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Image for event: The Women: A Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Coffee Talk

The Women: A Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Coffee Talk
2026-05-13 13:30:00 2026-05-13 15:00:00 America/Chicago The Women: A Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Coffee Talk Des Plaines History Center -

Wednesday, May 13
1:30pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-13 13:30:00 2026-05-13 15:00:00 America/Chicago The Women: A Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Coffee Talk Des Plaines History Center -

Join storyteller and author Lynn Rymarz as she weaves the fictional story of Army Nurse Frances McGrath from The Women by Kristin Hannah and the true story of Army Nurse Lynda Van Devanter from her memoir Home Before Morning. Rymarz has entertained audiences with her portrayals of historical women since 2005. As a children’s author and storyteller, she enjoys sharing little-known historical stories which have been published in the children’s magazines Cricket and Highlights. Her performances told in the first person have included Mary Lincoln, Martha Washington, Susan B. Anthony, and more!

Click Here to register online today!

The 2026 Coffee Talk Series is generously supported by Village Bank & Trust.
 

AGE GROUP: | All |

EVENT TYPE: | Community Group | Adult Program |

TAGS: | History | Author Visit |

Des Plaines History Center
Phone: 847-391-5399
Hours
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Mon, May 04 Closed
Tue, May 05 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Wed, May 06 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Thu, May 07 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, May 08 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 09 Closed
Sun, May 10 1:00PM to 4:00PM
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About

The Des Plaines History Center collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Des Plaines and its people and provides access to those resources through exhibits, educational programs, and research facilities.

Upcoming events

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Teen Take & Make - Mini Beaded Plant
Mon, May 11, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: Underspin by E. Y. Zhao - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL
Tue, May 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
This event is full
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 12, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Happy Notes - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, May 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making uplifting cards for hospitalized kids! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Teen Crafternoons - Mini Beaded Plant
Thu, May 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Open maker workshop. Sample our featured technology or bring your own project to work on. May Spotlight: Mini Beaded Plants. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Service Hour Drop In - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Sat, May 16, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Need some service hours? Join us in The Commons where we will have different service options once a month. For teens in grades 7-12.
ACT Practice Test
Sat, May 16, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the ACT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Film Screening - Song Sung Blue / Registration Required
Sat, May 16, 1:30pm - 3:45pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the feature film Song Sung Blue.
Galway Gals In Concert
Sun, May 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Join the Galway Gals for a concert of traditional Irish jigs, reels, folk, pop, rock and sentimental favorites.
Teen Take & Make - Mini Beaded Plant
Mon, May 18, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 19, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
FilmTalkTuesdays: Four Daughters (2023) - Registration required
Tue, May 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
Babel-On with R. F. Kuang - In Conversation with Kelly Jensen / Registration Required
Wed, May 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Genre-bending fiction author R.F. Kuang will be joined in conversation with anti-censorship advocate Kelly Jensen. Register
20s & 30s Book Club: Red Rising by Pierce Brown - Registration required
Wed, May 20, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Imaginary Journey to Giverny - Monet - Artist and Gardener / Registration Required
Sat, May 23, 11:00am - 12:10pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Learn about Monet's garden, the plants that grew there, and the artworks they inspired.
Teen Take & Make - Mini Beaded Plant
Mon, May 25, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
Code Q - Social Club
Tue, May 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Are you or your best friend an LGBTQ teen? Join us and show your support as we watch movies, play games and interact about topics that support the LGBTQ youth. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 26, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Liberation Bookmarks - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, May 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making bookmarks for incarcerated youth! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin - Registration Required
Thu, May 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Dramatic portrayal of Benjamin Franklin by Terry Lynch.
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: Emma by Jane Austen - Registration required
Thu, May 28, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - 4th Floor Forum
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
The Canvas Photography Contest
Mon, Jun 01, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Capture the community of Des Plaines, IL! Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community.
The Wiz ( 1978)
Tue, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Celebrate our first Juneteenth series with the film showing of The Wiz. - Run time: 2.5 hours.
Ladies of the 80's Karaoke Night
Wed, Jun 03, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A 20's and 30's program. Come turn back time and sing to tunes of the 80's! Must be 21+. 
Getting Your Distributions Right in Retirement! - Registration Required
Thu, Jun 04, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Rule of Thumb for Distributions in Retirement.
Intro to The Commons - Drop-in
Thu, Jun 04, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Join us in The Commons where we will show you the ins and outs of our teen space. For incoming seventh graders or any teen that has yet to explore our space.
Friday Night Films - Blue Moon / Registration Required
Fri, Jun 05, 6:30pm - 8:15pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the independent film Blue Moon.
Life Drawing at the Library 2026
Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Canvas
Learn to draw the human body with a clothed model, located in The Canvas on the 4th floor. Drop in with no registration required; open to adults, seniors, and teens.  
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: The Caretaker by Ron Rash - Registration required
Tue, Jun 09, 10:00am - 11:00am
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 11, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 11, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Inside the Obama Presidential Center - Registration Required
Thu, Jun 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us for a special virtual presentation exploring the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Obama Presidential Center. Register
Film Screening
Sat, Jun 13, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of a feature length film.
FilmTalkTuesdays: Paper Moon (1973) - Registration required
Tue, Jun 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
Red, White, and Blue Beaded Bracelets - Drop In
Wed, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in to make yourself and others a red, white, and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July Parade.
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 25, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
ACT Practice Test
Sat, Jun 27, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the ACT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Service Hour Drop In - Red, White, and Blue Beaded Bracelets
Sat, Jun 27, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Need some service hours? Drop in to make yourself and others a red, white, and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July Parade. For teens in grades 7-12.
Frida Kahlo: A Woman Who Dared - Performance by Linda Marie Smith / Registration Required
Sun, Jun 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Linda Marie Smith's tribute to Frida Kahlo combines music, evocative visuals, and storytelling to create a deeply immersive atmosphere.
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