Tamworth

No Cinderella Story: Friends Remember Ben Scott “Benderella” Rae

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The Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth will host a presentation, “No Cinderella Story: Friends Remember Ben Scott “Benderella” Rae,” by Laura Hodgman on October 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the library, 93 Main Street in Tamworth Village.

In this talk, Dr. Hodgman will delve into the life of Ben “Benderella” Rae, a developmentally disabled victim of transphobia murdered in Tacoma, Washington in 1977. Before she died, Benderella led a life full of family strife, state institutionalization, hustling, self-advocacy, and friendship. She was part of a family, and part of communities, who accepted or rejected her. The many stories surrounding Benderella’s life and death help to increase understanding of transgender lives both past and present.

Laura Hodgman, Professor Emerita of History at Eastern Washington University, moved to Tamworth about 18 months ago. Between 2012-2016, she conducted an oral history project collecting stories of Rae’s life. The article she wrote on the project was published in the peer-reviewed Oral History Review’s Winter/Spring 2016 issue.

Film and discussion: “Screaming Queens”

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The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes and Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth will cosponsor a film and discussion of “Screaming Queens” on September 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the UUFES Meetinghouse at 30 Tamworth Road in Tamworth, NH. Laura Hodgman will introduce this hour-long documentary, and lead a discussion following the film. This program is one of the One Book One Valley series of programs taking place this fall.

“Screaming Queens,” directed by Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker, paints a vivid portrait of the transgender scene in 1960s San Francisco. Three years before the famous uprising at Stonewall, oppression of the LGBT community in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District produced violent, collective resistance at Compton’s Cafeteria, a one-time haven for marginalized communities. Through archival footage, period music, and interviews with those involved, this documentary situates the riot at Compton’s within the broader questions of urban renewal, anti-war activism, civil rights, and policing characteristic of the time.

Laura Hodgman, Professor Emerita of History at Eastern Washington University, moved to Tamworth about 18 months ago. Her academic work includes oral history interviews and publications on LGBT history.

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the library at 603-323-8510.

Rescue Stories in Tamworth on Oct. 17

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mountain snowCook Memorial Library in Tamworth is pleased to present an evening of mountain rescue stories on Wednesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the UUFES Meetinghouse in Tamworth Village. This One Book One Valley program is sponsored by the Cook Memorial Library, and it is free and open to the public.

Stories on the program include:

  • The Backside of the Storm, the story of a rescue mission in arctic conditions told by Joe Lentini, White Mountain Guide and Mountain Rescue Service team leader
  • Voices from the Ice and Snow, a radio-style dramatic retelling of Ty Gagne’s book “Where You’ll Find Me” in four parts, adapted and performed by Margo Mallar, Annie Provenzano, Raetha Stoddard, Terry Leavitt, and Polly Mahoney, with music by Peg Loughran
  • “So thankful to be here today,” Amy Baker’s account of a solo hike on Mount Washington last January that ended in her rescue

UUFES (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes) Meetinghouse is located at 30 Tamworth Road, at the intersection of Route 113, 113A and Main Street in Tamworth, New Hampshire. For more information or for directions, call the Cook Memorial Library at 603-323-8510.

Three chances to hear Sandy Stott to talk about “Critical Hours”

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Sandy Stott, author of Critical Hours: Search and Rescue in the White Mountains will speak about his book and about being the “accidents” editor of the journal of the Appalachian Mountain Club at three area libraries in October. These programs are offered as part of this year’s One Book One Valley community read, and all three programs are free and open to the public.

  • Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00 pm: Cook Memorial Library, 93 Main Street, Tamworth, NH, 603-323-8510
  • Thursday, October 4 at 6:30 pm: Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood Avenue, Conway, NH, 603-447-5552
  • Friday, October 19 at 10:30 am: Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland Street, Moultonborough, NH, 603-476-8895