October Midday Program

Halloween approaches. It’s Friday the 13th. The path to the Caxton meeting is illuminated by the faint glow of a Zoom screen. And are those the sounds of hoofbeats approaching from behind? Could it be a hurrying Hessian?

With all of that, not even Van Winkle could nod off as Dr. Elizabeth Bradley reanimates the legendary works and career of author, traveler, and diplomat Washington Irving in a generously illustrated presentation.

Bradley serves as Vice President of Programs and Engagement at Historic Hudson Valley. If you pick up either of two Penguin Classic editions of Irving’s works, you’ll discover that she edited both. She is the author of Knickerbocker: The Myth Behind New York and New York (Cityscopes). You may also have seen her work in the New York Times, Smithsonian, and the Cambridge Companion to the Literature of New York. Frequently heard on a variety of media, she’s an engaging speaker with a wealth of fascinating stories to share.

There’s no reason to lose your head. Registering has never been easier.

Live attendance and lunch

View Zoom program on eighth floor, Steel Room, Union League Club. Presentation begins at 12:00 PM CT. Lunch immediately following in the fourth floor Rendezvous. $35 includes non-alcoholic beverage, a cup of soup, and your choice of sandwich, salad, or hot entree, tax, and tip. (Must register and pre-pay by 12:00 pm 10/11/2023.)

Zoom presentation is free and open to all.

Zoom begins at 12:00PM CT/1:00 PM ET. Preregistration required via website.

Please forward this notice to anyone who may find it of interest.

Transportation to the Union League Club at 65 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

The Union League Club is easily accessible through many public transportation methods. Additionally, the following options are available for those who wish to travel by cab or car.

The Union League Club front desk offers a connection to cab service through Curb. The desk will call cabs for members and all guests while allowing riders to remain inside until the cab arrives. No curb side wait. Cabs will accept all payment forms, following the payment procedures you experience with a street-hailed cab.

If you are traveling by car, the Union League Club offers valet parking for Caxton events at $35.00. You must register and prepay in advance through the Caxton Club. Valet parking options will now be included as an option with all event registrations.

Spot Hero is an independent parking option, generally offering spots at the 318 S. Federal Street garage adjacent to the Union League Club. You may reserve and pay for a guaranteed parking spot through the Spot Hero app or website (spothero.com).

October Evening Program

Direct from the headlines and media screens comes news of the latest efforts to ban or restrict certain books from school and public libraries and even bookstores. Today’s challenges are new, but the effort to ban books has a long history. Please join us as we host Deborah Caldwell-Stone, JD, Director of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, to explore this issue and the latest challenges.

Portions of this program were underwritten by a bequest of the estate of Peggy Sullivan. Peggy’s distinguished service with the ALA both as President and Executive Director, her longtime commitment to the Caxton Club, and her commitment to librarianship suggested the theme for this event. This program brings together the ALA and the Caxton Club to discuss a timely topic and honor a mutual friend, Peggy Sullivan.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone has served on the faculty of the ALA-sponsored Lawyers for Libraries and Law for Librarians workshops and has published widely on intellectual freedom. She earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law and has practiced appellate law before state and federal courts in Chicago. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.

The event will start with social hour (cash bar) at 5:30 PM, followed by presentation from 6:15–7:15 PM, and three-course buffet dinner with vegetarian options, $68. Reservations required by 5:30 PM, 10/12.

Transportation to the Union League Club at 65 West Jackson St., Chicago.

The Union League Club is easily accessible through many public transportation methods. Additionally, the following options are available for those who wish to travel by cab or car.

The Union League Club front desk offers a connection to cab service through Curb. The desk will call cabs for members and all guests while allowing riders to remain inside until the cab arrives. No curb side wait. Cabs will accept all payment forms, following the payment procedures you experience with a street-hailed cab.

If you are traveling by car, the Union League Club offers valet parking for Caxton events at $35.00. You must register and prepay in advance through the Caxton Club. Valet parking options will now be included as an option with all event registrations.

Spot Hero is an independent parking option, generally offering spots at the 318 S. Federal Street garage adjacent to the Union League Club. You may reserve and pay for a guaranteed parking spot through the Spot Hero app or website (spothero.com).