The history of what and how we eat encompasses everything from the prehistoric mammoth luau to the medieval banquet to the modern three squares a day.

Find out about the rocky evolution of table manners, the not-so-welcome invention of the fork, the awful advent of portable soup, and the surprising benefits of family dinners – plus some catchy info on seasonal foods. What's the story of chocolate? Why do the Irish eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day? Who invented lemonade? Why are turkeys called turkeys? And what are sugarplums anyway?

About the presenter:

Rebecca Rupp is the author of nearly 20 books for both children and adults, and blogs on food science and history for National Geographic.

The event is sponsored by the Varnum Memorial Library and is brought to you by the Vermont Humanities Council.

Saturday, November 3, 3-4:30 at the Varnum Memorial Library, 194 Main Street in Jeffersonville.