Curriculum Committee Meeting - April 10
2024-04-10 13:15 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Registration Required
Curriculum Committee Meetings are open to Membership.
Join our monthly Curriculum Committee meetings, via Zoom, to hear about upcoming speakers/events or to suggest speakers you know (or have heard speak) and believe would be of interest to your fellow Senior Scholars.
These meetings are always held on the Zoom platform.

New Member Orientation - Friday April 12
2024-04-12 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
All members old and new are invited to attend in person or via Zoom, our New Member Orientation meeting.
Learn more about the organization including how to meet people, join events and how you can help the organization – the best way to meet new people!
In person meeting is in Room 106 in PUMC.

Current Events in Healthcare with Brad Wilson
2024-04-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Healthcare Financing for Medicare/Medicaid
SPEAKER: Brad Wilson, CEO Emeritus, BlueCross BlueShield of NC
Brad will discuss the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, it’s implementation and potential impacts and what President Biden and President Trump are saying about their respective positions are/may be on the Act and other important healthcare issues.

BIOGRAPHY
Brad Wilson served as CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina. Prior to that, he served as Counsel to the Governor of North Carolina. Brad now teaches business and law at Wake Forest University. He currently serves as interim Director of the North Carolina Museum of History.
JAMA Network

Affordable Housing with Tom Hanchett
2024-04-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Affordable Housing
SPEAKER: Tom Hanchett, Community Historian
Community historian Dr. Tom Hanchett is completing a book for UNC Press on the history of one of America’s most pressing issues: affordable housing. He’ll share some of his Charlotte research, from public housing in the 1930s to today — and looks forward to your comments.

Lunch Bunch - April 19
2024-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 | NC
We have booked Leo’s restaurant for Friday, April 19, 11:45 a.m.
Limited space available!
If you register and find you can’t attend, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member.
Leo’s Italian Social
Southpark location
4720 Piedmont Row Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28210

Wildacres Spring 2024 Retreat / April 22-25, 2024
2024-04-22 08:00 - 2024-04-25 17:00 | Wildacres Retreat, 1565 Wildacres Road, Little Switzerland, NC, 28749, United States
SAVE THE DATE!

Enjoy 3 nights in a Blue Ridge Parkway Mountaintop Resort with 75 of your Senior Scholar friends!
Engaging lectures by NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and Political Science Professor Chelsea Kaufman.
Waterfalls, hiking paths, fresh air, local entertainers, 8 home-style, all-you-can-eat meals!

All this for only $285/double occupancy.
Reservations start January 19, 2024 and will fill up fast!
Details Here

Climate Change and Competition with Mark Kelso
2024-04-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Climate Change and Competition
SPEAKER: Mark Kelso, Queens University
Professor Kelso will discuss how the politics of climate change will impact economics, especially competition among businesses and countries.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Mark Kelso is currently Professor of Political Science at Queens University of Charlotte and the 2017 winner of the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Murray State University and his doctorate degree in Political Science from Vanderbilt University.
He teaches a variety of courses at Queens, including European Politics, Campaigns and Elections, Environmental Politics and Congress and the Presidency. His research interests include environmental policy, electoral behavior and political leadership. He has published in such journals as Presidential Studies Quarterly and Congress and the Presidency.
He will have a chapter on President Obama’s environmental policies in the forthcoming book, Evaluating the Obama Presidency, edited by Bose and Fritz.

Field Trip: Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery
2024-05-01 10:30 - 12:00 | Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery, 700 West 6th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 2024; 10:30 am – 12 pm
COST: $10 payable in cash or check payable to Senior Scholars
ADDRESS: 700 West 6th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 (parking available in cemetery)
Join fellow Senior Scholars for a walking tour of Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery located in Fourth Ward of Uptown. This tour will be conducted by Bill Bibby, Director of City Cemeteries for Charlotte. Bill will cover the history of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery and brief biographies of well known, unknown, and interesting decedents in the cemetery.
The cost of $10/person will be presented as a donation from Senior Scholars to Historic Elmwood Pinewood Inc. (HEPI), a nonprofit working to restore and promote the historic city owned cemeteries in Charlotte.
The walking tour will cover approximately 1- to 1-1/2 miles within the cemetery.
Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery

The Search for Life Beyond Earth with Rachel Smith
2024-05-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Search for Life Beyond Earth
SPEAKER: Rachel Smith, Head, Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab, Curator of Meteorites, Professor, Physics & Astronomy. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences/Appalachian State University.
Astronomer Dr. Rachel Smith will use new planetarium software called OpenSpace to journey from Earth to our neighboring planets, to far beyond the solar system.
Rachel will discuss some of Earth’s extreme environments and their connections to other worlds where scientists are searching for life. She will also discuss her current research on forming stars and protoplanetary systems across the Galaxy using NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility on Maunakea, Hawaii, with links to exoplanets and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
NOTE: This will be a Zoom presentation inside PUMC Wolfe Hall

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Rachel Smith is Head of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab and Curator of Meteorites at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. She is jointly appointed as Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University, and Adjunct Professor at UNC Chapel Hill.
Rachel’s research involves observing forming stars across the Galaxy to better understand the chemical pathways involved in the evolution of planets, and in the formation of carbon-based molecules needed for life.
Rachel has utilized several large observatories for her work, and is currently observing massive young stars with NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility on Maunakea in Hawaii.
She has had a long-time interest in the search for life beyond our planet, and how life began and evolved on Earth.

Curriculum Committee Meeting - May 8
2024-05-08 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

Overall Budget on Housing & Homelessness with Dimple Ajmera
2024-05-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Overall Budget on Housing & Homelessness
SPEAKER: Dimple Ajmera, Charlotte City Council At Large member
Council member Dimple Ajmera will address and share the overall budget regarding housing and homelessness.

BIOGRAPHY
Dimple Ajmera, City Council At Large, is proud to be living the American dream. With little means, her parents immigrated to the U.S. to provide their children with greater opportunities. Proving her tenacity, Ajmera graduated from Southern High School in Durham, graduated from the University of Southern California and later became a certified public accountant. After joining City Council, Ajmera left her six-figure career in order to devote her full attention to her City Council position and a mission she values – helping to make Charlotte a place where everyone has a chance to succeed and prosper, regardless of background or geography. As a mother, she is dedicated to ensuring that all children in Charlotte are given equal opportunity to succeed including access to healthcare and housing.
During her tenure on the City Council, Ajmera has been a fighter with a proven record. Ajmera’s platform includes, but is not limited to, Public Safety, Affordable Housing, a Healthy Environment, Women’s Equality, Economic Development and Infrastructure. She is widely known for chairing the Environment Committee and helping Charlotte become a global leader in sustainability with bipartisan support. The adoption of the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) is the city’s first-ever framework to transition to a low-carbon future. Within 24 hours of its passing, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited Charlotte to announce a $2.5 million grant from his foundation toward Charlotte’s efforts to fight climate change.
Ajmera also has a record of bold accomplishments on affordable housing. She played an integral role in securing the funding and neighborhood support for the St. John’s Place affordable housing development. She continues to work to expand access to affordable housing, increase local awareness and action on school safety, and bring traction and economic opportunities to the 69-acre Eastland site, an area left undeveloped for years. As a mother, she knows how important a child’s environment is for their future success and is committed to ensuring safety and security for each child. Ajmera lives with her husband, Dr. Vaibhav Bajaj, and her daughters, Charlotte and Arya.
Ajmera became the first Asian American and youngest woman to be elected to City Council with her historic victory in 2017. Ajmera received the 2018 Global Service Award by Rotary International, the 2019 Blue Sky Award for Public Policy Work by Clean Air Carolina, the Community Advocate Award by Café Mocha Radio, and one of Longleaf Politics’ 54 Top Young Political Stars in North Carolina. She has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Mecklenburg County by The Mecklenburg Times and named Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Most recently, she received the NAACP Excellence in Leadership Award.

American Democracy & The Rule of Law in Peril with Michael Luttig
2024-05-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: American Democracy & The Rule of Law in Peril
SPEAKER: Michael Luttig, former US Court of Appeals Judge
Michael Luttig, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals (ret.) for the Fourth Circuit, retired from the bench several years ago.
A well respected conservative jurist, he advised Vice President Mike Pence on and before January 6, 2021, as to the limitations on the role of the Vice President during the congressional session at which the slates of electors certified by the states were formally presented to Congress for counting at a joint session.
NOTE: This will be a Zoom presentation inside PUMC Wolfe Hall

"Capital L" Leadership: The Story of the Duke Mansion with Peter Blair
2024-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: “Capital L” leadership: The Story of the Duke Mansion and the role of civic leadership in a thriving community.
SPEAKER: Peter Blair, President/CEO, The Lynnwood Foundation, Duke Mansion and Lee Institute
Duke Mansion is a rare jewel nestled in the crown of the Queen City, a splendid setting for corporate and civic gatherings, milestone celebrations, and elegant overnight stays.
It’s also been the cornerstone of “Capital L leadership” that was essential in solidifying the health and vibrancy of our community. Hear the stories and learn the role of the Duke Mansion in our city’s history.

BIOGRAPHY
Peter Blair joined the Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute as President and CEO in April, 2022. He spent the previous seven years as the CEO of the Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center. In his role as chief executive, he led a nonprofit with a staff of 450+ and a membership of over 10,000 individuals representing the diversity of the Charlotte community. Previously, he served as chief operating officer of the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Peter Blair Linked In
Duke Mansion
Lee Institute

Spring Luncheon - May 30
2024-05-30 11:30 - 14:00 | Carmel Country Club, 4735 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28226, United States
SPRING LUNCHEON
Date: May 30, 2024
Time: 11:30 – 2:00 pm
Cost: $40/person
Place: Carmel Country Club, 4735 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
Speaker: Leesa Walker, Director of Instruction, Pickleball Charlotte
Topic: Pickleball, Olympics Bound?
Come join us for our Spring luncheon with an upcoming Summer Olympics theme. Take an Olympic selfie, trade Olympic fun facts and enjoy a group lunch before Senior Scholars adjourns for the summer.
What’s your favorite Olympic sport? How many medals will the USA win?
Lunch includes club sandwich, homemade chips, key lime pie or strawberry parfait dessert, tea or coffee. Gluten free available.
Sign up at the Welcome/donut desk at Friday meetings starting April 19 until May 24.
$40.00 check to SS or cash. Checks must be mailed by 5/24/24.
Mail checks to:
Senior Scholars at Queens
1900 Selwyn Ave
MSC 1409
Charlotte, NC 28274
For questions, text Eileen Griggs at (704) 661-4934.

Attracting International Companies to Charlotte with Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk
2024-05-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Attracting International Companies to Charlotte
SPEAKER: Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Charlotte
Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006.
Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and standing in the community through strategic community partnerships, quality programming and fundraising initiatives.

BIOGRAPHY
Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006. Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and standing in the community through strategic community partnerships, quality programming and fundraising initiatives. He is also credited for leading the Council to its best financial performance from 2008-2019 and promoting Charlotte as a hub for international business in the Carolinas in partnership with corporate and community organizations in the area.
Stambuk is well-traveled with extensive experience and knowledge in leading travel programs. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he spent his childhood in Burma and Holland with his diplomat family. His early career led him to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Council (WFC) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the UN Development Program (UNDP) which included extensive travel around the world. Stambuk has been to over 72 countries, most recently: Peru, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Dominican Republic, Martinique (France), and St. Lucia. He has had the fortune to travel all over Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America and Africa.
As part of his long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City, the Council regularly engages the greater Charlotte community through dialogue on world affairs by recruiting speakers of exceptional caliber to this region to discuss foreign policy, international business and politics and Charlotte’s role in an increasingly global world as part of Stambuk’s long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City.
Stambuk has 25+ years of senior leadership and management experience in operations management, business development, marketing and human resources and strategic planning in various multinational corporations around the world including Applied Semiconductor Inc. (Chief Operating Officer), Ahold USA (Senior Vice-President, Corporate) and Centrocoop (Executive Vice President & Division President).
As a local expert on international relations and economics, he has frequently been mentioned and appeared in panel discussions hosted by Charlotte Talks (WFAE), Charlotte Business Review (WTVI), The Charlotte Observer, The Charlotte Business Journal, and area trade and international organizations.
In November 2021, Stambuk was recognized as the 2021 WACA Chairman’s Individual Award by the World Affairs Councils of America for his exemplary leadership and dedication to fostering international understanding and connections beyond borders. As a top global education non-profit leader in the greater Charlotte region, this award highlighted L.J.’s visionary influence and advocacy in the field of international relations and thoughtful tenacity in a time of significant crisis in our country and the world
He was also recognized with the 2017 International Leader Award by the Charlotte Business Journal, and was also recognized by the Charlotte International Rotary with the 2018 Global Service Award for his role in promoting a broader understanding of world affairs to ensure that Charlotte, North Carolina, continues to grow as a competitive global city in the Southeast.
Under Stambuk’s leadership, the Council was recognized as the 2017 Richard Vinroot Award recipient at the Mayor’s International Community Awards ceremony on May 11th. This award recognized the Council’s contributions to the international community through its international education programs and initiatives.
Stambuk has served on the board of the World Affairs Council of America (WACA) in Washington D.C. (2013-2019) and the advisory boards of the United States Global Leadership Coalition, North Carolina (USGLC) and the Charlotte Economics Club (CEC). He has also served on the board of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
He received his undergraduate degree in International Economics and Business from the University of Belgrade, where he graduated in the top one percent of his class. In addition, he has a Master’s degree in Business and Organizational Development from Cornell University.
Stambuk currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina along with his wife, Natasha and their two young sons.
He was promoted to President in 2009 and CEO in 2011.

Curriculum Committee Meeting - September 11
2024-09-11 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

Medical Myths - What You Don't Know Just Might Kill You with Dr. Kevin Soden
2024-09-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Medical Myths – What You Don’t Know Just Might Kill You
SPEAKER: Kevin J. Soden, MD MPH
In this fun interactive lecture, you will explore some of the truths and falsehoods of various medical myths. Some of which your parents, teachers and friends taught you.
You will test your knowledge on a variety of common medical topics and if you’re not careful, what you don’t know, just might kill you. Are you up to the challenge?
Since this is our kick-off meeting for the season, support your favorite sports team and wear their colors!
NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required, just show up. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Kevin Soden is an international award-winning medical journalist who has received numerous awards for his television work including Emmy’s, Telly’s, a Freddie, and has twice been given the National Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting from the National Association of Medical Communicators. He has worked at CBS, NBC News Channel and on NBC’s Today Show.
He was an emergency room doctor for 23 years and now serves as the worldwide Chief Medical Officer for Texas Instruments and the Cardinal Health corporation. He is also a courtesy Professor at the Univ. of Florida College of Medicine.
Kevin published The Art of Medicine: What Every Doctor and Patient Should Know…a critically acclaimed book focusing on improving doctor-patient communications. He is also the primary author of a consumer medical book Special Treatment: How to Get the High-Quality Care Your Doctor Gets. Kevin speaks frequently to both medical organizations as well as business groups on a wide variety of general health topics, including laughter, aging, sex and stress.
Soden graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Medicine and is one of the original inductees into the UF Medical Wall of Fame. He also has a Masters in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and a Masters in Personnel Administration from Florida State University. He graduated from Belmont Abbey College with a degree in history (Yes, you can get a job with a history degree.)

Housing & Homelessness with Dimple Ajmera at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
2024-09-17 10:30 - 11:00 | Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28216, United States
TOPIC: Housing & Homelessness
A Joint Presentation of Senior Scholars & Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
Join us at the beautiful Friendship Missionary Conference Center for a cup of coffee, new friends, and some enlightening conversation.
Event will be at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Conference Center. See the awe-inspiring 2,500 seat sanctuary, one of the most beautiful in the country.

New Member Orientation - September 20
2024-09-20 09:00 - 09:45 | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211
All members old and new are invited to attend our New Member Orientation meeting in person.
Learn more about the organization including how to meet people, join events and how you can help the organization – the best way to meet new people!
In person meeting is in Room 106 in PUMC.
Click the RSVP button for an email to tell us you’re coming!

Who's Afraid of Opera with James Meena
2024-09-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Who’s Afraid of Opera
SPEAKER: James Meena, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor
Mr. Meena will provide an overview of the opera art form and Opera Carolina’s 75-year history of service to Greater Charlotte.
A guest performance may be provided.

BIOGRAPHY
Entering his 25th season with Opera Carolina, Mo. James Meena’s tenure with Charlotte’s 75-year old opera company has been characterized by an unswerving commitment to artistic excellence.
During his tenure, the company has presented eight regional premieres and seven new American operas, including Cold Sassy Tree and Susannah by Carlisle Floyd, Margaret Garner by Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison, Rise for Freedom by Adolphus Hailstork, the new musical drama I Dream by Douglas Tappin about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the House Music Opera House of Orfeus by Nmon Ford and The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson starring international superstar Denyce Graves. Under his direction, Opera Carolina performances of Margaret Garner, Faust and Il Trovatore were broadcast over NPR World of Opera, nationally syndicated to 92 stations.
He is regarded as one of America’s finest opera conductors, and has performed as guest conductor with orchestras and opera companies across the globe Turandot in the Teatro Antiche Taormina and Teatro Greco Siracusa, Tosca at the Luglio Festivale Trapani in Sicilia, a double-bill of Rachmaninoff’s rarely-performed Aleko paired with Pagliacci as well as La fanciulla del West, both with New York City Opera; Le nozze di Figaro for Teatro Sociale Rovigo Italy, La Fanciulla del West for five prestigious Italian theaters: Teatro del Giglio, Lucca Italy, Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro Alighieri di Ravenna, Teatro Pavarotti di Modena and Teatro Goldoni di Livorno, a Gala concert with Renee Fleming and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, La bohème with the prestigious Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, Le nozze di Figaro, La traviata, Pagliacci, Madama Butterfly and La bohème with Opéra de Montréal.
Links:
Opera Carolina
James Meena

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

Music Therapy: The science, the singing and everything in between with Meg Johnson
2024-09-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Music Therapy: The science, the singing and everything in between.
SPEAKER: Meg Johnson, Music Therapy Program Director and Clinical Coordinator, Queens University
The presentation will provide an overview of the field of music therapy: the academic foundations, the education of students and therapists, the places we work and how we do what we do.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

BIOGRAPHY
Meg Stanley Johnson has extensive clinical experience with a variety of client populations including child, adolescent and adult psychiatric settings, memory care groups, and children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities in both individual and group settings. Her current clinical focus is with young adults with autism who have limited verbal skills and a history of aggression.
She is the music therapy program director and clinical coordinator at Queens in addition to teaching in the music therapy and general education programs.
Education
M.M., Neurologic Music Therapy, Colorado State University
B.M., Music Therapy, Queens College, Charlotte, NC
B.A., Psychology, Queens College, Charlotte, NC
Bi www.musictherapy.org
www.ncmusictherapy.org
www.cbmt.org

Fall Expo - Part 1
2024-10-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
2nd Annual Fall Expo!
Exhibitors and information for seniors on medical plans, hobby groups and clubs, volunteer opportunities and much more!
October 4, 2024
9-10 am before speaker event
Exhibitors include:

League of Women Voters
Association of University Women

Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History with Mark Larson
2024-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History
SPEAKER: Mark Larson
Inspired by Studs Terkel’s 1974 classic, “Working”, Mark Larson, author of “Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater”, will discuss his new book, “Working in the 21st Century” released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Terkel’s book. Sharing video clips from his interviews, Larson will explore the similarities between Studs’s times and our own through the impact on the work lives of his 101 interviewees. Larson, who knew Studs and was interviewed by him twice, will also discuss Terkel’s influence on him.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

BIOGRAPHY
Mark Larson is the author of “Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater” for which he conducted over 300 interviews with Chicago theater artists, past and present. His new book, “Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History of American Work in a Time of Social and Economic Transformation”, was released in 2024 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Studs Terkel’s “Working”. In March, Larson’s book was named one of the best books of the year, so far, by Esquire magazine. He is currently working on a series of interviews with the iconic Broadway composer, John Kander (“Cabaret”, Chicago”, “New York, New York” and 16 others) for a book titled “The Best We Can: Conversations with John Kander”.
Bi website: marklarsonauthor.com
Books:
Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History of American Work in a Time of Social and Economic Transformation
Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater

Curriculum Committee Meeting - October 9
2024-10-09 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

Fall Expo - Part 2
2024-10-11 09:00 - 10:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
2nd Annual Fall Expo!
Loads of exhibitors and information for seniors on medical plans, hobby groups and clubs, volunteer opportunities and much more!
October 11, 2024
9-10 am before speaker event
Exhibitors include:

Writers Club
Quilters Club
Kristan Smith
Nancy Stancil
Theatre Charlotte
Shepherd’s Center
Charlotte-Meck Library
Carolina Living Benefits
Ronald McDonald House
The Barclay at Southpark
CMS HeartMath Tutoring
Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation
NC SHIIP (State Seniors Health Insurance Information Program)

The Amazing Gift of Language with Steve Clark
2024-10-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Amazing Gift of Language
SPEAKER: Steve Clark, Professor Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute
What is language? This presentation will provide an overview of something we rarely consider because it is so automatic: language, the ability to express to others anything we can think of. After looking at what actually happens when we speak, we will summarize eight facts about language, such as its diversity, its productivity, how we learn it, etc. A variety of illustrations and demonstrations will be used to add interest. The goal is to encourage a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, this uniquely human gift.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

BIOGRAPHY
Steve retired in 2019 after serving as professor of linguistics at a college in Chicago for 23 years. Prior to that, he and his family lived for 11 years in a remote area of Papua New Guinea, where he analyzed and became fluent in the Sio language, which is spoken by fewer than 3,000 people and had never been studied before.
He did a linguistic analysis of the language, created an orthography, collected oral texts, developed a literacy program, and translated portions of the Bible into the language. He holds graduate degrees in linguistics (University of North Dakota) and education (University of Kansas).
He currently lives in Indian Land, SC, and keeps busy teaching English to recently arrived immigrants, and officiating track and field meets at colleges and universities across the Carolinas.

New Member Orientation - October 18
2024-10-18 09:00 - 09:45 | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211

Lighting a Pathway for Young Artists with Corey Mitchell
2024-10-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Lighting a Pathway for Young Artists
SPEAKER: Corey Mitchell, Founder of Theater Gap Initiative
Mitchell will talk about his journey as an arts educator spreading the message of excellence and helping to create a pathway for young artists to have a career and change their trajectory.
The Theatre Gap Initiative (TGI), founded by longtime Charlotte educator Corey Mitchell, is a nonprofit college-prep program for high school grads who aspire to apply for Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and conservatory programs. TGI’s programming is focused on helping students of color successfully navigate the process of applications, prescreens and auditions.
It was founded on the principle that equity means more than the distribution of wealth. It is access to systems that people of color have been historically excluded from. By collaborating with local, collegiate, and national Arts Institutions, TGI wants to help to dismantle those systems.
Theater Gap Initiative
BIOGRAPHY
Tony Award winner Corey Mitchell is the inaugural recipient for Excellence in Theatre Education. He was selected as a top 50 Finalist for 2017 Global Teacher Prize and was named North Carolina Outstanding Theatre Arts Educator by the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Most recently, he was selected as the first recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the Educational Theatre Association and the ASCAP, and also received The Cato Lifetime Achievement in Teaching Award from the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte. Corey has twenty-five years’ experience in the classroom, including twenty years as Theatre Arts Educator at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC.
Corey is active as a director, actor, keynote speaker, educational consultant, and workshop presenter in Charlotte and throughout the country. He advocates for arts education through his work on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Theatre Conference and Brava Theatre Company, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation for the Carolinas. Corey’s past and present students are performing, writing, and composing for community, university, and regional theatre, as well as theme parks, independent and studio films, the West End, national tours, and Broadway musical-theatre productions.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

Lunch Bunch - October 18
2024-10-18 12:00 - 14:00 | NC
We have booked Calle Sol restaurant for Friday, October 18, 11:45 a.m.
Limited space available!
If you register and find you can’t attend, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member.
Calle Sol
3100 Apex Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211

Field Trip: Sullenberger Aviation Museum
2024-10-22 10:00 - 13:00 | NC
DATE: October 22, 2024; Time: 10 am – 1 pm
COST: $17 Buy Tickets Here
ADDRESS: 4108 Minuteman Way, Charlotte, NC 28208
CARPOOLING: Carpooling will be available in the parking lot of the Queens Sports Complex on Tyvola Road. Please park near the lion statue.
At Sullenberger Aviation Museum, we strive to leverage the wonder of flight to inspire, educate, and elevate future generations to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Our vision is to positively impact economic mobility, provide compelling experiences for all visitors, strengthen Charlotte as a destination, promote community participation, and drive economic development near our home on Charlotte’s West Side.
SAM aspires to make aviation come alive, so visitors of all ages can experience the wonder of flight. Leveraging an extensive collection of aviation artifacts and stories, visitors deepen their understanding of the diverse people, innovations, and opportunities in aviation. Our programs offer immersive, interactive learning experiences that will have you inspired by the world of aviation and aerospace.
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
