Presidents Day and U.S. History with a twist @ Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center Feb. 24
Richard Lederer who co-authored “American Trivia: What We Should All Know about U.S. History, Culture and Geography.” with Caroline McCullagh, Lederer will speak about U.S. presidents and their role in history at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center.
Lederer will offer “a treasury of fascinating firsts, mosts, and onlys about American presidents,” according to event organizers program staff. He has written more than 40 books about language, history and humor. Drawing from what he learned while researching his newest book, Lederer will regale listeners with other interesting tales that slipped between the cracks of history.
“Writing is an amazing way to learn,” Lederer said. “I discovered a wealth of things I didn’t know before, and it’s a lot. For example, take the interesting deaths of presidents 20 years apart.”
Lederer puts the Q&A sessions in the middle of his performances, giving him the opportunity to riff at the audience’s questions.
“The older you get the less agenda conscious you become,” Lederer said. “The facts will eventually come out. Questions in the middle let me know go in several directions and keep the audience engaged.”
Lederer is especially excited to bring his oratory skills to the Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center.
“It’s a very bright group of people there,” Lederer said. “The Rancho Santa Fe citizens make education a fun and life-long process. The Center is really trying to build their programs and extend their outreach, and I really respect that,” Lederer said.
The Rancho Sante Fe Senior Center is a nonprofit that provides resources, educational programs and social activities. Lederer will also speak at the Center for a three-part series about language in September.
“We’re delighted to have Richard,” said Terrie Litwin, executive director of the Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center. “He’s a perfect match for what we do in that he’s entertaining and informative.”
