Brookville Author to Make Presentation on the Late Fred Rogers
The Redbank Valley Historical Society will host Brookville author and retired broadcast journalist John Pozza for a presentation on the late Fred Rogers Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 pm at the History Center located at 301 Broad St. in New Bethlehem.
Pozza will discuss the area’s local ties to Rogers, citing passages from his book, Conversations on the Neighborhood: Fred Rogers’ Lasting Legacy. Those attending are encouraged to wear a cardigan sweater, emblematic of the same sweaters Rogers would wear on his television program, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
The book explores Fred Rogers’ profound impact on early childhood development, self-esteem, and acceptance through a series of in-depth interviews with five of Rogers’ closest associates.
Pozza, who also hosts the Ask the Expert Quality Early Learning podcast on You Tube, teamed up with co-host Joe Taylor to conduct the revealing interviews. The book features discussions with the following key figures from Rogers’ circle:
• William Isler, former CEO of Fred Rogers Productions in Pittsburgh.
• Maxwell King, author of The Good Neighbor biography.
• Karen Struble Myers, former director of development at the Fred Rogers Center.
• Margy Whitmer, a Clarion native and the original producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood at WQED in Pittsburgh .
• Dr. Dana Winters, former executive director of the Fred Rogers Institute in Latrobe.
Through these conversations, Pozza will dive into how Rogers collaborated with child development experts to teach tolerance and emotional resilience well ahead of his time. You can find his book on Fred Rogers, as well as his previous memoir, Was Anybody Really Listening? on Amazon.
Pozza will sign and have copies of his book available for purchase at the presentation.
The presentation is free and open to the public. Parking is available on Broad Street and behind the building in the municipal parking lot. Admission is free. Donations to support the Historical Society are appreciated.
