LAKE HAVASU MUSEUM OF HISTORY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR 2016/2017

November November 8 “Colorado River: The Strangled Giant” ** Just a little more than a year ago, a film crew arrived in Lake Havasu City to continue its work on part of a five-episode television series about American Rivers. In the five-part series, Academy Award nominated filmmaker Katja Esson and her crew tell the story of five rivers – the Miami, the Detroit, the Los Angeles, the Chicago and the Colorado. The Colorado River episode will be shown for the first time in the United States Nov. 8 at a Lake Havasu Museum of History program. The program is at ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City. The European premier of the program just occurred on German television, with the Colorado River episode airing there Nov. 2. The film takes the viewer from Yuma to the Hoover Dam with other segments filmed in Boulder City, Nev., the Salton Sea, Calif., and in Lake Havasu City. Museum staff and volunteers were interviewed for the film, along with Lake Havasu City Visitor Center director Jan Kassies. The Lake Havasu City Historical Society was honored to participate in the film and is honored as well to present its first showing. (ASU) December December 14 “Christmas Tree Party Among the Trees” The 15th Annual Christmas Tree Festival at the Lake Havasu Museum of History begins Nov. 23 and will continue until Jan. 3, 2017. The Christmas Party Among the Trees is Dec. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. Hot Wassail, punch and cookies will be served and Christmas carolers will set the one. There is a rumtor that Santa might show up. Holiday shopping at the Museum Store could provide just that special gift. A variety of items are available including jewelry, books, walking sticks, toys and more. Lake Havasu Museum of History, 320 London Bridge Road

January January 6 “The Royal Banquet” Annual Museum Fundraiser In conjunction with the London Bridge Renaissance Festival 2017, the Royal Banquet will take place at the London Bridge Resort. Watch for ticket information and details to come.

January 10 “The Mighty Colorado River: From its Sources to the Sea” ** Jim Turner has traced the Green and Colorado rivers from their beginnings as clear bubbling glacial springs high in the mountains, then through roaring canyons in Utah, Arizona and Nevada, and finally to the salt flats in Mexico. Turner presented a similar program in 2015 but now his book is complete and he returns to show and present more about the lifeblood of the Southwest. Stunning photographs tell the story of the rivers’ two thousand miles of scenic wonders, geography, wildlife, history, recreation, politics, and local culture. (ASU)

February February 14 “Swing Into History” ** Spend Valentine’s Day with some romantic memories. Learn how iconic artists like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald got their start along with fellow bands, vocalists, composers and musicians. Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks Erik Larson earned a B. A. degree from San Diego State University in 1962 and served with Boys Clubs Of America (now Boys & Girls Clubs) for 30 years as the director of five different clubs throughout the Midwest and California. For nearly two decades, he has been a volunteer docent at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff. (ASU)

March March 14 “Tom Mix: King of the Cowboys” ** Cowboy movie star Tom Mix was internationally famous, and many legends and tall tales have been told about his life. This presentation highlights some of the true stories about Mix and his connection to Arizona, debunking some of the Hollywood hype. What brought Mix to travel that lonesome highway where he met his death south of Florence? A wide range of photographs and newspaper articles illustrate this larger-than- life legend. Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks Christine Reid is intrigued by Arizona’s diverse and rich western heritage as a writer and researcher at the Pinal County Historical Society and Community Scholar for the ASU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. (ASU) April April 11 “Arizona’s Unsolved Mysteries” ** We are intrigued by unsolved mysteries, because it would seem almost impossible for anyone to totally vanish from the face of the earth at any time. This is especially true in our day and age when a host of computer data tracks everyone; yet bodies to disappear with astonishing frequency. In some cases it may be presumed that people wished to disappear, but then why? Even more unsettling is the realization that certain people may have gotten away with the perfect crime. Whether the unsolved mystery is more than a hundred years old or recent does not seem to make much difference. Perhaps the most enduring quality of an unsolved mystery is that it continues to haunt us.

** Arizona Humanities programs sponsored by the Lake Havasu City Allied Arts Council, Inc., Party Express. A wine and cheese reception for members only is from 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Santiago 107, and the program will follow at 7 p.m. in Santiago 109. Signs will be posted to direct attendees. The program is free and open to the public.