Ken Sorenson

Bill Harrison

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Are you interested in learning more about the culture and history of Arizona and the U.S.? If so, attend the 2023 season of the Arizona Lecture Series at the Performing Arts Center, 2525 S. Ironwood Road at Apache Junction High School in Apache Junction.

Lectures start Jan. 9 and continue every Monday through March 27 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, or season tickets are $50 for all 12 lectures. Season tickets are available to purchase at az-apachejunction-lite.intouchreceipting.com/azlectureseries or in-person at the Apache Junction Unified School District Office, 1575 W. Southern Ave. until Jan. 9.

More information about the series is available at ajusd.org/Page/12135. Brochures are also available at the AJUSD office.

Arizona Lecture Series programs are presented by the Apache Junction Unified School District Community Services Office.

On Jan. 9, Ken Sorenson presents “John F. Kennedy.” In his presentation, Sorenson will provide a personal account of the nation’s 35th president and provide insights into the Kennedys’ history and the impact JFK and his family have made in the nation’s consciousness.

On Jan. 16, Bill Harrison presents “John Dillinger Public Enemy No. 1.” Harrison will captivate the audience as he provides background about the unusual times that catapulted Dillinger to fame. During the Great Depression, people did not view Dillinger as an outlaw, but as an avenger who punished banks for all the wrongs they had done to the country. Arizona became the infamous backdrop for much of Dillinger’s escapades. Harrison will highlight Dillinger’s life and crimes, as well as detail how Arizona became where America’s first celebrity criminal crime career came to an end.

On Jan. 23, Wild Man Phil Rakoci presents “Desert Dwellers.” Rakoci will regale the audience of the calamities he faced growing up in Arizona. Rakoci will also share interesting facts and exciting stories about some of the creatures and situations that are so often associated with Arizona’s wild outdoors. From hilarious tales about a brother who has experienced various creature attacks to the amazing types of live animals that suddenly appear on stage, this stand-up style show educates, entertains and have the audience wanting more.

Other upcoming lectures are:

• Jan. 30 – Pete Grady presents “Unconditional Surrender: A Visit with Ulysses S. Grant.”
• Feb. 6 – Jim Hinkley presents “Route 66 in Arizona: Crossroads of The Past & Future.”
• Feb. 13 – Bill Harrison presents “Tombstone, Arizona’s Future Great City.”
• Feb. 20 – Jim Turner presents “The Mighty Colorado River.”
• Feb. 27 – Laura Tohe presents “From Chief to Code Talker: Four Profiles of the Navajo Code Talkers.”
• March 6 – Win Holden presents “The History of Arizona Highways Magazine.”
• March 13 – Bill Harrison presents “The Harvey Girls.”
• March 20 – Christine Reid presents “They Beat the Heat: How Arizonans Survived the Desert Heat.”
• March 27 – Bill Harrison presents: “Hopalong Cassidy.”