The Quarterdeck’s 2020 “Story Pub” series launches this Thursday, Feb. 20 with “The Crisis,” an hour of history and storytelling focused on two missile officers that are exhausted, shaken, and fighting paranoia at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The 2020 series is drawn from the “Tales of Adventure from Old Military Road,” created by Des Moines resident, attorney, and filmmaker Steve Edmiston, in connection with a King County 4Culture Grant, and which Edmiston describes as “mostly true south end stories.”

“Our first story, ‘The Crisis,’ is inspired by the remnants of the Nike Ajax Missile Site beneath the Grandview Dog Park,” Edmiston said. “We’ve got some stunning history to re-discover here, and we’re excited to share it in such a terrific venue.”

“We think Quarterdeck is a perfect setting for beverages and storytelling” said Quarterdeck Manager Mackenzie Meyers. “Plus, the net proceeds go to the Des Moines Historical Society.”

A recommended donation of $10 is asked.

This is the first of three upcoming Story Pub events; here are the details:

The 2020 Quarterdeck Story Pub schedule: (All programs start at 6 p.m.)

    • The Crisis – Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020
    • This Disgraceful Scheme – Wednesday, March 25, 2020
      A crude stone marker at a Tacoma strip mall only hints at this story of courageous military officers and lawmen that concoct an ingenious plan to stop the wrongful hanging of Chief Leschi in 1858.
    • The Draw Bridge – Monday, April 16, 2020
      On March 30, 1915, a Pierce-Arrow plunges 30 feet off the Riverton Drawbridge into to the icy Duwamish. A tragic story of heroism, racism, tabloid journalism, all striking at the heart of old Seattle.

COST: Recommended donation: $10

WHERE: Quarterdeck, 22307 Dock Ave. S.  Unit 1, Des Moines, WA 98198

About The Quarterdeck at the Des Moines Marina
The Quarterdeck serves beer, wine, and coffee, all enjoyed with the best view in Des Moines. Bringing outside food is encouraged! (The Quarterdeck encourages patrons to utilize local restaurants and delivery services.) Learn more at https://www.quarterdeckdm.com.

About Steve Edmiston
Steve is a frequent speaker on “microhistory” ranging from bootlegger Roy Olmstead’s arrest, to the infamous 1947 Maury Island Incident, to the scandalous and controversial death of a Tacoma socialite at Woodmont Beach in the 1933.  He’s provided keynotes to the Washington State Historical Society, Smith Tower Rumrunners Club, McMenamin’s History Pubs, historical societies, conferences, festivals, and business groups.  He’s appeared on Travel Channel’s Legendary Locations and History Channel’s Ancient Aliens. Steve is also a business, entertainment, and IP attorney, and is an independent film screenwriter/producer. He has written and produced award-winning feature-length and short films (including “Crimes of the Past,” “A Relative Thing,” “Farewell to Harry,” “The Day My Parents Became Cool,” “The Periphery Project,” and “The Maury Island Incident”). He is a co-founder of The Maury Island Incident Historical Society and The Good Bootlegger’s Guild.