LISBON — On Wednesday, May 8, Merton Ricker will be the speaker at the Lisbon Historical Society. His illustrated talk will focus on what life was like on the homefront during World War II.

The effects of the war were widespread in daily life, he notes. There were restrictions on travel, rationing of food and fuel, and drives to collect scrap metal and paper for the war effort.

Ricker’s talk will show how school life was affected, with many young men leaving to fight the war as volunteers or draftees. Schools in Lisbon were closed or consolidated. Sports and after-school activities were curtailed.

Women entered the workforce, and because of efforts to conserve, fashions changed. However, through all this, Ricker says, entertainment flourished, and music played an important part in maintaining morale at home.

This talk is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. The society is located at the MTM Center, 18 School St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program starts at 7 p.m. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building.

For more information contact Dorothy Smith at 353-8510 or [email protected].