until 1993. Mike still lives in Norfolk.  Discover more about Mike at www.mikedorso.com.
This program is in conjunction with WPL’s 2020 Reading Challenge where every month brings a different type of book to read and enjoy; August’s challenge is a biography.  While reading Walking with the Wind is an excellent way to meet this month’s challenge, WPL offers many other biographies, including several on suffragists as August marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Biographies are available in both the adult and youth sections of WPL.  Browse our online catalog for the perfect book for you.
WPL is dedicated to bringing thought-provoking programs to the community, including conversations with authors such as Mike D’Orso and mystery writer Edwin Hill.  Hill will once again be joining WPL for a conversation on his second book The Missing Ones; watch our website for upcoming information.
For information on this or any of WPL’s other programs, visit wpl.org or call 620-221-4470.  WPL is currently open for curbside pick-up for books, book bundles, DVD’s, Grab and Go Crafts, Zoom Game Nights, and more.  Talk with a librarian Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 5pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 7pm; and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.