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Who was the "leader of the charge" and why is he important to Washington State? Find out from Pickett himself in the play, The Life and Times of General George E. Pickett, on stage from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 12 at the Montesano Timberland Library (the W.H. Abel Memorial Library). The Friends of the W.H. Abel Memorial Library are sponsoring this Humanities Washington Inquiring Mind presentation. It is free of charge to the public.

In the 2-act play Mike Vouri as Pickett's "ghost," humorously shares his boyhood loves, challenges and adventures, his military career, and his time on San Juan Island. The show, accompanied by live music, reveals the flawed character of a well known but maligned Civil War hero. It gives detail of an international military dispute that took place in Washington Territory and explores the emotional dichotomy of war from the viewpoint of a mediocre soldier. It also provides glimpses into the condition of women and Native Americans of the time and a personal perspective of the Mexican-American and American Civil wars.

Mike Vouri is a Park Ranger/Historian for the San Juan Island National Historical Park. He curated the exhibit, George Pickett and the Frontier Army Experience, at the Whatcom Museum of History and Art. He is also a veteran actor. Sugar on the Floor, a group of musicians, plays a mixture of old-time folk music, bluegrass and gospel for the show during intermission.

The Montesano Timberland Library is located at 125 Main Street S, Montesano. For more information, call the library at (360) 249-4211.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 4 school-based cooperative library centers. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, people in Grays Harbor County can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians toll-free at 1-800-562-6022. Or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library 4 days in advance.

Revised 10/04/04