Dive Into 'Travels With Charley'

John Steinbeck’s book “Travels With Charley” celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Steinbeck was a Sag Harbor resident in the last decade of his life and the book begins in Sag Harbor. He was also a founder of the original Old Whalers’ Festival, which today is known as HarborFest. On Saturday, September 10, at 5 p.m. The Church in Sag Harbor will host scholar Susan Shillinglaw discussing John Steinbeck and “Travels with Charley” as part of Canio’s Cultural Café’s “Steinbeck In Search of America series. The talk coincides with this year’s HarborFest weekend.

Shillinglaw is Professor Emerita of English at San Jose State University, former director of the Center for Steinbeck Studies at SJSU, and former director of the National Steinbeck Center. She has written extensively on Steinbeck. Her works include “Carol and John Steinbeck: Portrait of a Marriage,” “On Reading The Grapes of Wrath” and “A Journey into Steinbeck’s California.”

For tickets to the talk, visit thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street, Sag Harbor.

In addition, on Sunday, September 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. Canio’s Books, 290 Main Street, Sag Harbor, will host a dramatic reading of excerpts from Steinbeck’s books featuring Harris Yulin, Paul McIsaac and Vay David followed by a reception with music, refreshments and a silent auction for its educational nonprofit, Canio’s Cultural Café. On Wednesday, September 14, at 6 p.m., John Ford’s film “The Grapes of Wrath” based on Steinbeck’s novel will be screened at Sag Harbor Cinema. For more information, visit caniosbooks.com.