I have several talks and presentations to give in the coming months. A couple of them don’t have dates yet, but I’ve got plans.

First up is a talk at Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff on Saturday, January 18, at 2 p.m. It’s always a pleasure to visit Kelly-Griggs and I am looking forward to it. I’ll be talking about John and Annie Bidwell, and I will include a brief update on the Mansion fire. The lives of the Bidwells was so much more than gracious living in a Victorian mansion. Come and find out how they influenced progressive causes of their day, like diversified agriculture, environmental protection, women’s rights, and Indian welfare.

In February I will be speaking at the DAR dedication of a plaque in honor of Annie Bidwell, a proud daughter of the American Revolution. The plaque will eventually be placed on the grounds of Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, but since that is not possible at this time, the dedication will take place at the local DAR chapter meeting on Saturday, February 15, at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Chico.

Also in February, I will be giving a talk about Alvin Coffey at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum for Black History Month. I have never been there, so I am curious to visit a new museum. The date is Saturday, February 22, and the event starts at noon. My talk is part of an exhibit and fund-raiser for the James & Ursula Williams Family Fund, which supports education in Vallejo.

Then in March it’s back to Kelly-Griggs for a presentation on Nancy Kelsey. Date to be announced. And sometime in the spring I will be doing another Bidwell presentation at the Chico History Museum.

Whew!