At the Library 5/21/26

 Another Successful Sinking

by Beth L. Swift

The Washington Public Library hosted its second memorable evening of history, music, and dining on April 14, 2026, with “Titanic Dinner: A Night to Remember.” Held on the 114th anniversary of the infamous Titanic tragedy, the event welcomed 45 guests, many dressed in the persona of an actual Titanic passenger whose name and brief biography they had drawn in advance.

Upon arrival, passengers were greeted by the Captain, Mark Keedy, while Newsboy Casen Randall distributed copies of the April 16, 1912, Post St. Louis Dispatch newspaper reporting the ship’s tragic sinking. Fortunately, this evening’s headline was much happier.

A live band performed authentic period Irish music arranged by Randy Swift, helping transport guests back to 1912. Passengers mingled over light hors d’oeuvres, introduced themselves by their historic identities, and likely discovered that making small talk is much easier when one arrives with a ready-made backstory.

Guests then enjoyed a modern interpretation of meals inspired by Titanic’s First, Second, and Third Class dining experiences. Catered by Mary Blosser, the menu offered a creative and flavorful glimpse into life aboard the famous ship, without requiring anyone to actually cross the Atlantic.

Clyde Pearce presented a fascinating slideshow on Iowa’s connections to the Titanic, sharing stories of both survivors and victims of the disaster. His program added depth and local meaning to an already immersive evening.

The night also featured an unexpected twist when two tornado warnings sent everyone to shelter in the library’s lower level. While it was not part of the original itinerary, the delay gave guests a chance to tour the Art Gallery and MakeIT Place downstairs, spaces many had not previously explored. One might say the evening included a brief, unscheduled “lower deck excursion.”

Despite the weather interruption, the event was widely regarded as a success, blending education, community, music, food, and just the right touch of adventure into a truly unforgettable night.

Many thanks to the volunteers who made this successful:  Mark Keedy (Captain), Casen Randall (Newsboy), Ruth Jones (server), Clyde Pearce (presenter)  Randy Swift, Tom McNamar, Byron Stevens, Scott Teater, Holly Rehyner, (live music) Nancy and John Faselt for their display, Jess McClelland (photographer) James Erbacher (displaying of his Lego Titanic ship) (and photographer and he who named this article) and Tammy Valentine whose work behind the scenes made this huge event possible.