Friday, January 14, 2011

POWs speak at the first 2011 “Night For The Museum”










POWs speak at the first 2011 “Night For The Museum”
The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum will hold its first “Night for the Museum” for the 2011 series of speakers on February 21st, 2011 . Cora Lou Robinson is the chairwoman in charge of finding speakers this year. Cora Lou has an exciting lineup planned for the five guest speakers for 2011. This year admission will be free to these popular events with donations accepted and of course the popular potluck desserts and snacks welcomed.

The first event will highlight the early life of Bill Barkas and Dr. Mattie Jacks Mosley, both of whom are POW survivors from WWII in Manila . Barkas moved to Minden in 1967 and has a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech in Agricultural Engineering. He was born in the Philippines to an Australian father and Filipino mother. Bill became a US citizen on April 29th, 1965. Married to wife Edie, the couple has three children (Jessica, Bill Jr., Hanna) and 10 living grandchildren. Bill and Edie will be celebrating 54 years of marriage in March of this year. The couple is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Minden.
Dr. Mattie Jacks Mosley is a first cousin to Barkas. Dr. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Library Science, LSU Shreveport retired from there in 1998. She has a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech in English, a masters in library science from LSU-Baton Rouge; and a Ph.D. in library and information science from the University of North Texas in Denton . Mattie was born in the Philippines. Her mother was Australian, and her father was American. She is married to Thomas Mosley and has two sons, Thomas Jr. and Chris, and three grandchildren. She has written articles for various professional journals and served as consulting editor for the Salem Press. She has served as president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians and in various capacities for the American Library Association. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Performance Award on two occasions while at LSU-S. Since retiring, she enjoys traveling the world and the United States. The Mosleys are active members of St. James Episcopal Church in Shreveport. Mattie also is a volunteer at Live Oak Retirement Center.
This should be a very moving and educational night for Minden citizens as we travel back in time to the years 1942-1945 in war torn Manila. “You don’t want to miss this history filled evening of a first hand account of struggle and survival by two POWs.” Events are held at Christopher’s, 615 Main St. in downtown Minden, La. Doors open at 5:30 with refreshments served at 6:00 p.m., free admission, first-come, first-served seating. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite appetizer or dessert. Drinks are provided. For more information contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192. Or visit the web site at http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/