Mulberry Center Church coordinator, Carolynn Miller, who finds, previews, books, and makes the many arrangements required to bring the programs to Webster City, provided details of this summer’s schedule of programs:

Saturday July 16 — 1 p.m. — Hear Iowa veterans stories

in their own words

The number of active-duty combatants in U.S. armed forces is at the lowest level in modern history. As fewer serve, many families no longer have a direct connection to the military services. Sara Robinson, a Boone native who’s served as a broadcast journalist in the Iowa National Guard since 1997, is bridging that shortfall.

Robinson will present a series of videos allowing Prisoner of War — POW — camp survivors, and Vietnam and Korean war veterans to tell us about their service in their own words. Other films describe the attack on Pearl Harbor and New York’s World Trade Center towers. The videos vividly depict what it means to serve our country in a way most ordinary citizens have never experienced.

Saturday, Aug. 20 — 1 p.m. — Billy Sunday: Iowa’s

‘baseball evangelist’

William Ashley (Billy) Sunday was born in Ames in 1862, grew up to play major league baseball, and gave it all up to become one of America’s best-known Christian evangelists.

Program presenter Craig Bishop of Hutchison, Minnesota, has studied every aspect of Sunday’s fascinating, unconventional life for more than 20 years, and in 2016 published a book: Billy Sunday: The Baseball Evangelist.

He has agreed to bring copies of his book to the presentation, and will sell and autograph them for those who seek an even deeper understanding of Sunday’s story.

Saturday, Sept. 10 — 1 p.m. — Iowa’s Lost History

From The Titanic

Iowans, like many Americans, seem to be endlessly curious about the one and- only voyage of R.M.S. Titanic.

Perhaps you saw the Titanic exhibition at the Iowa Science Center, have visited the facsimile of the liner in Branson, Missouri, or enjoyed a meal or afternoon tea prepared from authentic menus from the doomed ship in any number of venues.

Now, hear how an orphan train rider, kidnapper, missionary, businessman, farmer, and others who survived the sinking are connected to Iowa. Presenter Darcy Maulsby will have you checking around your feet … just to make sure the floor’s still dry.

Saturday, Oct. 15 — 1 p.m. — Iowans Who Fought Against The Union

You may remember from high school history class that Iowa sent more than 75,000 troops to Civil War battles, that 13,000 never came home, and a further 8,000 were wounded. You probably recall the glorious record of 17 Iowa regiments who were among the victors on General Sherman’s famed March to the Sea.

Now, steel yourself for something you never imagined: At least 60 Iowans are known to have fought for the Confederacy.

This one-of-a-kind program by Living History Farms interpreter David Connon offers new perspective on a subject you thought was settled long ago. Connon is also an author, and you’ll not only be able to ask your questions about his research, but buy a copy of his book: Iowa Confederates In The Civil War.

If high gas prices have you rethinking your vacation in the Colorado Rockies, or even to St. Louis or Chicago to see the Cardinals and Cubs in action this summer, you’ll find the free history presentations at Mulberry Center Church truly affordable entertainment.

Freewill offerings help support these programs and make possible restorations and repairs at the church. Built in 1890, Mulberry Center Church is one of six historic buildings preserved at Wilson Brewer Park in Webster City. The church is equipped with modern audio-visual facilities, heating and air conditioning, and is a popular venue for small weddings.