The 2024 White Lake Winter Lecture Series

The White Lake Chamber Music Society will present the 2024 Winter Lecture Series, featuring engaging and stimulating presentations! From January through March, a wide variety of expertise and talent will be showcased. This is sponsored by MADL – the Muskegon Area District Library.

On January 30, retired American and World History teacher Erin Walling will present “The History of Chocolate in Life and Art” at 7:00 p.m. at the Book Nook and Java Shop, 8744 Ferry St. in Montague.

Chocolate isn’t just about your favorite candy bar. It has a rich history and a dark past that still impacts civilization and culture today. Learn more about the origins of chocolate in MesoAmerica and how it travels across continents as it shaped history, art, and the lives of millions. The best part: eating chocolate is involved! Erin Walling has 39 years of experience in public education.  Although she is not an expert in art history, this self-described “history nerd” is an authority on keeping high school students entertained and sneakily educated by regaling the class with historical anecdotes, fun facts, and interesting slides.  “Seekers of knowledge” will enjoy the benefits of her detailed research and the ability to weave historical facts into a compelling story.

On February 27, the second lecture in this series will be a presentation by Mary Tyler, “An EASY Evening of SHAKESPEARE” at 7:00 p.m. at the Montague Branch of the Muskegon Area District Library, 8778 Ferry St. in Montague.

Learn how SHAKESPEARE is for ALL Ears! Forget the struggle and release the fear! Let’s welcome The Bard to our Stratosphere! Unlearn what you’ve learned and drop what you’ve heard. Let’s see how Will wove the most wonderful words! All you need to bring to the night is an open mind and eager heart, and you, too, will learn why (and how) William Shakespeare is the best and most beloved writer of the English language. AND it will be fun! Mary Tyler taught English literature at Muskegon Community College for over 30 years, focusing on Shakespeare, Poetry, Creative Writing, Film, and Survey Literature courses. She earned a BA in English from the University of Michigan, an MA in English and an MFA in Poetry and Creative Writing from Western Michigan University. She was Chair of the Muskegon Writers’ Series for many years Mary willingly admits that she suffers from Bardolatry – an extreme idolization of William Shakespeare and his work.

On March 26, the third lecture in this series will be presented by Natasha Miller entitled “Butcher” at 7:00 p.m. at the Montague Branch of the Muskegon Area District Library, 8778 Ferry St. in Montague.

Butcher is a book about love and loss — about being unapologetic and transparent in grief. The author finds an unexpected solace in the kitchen after losing her best friend and brother, Marcus. Natasha T Miller explores addiction, family & tragedy. Natasha is a Detroit native, performance poet, LGBTQ activist, film producer, and founder of the Artists Inn Detroit.

Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, please call 231-329-3056 or visit us online at www.musicwhitelake.org