03/16/09 — Blackbeard subject of lecture tonight at Mount Olive College

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Blackbeard subject of lecture tonight at Mount Olive College

By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on March 16, 2009 1:46 PM

The Wayne County Reads project is wrapping up with a presentation tonight at Mount Olive College by an expert on pirate history and a theatrical performance Thursday and March 20-21.

The featured book in this year's reading campaign is "Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate" by Angus Konstam, and events have centered on the 18th century buccaneer's career.

Tonight, Margaret Hoffman, author of "Blackbeard: A Tale of Villainy and Murder in Colonial America," will speak in the Lois K. Murphy Building at 7 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, the musical comedy "Hot Grog" will be performed at the Goldsboro Country Club. Both of the playwrights, original Red Clay Ramblers members Bland Simpson and Jim Wann, will be in attendance. Tickets are still available for $30.

"Hot Grog" will be performed again in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College at 8 p.m. on March 20 and 21 and at 3 p.m. on March 22. Admission is payable at the door. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 students, and free to Wayne Community College students.

Hundreds have read the book this season, said Wayne County Reads Chairman Tara Humphries. The county's libraries have circulated the book 51 times. The Wayne Community College bookstore sold 55 copies. Books-A-Million had to re-order it twice. And many have told Mrs. Humphries they ordered the book online.

For information on the dinner theater, call 736-3300 or 735-1824. For information on the Wayne Community College shows, call 735-5151.