Friends of Library program

Fresno historian and author Cathy Rehart will speak on "Culture and Entertainment in the Young City of Fresno" at the Friends of the Madden Library program on March 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Rehart will focus on the social environment and trace the development of cultural opportunities in Fresno as the city grew from a tiny railroad stop to the major city in the Central Valley.

A reception will begin at 6 p.m. Reservations for the reception are required by March 8.

Rehart is widely known for writing the scripts for "Legends and Legacies of the Valley," a series of historical vignettes which on KMJ Radio. She has also published the following books: "The Valley's Legends & Legacies" (volumes I - V), and "The Heartland's Heritage, an Illustrated History of Fresno County."

Rehart's family arrived in Fresno Station in 1873, the year after the town was founded. She was born in the Sample Sanitarium on Fulton Street . She is a third-generation graduate of Fresno High School and a second-generation graduate of Fresno State , with a bachelor's degree in English and history.

Rehart served on several PTA boards, the Fresno High School Site Council and the Cub Scouts.

Later, Rehart served as first Vice-Chairwoman for the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Fresno ; as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Historical Society; as chair of the Society's Preservation Committee; and as President of the La Paloma Guild, the Society's auxiliary. From 1986 to 1994, Rehart held the position of Education/Information Director for the Fresno Historical Society.

Her work as a free lance writer includes writing the scripts for "Legends and Legacies of the Valley," a series of historical vignettes which air five days a week on KMJ Radio, as well as other writing projects on local history.

A $2 fee will be charged at the door for non-members; $1 for students. The meeting is accessible to the physically handicapped and a sign-language interpreter will be provided upon advance request. For more information, contact Kellie Willis at 8-5790.