The first-recorded European contact with Easter Island was on April 5, 1722 - which happened to be Easter Sunday, when Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen visited the island for a week, during which he estimated a native population of 2,000 to 3,000 minus the ones his team had killed due to a misunderstanding. The mysterious island had long been inhabited by the Polynesians, since somewhere between 300 to 1200 CE. The most visible element in the culture is the massive moai statues depicting deified ancestors. Cannibalism took place on the island, which contributed to environmental degradation and extreme deforestation, an example of the complex relationship of life, death and symbiosis within the culture. By the time Cook landed on the island in 1774, several moai had toppled over. In the 1860s, Peruvian slave raiders struck the island. It was annexed by Chile in 1888, and today has the designation of "special territory" of Chile.
It’s Thursday, April 5
Author Lou Berney will give a reading tonight at 7:30 in the Clara Eagle Gallery, located on the 6th Floor of the Doyle Fine Arts Building. Berney has written feature scripts for Warner Brothers, Paramount, Focus Features, ABC, and Fox. His first novel was named one of the best crime novels of the year by Booklist.
The Barlow House Museum holds their 22nd annual Old-Fashioned Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at 10AM. The hunt is divided into age groups, and children up to 12 years old may participate. Bring your own basket and line up at the front gate after 9:30. For more information, contact Della Johnson at 334-3010.
A three-session Puppy Party will be offered on Monday nights at 6:30PM. Sessions begin this Monday. The class is an obedience and socialization opportunity for puppies who will be 6 to 16 weeks old in April. Pre-registration is required. Access registration forms through forthepets.org.
Find details about community events at wkms.org.
