Course Schedules

All programs will be available via Zoom. For classes listed as hybrid, the presenter will be in person in room 106 University Suites (map of University Suites) (pdf) and the class will also be on Zoom. For classes labeled Zoom only, the presenter will also be remote. Please check your email for the weekly LIRA announcements for any changes or additions.

Presenters and coordinators with an * denote a LIRA member.

LIRA 2024 Fall Semester Course Descriptions

Monday

Killers of The Flower Moon

Mondays September 16, 23, and 30: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Distinguished UMass Lowell Professor Bob Forrant

We are going to read and discuss the book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. Published in 2017 by journalist David Grann, The New York Times book review referred to the book as “A twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history.” The Boston Globe called it “A masterful work of literary journalism crafted with the urgency of a mystery.”

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, thanks to oil discovered on their land. With the destruction of Tulsa’s ‘Black Wall Street’ just past, shortly after the oil finds, the Osage began being killed off. Even those individuals investigating the killings were murdered. As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI tried to unravel the mystery. What happened? Why do we know so little about this history?

Why is it that the destruction of Tulsa’s Black community and the murders of the Osage rarely appear in our history books?

We will meet on Monday mornings Sept. 16, 23, and 30. Reading questions will be provided to everyone a week to ten days before each session. Published by Doubleday, the book is approximately 350 pages. Be prepared to read and discuss roughly 125 pages for each session. Or, read it all on quiet afternoons this summer and then you only need to review your reading in September!

Coordinator: Susan Lemire*

Make Art at ALL!

Monday September 16 1-3 p.m.(trip)

The Arts League of Lowell gallery is a small art gallery in the heart of downtown Lowell. Located in the Gates Block (formerly the Merrimack Rug store), the ALL gallery will give us a tour of the gallery with one of the exhibiting artists, and then we will make a small piece of art to take home. The show that will be up in the central gallery will be a drawing show, featuring works on paper, as part of a traveling exhibit.

All materials and instruction will be provided. A city parking lot and parking meters are available locally. Limit 12.

Coordinator: Lisa Hertel*

Future Energy

Mondays September 30 and October 7: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Wednesday October 16 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenters: Dale Levandier and David Butz, Eco-nuclear Solutions

Nuclear energy is an ecological, safe, cost-effective, grid-ready solution to eliminate carbon emissions and provide for increasing global energy needs.

It’s clear that we must dramatically reduce our use of fossil fuels to address the Climate Crisis. After studying the options available, we’ve found that wind and solar cannot meet our energy needs alone, even with backup from hydro-electric and/or batteries.

Dale and David will go beyond the myths and unfounded fears about modern nuclear power; they will discuss the limitations of wind and solar power. With a deeper understanding of the facts, we are all in a better place to deal with the environmental crisis we must face together.

We have come to realize that nuclear energy is an essential component of any realistic solution. We are here as a website and a group of activists to share what we have learned.

Coordinator: Peter Sebelius*

Toni Morrison’s Paradise (1997)

Mondays October 21 and 28, November 4: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Anthony Szczesiul UML Professor of English

“They shoot the white girl first. With the rest they can take their time.” These are the provocative opening lines of Paradise (1997), Toni Morrison’s seventh novel and the first novel she published following her being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Paradise is perhaps Morrison’s most ambitious, complex, and difficult narrative. Like the other two installments of the “Beloved trilogy” (Beloved, 1987; Jazz, 1992), the origins of Paradise lie in little-known episodes of African American history: the largely forgotten histories of the more than 50 all-Black towns that were founded in Oklahoma between 1865 and 1920. The earliest of these towns were founded by freedmen, some of whom had been enslaved by the Five Tribes of Native Americans residing in Oklahoma Territory, and others by those who migrated from the South post-slavery. Tracing the history of the fictional town of Ruby, Oklahoma from the 1890s to 1976, Paradise asks profound questions about race, history, gender, and power, but the central thematic focus of the novel is on community: what are the dynamics of a community that purposely sets itself apart as a potential utopia, a hoped-for “paradise” on earth? How do shared histories and experiences bind us together? How can such a community create meaning for us, and how can it compromise our choices and agency? What is the relationship between community members and those who exist outside, as strangers or aliens?

Coordinator: Susan Lemire*

The Music and the Times of The Beatles

Monday October 21: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenter: William Moylan

The Beatles’ music, now 60 years on, has been loved by generations. While their resounding impact on the music remains strong, they were situated in the culture of the 1960s and influenced the development of music recording processes, and public thought and opinion—often subtly and sometimes profoundly. Through listening and short discussions of selected songs, we will explore the music of the Beatles, how it was entwined with the time and projected into the future, and touch on the lives of the individual band members when those songs were written and recorded. Bring your questions and memories.

Coordinator: Bev Rudeen*

Exploration of America Before Columbus

Monday October 28: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenter: David Brody

Numerous artifacts and sites around New England offer evidence of exploration of North America before Columbus. Specifically, the artifacts seem to confirm the legend of a group of Scottish explorers, with ties to the outlawed Knights Templar, island-hopping their way across the North Atlantic in the late 1300s. Who were they, and why did they come? Well, that’s where the fun begins.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

Nashobah Praying Indians

Monday November 4: 1–3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenters: Dan Boudillion, Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine

We live and walk on sacred ground. Littleton, with parts of Acton and Boxborough, was originally the 1654 Praying Indian Village of Nashobah, a place of spirit and vision. Join Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians and local historian Daniel V. Boudillion as they present and discuss the Nashobah people, their spirit, their journey of suffering and survival, the village, and the sacred landscape that is all around us.

It has been more than 280 years since Wunnuhhew (Sarah Doublet), the last of the Nashobah Praying Indians that lived in Nashobah, passed away, and the Plantation was lost. Please welcome Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine as he tells her story and the story of all the Nashobah Praying Indians, walking his native land with us and sharing his culture.

Coordinator: Peter Sebelius*

Tuesday

UML Water Testing Program

Tuesday September 17: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Conor Sullivan, PhD.

The mighty Merrimack River, a major source of Greater Lowell’s drinking water, historically has been one of the most polluted waterways in the nation, even as it quenches the daily thirst of nearly 600,000 people.

Continuing to improve the region’s water quality and safety is a goal of municipal water authorities, and an innovative device being developed at UMass Lowell will enlist citizen-scientists to help in that effort.

Professor Pradeep Kurup’s lab is developing a handheld device, called an “electronic tongue,” that will test tap water for heavy metals, toxins, pesticides and other elements. The goal, said Kurup, is to put the power of tracking drinking water contaminants into the hands of the people in the community.

“We believe that frequent community engagement in water quality, and taking appropriate action, will have a profound effect in protecting public health,” Kurup said. “Through a community-engaged, citizen-science approach, we will sample and test water from social-economic diverse communities of Lowell, Lawrence, Dracut and Andover.”

The program seeks volunteers who want to collect water samples from their homes. The researchers are hosting a tap-water testing workshop for LIRA members. After a sample is collected and analyzed, the researchers send a report to the person who collected the sample.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

African Community Center

Tuesday September 24: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Gordon Halm

The African Community Center of Lowell (ACCL) was founded in August 2016. On October 29th of the same year, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate its founding.

From working at the then African Assistance Center of Lowell and the International Institute of New England (IINE Lowell), Founder and Executive Director Gordon Donkoh-Halm, an immigrant himself, knows first-hand the significant hardships involved in trying to adapt in a different environment. There is the language barrier and a general loss as to where to go for basic services and ethnic foods, as well as not knowing where to go to offer one’s services to the new community.

In April 2021, ACCL became its own 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization! This was very exciting as they branched out on their own to grow and meet the challenges and opportunities of the days.

With continued support from the community, and individuals like you, ACCL hopes to fulfill its vision of helping new immigrants and refugees settle and be responsible community members, successful leaders and role models for future generations.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Tuesdays October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and November 5: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Quantum mechanics has a reputation for being so complex that the word “quantum” has become a popular label for anything mystical or unfathomable. In fact, quantum mechanics is one of the most successful theories of reality yet discovered, explaining everything from the stability of atoms to the glow of neon lights, from the flow of electricity in metals to the workings of the human eye.

At the same time, quantum mechanics does have a mysterious side. Particles that are in multiple places at once. Entangled particles that mirror each other even at great distances apart. Even the possibility of multiple parallel universes.

Join noted physicist Sean Carrol in the video course to learn all about how Quantum Mechanics powers modern technology and makes us wonder how it could possibly behave the way it does.

Facilitator: Bob Hanlon*

History of Creative Photography

Tuesdays October 8 and 15: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Peter Clark*

With lots of images, from 1827 to the present, we’ll discuss the progression of photography as a craft and a medium of artistic expression. There will be short digressions into the technology, but we will concentrate on pictures and photographers, pausing to see larger selections of the work of the most important people like Atget, Stieglitz, Weston, Adams, Lange, Cartier-Bresson, Arbus and others, to get a better feel for their work. There will be a few old cameras and books to look at, too.

Coordinator: Bev Rudeen*

Portraits Along The Way: 1976-2024

Tuesday October 22: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Paul Marion

LIRA is hosting a book-signing for Paul Marion's new book, Portraits Along the Way: 1976-2024, a collection of 50 profiles of memorable people Paul has encountered in person, on stage, in books, and otherwise. Readers will recognize Maya Angelou, Bob Dylan, Tony Conigliaro, Stephen King, and Leymah Gbowee. Readers will also meet other remarkable men and women, not household names. From heroes and victims to change makers and artists, the full social spectrum is represented.

Coordinator: Suzanne Gamache*

Newhouse Wildlife Rescue

Tuesday November 5: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Newhouse Wildlife Rescue will come to tell us about their important organization. This is a statement from their website, “Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is a rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned wildlife in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care to local wildlife from our surrounding area. Our organization also educates the public on how to co-exist with the wild animals in our community. It is our goal to share the stories of the animals we have cared for to raise awareness and inspire kindness in others.”

Coordinator: Bev Rudeen*

Wednesday

Harvard University Museum of Natural History: Glass Flowers Exhibit

Wednesday September 18: 12:45– 2 p.m. (trip)

NOTE: Nonstandard time.

One of Harvard University’s most famous treasures is the internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, better known as the “Glass Flowers." This unique collection was made by Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939), a father and son team of Czech glass artists. Over fifty years, from 1886 through 1936, the Blaschkas produced 4,300 glass models that represent 780 plant species.

The Glass Flowers gallery underwent a historic renovation in 2016, introducing rebuilt, original historic wood and glass display cases, new state-of-the-art lighting, and sophisticated conservation systems. The newly configured gallery space and scientific interpretation showcases the ongoing scientific relevance of the collection and enriches the visitors’ experience of the models.

This trip is limited to 15 people. Assuming at least 10 people sign up, the admission cost per person will be $20. (There will be an additional cost for parking, but that can be worked out by drivers on the day of the trip.) There will be a docent-led tour of the Glass Flowers lasting about one hour. Admission also includes free access to the entire Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. We will solicit carpool drivers and meet at Hannaford parking lot for departure at 11:30 AM. We hope to leave the museum about 3:00, to reduce the amount of time spent in rush hour traffic, but any individual carpool group can decide to stay longer if all agree.

Please send an email to alan-friedman@comcast.net to reserve your spots. It is important to know in advance how many attendees we have, as I don’t want to make the large minimum deposit, only to find out that very few people will attend. You will receive a request for your payments a few weeks before the event.

Coordinator: Alan Friedman*

Lowell Chamber Orchestra

Wednesday September 25: 10:30 a.m. - noon (trip)

Edgar’s Great Frustration

The advent of electricity starting in the early 20th-century changed the world, including art. Edgar Varèse was a composer who embraced the new technology, but at that time, the technology was not advanced enough for his ideas. What did he do? How do we cope when our tools do not allow us to craft our vision? In this lecture-performance, you can explore the origins of electronic music, and how we got to where we are now.

There is no charge for admission, but donations are very much appreciated.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

Southwest France: A Varied French Experience

Wednesday October 2: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Jack Holmes

Away from Paris, France is very different. Travel with Jack Holmes, traveling photographer, from Bordeaux and wine country to the Dorgone, for Cro-Magnon man cave paintings, and to Cahors. Hike with him on the GR65 from Cahors before returning to Bordeaux. Enjoy a lovely photo-essay and virtual trip with this Western Avenue Studios photographer.

Jack Holmes has been a traveling photographer for six decades. He has photographed on seven continents, in over eighty countries, and all of the USA and Canada. A former science teacher, Jack has exhibited in many New England galleries. His framed photographic works hang in many private collections in the USA and abroad. Find him on Facebook as “ImagesFromNearAndFar” or at Western Avenue Studios #377, in Lowell Mass.

Coordinator Lisa Hertel *

The Magpie’s Apprentice: The Brilliant Beaver

Wednesday October 9: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Willa Coroka

The American beaver is a fascinating mammal with a reputation to match its size. Did you know they can max out around 100 pounds? Referred to as pests by some, and keystone species by others, this program introduces North America’s largest rodent and lets you be the judge! Recognized in fables and unrivaled in their engineering abilities, let’s discuss these unique aquatic critters, from perfume to pelts and everything in between. An activity wraps up this interactive program that is suitable for kids and adults alike.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

LIRA Lowell Area Dining Trail Part 3: Simply Khmer Noodle House, 7 Summer St, Chelmsford, MA

Wednesday October 9: 2:30 p.m. (trip)

Experience the third stop of the LIRA Dining Trail’s exciting food cultures of the Lowell area, brought to you by LIRA’s Diversity Team. Lowell has the largest Cambodian population in the country after Long Beach, California, and Simply Khmer has two locations in the Lowell area. We are visiting the newest in Chelmsford. The original Lowell location was established by the husband and wife duo, Sam and Denise Ban, in 2007. Simply Khmer’s mission is to offer exceptional Cambodian cuisine in a pleasant, appealing and cozy atmosphere. Join manager, Xavier Eang Lee, to learn more about the culture and food of Cambodia. Details:

• Late lunch/early dinner meal of selected Cambodian favorites, including a vegetarian option.
• $30.00 per person payable by check at the LIRA Fall Convocation or by mail to Lynn Tyndall.
• Price includes a selection of shared tasting appetizers exploring the flavors of Cambodia and your choice from introductory entrees selected by Xavier.
• Dessert and drinks are added options, not included in this price.
  • Signup at the LIRA annual meeting, first come basis; attendance limited to 15 people
• Easy parking in the restaurant lot on Summer Street in Chelmsford

Coordinator: Lynn Tyndall*

The Elections of 2024

Wednesdays October 16, 23 and 30: 1-3 p.m. (Zoom only)
Wednesday November 6: 10 a.m. - noon (Zoom only)

Presenter: Retired UML Professor Frank Talty

This course will cover the details of the national election of 2024 and some state races of significance. Most importantly, we will cover the presidential election. The primary focus of our discussions will be about the general election to be held on November 5th, 2024. Also, in this cycle, 35 U.S. Senate seats and all 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for election. We will initially look at the constitutional and statutory basis for these elections and discuss the continued validity of the process. We will also look at political polling in one week of the series.

Coordinator: Susan Lemire*

Identifying Volunteer Opportunities In The Greater Lowell Area

Wednesday October 23: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: Steve Cerand*

The purpose of this session is to expose members to various volunteer opportunities in the region. Organizations that utilize volunteers will be identified, along with their mission, the work they perform, the clients they support and the jobs/tasks typically available to volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to engage with the larger community and provides another way for LIRA members to enhance their commitment to lifelong learning.

Coordinator: Peter Sebelius*

Antarctica

Wednesday October 30: 10 a.m. - noon (hybrid)

Presenter: UML Professor Emeritus Jesse Heines*

Jesse Heines will present photographs and videos of his February 2024 trip to Antarctica with Viking Cruises. His talk will cover the logistics of such a trip and the experiences that he had aboard the expedition ship Octantis.

Coordinator: Jim Rutter*

Merrimack Repertory Theater Cookie Matinee: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Wednesday November 13: 2 p.m. (trip)

From the Book by Mary Shelley: Within every man there is a monster; within every monster, a man. But which is which?

An eerie evening of ghost stories crackles to life as Mary Shelley unspools her tale of Victor Frankenstein and his unholy experiment. This gothic tale of love, horror, and the power to create life—and destroy it—awakens in this visceral, original retelling of Frankenstein.

UML Professor Bridget Marshall (who discussed the book Frankenstein with LIRA last year) will be our guest for the performance.

Contact Peter Sebelius at 978-758-5680 or sebes3@yahoo.com to reserve your seat. Cost is to be determined. Make checks payable to LIRA, Inc and mail to Peter at 20 Draycoach Dr., Chelmsford, MA, 01824-1024.

Coordinator: Peter Sebelius*

Thursday

Great Decisions

Thursdays September 19 through November 7: 10 a.m. - noon (Zoom only)

NOTE: no class on October 3.

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussions program on world affairs. If you do not have a 2024 Briefing Book, you can order one by sending a $25 check payable to “LIRA Inc” to Richard Grove 575 Osgood St., North Andover, MA 01845. He will mail you a copy.

1. NATO’s Future - Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has come under increased scrutiny, not because NATO troops are involved in the conflict, but because of its role in relations between Russia and its neighbors. Will expanding membership in NATO protect countries, or will it provoke Russia?
   • Discussion leader: Carol Valcik* Sept. 19, 26
2. Risky Science - Scientific advances benefit from collaboration between researchers, but what happens when material, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is controversial and important to a nation’s national security? Is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? How can we regulate cooperation?
   • Discussion leader: Richard Grove* Oct. 10, 17
3. High Seas Treaty - Areas of the seas beyond national jurisdiction comprise the high seas, which are facing a degradation of ecosystems due to climate change and the increase in human activities, such as shipping, overfishing, pollution, and deep-sea mining.
   • Discussion leader: Steve Cerand* Oct. 24, 31
4. Pandemic Preparedness - Looking back at the covid-19 pandemic, there are many lessons to take away in terms of domestic and international policies. Although this pandemic seems to have waned, how can we apply these lessons to future pandemics?
   • Discussion leader: Richard Grove* Nov. 7

Nutrition

Thursdays September 26 and October 10: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenter: UML Professor Hojnacki

• September 26: Dietary Guidelines for Americans and How to Read Food Labels
  Prof. Jerry Hojnacki will present an interactive session which will demonstrate a simple method for reading Nutrition Facts enabling us to make healthy food choices. Participants should bring food labels to this session.

• October 10: Diet and Heart Disease
  Prof. Jerry Hojnacki will present a review of heart disease risk factors.

Coordinator: Suzanne Gamache*

Conversational AI and You: Unraveling the Mysteries of ChatGPT

Thursday October 24: 1–3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenter: UML Professor Chris Geggis*

Dive into the fascinating world of conversational AI with our engaging class designed specifically for LIRA members eager to explore new horizons. In this course, you’ll discover the magic behind ChatGPT, an advanced conversational agent created by OpenAI. We'll unravel the mysteries of how this powerful tool understands and generates human-like text, transforming the way we interact with technology. From the basics of natural language processing to the ethical considerations of AI, this class offers a comprehensive yet accessible journey into the realm of artificial intelligence.

No prior technical knowledge is needed—just a curious mind and a willingness to learn. Through lively discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and real-world examples, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the technology shaping our future. Whether you're interested in enhancing your tech-savvy skills, exploring new hobbies, or simply understanding the buzz around AI, this course will provide you with the insights and knowledge to navigate the digital age with confidence and curiosity.

Coordinator: Peter Sebelius*

Current Journalism

Thursdays October 31 and November 7: 1-3 p.m. (hybrid)

Presenter: UML Professor Jonathan Silverman

October 31: In this session, Prof. Silverman, chair of the English dept. will talk about the journalistic landscape, how it works, and its evolution. Journalism is an institution that informs, holds institutions accountable (if sometimes imperfectly), and entertains us. In this session, Professor Silverman will talk about the way journalism has developed in the last fifty years, with an emphasis on the last ten. He will discuss the concepts of objectivity, balance, and transparency, and how they operate in journalism today.

November 7: In this session, Dr. Silverman will talk about the future of journalism, reasons to be optimistic, and reasons to worry. He will explain the historic business model of journalism and why it's failing, the growth of citizen journalism, and how developments in artificial intelligence will affect journalism.

Coordinator: Susan Lemire*