Library supporters to host cowboy entertainment event

An evening of western life in story and song is on tap next Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Ritzville Public Library during a free evening event from 7 to 10 p.m.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, “Lasso Our Heritage” will feature Bruce and Susan Matley, also known as Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue, for an evening of song, poetry and story that relates expressions of the work ethic, hardships and joys of frontier life. The Matleys are veteran performers during the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show, making their first appearance in 2008.

They are also part of the Humanities Washington Speaker’s Bureau, through which the evening event is free of charge.

Humanities Washington is a non-profit organization that promotes and provides programs based in the humanities.

According to the website at http://www.humanities.org, “Our work in cultural education – ranging from our speakers bureau to traveling Smithsonian exhibits to family literacy instruction – promotes awareness of the history of local communities and its residents, provides opportunities for people to gather and learn more about their unique past and shared present, and nurtures relationships that enable us to move forward toward a more prosperous future.

“Humanities Washington acts as a catalyst and facilitator, supporting and partnering with a wide network of communities, organizations and individuals across the state by:

“• Creating, inspiring, supporting, and enhancing high-quality humanities-related programming.

“• Providing organizational and technical support to community organizations across the state.

“• Promoting public awareness of the power of the humanities work and the value it provides individuals, organizations, and communities statewide.”

According to the program description for “Harnessing the Stories and Songs of Cowboys and Cowgirls” on Humanities Washington’s website, “Contemporary life in the American west is profoundly influenced by our rich heritage in the legend and lore of the early cowboys and cowgirls.

“In song, poetry and story, this colorful program relates expressions of the work ethic, hardships and joys of frontier life. These traditions continue and are strong and vibrant in present day agricultural life. The Matleys bring the vibrancy of this tradition to life in this musical and poetic presentation, bringing the exciting lives of the cowboys and cowgirls alive in a more contemporary setting.”