Samantha Reed Smith was an American schoolgirl, peace activist, and child actress. She became famous in the Cold War-era United States and Soviet Union for writing a letter to CPSU General Secretary Yuri Andropov, in which she received a personal reply that included an invitation to visit the Soviet Union, which she accepted.
Samantha was known as "America's Youngest Ambassador" participating in peacemaking activities in Japan with Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. She wrote a book about her visit to the Soviet Union, was interviewed by Ted Koppel and Johnny Carson, and co-starred in a television series called Lime Light. In 1984, she hosted a Disney Channel special covering the presidential election, interviewing George McGovern and Jesse Jackson. She died in a plane crash at the age of 13.
It’s Friday, June 29
The American Wind Symphony will give a concert at the Paducah riverfront Sunday evening at 8. The group has toured international waterways for 55 years on a 195-foot-long boat. The concert program will include newly-commissioned works and a tribute to America in celebration of Independence Day.
The Homeplace at Land Between the Lakes hosts an Iron Scavenger Hunt tomorrow afternoon at 1. Pick up a scavenger hunt list and see how many iron items you can find as you walk around the farm. The program is free with admission to the Homeplace. Learn more at lbl.org.
The Civil War Singers will present a concert at The Dover Hotel tomorrow evening at 6:30 as part of their summer concert series. The hotel is located at 101 Petty Street in Dover, Tennessee. For more information, call (931) 232-5706.
See details about these and other community events at wkms.org. Thanks for listening.
