Theodore Roosevelt Program held at Library

Author DeeGee Lester, retired director of education for the Parthenon in Nashville, visited the Lewis County Public Library on July 10, 2020 as part of the library's "Imagine Your Story: Happily Ever Hohenwald" summer reading program. Lester shared excerpts from her recent book "Quentin Roosevelt's White House Gang" and delighted children with exciting tales of Quentin Roosevelt's games, antics, and childhood fun growing up in the White House. Her passion and enthusiasm for Theodore Roosevelt and this part of American history was contagious, and parents and children felt that history came alive for them. Everyone left wishing they could have grown up with an energetic friend like Quentin Roosevelt and DeeGee Lester.

At the end of the program, Lester showed attendees an assortment of Theodore Roosevelt toys and memorabilia. Children were especially fond of a marionette dressed as the "Hero of San Juan Hill" in a replica of the Army uniform worn by Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War. As a personal friend to the Roosevelt family, Lester told attendees that she plans to give her toys to young descendants of Theodore.

Special care was taken to ensure the safety of families attending this program. In keeping with Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order limiting the number of people in social gatherings to 50 or less, this program was presented multiple times to small groups on Friday. Attendees were spaced out six feet, and hand sanitizer was made available to anyone wanting to hold and look at the memorabilia.

DeeGee Lester recently retired as the award-winning director of education for the Parthenon in Nashville. She has an admiration for President Theodore Roosevelt dating back to childhood and continuing through her college master's thesis, and her service on the Board of Trustees for the Theodore Roosevelt Association. As historian and educator, she is the author of five books, countless lesson plans, educational materials, and numerous articles for academic journals, encyclopedias, arts publications, and magazines for children and teens.

Lester is a graduate of Lewis County High School Class of 1968.