Michigan based author Bill Jamerson will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps at on Tuesday October 4 at 7pm at the Burnhaven Library. His program includes discussing CCC projects in Minnesota and across the Midwest, reading excerpts from his novel, showing a video clip from his PBS film and performing originalsongs with his guitar.
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a federal works program created by President Franklin Roosevelt in the heart of The Great Depression. During its nine year run from 1933-1942, eighty-four thousand young men between the ages of 17 and 25 years enlisted from Minnesota and lived in camps that held 200 men. The enrollees planted over 150 million trees, fought forest fires, planted millions of fish in rivers and lakes, built dams and bridges and constructed thousands of miles of county roads. They built several state parks including Gooseberry Falls State Park and Itaska State Park. Camp Ribideau in Blackduck contains many original CCC buildings.
In his program Bill will perform songs, including Chowtime, a fun look at the camp food, City Slicker, which tells of the mischief the boys find in the woods, City Slicker is a fun look at mixing it up with animals in the woods. Borrowed Mom, is the story of an orphan who found a mother in camp, and Tree Plantin’, Fire Fightin’ Blues tells of the hardships of work out in the woods. The folk songs range from heartwarming ballads to foot stomping jigs.
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Bill produced eleven PBS films on Michigan history including, CAMP FORGOTTEN – the CCC in Michigan. He wrote and produced a CD of twelve original songs on the CCC and has authored several articles on the corps. In his talk, Bill will discuss his research methods, some of the interesting enrollees he has met over the years and CCC projects he has visited. A question and answer period and book signing will follow his presentation. Former CCC’ers and their families are encouraged to attend. For more information please call the library at 952-891-0300 or visit Bill’s website at: billjamerson.com.
