Shoreline Institute of Life Long Learning
The following is a sampling of the kinds of classes offered through the SILL program. Course offerings and instructors change regularly so please check back often to download an updated and complete SILL Catalog.
HIDDEN TREASURES ON CONNECTICUT’S HIKING TRAILS
More than trees can be found in Connecticut’s woodlands. Sometimes even the rocks hold clues that reveal our Colonial past and its connection to deeper roots. This class is a virtual tour of some of the unique features that hikers will discover along Connecticut’s 825-mile Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. After a break for lunch, there will be a one mile walk on the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary trail.
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Presenter: Ann Colson is the Editor and Project Manager for the Connecticut Walk Book. She was formerly the Trail Conservation Coordinator and GIS Specialist for the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA). An avid hiker and environmental advocate, Ann serves on the Clinton Land Conservation Trust.
RETURN OF THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE
The American Chestnut tree was one of the most majestic, plentiful and commercially important trees in eastern United States until succumbing to a lethal fungus blight during the first half of the 20th century. This program will be a presentation on the story of the American Chestnut tree, break for lunch, and a field trip to a chestnut orchard started in Guilford in support of the American Chestnut Foundation’s effort to develop a blight resistant tree. Recommended browsing prior to class: American Chestnut Foundation website www.acf.org; Mighty Giants, An Anthology of the American Chestnut.
Presenter: Jennifer Allcock is a Landscape Designer, member of Guilford’s Conservation Commission, and Manager of the Chestnut Orchard in Nut Plains Park. She co-authored the town’s first Natural Resource Inventory. Other projects include implementation of Timberlands Forest Management Plan and Phragmites Control.
POETRY UNTAMED
This class is a facilitated writing workshop in creative self- expression through poetry. Participants each week will have the opportunity to share recent work with the entire group for audience response, suggestions for changes and overall impressions. Discussions may include the poet’s writing process, performance, scansion for metrical verse and multiple drafts. There is no required reading but a recommended book for reference is Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse by Mary Oliver (ISBN: 0-395-85086-X)
Local poetry events to enjoy:
Featured poets and open mic sponsored by Guilford Poets Guild at The Greene Art Gallery, 29 Whitfield St., Guilford second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm (except Jan/Feb)
Time Out for Poetry readings at Scranton Library, Madison third Thursday of the month at 12:30 pm
Word of Mouth poetry readings and open mic at the Young Men’s Institute Library at 847 Chapel St., New Haven third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm
Open mic poetry readings at RJ Julia’s Booksellers, Madison usually the third Friday of the month at 7:00 pm
Presenter: Francis E. Crowley is Professor of Humanities Emeritus at Gateway Community College. He earned a B.A. from Fairfield University, M.A. from Trinity College and Ph.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo. In 2008 he conducted research at the Poetry Center at the University of Arizona. His many community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Haitian Health Foundation since 1986. Francis is the author of Time, Place and Person and the editor of Stories from the Other Side.
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COUNTERFEIT AMATEURS: AN ATHLETES JOURNEY THROUGH THE SIXTIES TO THE AGE OF ACADEMIC CAPITALISM
This presentation will look at the past four decades of college sports from the vantage point of the presenter’s experiences as a former Notre Dame football player, sports activist, and college professor. Emphasis will be on the evolution of college sports into a multi-billion dollar industry and the consequences for higher education.
Presenter: Allen Sack is Director of the Institute for Sport Management at the University of New Haven. He earned his B.A. in sociology from the University of Notre Dame where he played on Ara Parseghian’s 1966 National Championship football team. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. Allen earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Penn State in 1974 and later served as the Director of the federally-funded Center for Athletes Rights and Education, an organization co-sponsored by the National Football League Players Association and the National Conference of Black Lawyers. His most recent book is Counterfeit Amateurs: An Athlete’s Journey through the Sixties to the Age of Academic Capitalism.
THE GREAT ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS: JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM
Our three presenters will explore such issues or questions as: What would you most like to tell a diverse audience about your religious tradition? What are the most pressing inter-faith issues today? What is your tradition’s message about war and peacemaking, prayer, miracle stories, life after death, sexual roles, the environment? How do you believe God works in the world? Of course, there is considerable variety within a religion on these and other issues.
First Session: One Jew’s Way of Thinking about God, the World, and Humanity
Presenter: James Ponet serves as the Jewish Chaplain at Yale University and the head of the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale. He is a graduate of Yale College and Hebrew Union College where he was ordained to the Rabbinate. From 1973-1981 he lived in Israel where he pursued doctoral studies in Medieval Jewish Philosophy at Hebrew University, taught at Shalom Harman Institute, and served in the artillery of the Israel Defense Forces.
Second Session: Islam and the World: Present Situation, Future Directions
Presenter: Omer Bajwa is the Coordinator of Muslim life at Yale University. He was born in Pakistan and grew up in Binghamton, New York. After majoring in English Literature, he received a Masters in Communication and Near Eastern Studies from Cornell University where he felt called to the ministry. He is currently completing his graduate certificate in Islam Chaplaincy at Harford Seminary.
Third Session: Christianity: The God Who Came Among Us Presenter: James Ehrman is the Executive Director of the World Christianity Initiative at Yale University. This initiative is dedicated to exploring the world’s Christian movements and their encounter with the various religious and social landscapes in which they are found. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Jim also serves as adjunct faculty at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Myerstown, PA.
EXPLORING THE CELTIC SPIRIT
This class will explore the background of the Celtic people, their spirit, their contribution to civilization, and the characteristics of their spirituality that make them relevant to our lives today. The course will be interactive and will include a Power Point presentation.
Presenter: Mary Daly RSM, Ph.D. Mary Daly, a Sister of Mercy for over fifty-five years, resides at Mercy Center, a place for retreat and renewal in Madison, Connecticut. An artist and theologian, she is experienced in spiritual direction and retreat work. At the Center, she occasionally offers programs on creativity and on the spiritual life. Mary’s background includes teaching on the elementary level, on the undergraduate and graduate college level as well as serving in leadership positions for the Sisters of Mercy. Mary holds a doctoral degree in Religious Studies from Marquette University.
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH
This class is an informational lecture on the different sources and uses of stem cells in medical research. The course objective is to allow participants to understand the science of stem cell research so that they may develop an informed opinion.
Presenter: E. Scott Swenson, M.D., Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. He is investigating the role of stem and progenitor cells in the liver during normal development and in response to liver injury.
SMALLPOX IN COLONIAL GUILFORD
Our forefathers may have faced formidable foes such as bears and wolves, the British and the Indians, drought and famine, but no foe was deadlier than smallpox. This communicable disease was the scourge of the colonies. During epidemic years, such as 1759 and 1795, Connecticut legislative acts allowed local selectman to order persons suspected of being infected with smallpox held in strict quarantine. A lodging place for this purpose, otherwise known as a Pest House, was built by the town at an early date. The selectmen were also empowered to have persons inoculated with the real human smallpox virus, which became a raging controversy throughout the colonies. When the miracle smallpox vaccine was introduced at the beginning of the 19th century, a dark period in Guilford’s history had passed.
This talk will cover many absorbing details about the management of epidemic smallpox in 18th century Guilford, which has an ironic relationship to homeland security preparation in the 21st century on the same subject.
Presenter: Joel Helander is Guilford Town Historian and has published various papers and books about his hometown, including Leete's Island Legacy and The Island Called Faulkner's. His most recently published book is A Treasury of Guilford Places. Joel is a lineal descendant of many of the town's founders and earliest settlers. Since 1995, he has served as Judge for the District of Guilford of the Connecticut Probate Court System.
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THE CIVIL WAR: FIRST OF THE MODERN WARS
Wednesday: 10/21 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Guilford Community Center Program Number: 48248 Maximum: 60
Historians consider The American Civil War to be the first modern war. The technological advancements of the steam age and the industrial revolution called for sweeping changes in the logistics and tactics of the civil war battlefield. It was the first war with widespread use of mechanized and electrified devices like railroad trains, telegraph, photography, torpedoes, mines, ironclad ships and rifles. Firearms changed the tactics of infantrymen and cavalry forever. The strategies employed by the the Northern generals and their subordinates transformed the civil war theaters into truly modern war fronts.
Presenter: Charles Fischer has been a popular guest lecturer for SILL and other civic groups. A veteran of 36 years teaching at Daniel Hand High School, he received an AB in History from Bates College, was a UCONN COE fellow, pursued American Studies at Yale University and received a CAS in history from Wesleyan University.
THE FANTASTICKS REVEALED
Explore the magic behind The Fantasticks! Prior to attending Long Wharf Theatre's innovative revival, students will attend a workshop centered on the history of this deceptively innocent and simple production. Group discussion and exploration of the themes, characters, music and language will take place as we investigate the staying power behind the world’s longest running musical. Students will then attend a matinee performance and see the twist Long Wharf Theatre spins on this classic. The following Monday, the class will have a unique opportunity to engage in conversation with Long Wharf Theatre staff exploring the commonalities and differences between the approaches to the themes in the production they saw performed and the intent of the original production.
Presenter: Annie DiMartino is a working actress as well as the Director of Education at Long Wharf Theatre where she is in charge of all educational programming and oversees the Next Stage Resident/Intern Program. Annie received her Masters of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton. She has performed many roles in and around Los Angeles and Orange County as well as toured nationally. Roles have included: Hanna Jarvis (Arcadia), Frida Kahlo Rivera (Rocky and Diego). Agnes (A Bright Room Called Day), Dorothy Wordsworth (Gasmere). As a private acting instructor, she has students who have landed roles on Broadway as well as in film and television.
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AGING AND THE MARVELOUS HUMAN BRAIN
First Session: Memory Loss: When it Matters and When It Doesn’t
How many times have you forgotten where you put your car keys or for that matter where you parked the car? How many times have you searched for the right word or name and failed to find it as quickly as you once did? This class will help you to identify when it may be necessary to delve further into the significance of such events and when you may be able to reassure yourself and stop needless worrying.
Presenter: Gerard Kerins, M.D is the section chief of geriatrics at the Hospital of St. Raphael. He holds faculty positions at both Yale University School of Medicine and UConn School of Medicine. His clinical areas of interest and research include Alzheimer’s care and the care of older adults with developmental disabilities.
Second Session: Abstract Thinking: An Innovative Way to Boost Your Memory
This class is an interactive lecture where the parts of the brain will be simply reviewed and information will be presented on how every day activities can be enhanced to keep the mind alert. Various parts of the brain will be targeted in a fun and creative way to improve abstract thinking. Participants will be provided with a booklet of handouts that outline logic, sequencing, retrieval, perception and reasoning. As a group, participants will be given the opportunity to use reminiscing skills and memory enhancing exercises and have a few laughs in the process!
Presenter: Emily Lauder is Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Seabury Meadows in Bloomfield. She has been specializing in memory care and therapeutic applications in the health care industry for eight years. Emily holds an advanced certificate in Long Term Care Management and Recreation Therapy as well as a B.S. in Recreation Therapy and Health Care Administration. She was a board selected speaker for the CT Alzheimer Association’s Educational Conference, speaking on Abstract Thinking and Reminiscence.
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE & MARK TWAIN EFFECTING SOCIAL CHANGE
Famous Hartford neighbors were two of the most dynamic voices of 19th century America. Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) published Uncle Tom's Cabin, which helped galvanize the abolitionist cause and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. In addition to novels, poetry and essays, Stowe wrote non-fiction books on a wide range of subjects including homemaking, the raising of children, and religion. Samuel Langhorne Clemens [Mark Twain] (1835-1910) published more than 30 books, hundreds of short stories and essays and gave lecture tours around the world. Twain became known as the quintessential American author critiquing social morals, politics and human nature with humor and satire.
In addition to guided tours of both homes, there will be a presentation Stowe and Twain Effecting Social Change: The Legacy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin & Huckleberry Finn addressing the historical context of these two authors’ most celebrated and controversial books.
Presenters: Sonya Green is the Program Coordinator in the Education Department at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. She is a graduate of Trinity College and has worked in fields of ministry and in both public and independent schools.
Craig Hotchkiss is the Education Program Manager at the Mark Twain House & Museum. He taught history at South Windsor High School (CT) for 33 years. He holds a BA in American History from Bates College and masters degrees from University of Connecticut and Trinity College.
Transportation & Lunch: Van will depart from Guilford Community Center at 9:30 AM and return at approximately 5:00 PM. A box lunch will be provided in the Mark Twain Cafe.
Cost $25.00 includes transportation, entrance fees, and lunch.
SCULPTURE—EXPLORE THE CREATIVITY WITHIN YOU
Learn something about sculpture techniques and style and then have fun while creating your own sculpture or relief in clay. Enjoy the process and who knows: You might develop an interesting hobby or learn things about yourself that you did not know!
Presenter: Robert Trupin has been sculpting for 20 years. He was the student of world famous sculptor Stanley Bleifeld and master teacher Peter Rubino. He has been teaching for ten years at various places including Summer programs at Yale, Brown, and Wellesley and on the Shoreline. Bob’s sculpture of Bill Russell has been displayed at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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