August 20, 2014

Podcast: What’s Up Bainbridge:
August 28 Events Evoke Local Japanese American History

<i>Podcast: What’s Up Bainbridge:</i> <br>August 28 Events Evoke Local Japanese American History

Whats Up on Bainbridge IslandThere is an upcoming collaboration on two events jointly sponsored by the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum and Eagle Harbor Books. The Thursday August 28th events highlight the strength of friendship and community in times of war and upheaval.

At the time of the WWII Japanese-American internment, small children and families were forced to evacuate their Bainbridge Island homes.
At the time of the WWII Japanese American internment, small children and families were forced to evacuate their Bainbridge Island homes.

Author Kirby Larson, a Newberry Honor recipient, will launch the release of her new book, “Dash”, on Bainbridge Island on August 28th.  The book is about a young girl removed from her beloved community and friends to an internment camp during the tumultuous times following Pearl Harbor.

In this podcast episode, BCB host Channie Peters interviews Katy Curtis, Education Outreach Coordinator at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, and Victoria Irwin, Events Coordinator at Eagle Harbor Books. They discuss the two related August 28th events.

On August 28th, there will be a 3pm gathering at the Japanese-American Internment Memorial (pictured above). Subsequent to this photo, names and other objects have been added to the commemorative cedar wall.
On August 28th, there will be a 3:30pm gathering at the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial (pictured above). Subsequent to this photo, names and art have been added to the cedar “story wall”.

The first event will occur at 3:30 pm at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial located at Pritchard Park, 4192 Eagle Harbor Drive. Here, Kirby Larson will talk with three pairs of friends who were children at the time of the internment about their experiences of being removed from their communities, and of losing their dear friends to the internment camps. Those events were, of course, particularly traumatic for children.  These members of our BI community have remained friends here on the island.  Their stories are of acts of kindness and lasting friendships that have strengthened over the years, and contribute to the fabric of community.

The August 28 events will mark the publication of the children's book "Dash", by Newberry Award winning author.
The August 28 events will mark the publication of the children’s book “Dash”, by Newberry Honor winning author Kirby Larson.

The second event will be at Eagle Harbor Books at 7 pm, located at 157 Winslow Way East.  This will be a family book event with Kirby Larson reading, signing and talking about “Dash” and it’s context.

Credits: BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB editor: Barry Peters; What’s Up music: Tim Bird; BCB ferry music: Dogfish Bay Studios; Podcast art: artopia creative.