The Ida Grove Library will host special guest speaker, Barbara Lounsberry, for “Nancy Drew: Iowa’s Heroine to the World” on Thursday September 19th at 6:30pm in the Heritage Room of the Ida Grove Library.
Join us to learn more about Nancy Drew, the most popular female detective in fiction and her creator, Mildred Augustine of Ladora, Iowa. Augustine’s authorship of the first Nancy Drew mysteries—and single-handed creation of Nancy’s admirable character—were kept secret for more than 50 years. Equally distressing is the fact that as Nancy grew in popularity, her Iowa roots were disguised.
Guest speaker, Barbara Lounsberry, was born and raised in Iowa and retired recently as a Professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. She has written books on literature and writing, and had the fun of editing three mystery novels set in Iowa. Lounsberry was named UNI’s Distinguished Scholar in 1994 and Outstanding Teacher in 1998, and is president of the Ruth Suckow Memorial Association. She believes Iowa culture, like its soil, is incredibly rich.
We hope you will mark your calendars and join us for a fascinating adventure into the works of Mildred Augustine and her Iowa heroine, Nancy Drew!
