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Center for Lifetime Study

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Fall 2021 Class Handouts

Tuesday Classes

Time Course ID Title Dates

9:15 AM

 LLS4 Family Treasures: What might they be worth? Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2
9:15 AM AL6 Prodding the Muse Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2
       
11:00 AM AL1 Museums: What are they and why are they important?  Sept.14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19
11:00 AM SS1 Organizations That You Know, Or Do You? Sept.14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5
       
1:15 PM GS2 Technology & Ethics Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2
1:15 PM SS5 Estate and Healthcare Issues for Seniors  Sept.14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19
       
2:45 pm GS1 Codes and Ciphers, Part 2  Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2

 

LLS4 – Family Treasures: What might they be worth?

Time: 9:15 AM

Tuesdays: Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2

 

Description: Many of us have 'family treasures' and collections and may want to free ourselves of excess possessions.  This class will help you determine if these items have value, if and how best to dispose of them.  Speakers will cover the auction process, when to use a professional, and selling them yourself.  Topics include vinyl records, sports memorabilia, first day covers, coins & currency, comic books, furniture and works of art.

 

Topics, Presenter & Affiliations: 

AL6 – Prodding the Muse

Time: 9:15 AM

Tuesdays: Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2

 

Description: Want to be prodded to capture memories that are meaningful to your life, that you may want to share with family or friends? We’ve all lived our lives fully with important, fun, significant moments worthy of exploring to write about. So join us! Returnees and newbies will be prodded by written exercises, then we share and often marvel at coincidences among us. It’s a small class by design to assure everyone has his or her opportunity to participate. We all probably can relate to Mark Twain’s “The older I get the keener are the memories about things that never happened.” But nonetheless the memories are yours and this class encourages you to own them no matter how they may have been embroidered over time!

Presenter: Barbara Mindel, CLS Member

AL1 – Museums: What are they and why are they important? 

Time: 11:00 AM

Tuesdays: Sept.14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26

 

Description: A museum is a place where we keep what we value.  It keeps objects secure yet accessible while allowing us to learn an enjoy them.  Just as there are many types of museums, there are many purposes they fulfill.  In this Fall 2021 semester course, meet area museum directors and educators as they share their distinctive vision of how their museum is vital to students and the general public.

 

Topics, Presenter & Affiliations

  • Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center - T. Barton Thuber, Vassar College
  • West Point Museum - David Reel, West Point
  • Samuel Dorsky Museum - Zachary Bowman, SUNY-New Paltz
  • CMA Gallery - Christopher Neyen, Mount St. Mary College
  • The Art Gallery at Westchester Community College - Sarah Mills, Westchester Community College
  • William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation Collection - Christine Kee, William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation

SS1 – Organizations You Know, Or Do You? 

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Day and Dates: Tuesdays - Sept. 14, 21 & 28 and Oct. 5

 

Description: In this course we will be hearing from representatives from the New York State Grange, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Rotary, and the Lions. The speakers will bring us up to speed not only on the history of their organizations, but what their organizations are doing now.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

  • History of New York State Grange - Steve Coye, President - New York State Grange
  • History of the Daughters of the American Revolution - Denise VanBuren, President General DAR, Washington, DC
  • History of Rotary - Jack Peluse, International and Local positions in Rotary
  • History of Lions - John Wargo, CLS Member

 

Biographies

 

Handouts

 

GS2 – Technology & Ethics

Time: 1:15 - 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Tuesdays - Sept. 14, 21 & 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26 and Nov. 2

 

Description: Technology & Ethics is an investigation and discussion of ethical problems and decision making with respect to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Social Media, Autonomous Vehicles, and other new and evolving technologies. The course focuses on the effects of technology on humans and the global environment. Issues are taken from current news reports. Classroom discussion is encouraged. Information on how students may protect their own technology will be provided.

 

Presenter: Paul Stoddard, AT&T (retired), Vassar College LLI

 

SS5 – Estate and Healthcare Issues for Seniors

Time: 1:15 - 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Tuesdays - Sept. 14, 21 & 28 and Oct. 5, 12, & 19

 

Description: This course will deal with issues of interest or concern for seniors and those for whom they may have some responsibility. It will begin with basics of estate planning. An explanation of Medicaid and asset preservation will follow. Special needs planning will be discussed. The procedure for the appointment of a Guardian will be explained. Will conclude with a presentation as to home care resources in New York State.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

GS1 – Codes and Ciphers, Part 2 

Time: 2:45 - 4:00 PM

Day and Dates: Tuesdays - Sept. 14, 21 & 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19 & 26 and Nov. 2

 

Description: This course explains the methods of secret communications, codes, ciphers, encryption and decryption from the 1901 through quantum computers and beyond with a look into the future to 2070.

 

Presenter: Frank Rubin, CLS Member

 

Wednesday Classes

Time Course ID Title Dates
9:15 AM SS2 Where Were You When ...?

 Sept. 15, 22, 29 Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3
9:15 AM AL5

Art History: More Contemporary 
Women Painters & Sculptors

 Sept. 15, 22, 29 Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3
       
11:00 AM SS4 Fusion Dance

Sept. 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6
11:00 AM SS4 The Effects of Covid-19 on Life in Dutchess County

Oct. 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3
       
1:15 PM GS3 Your Heart & Your Health

 Sept. 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6, 13
1:15 PM LLS1 History of Local College

Oct. 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3
1:15 PM SS3 Economic Inequity

Sept. 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6
       
2:45 PM SS7 Aging and Advocacy

Sept. 22, 29 Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3
2:45 PM AL2 Black Literature

Sept. 15, 22, 29 Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3

 

SS2 – Where Were You When...? 

Time: 9:15 – 10:30 AM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27 and Nov. 3

 

Description: Each week we will discuss a memorable event that occurred in the last 50-60 years, our lifetime. The lecture portion will include background on the event, putting it into historical and social context. Following the lecture there will be an interactive discussion in which class members will be encouraged to share how the event impacted them personally. Where they were and what they were doing when they heard about it or when it happened, how they felt, how they felt the impact of the event. An important element of this is class will be discourse and class participation with the sharing of experiences, memories and feelings.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

  • The Assassination of President Kennedy - Ellie Charwat, CLS Member
  • Woodstock Music Festival - Arnie Serotsky, Vassar LLI
  • The Launch of Sputnik - John Fontana, The Fontana Group
  • The Columbia University Sit-in 1968 - Linda Lebensold, CLS Member
  • The OJ Simpson Trial - Bruce Petito, Petito & Petito LLP
  • The Brooklyn Dodgers Win the 1955 World Series - Arnie Serotsky, Vassar LLI
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis - Martin Charwat, CLS Member
  • The Beatles Appear on the Ed Sullivan Show - Barry Rothfeld, CLS Member

AL5 – Art History: More Contemporary Women Painters and Sculptors 

Time: 9:15 – 10:30 AM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 13 & 20

 

Description: This is a slide, lecture, discussion series on women artists from the U.S.A. and elsewhere in the world, which were not covered in my previous presentation. Among the artists are Hilma Klint, Louise Bourgeois, Joan Mitchell, Magdalena Abrakanowicz, Jane Freilicher and a few others. Some of the art is abstract, some is representational, and each artist is unique.

 

Presenter: Marilyn Price

 

LLS2 – Fusion Dance 

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6

 

Description: This is a course that has been developed to enable participants to understand, be inspired, and learn about different cultures through dance. The cultures and dances we will be looking at are: Flamenco (Spain), Bharatanatyam (India), West African, modern (USA), Chilean and Caribbean.

 

Presenter: Anna Mayta, Mayta Fusion Dance

SS4 – The Effects of Covid-19 on Life in Dutchess County   

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Oct. 13, 20 & 27 and Nov. 3

 

Description: This course is intended to describe economic, governmental, budgetary and societal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on County government as well as on County commercial and residential real estate markets, the County’s educational system and the mental health of its citizens.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

LLS1 – The History of Local Colleges 

Time: 1:15 – 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Oct. 13, 20 & 27 and Nov. 3

 

Description: Hudson Valley is enriched with many well-known and famous colleges. This course includes speakers from some of these colleges speaking about aspects of their colleges’ history and culture. Taking advantage of these opportunities in our community is vital.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

  • Dutchess Community College: Then and Now - Richard Reitano, Dutchess Community College
  • History of West Point - Lt. Col. Sherman L. Fleek, Command Historian for United States Military Academy
  • History of Vassar College: Matthew Vassar - Colton Johnson, Historian at Vassar College
  • History of Marist College - John Ansley, Marist College Director, Archives and Special Collections

GS3 – Your Heart and Your Health  

Time: 1:15 – 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6 & 13

 

Description: Recent developments in Cardiology have enhanced our quality of life. In this interactive series the cardiologists at the Heart Center will describe the latest strategies used to mitigate the effects of cardiovascular diseases. They will describe the clinical and laboratory diagnostics and the medical and interventional techniques now available to patients in the Hudson Valley.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

  • Electrophysiology - Dr. David Steckman, The Heart Center
  • Interventional/Structural Cardiology - Dr. Rajeev Narayan, The Heart Center
  • Preventative Cardiology, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol - Dr. Ethan Gundeck, The Heart Center
  • Cardiac Imaging - Dr. Kashif Ather, The Heart Center
  • Cardiac Surgery - Dr. Jason S. Sperling, Nuvance Health\Vassar Brothers Medical Center

SS3 – Economic Inequity 

Time: 1:15 - 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6

 

Description: Sep 15 and 22 will feature moderated discussions on income and wealth inequality. Two speakers with differing viewpoints will present their views with CLS Dewey Lee moderating. Sep 29 has CLS member John Scileppi explain Pope Francis' encyclical on inequality, Fratelli Tutti, On Universal Brother/Sisterhood, and on Oct 6 he will explain the Pope's encyclical on Pope Francis on inequality, Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

  • Income and Wealth Inequality (this topic covered in 2 class sessions) - Brian Robinson & Joseph Nardulli Equitable Future, Inc. & Income Tax Pros
  • Roman Catholic Church Encyclicals on Income & Wealth Inequality (this topic covered in 2 class sessions) - John Scileppi, CLS Member

SS7 – Aging and Advocacy                                                                                                                                       

Time: 2:45 – 4:00 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27 and Nov. 3

 

Description: This course focuses on healthy aging and the resources that are available locally. In some sessions, we will learn about services helping us live more fully while staying in our homes and others explore residential programs that provide a continuous range of care. Also, in addition to resources in which we are consumers, some classes describe opportunities to volunteer and to contribute to others in the community.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliations:

AL2 – Black Literature: “Their Eyes Were Watching God”     

Time: 2:45 – 4:00 PM

Day and Dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27 and Nov. 3

 

Description: Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of Zora Neale Hurston’s novels written during the Harlem Renaissance. The setting covers the time period from slavery to Emancipation. It details the establishment of towns and villages by the newly freed people. The focus of the text, though, is the total development of the main character, Janae, as she finds herself a “tongueless, earless, eyeless convenience” in this new community. The course will explore these issues and more.

 

Presenter: Jacqueline A. Goffe-McNish, Dutchess Community College

 

Thursday Classes

Time Course ID Title Dates
9:15 AM AL3 The Roaring 20's Sept. 9, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4
9:15 AM AL4 Great American Poets of the Recent Past Sept. 9, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4
       
11:00 AM LLS3 Relax, Restore & Revitalize Sept. 9, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4
11:00 AM GS4 Science Potpourri Sept. 9, 23, 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
       
1:15 AM AL7 Great Books: Immigrant Voices Sept. 9, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4
1:15 PM GS5 The Future of Humanity Sept. 9, 23, 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21

 

AL3 – The Roaring ‘20s                                                                                                  

Time: 9:15 - 10:30 AM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Nov. 4

 

Description: In 1920 the Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and Prohibition went into effect. The Great Influenza pandemic subsided, Warren G. Harding was elected president and women voted for the first time. It was the beginning of what became the Roaring 20s, an exciting (and foreboding) decade in politics and the arts: jazz, literature, Bauhaus, Broadway, movies, Picasso, Weimer, Hemingway, Gershwin and so much more.

And one hundred years later, are we on the threshold of another ‘Roaring’ decade?

 

Presenter: Chuck Mishaan, Lecturer on Music and Opera

AL4 – Great American Poets of the Recent Past 

Time: 9:15 – 10:30 AM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Nov. 4

 

Description: The 20th century was a rich time for American poetry. We will be watching video recordings, some with interviews, by great poets who are no longer living. During the class I will suggest some supplements available on YouTube. The poets included will be Hayden Carruth, J.J. Clarke, Jack Gilbert, Galway Kinnell, W.S. Merwin, Szeslaw Milosz, and Adrienne Rich.

 

Presenter: Leslie Gerber, Parnassus Records

LLS3 – Relax, Restore & Revitalize

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Nov. 4

 

Description: Our body-mind system wisely knows how to naturally repair and reinvigorate itself. But a “do-more-faster” mindset, plus the weightiness of worries and fears, put us in a vicious cycle of physical and mental depletion. In this experiential course, learn gentle movement practices to activate the “virtuous cycle” of the innate “Relaxation Response”. Easily and comfortably integrate body, mind and breath to release tension, improve both energy and sleep, and feel calm, centered and energized. Class can be done standing or seated.

 

Presenter: Kele Baker, Mind-Body-Movement Coach

GS4 – Science Potpourri

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28

 

Description: This course will look at some applied science topics such as: major breakthroughs in evolution, multi messenger astronomy, roman imperial architecture and the pantheon and others. A science background is not needed for this course.

 

Topics, Presenters & Affiliation:

  • Major breakthroughs in evolution - Leathem Mehaffey, CLS Member
  • Multi Messenger Astronomy - Eric Myers, SUNY-New Paltz
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) - Ed Popko, CLS Member
  • New Horizons Spacecraft - Steve Conard, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Roman Imperial Architecture and the Pantheon - Warren Buhler, CLS Member
  • Extroverted Urbanism: Architectural Practice Redefined - -Evelina Knodel, MASS Design Group
  • Life of Buckminster Fuller - Ed Popko, CLS Member

AL7 – Great Books: Immigrant Voices 

Time: 1:15 – 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Nov. 4

 

Description: Join us as we discuss the experiences, concerns, and aspirations of recent immigrants as reflected in the short stories they have written. All are 21st-century tales, and the authors come from many different countries and traditions. Our text will be “Immigrant Voices” published by the Great Books Foundation. Order your book online at: greatbooks.org

 

Presenters: Sharon Steinvurzel and Lydia Bauman

GS5 – The Future of Humanity  

Time: 1:15 – 2:30 PM

Day and Dates: Thursdays – Sept. 9, 23 & 30 and Oct. 7, 14 & 21

 

Description: There are many factors present now that will influence the future development of human civilization. In this course we will examine a few of them, how they might shape our future and what is being and can be done to ameliorate their negative effects.

 

Topics & Presenters:

  • Biodiversity: Its importance; past extinctions and recovery; emergence of new diseases - Leathem Mehaffey
  • Genetic Engineering: Potential for agriculture and medicine; dangers of misuse - Leathem Mehaffey
  • Climate Change: CO2 levels and global warming; natural cycles - Leathem Mehaffey and Christopher Parks
  • Resource Extraction: Effects of extraction, limitations on supplies - Christopher Parks
  • Population Growth: Worldwide trends and implications of future increases and decreases - Leathem Mehaffey and Christopher Parks
  • Positive Trends: Increased health, lifespans; decreased poverty; global communications, etc. - Leathem Mehaffey and Christopher Parks