Idora author to share memories

Staff report

LIBERTY

Rick Shale, author of several books and articles on pop culture, will give a presentation at 10 a.m. Saturday in the meeting room of Kravitz Deli, 3135 Belmon Ave.

The event is sponsored by he William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society, and is part of the Memories of a Lifetime lecture series. It is free and open to the public, but an offering will be accepted to benefit the society, and a 50/50 drawing will be held.

Reservations are required; call Richard S. Scarsella at 330-726-8277. Walk-ins will be admitted if seats are available.

Shale was born and raised in the Youngstown area and is a graduate of Boardman High School. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and earned master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan.

A retired professor of English at Youngstown State University, where he taught courses in film study and screenwriting, Shale is a three-time recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award.

He is the author of many articles on film and popular culture. His previous books include “Donald Duck Joins Up: The Walt Disney Studio During World War II”; three books on the Academy Awards; “Idora Park: The Last Ride of Summer” (co-authored with Charles J. Jacques, Jr.); and “Historic Mill Creek Park” (co-authored with Carol Potter).

The Boardman resident is working on a biography of Joseph G. Butler Jr.

Shale serves on the board of directors of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and chairs its historic preservation committee.

He is a trustee of the B. F. Wirt Trust and is the president of the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society.

Shale also previously served on Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners.

Other upcoming McGuffey Historical Society programs include:

Music in the Afternoon: July 30 at 2 p.m., at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, featuring Michael Nichols, Youngstown State University Dana School of Music keyboard performance major; and Sean Baran, Dana keyboard adjunct professor, performing classical European selections on grand pianos.

Nancy Beeghley: Aug. 20 at 10 a.m., at Kravitz Deli, 3135 Belmont Ave., Liberty. The former Vindicator columnist will recall a lifetime in local journalism, education and philanthropy.

Thomas Gilmartin Jr.: Sept. 17 at 10 a.m., at Kravitz Deli. The son of Ohio State Rep. Thomas P. Gilmartin Sr. will comment on the famous people he has met and his work as a civic activist.