Smithsonian Associates Digital Digest

From candy corn to contemporary cuisine, movie monsters to the natural beauty of Montgomery County, this month's digest offers some tempting tastes of the fall from Smithsonian Associates. And two in-person evenings with notable personalities enhance the menu.

And, as always, this lively monthly collection is designed to make sure you continue to enjoy what you've come to value from Smithsonian Associates: programs and experiences that are entertaining, informative, eclectic, and insightful.

An Actor's Advocacy

A diagnosis of dyslexia at age 31 dramatically changed actor Henry Winkler's life. Since then, he's been publicly open about dealing with the condition and created a series of children's books that offer a funny and realistic look at the life of 12-year-old Hank Zipzer, who struggles with dyslexia. More than 3 million copies have been sold in the United States, providing help in managing dyslexia to many children, parents, and teachers.

For using his voice to amplify discussions about dyslexia and other issues that touch American lives, Winkler will receive the John P. McGovern Award given by Smithsonian Associates on Monday, October 21. The presentation highlights an evening in which he discusses his career and his path to stardom and how the issues and causes for which he advocates connect to his roles as an actor, author, comedian, producer, and director. You can be part of the audience at Baird Auditorium or view a livestream of the event on Zoom. All registrants receive a paperback copy of Winkler's memoir Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond.

Spooky Season Picks

If you can't wait to hear the first doorbell ring on Halloween night, let Smithsonian Associates get you into the spirit of the season of werewolves and witches right now. Nothing's more important than handing out just the right treat, so up your game by exploring the rich history of candy. Candy historian Beth Kimmerle reveals the sweet secrets behind some of our favorite confections on Tuesday, October 22. Does the eerie music you love to hear come from famous composers? Concert pianist Rachel Franklin leads a tour of some of the best musical haunts, showcasing supernatural classics such as The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas and Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre. The 2-session program materializes on Thursday, October 24 and 31.

Film historian Max Alvarez returns Tuesday, October 29 with another multi-media romp through the history of "creature features" spotlighting the screen's most memorable monsters, mummies, werewolves, oversized insects, outer-space invaders, and aquatic predators. And speaking of movie predators, if you cheer for the hungry Venus flytrap in Little Shop of Horrors, don't miss wildlife filmmaker Steve Nicholls' fascinating exploration of the real world of carnivorous plants on Monday, November 4. And don't be spooked if you learn there's already one in your garden.

Curating and Interpreting an Election

As the 2024 presidential election season moves into its final weeks, political-history curators from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History continue to gather materials and memorabilia to document this election cycle for the national collections. On Wednesday, October 30, curator Jon Grinspan covers why he's been attending Democratic and Republican contests and rallies throughout the year, looking for materials that reflect debates, protests, and on-site and digital campaign activities-and how they provide insights into the evolving spirit and complexity of our political landscape.

The events of November 5, 2024, are poised to shape America's trajectory for the next four years and beyond. In a fact-based, nonpartisan presentation on Tuesday, November 12, veteran White House correspondent Ken Walsh discusses the outcome of this historic election with a focus on explaining what's ahead for our republic in an age of distrust and division. Among other areas, Walsh assesses what went right and wrong for major candidates at the presidential, congressional, and state levels and the overall direction of the country that voters were calling for.

Autumn Excursions

It's a great time to take advantage of the season with local study tours from Smithsonian Associates. Spend a day exploring the scenic 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve in Maryland's Montgomery County, designed to preserve farmland and rural space. Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a longtime resident of the reserve, serves as guide and introduces some of her favorite places in this close-in slice of paradise at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain on Friday, October 25.

In the summer of 1862, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee devised a strategy to defeat the two Federal armies that he and his Army of Northern Virginia faced in Virginia. His plan led to a return to Bull Run and the Battle of Second Manassas. On Saturday, October 26, Civil War tour guide Marc Thompson leads a full-day tour of sites associated with the battle. It offers a perfect follow-up to Thompson's Thursday, October 24 online program A Tale of Two Armies: The Second Manassas Campaign.

The Making of a Chef

At 16, Bobby Flay made the decision to forego traditional education and dive into the world of professional restaurant kitchens. Since then, he has received the James Beard Award, made appearances on dozens of Food Network programs, and written 18 best-selling cookbooks. His latest, Bobby Flay: Chapter One, compiles 100 of his recipes for home cooks as well as tales of his restaurant ventures, memorable TV spots, and stories behind the dishes.

On Friday, November 1, join Flay in Baird Auditorium as he shares insights into his remarkable life and career, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the culinary world that shaped him. Copies of his new book are available for purchase and signing.