Joe Stukes History Series lineup announced for fall

FLORENCE — Three programs are on tap for the Friends of the Florence County Library’s Joe Stukes History Series’ portrayals of historical characters this fall.

The first is Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. with musicians Beverly Hazelwood, Sharyn and Steve Mapes hitting the high notes of Irving Berlin.

Among the nearly 1,000 songs written by Berlin are “Cheek To Cheek,” “Anything You Can Do,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and the 1911 melody that made him a household name, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

In all, Berlin composed 17 films and 21 Broadway scores that include “White Christmas,” the most recorded song in history and winner of an Academy Award. He also wrote “Annie Get Your Gun” with its showstopper song, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Berlin was awarded the Medal of Merit by President Harry Truman and also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Medal of Liberty. He was 101 when he died on September 22, 1989.

Stukes will take the stage to portray Buffalo Bill on Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stukes Meeting Room.

William Frederick, also known as Buffalo Bill Cody, killed 4,200 buffalo in 18 months and was the inspiration for Ned Buntline’s dime-novel series, “Buffalo Bill Cody - King of the Border Men.”

In January 1872, Cody acted as scout for Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia as he visited the American West for “The Great Royal Buffalo Hunt.” Later in 1887 Buffalo Bill took his Wild West shows to Britain in celebration of the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria.

Returning home, he performed in “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West,” a show that opened in 1893 with Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley and performers from all over the world.

By the turn of the 20th century, William F. Cody was the most famous American in the world, symbolizing the western United States.

Shortly before his death in 1917, Buffalo Bill pushed for the rights of American Indians and supported hunting conservation programs.

Stukes will hit the stage again Oct. 20 as Brigham Young.

Young, born in 1801, was an American leader in the Latter-day Saint movement and the founder of Salt Lake City.

In 1846 Young led his followers, the Mormon pioneers, in an exodus to the Salt Lake Valley. Shortly after the arrival of Young’s pioneers, the new Mormon colonies were incorporated into the United States.

As governor of Utah Territory, Young directed the establishment of Mormon settlements throughout the West and paved the way for building projects, militia protection, and an efficient mail service.

Young organized the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and in 1850 founded the University of Deseret, now the University of Utah. He died in Salt Lake City on Aug. 29, 1877. His legacy remains controversial since he is best known outside of Mormon circles as an avowed polygamist.