Denton's Bayless-Selby House Museum will have two programs this week as part of its "If These Walls Could Talk" series.
"Victorian Denton: Miscreants on Mulberry" will be presented from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday and "Victorian Hardware: Not Software" is planned from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday.
The museum will offer one program a month this year to highlight something that occurred in Denton and was reported in the late 19th and early 20th century newspapers that are available in the museum, and Wednesday's program was prompted when docents pointed out how many of the newspaper stories concerned robbers and robberies, said Robyn Lorraine Lee, manager of museums in the Historical Park of Denton County.
No museum program has addressed this topic before, Lee stated in an e-mail, but "we noticed there was some activity on Mulberry, and, yes, the word 'miscreants' was used in one of the accounts ...
"Of course, we shall listen to these walls as they talk about what would have/could have been stolen from within such a house as this one, and I'm sure we shall have some ingenious ways to describe the decor with the possibilities such ideas generate."
Saturday's program will focus on household hardware such as knobs, handles, latches, locks and hinges, "the workhorses of the decorative arts" that are often overlooked in discussions of Victorian America, Lee wrote.
"We have a lot of different decorative brass hardware in the museum - the plates and hinges are also very decorative," she stated, adding that the program will include discussion about lock sets, furniture hardware and light fixtures.
The museum is located at 317 W. Mulberry St.
For more information, call 940-349-2865 or visit www.dentoncounty.com/bsh.
Programs for young people set at Denton libraries
A book club for girls, a Lego fan club and a program designed for teens interested in anime or manga are among the youth programs scheduled this week at the Denton Public Library.
Girls ages 8 through 12 are invited to bring their mother, grandmother or a female friend to South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Lane, at 4 p.m. Wednesday for refreshments and a book discussion featuring The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
Ages 6 and older are invited to drop by Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St., at 4 p.m. Friday for the next session of the Lego Builders Club. A different theme is picked for each monthly meeting, and kids can build on that theme or create something on their own.
Students in grades six through 12 are invited to visit North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to share their love of all things anime/manga. Snacks will be provided.
Plus, teens can show off their talent and love of art by entering the library's Anime Art Gallery & Contest.
Entries will be accepted beginning Wednesday and all entries must be turned in by Feb. 8. Contest guidelines and rules can be found online at www.dentonlibrary.com.
For more information, call 940-349-8718 or e-mail stacey.irish-keffer@cityofdenton.com.
Sanger library plans free program on protecting kids
A free program on protecting children is planned at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Sanger Public Library, according to an announcement from Lynne S. Smiland, who helps coordinate library programs.
Guest speaker will be Stacy Wyatt, a volunteer with Traffick 911, an organization that works to prevent trafficking of American children.
The program will include information on educating kids about the danger of posting provocative statements on social media and how parents can help protect their children.
Because of the frank nature of the topic, the program is recommended for adults only, Smiland said.
Reservations are not required.
Parents can get more information or reserve a seat at the program by calling 940-458-3257, e-mailing library@sangertexas.org or visiting the library at 501 Bolivar St.
Author to speak Friday at Courthouse on the Square
Author Richard B. McCaslin will discuss his book Fighting Stock: John S. "Rip" Ford in Texas during a "Brown Bag Lunch and Learn" event from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Friday in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Courthouse on the Square, 110 W. Hickory St. in Denton.
Guests are invited to bring a sack lunch to the free program, and beverages will be available for purchase, according to an announcement from Sherrin L. Hubert, Denton County Museums administrative specialist.
McCaslin, a professor at the University of North Texas, is also the author of Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, October 1862, which won the Tullis Prize and an American Association for State and Local History commendation.
His other books include Lee in the Shadow of Washington, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and received the Laney Prize and the Slatten Award, the announcement stated.
His book on John S. "Rip" Ford, perhaps best known for winning the last battle of the Civil War, recently won the A.M. Pate Jr. Award from the Fort Worth Civil War Round Table.
For more information, call 940-349-2850.
Denton church to have community blood drive
An American Red Cross community blood drive is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Oak St. in Denton.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo identification is required to donate. Donors may give blood every 56 days.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or log onto www.bloodisneeded.org and search by ZIP code.
Recycling event benefiting high school orchestra set
A recycling event to benefit the Flower Mound Marcus High School Orchestra is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Argyle United Methodist Church, 9033 Fort Worth Drive, according to an announcement from Carol Wright, publicity chairwoman.
A variety of items will be accepted, and donations can be in any condition, but toxic items will not be accepted. For a list of items that will be accepted and more information, visit www.marcusorchestra.com.
LES COCKRELL is interested in your input for Out & About. Help share information about Denton County events and people by calling him at 940-566-6887. His e-mail address is lcockrell@dentonrc.com.
