Speaker will share nontraditional Christmas stories

Staff report

LIBERTY

Regina Rees will lecture on unusual Christmas stories at 10 a.m. next Saturday at the Kravitz Deli meeting room, 3135 Belmont Ave., as part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime speaker series.

The program is free and open to the public but a good-will offering will be accepted to benefit the society. Reservations are suggested; call 330-726-8277.

Reese will share ancient tales and other unusual and amusing stories of Christmas.

Rees has been an educator for more than 35 years. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University and her doctorate from the University of Akron, and taught elementary and high school for 25 years.

A former professor in the Beeghly College of Education at Youngstown State University, she is now professor emeritus.

Rees has been a professional storyteller since 1992, presenting programs throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana.

She became involved with the McGuffey Historical Society 15 years ago by presenting stories from the McGuffy Reader.

Other upcoming programs in the Memories of a Lifetime series at Kravitz Deli include:

Jan. 16: Rick Rowlands, founder of the Youngstown Steel Heritage Museum and the Tod Engine Project. Feb. 20: Fr. Joseph Rudjak, founder of the Ethnic Heritage Society and an advocate for the preservation of Mahoning Valley ethnic culture.

March 19: George Beelen, professor emeritus at YSU, founder of the Ohio Cultural Alliance, and co-founder of the Ethnic Heritage Society.