Programs at Lanier Library are a tradition that started in 1890 when Mrs. Knott shared her opinions about annexing Canada. The tradition continues with speakers and topics ranging from authors to poets, historians to sculptors, crafts workshops to
wine tasting, butterflies to elephants in the Felburn Nature and Wildlife Series, and more. Most are free to the public and some are possible thanks to support from the Kirby Endowment Fund at the Polk County Community Foundation.
Upcoming programs
In an age of social media, friends unfriend friends when learning that their political beliefs are not the same. Differences between opposing parties are publicly expressed in dismissive anger. The concept of objectivity is losing usefulness..
At the next Live@Lanier, Thursday, September 19, 1 PM, Olin Sansbury, Chancellor Emeritus of USC Spartanburg and author of “Joint Ventures”, will share his perspectives on the roots, psychology, and process of partisan politics. Olin says, “Even George Washington could not avoid partisan politics. He regretted the conflicts between two of his loyal Cabinet members but he understood the reality that democracy requires partisanship. More recently, however, some politicians and interest groups give partisanship a bad name, demonizing opposition to advance their own interest.”
Originally from Darlington, SC, Olin served in Viet Nam, wrote a sports column, got roughed up in a congressional race, and earned a Ph.D. in international studies. Active as a college teacher and administrator for more than thirty years, he served as the first dean of students at Francis Marion University and as the first chancellor at USCS. When retiring from USCS in1993, he received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Carroll Campbell.
For anyone wondering about practical bipartisanship government, Olin’s program delves into the roles of population growth, mass media, the 2-party system, voting by personality versus philosophy, and more.
Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut Street, Tryon, NC. New website with video tour www.thelanierlibrary.org. 828-859-9535..
October program: Pottery with Steve Compton
November Program: New book “Jackie” with author Dawn Tripp
December: Polar exploration with Tim Boyce
December workshop: Holiday decorations workshop with Denny Crowe
Details all to come