WINTER 2017 PROGRAM
Elderwise, Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Tel: 734.340.4691; Email: [email protected]; Website: elderwiselearning.org
WELCOME TO ELDERWISE
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Elderwise is a nonprofit, independent, lifelong learning organization dedicated to offering continuing education
to learners of all ages. Our mission is to provide a broad spectrum of classes and a significant range of topics
to meet the needs and interests of a wide variety of individuals. Learning, educational enjoyment, and personal
growth are the fundamental goals of every Elderwise program. We strive to provide an experience that values
both intellectual and social interaction.
OUR HISTORY
Elderwise was established in 1992 through the efforts of Eastern Michigan University representatives and a
group of nonacademic enthusiasts committed to developing continuing education programs. Today, Elderwise
is member driven in organization, leadership, participation, financial support, and program development.
LOCATION AND FACILITIES
With the exception of specially arranged field trips and
off-site theater productions, all Elderwise classes are
held at the Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard Road,
in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There is ample free parking
adjacent to the building. Our facilities accommodate
a flexible range of classes, from small seminars to large
lectures, and are outfitted with audiovisual equipment.
LIMITATIONS ON CLASS SIZE
Space constraints and instructor preference may
require placing a limit on class size. Please refer
to the specific class description in this catalog.
MEMBERSHIP
The Elderwise membership fee of $40 covers the 12 months between September 1 and August 31 the
following year. Over the three academic semesters, the membership fee is pro-rated as follows: $40 for
the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters; $30 for the Winter and Spring semesters; and $20 for the Spring
semester only. Class fees for members are $8 per session. Nonmember fees are $15 for a one-session
class. Nonmember fees for multi-session courses are $15 for the first session and an incremental $10 for
each additional session. Membership entitles you to the reduced class fees, and voting privileges in the
Elderwise organization. As a member you are invited to attend Council and standing committee meetings,
and to bring a friend, free of charge, to one single-session class, or one session of a multi-session course.
For guests, we request that you call the office at 734.340.4691 in advance to determine space availability.
Individuals who must be accompanied by a care-giver or assistant also should call ahead. The class registration
form included in this catalog provides a line for paying the membership fee, as well as a line for making a
tax-deductible contribution to the Elderwise Annual Fund. Elderwise is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Simply include your membership fee with your class registration payment and return both the form and your
check (made payable to Elderwise) to: Elderwise, Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor,
MI 48108. Scholarships are available for qualifying individuals. If you have questions, contact the Elderwise
office at 734.340.4691 or by email at [email protected].
WEATHER ADVISORY
All Elderwise classes and activities will be cancelled on those days when the Ann Arbor Public Schools are
closed due to inclement weather. When a class is cancelled, we will post it on our website, and make every
effort to notify registrants by email or by phone.
ABSENCE AND LATE ARRIVAL
We ask that you call the office in advance (734.340.4691) if you will not be able to attend a class. We also ask
attendees to minimize any disruption created by late arrival.
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WINTER 2017 PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ART and ARCHITECTURE
W1707 What the Heck is Abstract Art?
W1722 Prairie Style Gardens
W1730 Bitter/Sweet: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate
W1750 Colored Pencil Art
W1754 James Ormsbee Chapin
W1757 Art and Science of Healing
MUSIC
W1701
W1711
W1716
W1727
W1738
Music Masters and Their Masterpieces
Mardi Gras Magic
Songs of America’s Women
From Silents to Star Wars
The Unheard Sounds of Early Jazz Ensembles
NATURE and THE ENVIRONMENT
W1722 Prairie Style Gardens
W1728 World Without Birdsong: The Messenger
W1735 The Ultra-violet Light Spectrum
W1743 Evaluating Michigan’s Transition
to a Low-Carbon Future
W1747 Transforming Our Food System
W1753 The Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary
FILM and VIDEO
W1711 Mardi Gras Magic
W1712 Good Cotten-Bad Cotten
Film Noir of the 1940s
W1727 From Silents to Star Wars
W1728 World Without Birdsong: The Messenger
HISTORY, CULTURE, and RELIGION
W1709 Supreme Court Nominations
W1710 Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong
W1718 The Evacuation of Stalag Luft IV
W1719 Giants of our Past: Studebaker,
Packard, Nash and Hudson
W1720 Colorful Croatia
W1724 The Many Faces of Michigan
W1736 The Archaeology of Early Mariners
on the Indian Ocean
W1737 The Soviet Baby Boomers
W1739 The First Transcontinental Railroad
W1741 Route 12 and the History of Michigan
W1742 Postage Stamps and Their Stories
W1751 Rocking the Viking Image
W1757 Art and Science of Healing
W1758 Tour of the Michigan Firehouse Museum
POLITICS, POLICY, LAW and CURRENT EVENTS
W1702 United States Foreign Affairs: The Challenges
W1705 What Now?
W1709 Supreme Court Nominations
W1715 Toward a More Humane and Effective
Prison System
W1721 The Politics of Human Spaceflight
W1723 Commuter Rail:
Connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit
W1732 Farewell Obama: Hello ???
W1740 The Innocence Clinic
W1743 Evaluating Michigan’s Transition
to a Low-Carbon Future
SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, and TECHNOLOGY
W1706 The Science of Mind Over Body
W1721 The Politics of Human Spaceflight
W1723 Commuter Rail:
Connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit
W1735 The Ultra-violet Light Spectrum
W1736 The Archaeology of Early Mariners
on the Indian Ocean
W1739 The First Transcontinental Railroad
W1740 The Innocence Clinic
W1743 Evaluating Michigan’s Transition
to a Low-Carbon Future
W1747 Transforming Our Food System
W1753 The Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary
W1756 Scandinavian Trains and Trams
HOBBIES, GAMES, and SPORTS
W1708 Creative Writing Workshop
W1713 The Game of Mah-Jongg
W1734 Getting Started with Your Life Story
W1742 Postage Stamps and Their Stories
W1749 The Art of Storytelling
W1750 Colored Pencil Art
W1752 Family Genealogy
LIFESTYLE, HEALTH, and WELLNESS
W1706 The Science of Mind Over Body
W1726 Decluttering and Downsizing
W1729 Lifestyle Keys to Vitality and Longevity
W1731 T’ai Chi Ch’uan
THEATER PRODUCTIONS and CLASSES
W1759 EMU Theater: A Raisin in the Sun
W1760 PTD Productions: Love, Loss, and What I Wore
LITERATURE, POETRY and DRAMA
W1703 Best-Seller Book Club
W1704 Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady
W1714 Poets of Our Hemisphere: Mexican Poetry
W1744 William Wordsworth and the Lyrical Ballads
W1745 The Life and Works of Kurt Vonnegut
W1746 Karin Fossum:
Queen of Norwegian Crime Fiction
W1749 The Art of Storytelling
W1755 Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child
TOURS and CLASSES WITH TOURS
W1757 Art and Science of Healing
W1758 Tour of the Michigan Firehouse Museum
TRAVELOGUES
W1717 Sea Ports of Italy
W1720 Colorful Croatia
W1725 Los Angeles and New Zealand
W1733 Our Trip Around the World
W1748 Ireland: The Intriguing Emerald Isle
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Sat/Sun
JANUARY
2017
7/8
Monday
2
9
Tuesday
3
10
Council 10-12
Trade, Treasure and The Evacuation of Stalag
Tradition: Seaports IV: A Death March
of Italy 1-3
Across Germany 1-3
14/15
16
The Politics of
Human Spaceflight
1-3
21/22
23
Imagine a World
Without Birdsong:
The Messenger 1-3
28/29
Wednesday
4
Toward a More Humane
and Effective Prison
System 10—12
Music Masters and
Their Masterpieces 1-3
5
6
Songs of America’s
Women 1-3
United States Foreign
Affairs 1-3
11
12
Music Masters and
Their Masterpieces 1-3
Giants of Our Past:
Studebaker, Nash,
Packard and Hudson
1-2:30
13
Colorful Croatia
10-12
19
The Many Faces of
Michigan 10-12
20
Decluttering and
Downsizing 10-12
Los Angeles and
New Zealand 1-3
From Silents to Star
Wars 1-3:30
24
Administration and
Finance 10-12
25
26
27
DIA: Bitter/Sweet
Coffee, Tea, and
Chocolate 1-2:30
Ta’i Chi Chu’an 1-3
Farewell Obama.
Hello ??? 1-3
Lifestyle Keys to Vitality
and Longevity 1-3
31
Development and
Marketing 10-12
Best Seller Book
Club 1-3
Our Trip Around
The World 1-3
1
2
Getting Started with
Your Life Story
10-12
Henry James:
The Portrait of a Lady 1-3
Sunday 12
13
EMU: A Raisin in
the Sun, 2 p.m.
EMU: Post-Play
(Sponberg)
A Raisin in the Sun
1-3
18/19
Sunday 26
PTD: Love, Loss
and What I Wore
2p.m. (Riverside
Theatre)
20
United States Foreign
Affairs 1-3
18
Commuter Rail:
Connecting Ann Arbor to
Detroit 10-12
Music Masters and
Their Masterpieces 1-3
30
6
Friday
17
Curriculum 10-12
Prairie Style Gardens:
The Design Work of Jens
Jensen and O.C. Simonds
1-3
FEBRUARY
2017
4/5
Thursday
What Now? 1-3
What the Heck is
Abstract Art? 1-3
7
8
Supreme Court
Nominations 10-12
Creative Writing
Workshop 1-4
Henry James:
The Portrait of a Lady 1-3
What Now? 1-3
14
15
Supreme Court
Nominations 10-12
16
The Ultra-violet Light
Spectrum 10-12
Henry James:
The Portrait of a Lady 1-3
Mardi Gras Magic
1-3
22
Supreme Court
Nominations 10-12
23
The Soviet Baby
Boomers 10-12
24
Henry James:
The Portrait of a Lady 1-3
Mardi Gras Magic
1-3
What the Heck is
Abstract Art? 1-3
Chiang Kai-shek and
Mao Zedong: Molders
of China’s Destiny 1-3
21
PTD Pre-Play
Love, Loss and What I
Wore 10-12 (Riverside)
Chiang Kai-shek and
Mao Zedong: Molders
of China’s Destiny 1-3
27
28
Best Seller
Book Club 1-3
Creative Writing
Workshop 1-4
4
9
EMU: Pre-Play:
A Raisin in the Sun
10-12
3
The Science of Mind
Over Body 10-12
10
The Science of Mind
Over Body 10-12
What the Heck is
Abstract Art? 1-3
17
Archaeology of Early
Mariners on the Indian
Ocean 10-12
What the Heck is
Abstract Art? 1-3
Sat/Sun
Monday
Tuesday
MARCH
2017
4/5
1
6
7
Council 10-12
The First
Transcontinental
Railroad 1-3
11/12
13
25/26
Tour: Kelsey Museum
of Archaeology:
Science and Art of
Healing 1-3
14
Curriculum 10-12
The Game of
Mah-Jongg 1-3
18/19
Wednesday
William Wordsworth
and the Lyrical Ballads
1-3
20
21
Administration and
Finance 10-12
The Game of
Mah-Jongg 1-3
Rocking the Viking
Image 1-3
27
28
Development and
Marketing 10-12
Best Seller Book
Club 1-3
Creative Writing
Workshop 1-4
Thursday
Friday
2
Get Hip!
Hot Sounds of Early
Jazz Ensembles 10-12
3
8
Innocence Clinic:
Arson and Shaken Baby
Syndrome 10-12
9
A Long and Winding
Road: Route 12 and
the History of
Michigan 10-12
Postage Stamps and
Their Stories 1-3
10
Evaluating Michigan’s
Transition to a LowCarbon Future 10-12
Good Cotten-Bad
Cotten: Film Noir
of the 1940s 1-4
15
The Life and Works of
Kurt Vonnegut 10-12
Karin Fossum: Queen
of Norwegian Fiction
1-3
16
Transforming Our
Food System 10-12
Ireland: The
Intriguing Emerald Isle
1-3
17
The Art of Storytelling
10-12
22
Tour: Michigan
Firehouse Museum
10-12
23
Family History
and Genealogy 10-12
24
Mexican Poetry 1-3
The Vikramshila
Dolphin Sanctuary 1-3
29
30
Mexican Poetry 1-3
Toni Morrison’s
God Help the Child
1-4
Good Cotten-Bad
Cotten: Film Noir
of the 1940s 1-4
Colored Pencil Art
1-3
James Ormsbee Chapin
and American Regional
Art 1-3
31
Scandinavian Trains
and Trams 10-12
Round Table and
Coffee Hour 1-3
NOTE: All Classes shown in red denote a change of time or venue.
A SPECIAL EVENT – ELDERWISE ROUND TABLE AND COFFEE HOUR
Friday, March 31, 2017, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor
Where Were You When . . . ?
Part II: The 1950s and the 1960s
By popular demand, this Round Table Coffee Hour is a continuation of the Spring 2016 Round Table
disussion, which concluded with the late 1940s. This time, our theme focuses on momentous domestic
and global events that occurred during the 1950s and the turbulent 1960s. Such events could include
the Korean conflict, the Sputnik launch and the growth of the American space program, the
assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy, the anti-war
protest and Civil Rights movements, and many more.
Our Round Table Coffee Hours are informal gatherings that combine discussion of a theme with a social hour and
refreshments. Please join us for this opportunity to celebrate the completion of our excellent Winter 2017 program,
to share your story, and to become better acquainted with your Elderwise colleagues. We welcome all Elderwise
members, nonmember friends, and guests. This collegial gathering is free of charge, but we do ask you to let us
know if you plan to attend. For several weeks in advance, sign-up sheets will be available on the table at the front
of the classroom.
We hope all of you will attend and share your memories and thoughts about where you were when . . .
You may also call or send an email to Linda Gintowt in the Elderwise office
at 734.340.4691 or [email protected].
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Registrations will be processed in the order they are received. To register for classes, please complete the
registration form included with this catalog and send or deliver it to Elderwise, Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard
Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please attach your check in the correct amount. If you have questions, please call the
Elderwise office at 734.340.4691, or send an email message to [email protected].
MULTI-SESSION COURSES
W1701
Music Masters and Their Masterpieces:
Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Mahler
Presenter:
Toby Teorey
Dates:
Wednesdays, January 4, 11, and 18
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $24; Nonmembers $35
In this course we will look at three of the most innovative and influential composers of the classical and modern
eras: Ludwig van Beethoven, Igor Stravinsky, and Gustav Mahler. Our class sessions will feature videos from
the Keeping Score series of the San Francisco Symphony and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, with excerpts
presenting and discussing several famous works. These include Beethoven’s Symphony No.3 “Eroica”,
Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Spring,” and a collection of symphonies and songs by Mahler. Each video also
includes biographical sketches of the composers. Toby Teorey is the former Chair of Elderwise Council. He is
retired from the faculty of the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan where he specialized in
computer science. Toby has a lifelong love for a broad spectrum of classical and modern music.
W1702
United States Foreign Affairs: The Challenges
Presenter:
Toby Teorey
Dates:
Fridays, January 6 and 13
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
Foreign affairs continue to present enormous challenges to American presidents. After the collapse of the
Soviet Union in 1991, the United States entered a decade of relative world calm. However, the ascendancy
of Vladimir Putin in Russia, and Al Qaeda and ISIS in the Middle East, has demonstrated that ignoring signs
of change is not an effective foreign policy strategy. In this course we will view and discuss two recent video
documentaries from the acclaimed PBS Frontline series. The Secret History of ISIS (2016) investigates how
America’s invasion of Iraq helped prepare the ground for the growth of today’s most feared terrorist group.
Putin’s Way (2015) investigates Vladimir Putin’s remarkable ascent from unemployed spy to modern day czar,
and the threat that ascendancy poses to world peace. Toby Teorey is the former Chair of Elderwise Council.
He is retired from the faculty of the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan where he specialized
in computer science. Toby has a lifelong interest in current events and foreign affairs.
W1703
Best-Seller Book Club
Presenter:
Shirley Southgate
Dates:
Mondays, January 30, February 27, and March 27
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $24; Nonmembers $35
Using prepared questions and our own observations, the discussion each month will explore a book from
the “best-seller” list. Selected books for the Winter 2017 semester are:
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough
The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George Broadway
Please read A Man Called Ove before the first class. A list of discussion questions for each book will be
sent to registrants prior to each Book Club session. Shirley Southgate is a long-time member of both
Elderwise and the Best-Seller Book Club. She is an avid reader and looks forward to a lively exchange
of ideas, opinions, and interpretations.
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W1704
Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady
Presenter:
George Stewart
Dates:
Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, and 22
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $32; Nonmembers $45
Isabel Archer is a classic American girl: fearless, smart, curious, open-minded, and yes, perhaps
a little naive. Circumstance takes her to Europe, and as she makes her way in the Old World, she
acquires wealth (unexpectedly), suitors (assuredly), and difficulties (inevitably). When and how does
she become "a Lady”? Portrait is one of James’ greatest – and most accessible – novels. For the first
class, please read the first 15 chapters. George Stewart practiced law for many years in Kansas City,
Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Ann Arbor. He is honing his retirement skills by reading, and
rereading, great writers like Henry James. He looks forward to sharing the pleasures of The Portrait
of a Lady with like-minded readers.
W1705
What Now?
Presenter:
Al Chambers
Dates:
Thursdays, February 2 and 9
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
In these class sessions we will discuss the look and feel of our nation at the
beginning of what is always called the “honeymoon” period for a new President.
What has changed? What needs to change? What are the chances for real action
and improvement regarding public policy issues, and in addressing the concerns
of the population as revealed by the campaigns and voting? Did our nation learn
anything from the long and disruptive 2016 election cycle? This course description
was written many weeks before we knew who our new President would be, or
whether the same party would control the Executive and Legislative branches of
Government, as well as the important right to approve Supreme Court justice
nominations. Al Chambers will share his own thoughts and concerns, and will
pose questions for the class to prioritize and discuss, while possibly developing a
consensus of answers. Veteran instructor Al Chambers again will be applying his
years of experience as a journalist and communicator to discuss the most current
issues facing the new President and the American people. An important objective
will be interactive discussion involving as many class participants as possible.
W1706
The Science of Mind Over Body
Presenter:
Mike Murray
Dates:
Fridays, February 3 and 10
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
The field of mind-body medicine is plagued by wild claims that mislead patients and instill false hope.
In this class Mike Murray will discuss the premise of Jo Marchant’s book Cure: A Journey into the Science
World of Mind over Body. The author meticulously investigates both promising and improbable theories of
the mind’s ability to heal the body. We will begin with the simple question: Can our minds really heal our
bodies? New scientific research is now uncovering evidence which shows that our subjective thoughts,
emotions, and beliefs can have real benefits for our health. Join us as Mike explores the potential, and the
limitations, of the mind’s ability to influence our health. Mike recommends, but does not require, a reading
of Cure: A Journey into the Science World of Mind over Body, by Jo Marchant (Cannongate Books Ltd., 2016),
ISBN 10 0857868837. Mike Murray is a licensed clinical psychologist and a specialist in the field of positive
psychology. He is also an expert on mindfulness and has studied and practiced Western and Eastern
methods of meditation for over 50 years.
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W1707
What the Heck is Abstract Art?
Presenter:
Michael R. Kapetan
Dates:
Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, and 24
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $32; Nonmembers $45
Making recognizable images of animals and people announced the presence of our species on the world
stage 37,000 years ago on the walls of the cave at Chauvet. Making non-representational images is a
custom just as old. Undecipherable abstract markings lay side by side with the lions, mastodons, and
horses in the prehistoric caves. However, just over a century ago, image makers deliberately and
enthusiastically abandoned visible reality as the touchstone of art. Why? What compelled artists like
Mondrian, Brancusi, Klee, and Tatlin to create images that make no reference to the world of 20/20 vision?
And why do artists continue to make abstract art a century later? Michael Kapetan is a sculptor who
works primarily in wood, but in metal and stone as well. He has been a liturgical artist for more than 35
years, creating art for Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches, and for synagogues. Mike is nationally
recognized both for his liturgical images and for his abstract and solar sculptures. He holds a degree in art
history from Harvard University, and a master’s degree in sculpture from the University of Michigan, where
he taught art for over 20 years.
W1708
Creative Writing Workshop
Presenter:
Jane Bridges
Dates:
Tuesdays, February 7, February 28, and March 28
Time:
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. [Please note the 4:00 p.m. end time.]
Fee:
Members $24; Nonmembers $35
Class Size: Enrollment for this class is limited to 12 attendees.
For those seeking a start at putting pen to paper, published poet and retired schoolteacher Jane Bridges
offers a relaxing atmosphere in which to explore your ambitions. Whether you would like to record memories,
create entertainments, produce factual accounts, or venture into the realm of published writing, this workshop
can help. No textbooks and no lectures – just pen, paper, and plenty of down-home supportive chatter.
In this small group, you will never feel overwhelmed or overlooked; and you will meet new friends whose
lively company you will enjoy. Prior to each session, write a short piece of any sort and make 13 copies
for distribution among the participants. Don’t be shy. Jane Bridges grew up in Texas and New Hampshire,
and in India. She has lived in Ann Arbor for more than 50 years and has taught writing in both public and
private schools. Jane’s poems have been accepted for publication in the journals Paterson Literary Review,
Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, Third Wednesday, and The MacGuffin.
W1709
Confirmation Controversies:
Supreme Court Nominations, Then and Now
Presenter:
Michael Homel
Dates:
Wednesdays, February 8, 15, and 22
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Fee:
Members $24; Nonmembers $35
After Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, President Barack Obama
nominated Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia’s U.S. Court of Appeals, to fill that
vacancy. Most Republican Senators refused to consider the selection. Though Obama had nearly a
year remaining as President, Republicans maintained the selection should be made by his successor.
While this stance is unprecedented, conflict over Supreme Court nominations is not. Mike Homel’s
course will discuss the confirmation process, and describe some 20th century struggles over high court
selections. To what extent has controversy stemmed from clashes over qualifications? Or, a nominee’s
judicial and political positions? What role has partisanship or Court composition played? Join us for a
lively discussion and historical perspective on all of these headline issues. Michael Homel is Professor
Emeritus of History at Eastern Michigan University. Mike specializes in 20th century U.S. history and
U.S. urban history.
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W1710
Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong:
Molders of China’s Destiny
Presenter:
Jiu-Hwa Upshur
Dates:
Tuesdays, February 14 and 21
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
In their struggle for supremacy as rulers of China, Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) and Mao Zedong
(1893-1976) shared some goals, but vastly differed in others. Recently released primary source material,
such as Chiang’s voluminous and detailed diaries, and the writings of Mao’s intimate associates (Mao did
not keep a diary), have made possible a better analysis and comparison of the two leaders. Importantly,
even decades after their deaths, both men remain influential as their successors continue to govern on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait. This course examines how, during their turbulent lifetimes, Chiang and Mao tried
to mold and move China, and why they shared important goals despite their ideological differences and bitter
enmity. Jiu-Hwa Upshur received her B.A. degree from the University of Sydney, Australia, and her M.A.
and Ph.D. degrees in history from the University of Michigan where she specialized in modern Chinese
history. Jiu-Hwa retired from the Department of History at Eastern Michigan University in 2007.
W1711
Mardi Gras Magic and the Spirit of Carnival
Presenter:
George Klein
Dates:
Thursdays, February 16 and 23
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
The goal of this course is to experience the spirit of Mardi Gras, both
in New Orleans and in other parts of the Latin world. In some places,
Carnival has evolved from its origin as a brief burning off the excess
before Lent to an end in itself, with preparations lasting an entire year.
Masking in costume for Mardi Gras offers the adventure of self-expression
in a different identity. With George Klein’s presentation, we will also get the
feel of Mardi Gras in New Orleans through Les Blank's film Always For Pleasure,
and through a variety of music from throughout the celebration of body and spirit. George Klein has
taught English and humanities at Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University, where he
has directed the study abroad office of Eastern Michigan's Extended Programs. George spent 30 years
as a music program host at WEMU, and now is an independent producer of jazz programs for taintradio.org
and RadioFreeAmstersdam.com.
W1712
Good Cotten–Bad Cotten: Film Noir of the 1940s
Presenter:
Julie Teorey
Dates:
Fridays, March 3 and 10
Time:
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. [Please note the 4:00 p.m. end time.]
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
In this course we will view and discuss two of actor Joseph Cotten’s well-regarded noir films: The Third
Man (1949/1950) and Shadow of a Doubt (1943). In The Third Man Cotten plays an American innocent,
Holly Martins, who comes to the post-war, bombed out city of Vienna to find his friend Harry Lime, played
by Orson Welles. This four-star movie, directed by Carol Reed, is considered one of Cotten and Welles’
finest collaborations. It also features the work of Oscar-winning cinematographer, Robert Krasken.
In Shadow of a Doubt, Cotten plays the evil Uncle Charlie who arrives in small town USA to live with his
sister and her respectable family. Charlie is hiding from detectives, who suspect him of murdering widows
for their money. Alfred Hitchcock directed this “disquieting little masterpiece.” Join us as we sit in the dark,
munch popcorn with friends, and enjoy the artistry of these two great films. Julie Teorey received her B.A.
(education) and her M.A. (journalism) from Michigan State University. She is a big fan of classic movies.
9
W1713
The Game of Mah-Jongg
Presenter:
Dates:
Time:
Stuart Baggaley
Mondays, March 13 and 20
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
Invented by Confucius thousands of years ago? By
Chinese army officers during the Taiping Rebellion?
Or, by two brothers from Níngpō in 1850? No one
knows for sure, but the ancient board game of Mah-Jongg
remains a popular pastime for millions of people around
the world. Meaning “sparrow” in Chinese, Mah-Jongg
appears to be enjoying a resurgence in North America.
In this course Stuart Baggaley will present his simplified
version of this addictive game, and will guide class
participants in hands-on instruction. Our classes will
include a brief lecture on the history and variants of the
game. Stuart Baggaley is a British World War II veteran
(Royal Air Force), and a retired University of Michigan
Medical School administrator (Anatomy Department).
Moving to Norway after the war, Stuart lived in Oslo for
nine years before leaving his position with the Fulbright
Foundation and moving to the United States in 1957.
He enjoys golfing, running and, of course, Mah-Jongg.
W1714
Poets of Our Hemisphere: Mexican Poetry through the Centuries
Presenter:
Dates:
Time:
Fee:
Reqd. Text:
Leonore Gerstein
Wednesdays, March 22 and 29
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Members $16; Nonmembers $25
Anthology of Mexican Poetry, edited and translated by Samuel Beckett, UNESCO (1958).
Reissued by Indiana University Press, (1994). ISBN-10: 0802151868, ISBN-13: 978-0802151865.
From the early Spanish-inspired poets of colonial times to the writers of today, Mexican poetry is a world
of elegance and passion. In these class sessions we will explore the uniqueness of that tradition, while
finding our common bonds. Our text is the much-honored Anthology of Mexican Poetry, comprising poems
selected and translated by novelist, poet, and playwright Samuel Beckett under the auspices of UNESCO.
The original 1958 volume was reissued and published by Indiana University Press in 1994. New and used
copies are available through online booksellers. Leonore Mohill Gerstein was born in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, and spent many of her formative years in Israel, first at a kibbutz, and then in Jerusalem,
where she earned a Bachelor's degree in English and philosophy. She is a retired speech and language
clinician, now able to return to her first loves: literature and the arts. Leonore is passionate about poetry
and is always eager to explore a variety of works with veteran and new Elderwise participants.
10
SINGLE SESSION CLASSES
Unless otherwise stated, all single session classes are $8 for members, and $15 for non-members.
W1715
Toward a More Humane and Effective Prison System
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Ronald Simpson-Bey
Wednesday, January 4
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution,
but furthest from resources and power. JustLeadershipUSA
Mass incarceration is the most significant domestic threat to the fabric of our democracy. At a cost
of billions of dollars annually, millions of Americans are behind bars and additional millions are under
correctional supervision. The reason for such high incarceration rates is not serious crimes, but
misguided policies such as mandatory minimums, three-strikes laws, and the reduction of the availability
of parole and other early release mechanisms. Through targeted advocacy, a strengthening of leadership,
and membership support, JustLeadershipUSA works toward a more effective prison system and believes
that both a decarcerated America and a better transitioning of prisoners back into society are possible.
Ronald Simpson-Bey is currently associated with JustLeadershipUSA, an organization dedicated to
reducing the American prison population. He has served previously with the American Friends Service
Committee, conducting seminars and workshops designed to impact public discourse surrounding violence
and prison issues. As a research assistant at the University of Michigan, he examined how prisoner re-entry
shapes the social and family lives of black men in a large urban context. Mr. Simpson-Bey has served time
in the prison system.
W1716
Songs of America's Women
Presenter:
Layla Ananda
Date:
Thursday, January 5
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
When people came to America from Europe, Africa, and Asia, they brought their music with them.
After being brought ashore, some of the songs remained intact while others were rearranged to fit new
lives in the new world. The songs women have sung during these last 300 years have much to tell us about
how our foremothers thought and felt. Sad songs and violent songs seem to be outlets for powerlessness
and hard work, while songs of strength and daring show that women did not always accept their lot quietly,
or at all. In this class we will hear the stories behind the songs. We will also enjoy Layla’s live performance
and an opportunity for sing-alongs. Layla Ananda has been singing all her life, and has been performing for
almost 50 years. She created "Songs of America's Women" as part of her B.A. degree in Contemporary
Musicology at Michigan State University. Layla accompanies herself on guitar and dulcimer.
W1717
Trade, Treasure, and Tradition: Sea Ports of Italy
Presenter:
Marcella Corona
Date:
Monday, January 9
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Since ancient times, the shores of the Italian peninsula have beckoned to mariners of the Mediterranean
Sea and beyond, providing both safe harbor and lucrative trade. Long recognized for their wealth and cultural
diversity, several ports emerged in medieval times as powerful maritime city-states and republics. In this
beautifully illustrated presentation, Marcella Corona will introduce some of Italy’s most important ports-of-call,
and will tell us about their history and traditions, as well as their role in Italy’s modern economy. We will visit
Genova and La Spezia in the northwest, Trieste and Venezia in the northeast, Napoli in the southwest, and
Bari on the peninsula’s southeast coast. We will also journey to Sicily’s Palermo, and Sardinia’s Càgliari.
Marcella Corona was born and raised in Italy, where she went to school, worked, and traveled widely.
She came to the United States at age 22 and received an associate’s degree from Henry Ford Community
College. Marcella has held several professional positions, and has managed her own travel agency.
11
W1718
The Evacuation of Stalag Luft IV:
A Death March across Germany
Presenter:
Laura Edge
Date:
Tuesday, January 10
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
In the frigid winter of 1945, ten thousand American and British airmen are
isolated in a remote prisoner of war camp in Pomerania, south of the Baltic
Sea. As the Russian army approaches, and the sound of artillery is heard,
the Germans begin to evacuate the camp, cramming four thousand prisoners
of war into cattle cars for a journey west. Days later, the remaining six thousand
POWs are forced into a long and desperate march, lasting 86 days and covering
almost 600 miles. Hundreds died of exhaustion, disease, and starvation, but
many escaped with their lives and eventually reached home. Join historian and
author, Laura Edge, as she reveals this gripping story of amazing endurance
and courage, and selfless and often heroic deeds, as the prisoners struggled to
help each other survive. Laura Edge is the author of On the Wings of Dawn:
American Airmen as Germany’s Prisoners. She holds a Master’s degree in
social studies education from the University of Michigan.
W1719
Above: Only known
photograph taken of
the 1945 March.
Giants of Our Past:
Studebaker, Packard, Nash, and Hudson
Presenter:
Russell Doré
Date:
Thursday, January 12
Time:
1:00 to 2:30 p.m. [Please note the 2:30 p.m. end time.]
Studebaker, Packard, Nash, and Hudson were all major automobile companies of the 20th century. In this
class we will learn about the origins and growth of each company, and what led to their ultimate disappearance
from the motor industry – how they started and where they went. Automotive historian and writer Russell Doré
will also discuss how the leaders of these companies interacted with other prominent automotive entrepreneurs
of that era. Russell Doré has been offering presentations about the automotive industry and its founders for
over 20 years. Russell is also a member of the Motor Cities National Heritage Area, the Northville Historical
Society, and a board member of the Henry Ford Heritage Association.
W1720
Colorful Croatia: A Blend of Cultures, History, and Artistic Diversity
Presenter:
Gerlinda Melchiori
Date:
Friday, January 13
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia offers visitors 2,000 years of rich history, beautiful scenery, islands,
beaches and modern towns. It is positioned on the fault line between Eastern and Western Europe, and
has the scars to prove it. After a brief introduction to Croatia’s history, Gerlinda Melchiori will take you on
a chronological journey of cultural highlights, starting with the ancient capital of Salona, then on to the
Roman imperial city of Split and medieval Dubrovnik, and finally to the modern capital of Zagreb. Along
the way we will encounter artists, literati, interesting markets, and plenty of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Gerlinda Melchiori has enjoyed offering lectures and making friends at Elderwise. She holds advanced
degrees in European History and business, and a doctorate in higher education management from the
University of Michigan. Gerlinda has served as international consultant to universities around the world.
A life-long student of the arts and humanities, she welcomes questions and participation during her
presentations.
12
W1721
The Politics of Human Spaceflight
Presenter:
Tony England
Date:
Monday, January 16
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created to assert United States civilian
leadership in air and space. Addressing this mission has meant continually managing tensions between
investments in technology and space operations, between robotic and human missions, between space
science and the health of aerospace industries, and between perceptions of achievement and actual
achievement. Because these tensions are political, NASA program stability is always at risk with
changes in political leadership. This political context will serve as the prism through which we will
view and discuss the origins, evolution, drivers, and future of human spaceflight, beginning with Sputnik
and extending through the proposed human missions to Mars. Tony England served as a NASA
Scientist astronaut during the Apollo mission, flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985, and has
been a professor and administrator in the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering since 1988.
W1722
Prairie Style Gardens: Landscape Design Work
of Jens Jensen and O.C. Simonds
Presenter:
Robert Grese
Date:
Tuesday, January 17
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Landscape architects Jens Jensen and O.C. Simonds were
leaders in creating a style of design in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries that became known as the “prairie style.” Their work
featured the native plants, celebrated landforms, and ecological
conditions found throughout the American Midwest. Both of these
men had significant ties to Michigan. Jensen performed extensive
work for the Ford family, and Simonds, as a native Michigander,
designed many of Ann Arbor’s early parks and founded the
landscape architecture program at the University of Michigan.
This presentation will explore their contributions to landscape
design and conservation efforts. Robert Grese is the Theodore
Roosevelt Chair of Ecosystem Management and Professor of Landscape
Architecture in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University
of Michigan. Bob is a strong advocate of ecologically based design and ecological
restoration. He is the author of Jens Jensen: Maker of Natural Parks and Gardens
and The Native Landscape Reader.
W1723
Commuter Rail: Connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit
Presenter:
Michael Benham
Date:
Wednesday, January 18
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
In October 1983 the last regional commuter rail train carried passengers between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Ever since that time, people have been trying to restore this rail service. Our presenter, Michael Benham,
will discuss the reasons for the demise of the former commuter rail service, and the need for such service
today. He will describe the movement, including the 2016 ballot proposal, to bring back commuter rail,
focusing especially on the efforts of the newly-formed Southeast Michigan Regional Transportation Authority.
Michael Benham is the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority’s (AAATA) Manager of Corporate Planning
and Intergovernmental Affairs. He gained experience with commuter rail working for Metra, the Chicago area
commuter rail operator, and has more than 30 years of experience in project management and strategic
planning. Michael has continued to support commuter rail projects in Michigan, most actively during the last
seven years at AAATA.
13
W1724
The Many Faces of Michigan
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Rochelle Balkam
Thursday, January 19
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
America is not like a blanket – one piece of unbroken color . . . America is more like
a quilt . . . all woven and held together by a common thread. Jesse Jackson
Michigan is like America. Over the centuries, each wave of new Michiganians has contributed to our
economy, our language, our place names, our educational system, our values, and our way of life.
Each has made us stronger and more diverse, creating our proud heritage. The earliest Native Americans
were here more than 10,000 years ago. The earliest non-Native Americans were the French, in the 1600s,
who lent their names to many counties, and to many streets in the Detroit area. The French were followed
by a succession of settlers from other North American regions, and from other countries around the world.
For many years Michigan was also the last stop for African Americans seeking freedom across the Detroit
River in Canada. Many chose to stay here and create a new life. Today, Michigan still beckons to all who
“seek a beautiful peninsula.” Rochelle Balkam has taught Michigan history at Eastern Michigan University
(EMU) for 23 years. She holds an M.A. degree in history and an M.S. in historic preservation from EMU.
Rochelle is a former board member of the Historical Society of Michigan.
W1725
Los Angeles Layover and New Zealand Adventure
Presenter:
George Jabol
Date:
Thursday, January 19
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This travelogue begins with a four-night layover in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. This allowed enough
time to explore an American city George had heard so much about, but had never visited. Reluctantly
leaving Los Angeles, George began the long journey to New Zealand. At Auckland, he boarded a small
cruise ship, the Discovery, which served as home for the next ten days as the ship navigated around New
Zealand’s North and South Islands. The New Zealand adventure included visits to a down-under sheep
farm with sheep-shearing and a sheep dog trial, a thermal reserve, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute,
and the seacoast city of Napier. Discovery then sailed to the Tasman Sea side of the South Island, with
its majestic scenery around the fjords, before returning full circle to Auckland and a final few days of
sight-seeing. George Jabol holds a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of
Michigan. Now retired from the federal government, he is currently self employed as a consultant on
Social Security disability benefits. George has traveled a good part of the world, and creates photographic
slide shows as a way to remember his trips and share them with others.
W1726
Decluttering and Downsizing: Where Do I Take My Stuff?
Presenter:
Dina Shtull
Date:
Friday, January 20
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Acquiring is easy; downsizing is hard. Whether rearranging or relocating, sometimes you just need to get
rid of “stuff.” This class offers helpful information for both reducing clutter and for downsizing. Do you need
to get an appraisal? Should a person use eBay or Craigslist? Find an antique store? Or, simply donate?
Where do you donate? If you are having trouble parting with some special pieces, how should you decide
what to keep within the family? Dina Shtull is an expert on the decluttering and downsizing processes. In
this presentation, she provides an abundance of information on where in Washtenaw County you can take
your belongings. Dina Shtull is the founder of Downsize with Dignity, LLC, and a member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers, and of the Hoarding Task Force of Washtenaw County. Helping
seniors with potentially difficult decisions is her specialty. Dina has degrees in both social work (MSW)
and business (MBA). She believes that downsizing is not only about what to give away, but also about
what to keep.
14
W1727
From Silents to Star Wars: Five Composers of Film Scores
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Henry Aldridge
Friday, January 20
1:00 to 3:30 p.m. [Please note the 3:30 p.m. end time.]
During this class we will take a look at, and listen to, the film
work of composers Max Steiner, Eric Korngold, Miklos Rosza,
Bernard Herrmann, and John Williams. Henry Aldridge will
discuss the careers of these composers and the musical
contributions they have made to motion pictures. We will
view and hear examples of their work from the films King
Kong, Gone With the Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood,
Ben-Hur, Vertigo, and Star Wars. Henry B. Aldridge is an
Emeritus Professor of Electronic Media and Film Studies at
Eastern Michigan University. He is an incorporating officer
of the Michigan Theater Foundation, and has served for many
years as one of the theater's staff organists. Dr. Aldridge
has written three books and several articles in the field of
video and film studies.
W1728
Imagine a World Without Birdsong: The Messenger
Presenter:
Juliet Berger
Date:
Monday, January 23
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
In this remarkable presentation, Juliet Berger will screen Su Rynard’s film The Messenger (2015),
a visually stunning and contemplative documentary that explores our deep-seated connection to birds
and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. Ranging across the northern
boreal forests to the mountains of Turkey to the streets of New York, The Messenger brings us
face to face with the perils, including climate change, that threaten our winged music-makers, and
the efforts that are being made to save them. Juliet will also turn our attention to ways we can help
our birds locally – such as with safe windows, transitioned cats, and native plants. Discussion will
precede and follow the film. Juliet Berger is President of the Washtenaw Audubon Society and
Ornithologist for Natural Area Preservation with the City of Ann Arbor. She has a science background
and holds B.A. and M.S.W. degrees from the University of Michigan. Juliet is a lifelong birder dedicated
to keeping other birders connected and engaged.
W1729
Lifestyle Keys to Vitality and Longevity
Presenter:
Robert Breakey
Date:
Tuesday, January 24
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The standard American diet is largely responsible for the epidemic of chronic diseases that we are
experiencing in America today – including obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension,
heart disease, and several cancers. The good news is that all of these are largely preventable, and
many are even reversible. By choosing unprocessed plant-based foods that are truly health supporting,
engaging in at least moderate exercise, and ensuring that we sleep well, we have the opportunity to greatly
enhance our health and vitality well into our elder years. Join us to learn how to add “years to your life
and life to your years.” Robert Breakey, M.D., is a Family Physician who graduated from the University
of Michigan and has practiced in Ann Arbor for 31 years. He has a special interest in health promotion,
nutrition, positive wellness and supporting the natural healing process that we all have within us.
Dr. Breakey’s approach to health care is holistic, with an emphasis on empowering patients.
He is a member of the Board of Directors and Head of the Family Medicine Division at St. Joseph
Mercy Hospital.
15
W1730
Bitter/Sweet: Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate
Presenters: Docent Specialists from the Detroit Institute of Arts
Date:
Wednesday, January 25 at the Red Cross Building
Time:
1:00 to 2:30 p.m. [Please note the 2:30 p.m. end time.]
Coffee, tea, and chocolate were strongly associated with 18th century Europe as
the fashionable beverages of the day. Yet, none of the plants required for their
preparation was native to the continent. Coffee arrived from Africa and the Middle
East, tea from Asia, and chocolate from the Americas. This presentation on the
exhibition Bitter/Sweet retraces the story of how these “new hot drinks” appeared
on European tables beginning in the late 16th century, causing a near revolution
in drinking habits, social customs, and tastes, along with an insatiable demand for
specialized vessels, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate pots and canisters. Items
in the exhibit draw extensively from the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) world class
collections, including porcelain, metalwork, paintings, prints, and sculptures.
In this presentation DIA Docent Specialists will feature many of the exhibition’s
finest works, and will enhance these illustrations with multi-sensory elements
engaging all five senses. The exhibit Bitter/Sweet is on display at the Detroit
Institute of Arts from November 20, 2016, through March 5, 2017.
W1731
T’ai Chi Ch’uan: A Medieval Martial Art for Modern Times
Presenter:
Karla Groesbeck and Steve Harrigan
Date:
Thursday, January 26
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
T’ai Chi Ch’uan, or T’ai Chi, is a great way to relax and have fun, which are essential cravings of our
modern lifestyles. T’ai Chi emphasizes a sequence of slow, rhythmic movements practiced by people
of all ages and backgrounds. Studies have proven that T’ai Chi improves balance, strength, health,
and memory, for every body type and group, especially older adults. Everyone who attends this class
will have an opportunity to try some movements and hopefully come away with a deeper and more
appreciative understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of this intriguing and beneficial art/exercise.
Karla Groesbeck is the owner of Good EnerChi Studio (www.GoodEnerChiStudio.com) in Ann Arbor
and the instructor for many senior emeritus T’ai Chi classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)
and the Meri Lou Murray Washtenaw County Recreation Center. Steve Harrigan has been teaching
Yang Family style T’ai Chi Ch’uan in the Ann Arbor area for more than 30 years. He has conducted
classes at WCC, the Ann Arbor Y, and Eastern Michigan University.
W1732
Farewell Obama: Hello ???
Presenter:
Jeffrey Bernstein
Date:
Friday, January 27
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
As we get together in January, our new President will have been in office exactly one week. At that
juncture, Jeffrey Bernstein will discuss what has happened so far in the new administration, and what
the prospects are for the new President to be able to implement his or her agenda. Jeff will make
comparisons with the beginnings of previous administrations, and with the way those beginnings led
to either successes or failures during the entire course of the presidencies. We will also consider how
the 2016 contest, and the polarization it revealed, plays itself out when we turn our attention from
campaigning to governing. Jeffrey Bernstein is a professor of political science at Eastern Michigan
University, as well as Interim Director of the Master in Public Administration Program, and Affiliated
Faculty in Jewish Studies. Jeff’s teaching and research interests include political campaigns and
elections, public opinion and political socialization, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
16
W1733
Adventure of a Lifetime: Our Trip Around the World
Presenters: Doug and Julia Jackson
Date:
Tuesday, January 31
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
In June of 2006, Doug and Julia Jackson withdrew their two
daughters, twelve-year-old Heather and ten-year-old Robin, from
their Dexter schools and took them on a year-long backpacking
adventure around the world. They visited 34 countries on six
continents. In this presentation Doug and Julia will share highlights
of this life-changing odyssey, and will describe the people and
challenges they met along the way. Above all, they will tell us how
it changed their lives and the lives of their children. Through
unique cultural observations we will learn why Doug and Julia
embarked on this journey, whether they thought it was worth doing,
and whether they would recommend it to others. The Jacksons
welcome questions and discussion about their exciting adventure of a lifetime. Doug Jackson is a Christian
Science practitioner and is with the American Field Service (AFS) intercultural programs. Julia Jackson is
the Data Manager in the Office of Student Affairs at the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
W1734
Getting Started with Your Life Story: A Workshop
Presenter:
Janet Ogle-Mater
Date:
Thursday, February 2
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Have you ever thought about capturing your own life stories? Or, writing your family history before it
is lost to the next generation? Do you believe you have values and lessons learned that would inspire
others? Memoir is popular today, and it is not only for celebrities and newsmakers. In reality, we all have
a story worth honoring, and here is an opportunity to begin yours. Janet Ogle-Mater will discuss the scope
and format that life-story projects can entail, and help you to zero in on yours. She will guide you through
several thought-provoking questions which will help to generate initial content for your own life story.
Along the way, Janet will offer creative writing tips to add dimension and breadth to your narrative.
Janet Ogle-Mater is a personal historian, a writer who specializes in capturing the life stories of individuals,
families, and businesses. Additionally, with more than 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist,
her skills with interviewing and asking just the right question are put to effective use in launching you
on your personal history project in this fun and interactive workshop.
W1735
The Ultra-violet Light Spectrum:
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
Presenter:
David Thompson
Date:
Thursday, February 16
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
In this class we will focus on the ultra-violet light spectrum, including the phenomena of fluorescence
and phosphorescence in minerals and a wide variety of both common and unusual materials. We will
learn that this is not just a 1960s poster craze, but a serious examination of a little known area of science.
Presenter Dave Thompson will explain the electro-magnetic spectrum and identify visible and invisible
radiation (light). He will also provide a definition of basic terms, and a short glossary. We will discuss the
natural worlds of ultra-violet light, such as those producing Vitamin D, as well as its use in forensics and
industry, and the risk to humans posed by these high frequency radiations. A demonstration of ultra-violet
(black) light will reveal the invisible beauty of a wide range of natural and artificial items. David Thompson
is an expert on Michigan Basin invertebrate fossils. His important side interest is the use of ultra-violet
radiation to identify otherwise invisible aspects of fossils, such as growth rings in mastodon and mammoth
tusks. Dave is a Friend of the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, and has been a guest
paleontologist at the University’s Museum of Natural History. He contributes to a website jointly sponsored
by the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin.
17
W1736
The Archaeology of Early Mariners on the Indian Ocean
Presenter:
Henry T. Wright
Date:
Friday, February 17
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
st
In the early 21 century, archaeology is re-examining the interrelationships among distant civilizations.
In Afro-Eurasia we can build a vastly richer understanding of the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia,
Egypt, the Indus Valley, and the great river valleys of China. Our understanding is based on the steady
progress of conventional archaeology, more precise methods of excavation, and critical restudies of longavailable texts. In the Indian Ocean we have some completely new sources of information, from the coasts
and from the depths. We also have many new ways of determining the age of ancient sites. We can now
identify ancient DNA from both human and animal bones, and we have new information from ancient ships
and their cargoes found on the shores and in the depths. In this class Henry Wright will trace the story of
recent discoveries using archival images and artifacts from the University of Michigan’s Museum of
Anthropological Archaeology. He will conclude with some predictions about the directions of future research.
Henry Wright is Professor of Anthropology and Curator of Near Eastern Collections at the University of
Michigan’s Museum of Anthropological Archaeology. He has studied the development of complex societies
since his undergraduate years at the University of Michigan. At the University of Chicago, his doctoral
research focused on early Mesopotamia, which led him to parallel studies in Africa and East Asia.
W1737
The Soviet Baby Boomers
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Nina Dmitrieva
Thursday, February 23
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
This class offers a first-hand account of growing up in the Soviet Union after
World War II. Born a year after the war’s end, Nina experienced what it was
like for the post-war generation, the so-called “Soviet baby boomers”, to grow
up under communism and live through, and beyond, the collapse of the Soviet
Empire. The last true Soviet generation, the baby boomers saw the best the
Soviet system could provide, as well as its short-comings. The focus of this
class will be on the living conditions, education, health care, and important period
in Soviet history. Nina Dmitrieva graduated from Moscow State Pedagogical
University in 1970. She was an associate professor at the Russian State
University of Economics and the Russian State University of Humanities, where
she taught English as a second language. In 1999 Nina moved to the United
States, where she taught at the University of Michigan and Washtenaw
Community College. In 2012, she retired from the position of Coordinator
of the New Americans Program at Jewish Family Services in Ann Arbor.
W1738
Get Hip! The Unheard Hot Sounds of Early Jazz Ensembles
Presenter:
Nik Thompson
Date:
Thursday, March 2
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
In the world of American jazz, a plethora of band ensembles appeared (and often disappeared) during
the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s. Many of these groups were regional, downright obscure, and short-lived, but
otherwise skilled, able, and definitely worth a listen. With historical background and personal stories, “tons”
of music, and an occasional video, Nik Thompson brings back to life those bands and their music, sadly
forgotten since the demise of the 78 rpm. Join us and get familiar with, among others, the Hoosier Hotshots,
the Harlem Hamfats, the Original Memphis Five, and Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight. Nik Thompson is a
lifelong lover of all kinds of music. His eclectic tastes are evident in the music he selects as host of WEMU’s
89.1 FM program, Sunday Best. Nik tells us, however, that he returns to jazz again and again for inspiration.
He has been hosting jazz, blues, and roots music programs at WEMU since 1999. Enriching his wide range
of interests and activities, music retains a place of central importance in Nik’s life.
18
W1739
The First Transcontinental Railroad
Presenter:
Bill McKnight
Date:
Monday March 6
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Building the first transcontinental railroad, winning the Civil War, and abolishing slavery have been
called the greatest United States accomplishments of the 19th century. Much of the work of building
the railroad was carried out during the Civil War, since linking the West to the East was a national
priority that could not wait. In this class we will consider key aspects of the project, including the political
environment, financing, surveying, and construction by Irish laborers (Union Pacific) and Chinese
workers (Central Pacific). Bill McKnight will also tell us about the current status of the route as a Union
Pacific mainline, and will display period maps and photographs. Bill McKnight has worked on both the
shipping side of the freight movement business, when he was at Ford Motor Co., and on the carrier side
at Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Bill belongs to state and national railroad history groups, and has
presented classes on various railroad history subjects at their meetings, as well as for Elderwise.
W1740
Shifting Science and the Innocence Clinic:
Litigating Cases of Arson and Shaken Baby Syndrome
Presenter:
David Moran
Date:
Wednesday, March 8
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
In this class we will learn about the problem of reinvestigating and litigating cases in which defendants
were convicted years ago based on outdated or discredited expert testimony. Presenter David Moran
will focus particularly on cases in which clients were convicted of arson, based on now-discredited
methods of determining whether an accelerant was present. He will also discuss cases in which clients
were convicted of child abuse or homicide, based on now-outdated testimony about Shaken Baby
Syndrome. David Moran is the director of the Michigan Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan
Law School, which investigates and litigates claims of innocence by convicted prisoners in cases where
DNA evidence is not available. Professor Moran holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics
and mathematics, and he earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. In 2010, Professor
Moran was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly.
W1741
A Long and Winding Road:
Route 12 and the History of Michigan
Presenter:
Kathleen Chamberlain
Date:
Thursday, March 9
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Imagine Michigan Avenue (US12) as a narrow dirt trail, tightly forested on either side, and disturbingly
silent. French trappers cautiously travel west in search of Potawatomi villages, and Sauk, Fox, and
Kickapoo carry beaver pelts to a distant trade depot in French Detroit. When colonial wars erupted,
French soldiers sped toward Lake Michigan to recruit Native American allies, and in times of peace,
native peoples journeyed east for diplomatic councils with French, then English, then American agents.
It is hardly surprising that Michigan Avenue was once considered the most important road in southern
Michigan, and that it played a vital role in the area’s early history. In this class, we will explore that
history, including why a settlement that is today called Ypsilanti, was born at the intersection of Michigan
Avenue and the Huron River. Kathleen Chamberlain holds a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico
and taught Native American and United States history at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) for more
than 15 years. She retired from EMU in 2016. Kathy has published extensively and is currently
researching the role of Native Americans in the history of Michigan and Ohio.
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W1742
History Lessons: Postage Stamps and Their Stories
Presenter:
Edward Couture
Date:
Thursday, March 9
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p. m.
Do you know anything about balloon mail, tête-bêche stamps, boules de moulin, demonetized stamps,
Flag-of-Truce mail, the 1867 confederation, or Charles Connell? If you want to learn about the fascinating
history of postage stamps and mail service, this is the class for you. Edward Couture will focus on
connecting 19th century history to the postage stamps of that era, and defining the relationship between
historic events and the stamps of specific times and places. Highlights include the American Civil War
and the Prussian invasion of France in the early 1870s, and stamps featured in an award-winning exhibit
at the Ann Arbor Stamp Show. Edward Couture earned his Master’s degree in French and Russian from
Middlebury College in Vermont. He began collecting stamps in his youth, later specializing in stamps from
the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Canada, and the Republic of France. Edward moved to
Ann Arbor in 1997, after retiring from 35 years of teaching in the Los Angeles City schools. He is a student
of languages and history.
W1743
Evaluating Michigan’s Transition to a Low-Carbon Future
Presenter:
David Gard
Date:
Friday, March 10
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Today, we humans are facing uncharted territory. The Earth’s climate system is changing in ways we have
never before seen. At the same time, global levels of population and consumption are putting enormous
pressure on our resource base, and on nature’s capacity to absorb waste. What does all of this mean for the
Great Lakes State? In this class David Gard explores what is happening in Michigan to help move us toward
a more sustainable future. He will give special attention to efforts to shift our economy away from the use of
fossil fuels. David Gard holds master’s degrees in business and environmental policy from the University of
Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University. He is currently
employed at 5 Lakes Energy, a policy consulting firm promoting clean energy and sustainable practices.
He previously served with the Michigan Environmental Council in Lansing, and with the United States Navy.
W1744
William Wordsworth and the Lyrical Ballads
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Reqd. Text:
Russell Robert Larson
Tuesday, March 14
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The Lyrical Ballads poems and “Preface” are readily available online.
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) is generally considered the most
important poet of the 19th century, not only because he wrote excellent
poems, but because of the ideas he expressed regarding poetry. In this
class we will focus on the poems and “Preface” in Wordsworth’s first major
publication, Lyrical Ballads. These are often considered among the most
important documents in the history of English literature. Russell Larson
will focus on six poems from Lyrical Ballads: “Expostulation and Reply,”
“The Tables Turned,” “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey,”
“Lucy Gray, or, Solitude,” “Michael,” and the often satirized “The Idiot Boy.”
The class will conclude with a brief discussion of the “Preface.”
Russell Larson is a Professor Emeritus of English Language and Literature
at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Russell holds a Ph.D. in 19th century
English Literature from the University of Michigan. He joined the teaching
faculty of the Department of English Language and Literature at EMU in
1970, where he served as department chair from 1999 to 2006.
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W1745
Unstuck in Time: The Life and Works of Kurt Vonnegut
Presenter:
Gregory D. Sumner
Date:
Wednesday, March 15
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Greg Sumner describes Kurt Vonnegut's writings as a kind of “diary of the 20th century,” not unlike Mark
Twain's journal of his times. Vonnegut used his wry humor, bizarre imagination, and deceptively simple
storytelling to take aim at the American Dream with its celebration of grandiose ambition, material success,
and winners over losers. In this class, Dr. Sumner will take us through an overview of Vonnegut's novels
and stories, from the days of the Great Depression and two World Wars to the upheavals of the 1960s
and the politics and pathologies of our own day. Gregory Sumner has been a professor of American
history at the University of Detroit Mercy since 1993. He holds a Ph.D. in history from Indiana University
and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Dr. Sumner has been a Fellow with the National
Endowment for the Humanities, and spent two semesters as a visiting Fulbright lecturer at the Universita
di Roma Tre. His books include Detroit in World War II (2015) and Unstuck in Time: A Journey through
the Life and Novels of Kurt Vonnegut (2011).
W1746
Karin Fossum: Queen of Norwegian Crime Fiction
Presenter:
David Geherin
Date:
Wednesday, March 15
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbo, and Henning Mankell are the three most famous Scandinavian crime writers, but
the Norwegian writer, Karin Fossum, is perhaps the best among them at producing what has been termed
“Nordic Noir.” She specializes in quiet, psychological novels that focus not so much on the crime itself but
on its emotional impact on people, and on the small community where the crime occurs. Several of
Ms. Fossum’s novels featuring Chief Inspector Konrad Sejer are now available in English. In this class we
will discuss her distinctly original approach to the mystery novel by focusing on The Indian Bride (2007),
which participants are encouraged to read prior to the class. David Geherin is Professor Emeritus of
English at Eastern Michigan University. He is the author of seven books on crime and mystery fiction, two
of which were finalists for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Allan Poe Award. His most recent book,
Humorous Crime Fiction and Film, will be published in 2017.
W1747
Transforming Our Food System
Presenter:
Catherine Badgley
Date:
Thursday, March 16
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Today, there are many changes underway in our food system in Michigan, in the United States, and around
the world. In this class, Catherine Badgley will explore two alternative futures for the food system. In one
future, with responses to public pressure for improving environmental and human health, the food system
dominated by industrial agriculture will continue, with minor adjustments in farming methods, major crops
grown, and eating habits. The other future will involve a fundamental redesign of farm size, major foods
grown, eating habits, and environmental quality. These changes would come in response to public pressure
and needs, funding priorities, and environmental crises. Michigan's agriculture and food system will be major
players in either future. Catherine Badgley is a paleontologist, ecologist, and farmer. She is an associate
professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Residential College at the
University of Michigan. Her research concerns the ecology, evolution, and biogeography of mammals,
as well as the current biodiversity crisis, and sustainable agriculture. Catherine lives on an organic farm
in Chelsea, Michigan.
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W1748
Ireland: The Intriguing Emerald Isle
Presenter:
George Jabol
Date:
Thursday, March 16
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
In this travelogue, George Jabol will share the adventures of his 2007 tour of Ireland. The first stop is
Northern Ireland, including the capital city of Belfast, Derry (Londonderry), and the geologic formation called
the Giant's Causeway. Next, we visit Sligo and Galway, and a stop at the iconic Irish Cliffs of Moher. In the
heart of Ireland we travel to Killarney, and to the fishing village at Dingle Bay. We then proceed to Cork, the
departure point of more than 2.5 million Irelanders who emigrated to America. We then visit Waterford, with
its crystal shops, before our final stop in beautiful Dublin. Join us for George Jabol’s panorama of the 40
shades of green found in this scenic island nation. George Jabol received his B.A. degree from Muskingum
College in Ohio, and a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Michigan. Retired from
a career with the federal government, George is currently self employed as a consultant on Social Security
disability benefits. He has traveled a good part of the world, and creates photographic slide shows as a way
to remember his trips and share them with others.
Left: The Giant’s Causeway
Right: Moher Cliffs
W1749
The Art of Storytelling
Presenter:
Beverly Black
Date:
Friday, March 17
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Storytelling is an art form. In this class we will learn about ways of observing and listening to stories that
will assist us in understanding what makes a story successful. The class will begin with a short introductory
lecture, then storytellers from the Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild will demonstrate various styles and techniques
for telling some unique personal stories. The Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild is open to all who love stories,
whether as tellers or listeners. This dynamic group exists to promote and further the art of storytelling and to
encourage and mentor practitioners at all levels of skill. Guild meetings are open to the public and are lively,
fun events where attendees hone the craft of storytelling, practice performing for an audience, or just sit back
and listen. Beverly Black is an experienced storyteller who specializes in telling personal stories from her
adventurous life. Beverly has enjoyed years of experience in facilitating teaching workshops for University
of Michigan faculty, and brings this experience to all of her storytelling classes and workshops.
W1750
Colored Pencil Art
Presenter:
Barbara Goodsitt
Date:
Friday, March 17
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $13; Nonmembers $20 [Fee includes $5 for materials.]
Is there an artist hidden in you? Join us for this class and discover your hidden talents as we explore the
world of colored pencil art. Barbara Goodsitt provides us with a combination of presentation, demonstration,
and hands-on workshop. She will show us samples of art work created with colored pencil, and will review
the materials and history of the medium, while demonstrating several colored pencil techniques. We will
learn how a painterly effect can be achieved with solvents, water soluble pencils, and burnishing. At the
conclusion of the class, we will have an opportunity to experiment with colored pencils and our own artistic
skills. Supplies will be provided for the workshop segment of this class. Barbara Goodsitt graduated with
honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in fine art. She began her career working in
scientific illustration for hospitals and universities, including the University of Michigan Press. Barbara is past
president of Ann Arbor Women Artists. She now concentrates on her art, exhibiting in galleries and juried art
shows, as well as teaching in southeastern Michigan.
22
W1751
Rocking the Viking Image
Presenter:
Pat Butler
Date:
Tuesday, March 21
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The Vikings may have been a dream come true for movie moguls, but they were a complete nightmare
for those unfortunate enough to actually encounter them. Seen as a pack of marauding sea-wolves,
with a rapacious appetite for destruction, thuggery, and thieving, the Vikings gained notoriety (through
both fact and fiction) as the quintessential bad boys of their time. As we discover more about Viking
culture through archaeological excavations and documented evidence, we can also begin to piece
together a flip side to the Viking story. In addition to their belligerence, we will also explore other
aspects of the Viking culture, including how they lived, traded, and gained their incredible boat-building
and navigation skills. We will also look at how and why they eventually came to settle in the lands they
once plundered. Pat Butler was born and educated in Warwick, England. She received her B.Ed.
degree from Britain’s Birmingham University. Since moving to the United States in 2001, Pat has
also studied and obtained an online B.Sc. qualification. Many of you know Pat as the former Elderwise
Administrator. Although she has retired from that position, she remains an enthusiastic supporter of
lifelong learning.
W1752
Family History and Genealogy with Children and Grandchildren
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Sue Grossman
Thursday, March 23
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
If you don’t recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories, and tell them too . .
they are what binds families and makes each of us who we are. Madeleine L’Engle
Most family history and genealogy buffs wish that, during their childhood, they had asked their parents
and grandparents more questions about their ancestors, and listened more carefully to their stories of the
past. Where did they come from? What jobs did they have? What were their lives like? What did they
play with? Did they get into trouble? As adults, we can see how important it is to pass on family history
to our children and grandchildren. In this class, Sue Grossman will discuss how children learn, and will
share ideas about simple, effective, and enjoyable activities and resources to involve them in family history.
Class participants will have an opportunity to share their own ideas for family history activities with children.
Sue Grossman earned her Ph.D. in Family and Child Ecology/Early Childhood Education from Michigan
State University. In 1995 she joined the faculty of Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) Department of
Teacher Education, Early Childhood Program Area. Sue retired as a full professor in 2012, and is now
Professor Emerita at EMU.
W1753
The Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary:
Ecological Lessons on the Ganges River
Presenter:
Michael J. Wiley
Date:
Thursday, March 23
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
After a brief comparison of the Ganges and the St. Lawrence (Great Lakes) river basins, this class will
focus on the ecology of the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur, India. The sanctuary
lies in the Ganges River floodplain, deep in the heart of the river dolphin range. It is the only protected
sanctuary dedicated to this enchanting species. Mike Wiley will use Vikramshila as a beautiful but troubled
exemplar of the challenges facing large river habitats around the world. We will explore: (1) the basic
physical and ecological processes that create hotbeds of river biodiversity; (2) the natural history and
current status of Asian river dolphins; (3) the varied ways humans simultaneously cherish and threaten the
Ganges River environment; and (4) the relevant parallels to our own large river environments in the Great
Lakes region. Mike Wiley is a professor at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and
Environment. Michigan-born and educated, he has studied river environments for over 40 years.
Mike teaches advanced courses in fluvial ecology, aquatic entomology, and river modeling, as well as
an undergraduate Introduction to Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands.
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W1754
James Ormsbee Chapin and American Regional Art
Presenter:
Boyd E. Chapin Jr.
Date:
Friday, March 24
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
James Ormsbee Chapin (1887-1975) was an American painter and illustrator. He studied at Cooper
Union, the Art Students League of New York, and abroad at the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Belgium.
Chapin executed numerous portraits of well-known public figures, and several of his portraits appeared
as covers on Time magazine. His work had a significant influence on the development of American
Regionalist painting. Regionalism was a modern art movement that flourished in the United States
During the late 1930s. It featured realistic paintings, murals, lithographs, and illustrations depicting
scenes of rural and small-town life, primarily in the Midwest and the Deep South. Boyd Chapin is a
graduate of Wayne State University and a senior attorney with the Detroit firm of Garan Lucow Miller,
PC. Boyd is a former docent with the Detroit Institute of Arts, and has an ongoing passion for all forms
of art which he pursues through his own work in pencil, oil, and acrylic.
W1755
Toni Morrison's God Help the Child: A Novel
Presenter:
Date:
Time:
Kevin Eyster
Thursday, March 30
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. [Please note the 4:00 p.m. end time.]
"What you do to children matters." Toni Morrison, God Help the Child
Published in 2015, God Help the Child is Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison’s eleventh novel. Riffing on
Billie Holiday’s song, “God Bless the Child,” Morrison has multiple narrators telling stories of adults
rejecting children, and the far-reaching consequences of that rejection. Echoing the phenomenon
From her earlier novel Beloved – the “notion of the returned child” – the author explores themes of
vulnerability, resilience, and human dignity. In this class, our discussion of the novel includes viewing
a segment of an interview in which Morrison explains how and why she wrote God Help the Child.
Kevin Eyster is a professor and Chair of the Department of Language, Literature, Communication and
Writing at Madonna University, where he is currently also the interim dean of the College of Arts and
Humanities. His special interests include critical writing and literary analysis, American folklore and
literature, African American literature, and the fiction of William Faulkner and Toni Morrison.
W1756
Scandinavian Trains and Trams
Presenter:
H. Mark Hildebrandt
Date:
Friday, March 31
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Mark Hildebrandt takes us into northern latitudes on yet another exploration of Europe’s electric-powered
railways. We begin at Copenhagen, Denmark’s laid-back capital, from which trains run every 20 minutes
across the Øresund Bridge to the Swedish industrial city of Malmö. From there, intercity rail connections
extend north to the maritime metropolis of Gothenburg. In addition to having the busiest harbor in
Scandinavia, Gothenburg boasts the largest tram and light rail network in Sweden. Next we journey to
Oslo, the economic and governmental hub of Norway. We step briefly away from the tracks for a look at
two of Oslo’s favorite tourist attractions – the 14th century Akershus Fortress, and Frogner Park with its
80-acres of sculpture by Gustav Vigeland. From Oslo, the 300-mile Bergen Line carries passengers past
scenic fiords to its terminus at Bergen, Norway’s second largest city. H. Mark Hildebrandt is a retired
pediatrician who taught and practiced medicine in Ann Arbor for 50 years. He is a local history enthusiast
with a lifelong interest in electric railroads and street cars. He is the co-author, with Martha Churchill, of
Electric Trolleys of Washtenaw County (2009). Mark is also the author of A History of St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church, Ann Arbor, Part II (2014).
24
TOURS AND CLASSES WITH TOURS
W1757
Art and Science of Healing: From Antiquity to the Renaissance
Exhibit Tour at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, and
Visit to the Special Collections Audubon Room, Hatcher Library
Presenter:
Pablo Alvarez, Guest Curator, Special Collections
Date:
Tuesday, March 7
Time:
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fee:
Members $8; Nonmembers $15
In ancient times, methods for healing the body, mind, and spirit ranged from the miraculous, the
talismanic, and the religious, to the sophisticated knowledge of Greek medicine. During the
Renaissance, however, a strict new empiricism began to draw a clear line between science and
superstition. At the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, the exhibition Art and Science of Healing
documents this crucial transition with rich primary source materials – amulets, gems, surgical
instruments, ancient and medieval texts – drawn from the collections of the Kelsey Museum and
the Special Collections Library Papyrology Collection at the University of Michigan. We will tour
the exhibition during the first hour, and visit the displays of the Special Collections Audubon Room
at the Hatcher Graduate Library during the second hour. Pablo Alvarez holds advanced degrees
in classics from the Universities of Alberta, Edinburgh, and Seville. Dr. Alvarez previously served
as Curator of Classics and of Rare Books at the University of Rochester and taught classes on the
history of the book. In his current position, a primary responsibility is promoting the use of early
printed texts in the classroom.
W1758
Tour of the Michigan Firehouse Museum
Presenter:
Maura Overland
Date:
Wednesday, March 22
Time:
10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Fee:
Members $13; Nonmembers $20 [Fee includes $5 museum admission]
Join us for a guided tour of the Michigan Firehouse Museum. Located nearby in Ypsilanti’s historic
district, the museum combines an original 1898 firehouse with a modern exhibit area constructed in
2002. Both buildings are filled with historical firefighting apparatus. The older structure offers a glimpse
of life in a firehouse circa 1900, complete with horse drawn vehicles, a restored bunk area, and
an original brass pole. The new multilevel display area houses changing exhibitions of motorized
vehicles, photographs, memorabilia, and collections of equipment such as helmets, ladders, bells,
extinguishers, and clothing. The museum’s curator, Maura Overland, will share with us aspects of the
history and technology behind the work of putting out fires. Maura Overland studied American history
at Skidmore College and holds an M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate
Program. She has previously served as curator at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan, and
at the Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson, Michigan.
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THEATER
W1759
Director/
Presenter:
Dates/
Times/
Places
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Theater:
A Raisin in the Sun, A Play by Lorraine Hansberry
Wallace Bridges
Pre-Performance Class:
Performance: Sun., Feb. 12, 2:00 p.m. [Sponberg Theater]
Post-Performance Class:
Fees:
Thurs., Feb. 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon [Red Cross Bldg.]
Mon., Feb. 13, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. [Red Cross Bldg.]
Members $25; Nonmembers $34 [Fee includes one ticket to the play.]
Emeritus Faculty: Members $16; Nonmembers $25 [Fee includes 2 tickets to the play.]
Extra tickets are $9 each. Please see W1761 on this catalog’s Registration Form.
A Raisin in the Sun portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers, an African-American family living
on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. A $10,000 check from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance
policy offers the family a chance to realize their dreams. Mama decides to buy a house in an all-white
neighborhood and the rest of the money, given to her son Walter for safe-keeping, is lost in a liquor store
scam. Money offered by a prospective white neighbor, if the Youngers do not move into the new house,
at first tempts Walter, but the option is immoral in the eyes of the rest of the family. Will the family take the
bribe money, or move onward into an unpredictable and uncertain future? Wallace Bridges has been
teaching at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) since 1992 and has directed over 20 plays at EMU. He
has also co-written and co-directed, with television and film actor Ben Vereen, Soaring on Black Wings,
an original play with music.
W1760
Director/
Presenter:
PTD (Petie the Dog) Productions:
Love, Loss and What I Wore, by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Jan Carpman
Dates/
Times/
Places:
Pre-Performance Class:
Thurs., Feb. 21, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon [Riverside]
Performance/Talk Back:
Sun., Feb. 26, 2:00 p.m. [Riverside]
Fees:
Members $19; Nonmembers $26 [Fee includes one ticket to the play.]
Extra tickets are $11 each. Please see W1762 on this catalog’s Registration Form.
Love, Loss, and What I Wore is a play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and
memory. These elements cover all the important subjects—mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras,
mothers, hating purses, and why we only wear black. The author's and playwrights' message is that
clothing is a window into a woman's soul (or is that eyeglasses?). Clothing is a literary/psychological
catalyst that enables us to recall experiences and relationships in amazing, surprising detail, and with
considerable emotion. For some (most?) women, clothes never lose their evocative power. Clothes are
what the world sees of us, which sometimes converges with - but more often disconnects from - how we
see ourselves. Clothes are seemingly trivial, but in reality they are enormous in their immediate and long
term effects on self image. Jan Carpman has acted, assistant directed, managed stages, designed
sound, run lights, built props, wrangled wigs, wielded power tools, and more, for PTD Productions,
Chelsea Area Players, Ann Arbor Civic Theater, and other groups. She has studied acting and directing
with Purple Rose Theater Company and Redbud Productions. Jan is also a founder, producer, and
performer with Etcetera (a spin-off of The Choral Connection), a local song-and-dance troupe that both
sings and swings (www.etcetera-sings.org). Jan supports her theater habit with work as an architectural
sociologist and wayfinding consultant.
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REGISTRATION FORM—Elderwise Winter 2017 Program
Name _______________________________________ Email _____________________________________________
Street Address
Apt # Unit ________________
City _____________________________ Zip _______________
Emergency Contact ____________________________
Tel ( ____) _____________________________
Emergency Tel (_____) _____________________________
Registration: Pre-registration is required for all Elderwise courses. We accept payment by check, cash, or money order. Please mail
or hand deliver your completed registration form and payment to the Elderwise office at the Red Cross Building, 4624 Packard,
Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Checks should be made payable to Elderwise. Please do not send cash payments by mail.
MEMBERSHIP FEE ($30 per person)
Payable only if you are a new member for January 1 to August 31, 2017
$_______
ELDERWISE ANNUAL FUND
If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution, please indicate the amount here.
M = Fee for members
$_______
NM = Fee for nonmembers
M
NM
$
$
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MULTI SESSION COURSES
W1701
W1702
W1703
W1704
W1705
W1706
W1707
W1708
W1709
W1710
W1711
W1712
W1713
W1714
Music Masters and Their Masterpieces (three Wednesday afternoons) ..............................
United States Foreign Affairs: The Challenges (two Friday afternoons) .............................
Best-Seller Book Club (three Monday afternoons) ...............................................................
Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady (four Wednesday afternoons) ...................................
What Now? (two Thursday afternoons) ................................................................................
The Science of Mind Over Body (two Friday mornings) .......................................................
What the Heck is Abstract Art? (four Friday afternoons) .....................................................
Creative Writing Workshop (three Tuesday afternoons) ......................................................
Confirmation Controversies: Supreme Court Nominations (three Wednesday mornings) ..
Chaing Kai-shek and Mao Zedong (two Tuesday afternoons) .............................................
Mardi Gras and the Spirit of Carnival (two Thursday afternoons) ........................................
Good Cotten-Bad Cotten: Film Noir of the 1940s (two Friday afternoons) .........................
The Game of Mah-Jongg (two Monday afternoons) .............................................................
Poets of Our Hemisphere: Mexican Poetry (two Wednesday afternoons) ..........................
Total
SINGLE SESSION CLASSES
W1715
W1716
W1717
W1718
W1719
W1720
W1721
W1722
W1723
W1724
W1725
W1726
W1727
W1728
W1729
W1730
Toward a More Humane and Effective Prison System (one Wednesday morning) .............
Songs of America’s Women (one Thursday afternoon) .............................................................
Trade, Treasure, and Tradition: Sea Ports of Italy (one Monday afternoon) .......................
The Evacuation of Stalag Luft IV (one Tuesday afternoon)..................................................
Giants of Our Past, Studebaker, Packard, Nash and Hudson (one Thursday afternoon) ........
Colorful Croatia (one Friday morning) ..................................................................................
The Politics of Human Spaceflight (one Monday afternoon) ................................................
Prairie Style Gardens (one Tuesday afternoon) ...................................................................
Commuter Rail: Connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit (one Wednesday morning) ....................
The Many Faces of Michigan (one Thursday morning) .......................................................
Los Angeles Layover and New Zealand Adventure (one Thursday afternoon) ...................
Decluttering and Downsizing: Where Do I Take My Stuff? (one Friday morning) ...............
From Silents to Star Wars (one Friday afternoon) ................................................................
Imagine a World without Birdsong: The Messenger (one Monday afternoon) .................... .
Lifestyle Keys to Vitality and Longevity (one Tuesday afternoon) ........................................
Bitter/Sweet: Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate (one Wednesday afternoon) ............................ .
27
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
M
W1731
W1732
W1733
W1734
W1735
W1736
W1737
W1738
W1739
W1740
W1741
W1742
W1743
W1744
W1745
W1746
W1747
W1748
W1749
W1750
W1751
W1752
W1753
W1754
W1755
W1756
T’ai Chi Ch’uan (one Thursday afternoon)............................................................................ . 8
Farewell Obama: Hello ??? (one Friday afternoon) ............................................................ . 8
Adventure of a Lifetime: Our Trip Around the World (one Tuesday afternoon) ................... . 8
Getting Started with Your Life Story: A Workshop (one Thursday morning) ....................... . 8
The Ultra-violet Light Spectrum (one Thursday morning ) .................................................... . 8
The Archaeology of Early Mariners on the Indian Ocean (one Friday morning) .................. . 8
The Soviet Baby Boomers (one Thursday morning) ............................................................ . 8
Get Hip! The Unheard Hot Sounds of Early Jazz Ensembles (one Thursday morning) ..... . 8
The First Transcontinental Railroad (one Monday afternoon) .............................................. . 8
Shifting Science and the Innocence Clinic (one Wednesday morning) ................................ . 8
Route 12 and the History of Michigan (one Thursday morning) ........................................... . 8
History Lessons: Postage Stamps and Their Stories (one Thursday afternoon) ................ . 8
Evaluating Michigan’s Transition to a Low Carbon Future (one Friday morning)................. . 8
William Wordsworth and the Lyrical Ballads (one Tuesday afternoon) ............................ 8
Unstuck in Time: The Life and Works of Kurt Vonnegut (one Wednesday morning) .......... . 8
Karin Fossum: Queen of Norwegian Crime Fiction (one Wednesday afternoon) .............. . 8
Transforming Our Food System (one Thursday morning) .................................................... . 8
Ireland: The Intriguing Emerald Isle (one Thursday afternoon) ........................................... . 8
The Art of Storytelling (one Friday morning) ......................................................................... . 8
Colored Pencil Art (one Friday afternoon) (fee includes $5 for materials) ........................... 13
Rocking the Viking Image (one Tuesday afternoon) ............................................................ 8
Family History and Genealogy with Children and Grandchildren (one Thursday morning) . 8
The Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary (one Thursday afternoon) ............................................ . 8
James Ormsbee Chapin and American Regional Art (one Friday afternoon) ...................... . 8
Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child: A Novel (one Thursday afternoon) ............................ 8
Scandinavian Trains and Trams (one Friday morning) ....................................................... 8
NM
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
20
15
15
15
15
15
15
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
15
20
______
______
34
25
______
______
19
26
9 each
11 each
______
______
______
TOURS AND CLASSES WITH TOURS
W1757
W1758
Art and the Science of Healing (one Tuesday afternoon) ..................................................... 8
Tour of the Michigan Firehouse Museum (one Wed. morning) (includes $5 admission) ..... 13
W1759
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Theater: A Raisin in the Sun
(Classes: one Thurs. a.m. & one Mon. p.m. Play: Sun. p.m. (includes one ticket to the play) ...
Emeritus Faculty (includes two tickets to the play) ..............................................................
PTD Productions (Riverside): Love, Loss, and What I Wore
(Class: one Thurs. a.m. Play and Talkback: Sun. 2 p.m . (includes one ticket to the play) .......
Extra Tickets: Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Theater: A Raisin in the Sun...............
Extra Tickets: PTD Productions (Riverside): Love, Loss, and What I Wore.......................
THEATER
W1760
W1761
W1762
Elderwise Credit Policy:
25
16
Membership Fee ($30)
Payable only if you are a new member,
for January 1 to August 31, 2017.
$ ______
1) Please notify the Elderwise office at 734.340.4691 if you
are unable to attend a program activity for which you are
registered. If we receive notification before the first class
session, class fees will be credited.
2) Registrants will be informed in advance of date and/or
time changes, class cancellations, or capacity registration.
For these circumstances, credits or refunds will be offered.
Contribution (Annual Fund)
Scholarships are available for qualifying individuals.
Please call the office at 734.340.4691 for information.
Courses, Classes, Tours, Theater $ ______
Class Size Limitation: Space constraints and instructor
preference may require placing a limit on class size.
TOTAL FOR WINTER 2017
28
$ ______
$ ______