Native Iowan author Linda Betsinger McCann announces book tour dates

February 13, 2023 Voice of Muscatine News Comments Off on Native Iowan author Linda Betsinger McCann announces book tour dates
[Submitted/Linda Betsinger McCann]
Linda Betsinger McCann, a native Iowan author, will be speaking about her books in the area. Her events are as follows:
  • Thursday, March 16: Pearl Button Museum in Muscatine, IA at 6 p.m. (Prisoner of War)
  • Friday, March 17: Letts Library in Letts, IA at 2 p.m. (Civilian Conservation Corps)
  • Saturday, March 18: 
    • Washington Library in Washington, IA at 10 a.m (Beginning Genealogy)
    • Richland Library in Richland, IA at 1 p.m. (Prohibition in Iowa)
Iowa had about 25,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war from 1942 to 1946. There were two main camps, Algona and Clarinda, with each housing about 3,000 POWs. There were 19 branch camps around the state where the prisoners worked in farm fields, at canning factories, or seed corn companies. Muscatine had a POW camp and the prisoners worked at the Pearl Button Factory. Linda was able to speak with people who knew the POWs and shares their memories.

The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) was a federal program during the Depression years. Men worked at these camps renewing the natural resources. Most Iowans know the work done in our state parks. Linda spoke with 15 men who were in the CCC in Iowa, and shares their memories.

Prohibition was the period in U.S. history when it was illegal to manufacture, transport, or sell liquor in the U.S. This included Iowa. So, why then did Iowa farmers begin using their corn to produce alcohol? Linda spoke with the children of moonshiners and bootleggers and shares their memories.

Everyone is invited and there is no admission charge. Linda will have copies of all her books available for purchase. The books are $20 each and she can only take cash or checks.