MILE SPRING 2012 PROGRAMS

MONDAYS

MON, MAR 5                                                                 1 – 3:00 PM

REGENCY LADY

  Join historical performance artist Kandie Carle for a fun and delightful show-and-tell on the clothing of Regency England as reflected in Jane Austen’s fiction.  Kandie has received rave reviews for this presentation from, among many others, the CT Library Association and from Chester, VT’s Inn Victoria, where her portrayal was a special highlight of the Inn’s 2010 Jane Austen Birthday Celebration.   

Creator/Performer:  Kandie Carle

 MON, MAR 12                                                              1 – 3:00 PM

JAPAN’S TRIPLE DISASTERS: Responses and Implications

  This presentation will be a combination of a narrated PowerPoint program as well as plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Presenter:  Mary Alice Haddad

MON, MAR 19 thru THURS, MAR 22                     10:00 – NOON

COMPUTER COURSE:  MS OFFICE 2007/10, MS WORD, PICTURE HANDLING

Registrations limited to 25.  Registration Deadline: Feb 24^th.

Room 612

  We will review Microsoft Office 2007 Ribbon system vs. former Menu system  (MS Office 2010 is very similar), review Word capabilities, file/folder/document control, spend time on picture handling (various sources and programs), and answer your questions. 

Presenter:  Rosemary McNerney

MON, MAR 19

MUSIC OF THE WAR OF 1812 ERA                          1 – 3:00 PM

  Songs of the War of 1812 will be a combination lecture and concert which presents music and historical information on one of America’s earliest and most formative conflicts.  Background on the causes of the War, the development of the nation’s navy, Native American and Canadian involvement will be discussed.  Songs will be presented from both the American and British perspectives.

Presenter:  Rick Spencer

MON, MAR 26                                                               6:30 PM

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN O’ROURKE:

Scones, Breads and Soups

Registrations limited to 30.     Registration Deadline: Feb. 24^th.

To be held at O’Rourke’s Diner, 728 Main St., Middletown

  Brian O’Rourke will host an evening at his diner.  To attend, check registration form and include $10 fee with form.

Presenter: Brian O’Rourke

MON, APR 2  

Trip to Harlem, New York City

See Trip Form to Register

MON, APR 9

SUSANNAH WELLES, 1808                                            1 – 3:00 PM

  The program will take you back to the year 1808 for a conversation with Susannah Welles, wife of Joseph Welles, owner of the Welles Hotel, Glastonbury, CT.     

Presenter:  Lynn Scarduzio

MON, APR 16

ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE ART GALLERY                      11:00 AM

Location: 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, 06117

(Corner of Asylum Street & Trout Brook Drive).  See map at:

http://www.sjc.edu/about/map/building_guide.html

Meet at Bldg #5, The Bruyette Athenaeum – The Carol Autorino Center,

We will start with a slide lecture about the College’s history, then tour the Art Gallery, followed by lunch at 1:15 ($7 payable at college cafeteria).     

MON, APR 23                                                                1 – 3:00 PM

EMILY DICKINSON: HER LIFE AND POETRY

  Virtually unpublished during her lifetime, Emily Dickinson is now regarded as perhaps America’s greatest poet.  Increasingly reclusive, she left a legacy of over 1700 poems that have exerted a tremendous influence on American and world literature.  After an introduction to her surprisingly well-documented, yet nonetheless mysterious, life, we will read and discuss several of her poems.  Come and learn more about the writer of whom renowned Yale professor and literary critic Harold Bloom has written:  “Except for Shakespeare, Dickinson manifests more…originality than any other Western poet since Dante.”

Presenter: David Garnes

 MON, APR 30

 A NEW ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION                               1 – 3:00 PM

  Over the last 50 years we have made a lot of progress in space exploration and are now at a historical new era.  We will explore this beginning with a short film, The Virgin Galactic, and then discuss the following:  the earth’s atmosphere, typical rocket performances, satellites and their orbits, the International Space Station, the near Earth neighborhood, moon neighborhood and gravity wells, new companies in the space business and possible futures.  There will be time for questions and discussion.

Presenter: Stevan Akerley

TUESDAYS

TUE, MAR 6                                                                  1 – 3:00 PM

INTRODUCTION TO T’AI CHI

Registrations limited to 30.   Registration Deadline:  Feb 24^th.

Lottery rules apply.  (Fall Registration does not apply)

  This is a beginner level introduction to T’ai Chi and the health benefits that may be realized from practicing this 3,000-year-old, ancient Chinese art.  It is group participation, with verbal information provided in conjunction with hands-on practice.  Participants will learn a wide variety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) health concepts and how these concepts relate to T’ai Chi practice, basic Western Medical theory and day-to-day living.  Mr. Cushing will show how T’ai Chi can improve overall health and specifically, typical aging issues such as balance and circulation.

Presenter:  Tom

TUE, MAR 13, 27  APR 3, 10

GREAT DECISIONS                                                     1 – 3:00 PM

LOCATION:  Village at South Farms

  Great Decisions, the course, provides a marvelous opportunity for in-depth review and discussion of major current foreign policy issues.  Great Decisions, the text/journal together with related DVDs published yearly, identifies the issues for consideration by ‘experts’ who provide insight, perspective, and historical information needed for fruitful discussion/debates by groups such as ours on campuses throughout the United States.     

Cost of 2012 Text:  $18 Payable with registration

Moderator: Jay Keiser

TUE, MAR 20

BENEFITS OF PILATES                                               1 – 3:00 PM

  This program will be a combination lecture and Pilates class format. We will discuss the benefits of Pilates to the body. Bring a mat and a towel if you wish.

Presenter:  Lucille Pelletier

TUE, APR 17                                                                  1 – 3:00 PM

AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE CULTURE & ECONOMY

  An introduction to Chinese history, religion, and traditional festivals will be the first part of this presentation.  The second part will discuss the Chinese economy.  Both parts will include a PowerPoint program with vivid images.

Presenter:  Fuyan Wortelboer

TUE, APR 24

TRIP TO GLASTONBURY HISTORICAL MUSEUMS

See Trip Form to Register

WEDNESDAYS

WED, MAR 7

READERS’ THEATER – LOVE LETTERS                  1 – 3:00 PM

  This dramatic performance is an unstaged reading of the two character drama, “Love Letters” by A. R. Guthrie.  It is read by Carolyn Kirsch (Melissa) and Myron Gubitz (Andy), under the aegis of Readers’ Theater.

Presenters:  Carolyn Kirsch & Myron Gubitz

WED, MAR 14

TOUR: CRRA TRASH MUSEUM                                 1:00 PM

211 Murphy Rd., Hartford, CT. 06114

An award-winning, amazing museum!

Check registration form and include $3 entrance fee with form. Directions: Take I-91 to Exit 27.  Go straight at light at end of exit onto Murphy Road.  Go approximately one-quarter mile.  Museum is on the left.

WED, MAR 28

REVERSE MORTGAGES – NEW & IMPROVED        1 – 3:00 PM

  This presentation will cover what Federally Insured Reverse Mortgages are and the variety of ways they can help homeowners over age 62 enhance their retirement.  We will debunk myths with the facts and  discuss the following: (1) new lower cost programs, (2) the way in which Reverse Mortgages can be utilized to purchase a home, and (3) how Reverse Mortgages can help prevent running out of money in retirement.

Presenter:  Jerry Delmato

WED, APR 4

NORWAY AND THE HOLOCAUST:                            1 – 3:00 PM  THE UNTOLD STORY

  The program is based on Berman’s memoirs as described in her book, We Are Going to Pick Potatoes: Norway and the Holocaust, the Untold Story.  Born and raised in Norway, Berman was a young child when she and her family escaped to neutral Sweden as Nazi Germany invaded Norway and began the deportation of 2,000 Norwegian Jews in 1942.  Seven members of her father’s immediate family were among the 771 victims murdered in Auschwitz. As an adult Berman was encouraged by the director of Norway’s Resistance Museum to do research and write her book.  The book is not just about the Holocaust, but also about growing up Jewish in Norway during and after WWII.

Presenter:  Irene Berman

WED, APR 11

SPRING PRUNING PRIMER                                        1 – 3:00 PM

  Jane Harris will present an overview of pruning woody plants: trees, shrubs, vines.  She will use lecture and demonstration with a potted tree or shrub. 

Presenter:  Jane Harris

WED, APR 18

HINDU WEDDING CEREMONY                                  1 – 3:00 PM

  The presentation will be in a lecture format at MxCC on the Vedic traditions of Hindus pertaining to marriage ceremonies.

Presenter:  Dr. A. V. Srinivasan

WED, APR 25

4^TH ANNUAL TASTE OF MILE at MxCC                     1 – 3:00 PM

APPETIZERS and DESSERTS

Registrations limited to 24.  Registration Deadline: Feb 24^th.         

·        Lottery rules apply.  (Fall Registration does not apply)

·        Ruth Armentano will follow up with a phone call to discuss your proposed dish. 

·        You will be expected to make 10 copies of your recipe to share with others. 

Organizers: Ruth Armentano (860.399.7528) and Marsha Judson

THURSDAYS

THU, MAR 8

TWO BELOVED OPERAS:                                           1 – 3:00 PM

COSI FAN TUTTE and OTELLO

  GMCA presentation March 16^th, Cosi fan Tutte is the perfect opera for those who prefer their laughter sandwiched with a slice of wry; it is a deliciously ironic look at the foibles of love.  GMCA presentation May 11^th, Otello:  What happens when a man listens to his worst fears? Even the strongest man can be destroyed by jealousy and rumor.

Presenter:  Barbara Arafeh

THU, MAR 15

KEEPING SAFE IN THE 21^ST CENTURY:                   1 – 3:00 PM

Protect Yourself and Your Identity

  Hear a first-hand account of these highly sophisticated and now national, even international network scam artists.  We will discuss how

they prey most on the elderly and most vulnerable people and how you can avoid getting caught by them.

Presenter:  Stephen Hennessey

THU, MAR 22, 29

BEGINNER’S SOCIAL SALSA                                     1 – 3:00 PM

  This dance class will feature the basic steps and patterns of social salsa.

The active participation format will accommodate solo dancers.  The participants will be on their feet moving to typical Latin music.  The male/female instructor team will demonstrate the look and feel of salsa dancing.

Presenter:  Ginger Blume and Leo Lowery

THU, APR 5

OPUS POCUS UKULELE BAND                                  1 – 2:00 PM

 A small band performance consisting of tenor electric ukulele, drums,

guitar and bass will entertain and delight the participants for this program.

Presenter: Ted Jeffries’ Opus Pocus Band was formed less than one year ago.  It plays music in the genres of swing, jazz, tin pan alley, country and early rock.  Their emphasis is on swing and jazz from the 1930’s through the 1960’s.

THU, APR 12

LETTERS HOME: A PRIVATE’S EXPERIENCES      1 – 3:00 PM

IN THE CIVIL WAR

  Using excerpts from the 50 letters sent home by his great, great uncle during the Civil War, John Proctor will respond as if he were the soldier’s father reacting to the news provided.  This role provides an intimate feel to what many families experienced during the war.  The letters contain information about the daily life of a soldier.  They also include descriptions of the battles in North Carolina, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, as well as the Gettysburg campaign.

Slides will be used to illustrate the presentation which will include time for questions and discussion.

Presenter:  John Proctor

THU, APR 19

CT VALLEY HINDU TEMPLE TOUR                         1 – 3 :00 PM

11 Training Hill Road   We will park as usual at MxCC and walk across to the Temple since parking there is limited.

Guide: Dr. A. V. Srinivasan

THU, APR 26

IN THE CHECKLIST OF YOUR LIFE!                          1 – 3:00 PM

Location:  Covenant Village, 52 Missionary Rd, Cromwell

We have been invited to participate in Lynn’s presentation scheduled at the Village.

Gain Control.  Gain Confidence. Gain Peace of Mind

and Have Fun Doing It!

  Review and organize all of the “facts” of your life and, ultimately, pull it all together in one place – for yourself and your loved ones.  In a lively presentation filled with anecdotal humor, Lynn McPhelimy will provide inspiration and motivation to review the ‘facts’ of your life and share personal experiences that led her to write In The Checklist of Life.  Topics include: what to do with all the “stuff” and the many stories that come with the stuff, hiding places, the memories that make up the family history, leaving something behind to hold on to, planning for the “big day” and so many things you haven’t even thought about.

Presenter:  Lynn McPhelimy

FRIDAYS (Note: All Friday classes run from 10:00-Noon)

FRI, MAR 9

BOB STEELE’S CENTURY                                    10:00 – NOON

  The program will survey Bob Steele, the Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster who entertained many listeners in Southern New England on Hartford’s WTIC between 1936 and 2002.  We will look at his early career in sports broadcasting as well as his near half-century as the morning voice on WTIC, the number one radio show in the nation.  We will examine Bob’s life through slides that document his life and career, including his professional and personal photos, and examine the secret of Bob’s popularity and his humor.  

Presenter:  Phil

FRI, MAR 16                                                            10:00 – NOON

SEND YOUR SWEETHEART AN ONION:

The work of the US Sanitary Commission in the Civil War

  The U.S. Sanitary Commission initiated programs and methods that have been used in every war effort since Bull Run.  Learn about the history of the Commission and the dynamic people who moved beyond government inaction to feed, clothe, instruct and nurse a million-man army.  Dressed in period attire, Pam Lucashu will introduce the men and women who participated at every level in the relief work of the Commission.  Her talk will include discussion of the following:  women working on the home front, women whose work stretched the Victorian models of the time, the organizers and the independents, and women who “crossed paths” - spies and females disguised as male soldiers.  She will also talk about the men of the Commission as well as men like Walt Whitman who shunned the Commission and worked elsewhere.

Presenter:  Pam Lucashu

FRI, MAR 23

BOOK DISCUSSION:                                              10:00 - NOON

UNBROKEN by Lauren Hillenbrand

  A book discussion will be held of the nonfiction bestseller Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.  The work, subtitled A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, is the tale of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini who was expected to win gold in the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo and ended up there under entirely different circumstances.  A brief  lecture about the author’s life and work will precede the discussion.  Those of you who have read Seabiscuit will be familiar with the suspense and attention to detail of Hillenbrand’s writing.

Moderator: Kathy Amoia

FRI, MAR 30

WAR OF 1812                                                          10:00 – NOON

  In commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial, Dr. Triay will present a program focusing on the causes of the war and the various aspects of this conflict.  He will also discuss the many significant events which were taking place in Europe during the early 19^th Century.

Presenter:  Dr. Victor Triay

FRI, APR 13

A TRIP TO MESOZOIC CONNECTICUT:             10:00 - NOON

EARTHQUAKES AND LAVA

  Two hundred million years ago, CT was a very different place.  It was early in the Age of the Dinosaurs, and the supercontinent Pangaea was breaking apart, causing major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  Fossil evidence reveals major mass extinction at this time and new and larger dinosaurs emerged.  An interactive lecture will look at how the events at that time shaped the environment we know today.

Presenter:  Christine Witkowski

FRI, APR 20

MAJESTY AND MYSTERY OF CROP CIRCLES   10:00 - NOON

Location: Parish Hall, St. Francis of Assisi, 10 Elm St., Middletown

  This PowerPoint presentation features designs found each year in farmers’ fields all over the world.  Photographs of anatomical changes often observed are presented as evidence of powerful, mysterious energies at work.  Other phenomena, including formations on electronic equipment, soils, animals, and humans, as well as frequent observations of hovering “balls of light,” are also related.  Interpretations of these complex designs will be discussed.

Presenter:  John Root

FRI, APR 27                                                                    10:00 - NOON  

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CLASS

  Learn from a Medical Emergency Services expert what can happen as people grow older and how they can handle the various medical emergencies which may arise.   

Presenter: Dr. Richard L. Judd

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

CLIMBING DENALI                                               10:00 – NOON

Location:  Chester Village West

  Theresa Reynolds will discuss her experiences and her amazing journey

when she climbed to the top of Alaska’s Denali (20,320 feet) in the spring of 2011.  A PowerPoint presentation will feature breathtaking photos of her climb to the summit of this majestic mountain.  She will also bring her climbing gear for display.  Questions will be encouraged.

Presenter:  Theresa Reynolds

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  ~Henry Ford