By Strohmann Breeding
On February 21st, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will host local author Evin Demirel at their monthly “Lunch with Authors” at 11:30AM at Bordino’s on Dickson Street.
Evin Demirel is a Rogers, AR resident and is an award-winning feature obituary writer and journalist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He has written for the likes of Slate Magazine, The new York Times, The Arkansas Times, and Arkansas Life Magazine. Demirel is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the University of Arkansas.
“African-American Athletes in Arkansas” is an inspirational collection of stories about amazing Arkansans who helped change the nation. Much of the information comes from first hand interviews. The narrative non-fiction features include:
1) The inspiring story behind a “Jackie Robinson of the NBA” — “Sweetwater” Clifton, who grew up in Lonoke County, Ark., attended DuSable High in Chicago and then starred for the New York Knicks
2) The amazing story of the would-be Razorback pioneer Eddie Miles, who went on to star for Seattle University and the Detroit Pistons
3) How five Arkansan African Americans helped fuel the Green Bay Packers’ NFL dynasty of the 1960s
4) How Satchel Paige, the great Negro Leagues icon, and Dizzy Dean, the St. Louis Cardinals superstar, helped lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement
5) How black Arkansas natives helped power a championship baseball team against all-white competition in Butte, Montana in the Great Depression
6) An in-depth look at Muhammad Ali’s 1969 college lecture tour through Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Fayetteville and the controversy it sparked.
… and much, more more.
This one-of-a-kind anthology, which also showcases an original feature on Fayetteville’s forgotten “Black Razorbacks” of the Great Depression, includes articles from Slate, Arkansas Life, the Arkansas Times and more. It is a must read for all Arkansas history and sports fans!
Anyone is welcome to this event, as it is “Dutch Treat” and OLLI members are encouraged to bring friends and family as OLLI strives to reach a 10% increase in membership in order to renew their $25,000 grant in 2019!
RSVP by the end of the day Monday, February 18th to vacoogan@yahoo.com or 479-521-7654
