Before I embarked on this Agatha Christie project, I did a lot of research on the 1830s in Illinois which became the book Ruth by Lake and Prairie. Although not often in the last few years, I used to give quite a few presentations on the time period, the research, and how to turn notes into an enjoyable read, and I'm delighted to have a new opportunity this month. 

I will be presenting "How History Becomes a Story" for the Lisle Heritage Society on Sunday, October 26, at 2:00pm at the First Congregational Church of Lisle, 1006 Ogden Avenue, in Lisle, Illinois. As I was personalizing the presentation for this group, I got all excited about the research again and realized I would need very little rehearsing because the details came back immediately! Ruth's story will always be very special to me. 

Ruth and her family were part of a group of settlers who came to Illinois in 1831 with her uncle Joseph Naper, the founder of Naperville. Uncle John Naper was also part of the group, and held land in what would become Lisle, the next town over, so there has been a connection between the two since the beginning. Ruth by Lake and Prairie is the story of the settlers' journey, a "Little House on the Prairie"-style story of DuPage County history.

I'm really looking forward to this event! It's free and open to the public, so I hope to see a few people from our old stomping grounds. If you're in the area and are either interested in this historical period or interested in writing historical narrative, I invite you to attend. The Lisle Heritage Society would appreciate a headcount, so please register at their website.