All 2019 Summer Forum events are FREE to attend and are held at the Hyannis Public Library at 410 Main Street in Hyannis from 5pm-6:30pm.

June 26th –  Jim Coogan

Cape Cod Collected: A Selection of the Cape’s Greatest Stories

Well-known Cape author and historian Jim Coogan will feature some of Cape Cod’s greatest stories that he and co-author Jack Sheedy compiled in their book, Cape Cod Collected. The program starts at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the JFK Museum in Hyannis. From shipwrecks, lighthouses, sea captains and other bits of folklore, to heroes, heroines, and some odd local characters, Coogan’s talk will bring back old Cape Cod for lovers of the Narrow Land.

Jim Coogan - Summer Speaker Series

July 10th – Raymond Sinibaldi

John F. Kennedy: From Florida to the Moon

Raymond Sinibaldi will present a power point presentation about his book John F. Kennedy: From Florida to the Moon.

About the book: It was September 12, 1962, when Pres. John F. Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University before nearly 50,000 people. By that time, America had launched but four men into space–the suborbital flights of Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom and the nearly identical three-orbit journeys of John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. Buoyed by the success of those missions and cognizant of the danger that lay ahead, the president rearticulated his vision and reissued his challenge to reach the moon before 1970. “We choose to go to the moon, in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” The assassination of President Kennedy, in the words of flight director Gene Kranz, turned his vision into a “quest to do it and do it in the time frame he allotted.” On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped off the ladder of the lunar module known as Eagle, taking “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

sinibaldi - author and speaker at summer speaker series

July 17th – Margaret Cardillo

 Just being Jackie

Jackie Kennedy was an American icon of style and grace—but there was steel under that style. Her poise under fire, intelligence, and tireless work as First Lady earned her the respect of leaders worldwide and made her beloved by generations. Jackie’s legacy also extended beyond her time in public life. She was a talented journalist, a preservationist who secured the legacy of national landmarks, and an editor of award-winning books. The creators of Just Being Audrey have brought us another insightful, dazzling book about the real woman behind the famous name, who was so much more than first appearances.

Come meet the author as she reads from the book. Fun activities and special gifts for attendees! While this book is for children, there is no age limit on learning about this incredible icon.

Margaret Cardillo

July 24th – Lester S. Hyman

JFK, The Kennedys and Me

Lester S. Hyman will give an illuminating glimpse into the inner workings of Washington politics and the extraordinary yet tragic fairy tale that is the Kennedy family.

About the book: “Why have I written this book? Because I have had the rare privilege over a period of 60 years to know JFK and his family, not just as public figures, but as fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters. I now share these experiences with my readers so they better can appreciate this extraordinary family, each and every one of whom has devoted his or her life to public service. Despite all the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedys, they always have soldiered on in behalf of their country. This book explains what the Kennedys really were like and how and why they have played such a vital role in American history.” Lester Hyman

Lester S. Hyman - Summer speaker series

July 31st – Brian Murphy

Adrift: A True Story of Tragedy on the Icy Atlantic and the One Who Lived to Tell about It

Author Brian Murphy will discuss his latest book, Adrift, about an 1856 shipwreck in the North Atlantic during one of the most perilous periods of sea ice during the 19th century. The ship, carrying cargo and emigrants from Liverpool, was under the command of a captain from Centerville on Cape Cod. There was only one survivor, a young seaman from Fairhaven, Mass. All told, nearly 900 people lost their lives in the North Atlantic’s Ice Alley during the first months of 1856, marking of the most deadly stretches of shipping between Europe and North America for generations.

Murphy is currently an editor at The Washington Post and has a home on the Cape. Previously, he was a foreign correspondent and bureau chief for the Associated Press, reporting from more than 50 countries.

adrift - brian murphy

August 7th – Chris Setterlund

Historic Restaurants of Cape Cod

Christopher Setterlund will detail the history of the iconic establishments of the Cape, still fresh in the memories of patrons. Thousands of restaurants have come and gone on Cape Cod over the past century. Some, however, made an indelible mark.

Chris Setterlund- Summer Speaker series

August 14th – Richard Neal

Making Faces

 

richard neal - august 14 speaker