Held at Whaler’s Catch in Paducah, Kentucky – Betty Dobson, brought Maggie Steed to life as she talked about the experiences of coming to Paducah from Tennessee and opening the Hotel Metropolitan. Maggie, a woman of “color”, was far ahead of her time, becoming a successful business woman. Maggie’s father was a slave and when President Lincoln offered slaves a chance to fight in the Civil War effort, he promised them and their families freedom after the war. Many colored regiments were continued after the war and Maggie arrived in Paducah in 1898 mainly due to the colored regiment that…

Held at Lacey’s Restaurant in Benton, Kentucky – Michael Freeland, author of Blood River to Berlin, spoke on his time overseas during World War II as a medic.  He noted that these were difficult stories to hear, but that they needed to be told.  Freeland joined the military and turned 20 years of age on the ship as he was sent overseas.  He kept a journal of his experiences which later helped him pen his book.  Freeland joined the 82nd Airborne in France and traveled the first time by airplane to London, England to attend jump school.  There he saw…