Climb To Glory
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 4/25/2007
As part of the Deschutes Public Library’s A Novel Idea … Read Together, the Deschutes Public Library Foundation presents Climb To Glory: The 10th Mountain Division presented by local historian, Bob Boyd, on April 29, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bend Public Library. The presentation is part of the Novel Idea … Read Together, community-reading project offered by Deschutes Public Library and the Deschutes Public Library Foundation.
According to Boyd, the 10th Mountain Division was unique within the military world of the 1940’s. In anticipation of a battle front in the mountains of Italy, “the unit was formed around a core of men with an array of skills necessary for warfare in the mountains.” Boyd says they were “experts at skiing and mountaineering, guides, packers and avid outdoorsmen.” Their skills and common love of mountain sports, as well as years of training together before being shipped to Europe to fight in the mountains of northern Italy created a tremendous bond between the men of the 10th Mountain Division. After the war, many veterans of the 10th Mountain Division were leaders in the growth of the skiing industry and outdoor recreation in America. Central Oregon's Bill Healy, community leader and developer of Mount Bachelor ,was a veteran of the 10th as was legendary University of Oregon track coach and Nike co-founder, Bill Bowerman. During his presentation, Boyd will discuss the impact made by the 10th Mountain Division. The documentary Fire on the Mountain: The Story of the 10th Mountain Division will also be screened during the presentation.
Now in its fourth year, “A Novel Idea...Read Together” has become the premier community reading program in Oregon. This month-long reading and discussion event is organized by the Deschutes Public Library and funded by the Deschutes Public Library Foundation with the support of other community sponsors. The purpose of the event is to build community by broadening and deepening appreciation of literature through reading, participation, and discussion.
The 2007 selected book, Bowerman and the Men of Oregon, describes the life of Bill Bowerman. The book celebrates the spirit of Oregon through the life of this incredible man who faced life with genius, humor and grit. Author Kenny Moore, a former senior writer for Sports Illustrated and a world-class runner under Bowerman’s tutelage, delivers a fully realized portrait of Bowerman. More than 20 programs will highlight this year’s book, each of which is designed to enhance the participant’s knowledge of the book and the man whose legacy touched our lives in a variety of unexpected ways.
For a complete listing of Novel Idea programs, please call 312-1032.
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