FALL 2024
Dear Lifelong Learners,
From our modest beginnings 20 years ago, Lifelong learning of Hilton Head Island has become our island’s premier adult education program. We began with a mission based on the premise that the desire for knowledge and social interaction is not bound by age but enhanced through life experiences and the sharing of ideas. We have never been more convinced of the rightness of that premise as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over these two decades LLHHI has presented more than 700 classes created by our hardworking Curriculum Committee and experienced presenters. But none of this would have been possible without you, our loyal membership.
As you peruse the fall 2024 catalog, we know you will find several classes to satisfy your interests: from Coffee Tasting to Volcano Watching; from the critical issue of Gullah Land Ownership to the History of Jazz; from Recent Supreme Court Decisions to Relationships in Films...and many more interesting and entertaining programs. I look forward to seeing you in the classroom.
As always, I send my best to you, Kristen Sakati, President
Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island
T Culture HHI – What’s Happening in the Office of Cultural Affairs?
Join Natalie Harvey, Director of the Town of Hilton Head Island Ofce of Cultural Afairs, to learn more about the town’s public art projects including the annual Crescendo Celebration of Art and Culture, and the Lantern Parade. Find out what other projects are coming up and how you can get involved.
Natalie Harvey joined the Town of Hilton Head Island in 2022 as Director of Ofce of Cultural Afairs. Prior to that, she implemented exhibits, programs, community outreach, and the Art Market at the Coastal Discovery Museum.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Monday, October 7
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
T The History of American Musical Theater
This course will trace the evolution and development of American Musical Theater from operetta in the late 19th century up to the 2020 opening of Six, the musical retelling of the story of the six wives of Henry VIII. Along the way we will visit the works of Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Rogers and Hart, Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Frank Loesser, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Moss and Marlow, among others.
Jan McKelvey has studied musical theater for over sixty years. She has a BA degree with honors from the Smith College Department of Theater and Speech. Most recently she was a docent at the Library of Congress giving music and performing arts tours.
Four Sessions: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Mondays: October 14, 21, 28, and November 4
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
T The Strategy of D-Day—During the 80th Anniversary Celebration of This Historic Event
Eighty years ago, on June 6, 1944, the allied landings began on the beaches of Normandy. Code-named Operation Overlord, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history and laid the foundation for our victory in Europe a year later. How did this invasion happen? What was the strategy? Who were the personalities involved? How was the vast amount of equipment needed assembled? Did everything go according to plan? How did the Allies deceive the Nazi’s to allow this great invasion to happen? How many men were lost?
Don’t miss this in-depth recounting of one of the most momentous days in the history of the United States!
This class falls on Veteran’s Day. If you are a veteran, you’ll want to attend. If not, invite a veteran you know as a guest.
Daniel Regenold has taught a number of classes on historical topics for EmpowerUAmerica.org a free university similar to LLHHI.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Monday, November 11 TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
Mondays
T The History Of Jazz
Follow Martin Lesch on a musical journey through the evolving history of jazz. This audio-visual tour begins with the roots of jazz in Afro-American gospel and blues emerging in New Orleans in the 1920’s with artists like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. In the 30’s the orchestras of Basie and Ellington expanded the form which evolved into bebop in the 40’s as Gillespie, Monk, and Colman further expanded the form.
Acclaimed pianist Martin Lesch plays everything from early stride piano to renditions of the Beatles and Bob Marley with equal joy. Originally from New York City, he has been a staple of the Lowcountry music scene for almost two decades. His shows every Monday at Hilton Head’s legendary Jazz Corner have sold out for years. He recently released a new CD entitled “Journey Through Jazz” featuring Jazz from all time periods.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Monday, November 18
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
Tuesdays
T
Building a Better Brain
No matter your age, maintaining a healthy brain is important to your overall wellbeing. It’s never too late to protect the circuit board of your body! Join a Memory Matters professional to learn practical and fun ways to help your brain be the best it can be. Topics discussed include:
• How to preserve your brain health
• Changes in your brain as you age
• Myths of aging
• How multi-tasking afects your brain
• What you can do now to protect your memory
Debbie Anderson is a Brain Health Educator, Certifed Dementia Care Practitioner, and Certifed Life Coach.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, October 8
The Seabrook (O f Pope Avenue.)
T Sip and Savor: Coffee: You've Tried the Rest, Now Enjoy the Best
This will be an entertaining and informative discussion about the wonderful cofee bean followed by a mini-cupping session to sample some excellent cofees. The fnal brew may well be the best cofee you've ever enjoyed.
While there are over 350 varieties of cofee, this session will concentrate on Arabica and Robusto which account for 98% of the commercially grown cofee. The class will cover where cofee is grown and processed, market forces afecting prices, U.S. and foreign cofee cultures, and world ranking systems.
The cupping session will demonstrate how key factors infuence a good (or bad) cup of cofee. This includes water quality and temperature, roast levels, grind size, bean selection, bean age, and brewing method. The fnal cupping sample will be a 2024 medal winner.
James Wilkins fascination with cofee goes back thirty years. He started home roasting in 1995. In 2018 he started a cofee co-op that provides great cofee to friends in Hilton Head, Chicago, and Lexington KY.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, October 15
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.) Class Limit: 20
T Mastering Medicare
Get an update on recent and pending changes to the Medicare Program. Students will also dive into the details of Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Advantage plans. The course will give you the information needed to help you understand and choose between these options.
Joseph Arroyo is an independent, licensed health insurance agent with many clients throughout the region. He is the author of Mastering Medicare: Enroll with Confdence.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, October 22
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
Tuesdays
T Perfecting the Quick Sketch in Ink and Watercolor
Imagine sketching loosely to get the “look” of your scene followed by the addition of watercolor to make your artwork “pop”. The focus of this course will be on composition and design and how to balance line and color in your scene. Come prepared to draw and paint using limited materials — paper, an ink pen, and as few as 3 or 4 colors of watercolor paint.
Bring your own photos for reference—or use the subject matter Alex Sharma will bring to the class.
Materials List:
• Heavy weight sketch paper pad (or watercolor paper) suitable for drawing and light washes
• One HB pencil and eraser
• One medium-tip ink pen such as a Sharpie (medium-tip will give you good line variation.)
• Watercolor paints with at least 1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 blue.
• One paint brush
Alexandra Sharma is a Master of Fine Arts and has taught art at the university level. She is a member of the Hilton Head Art League, The Apple Pie Painters, and Delta Phi Delta, the national art honorary. She is represented locally by the Charles Street Gallery in Beaufort, SC.
Three Sessions: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, November 5, 12, and 19
PSD #1, Community Room, Oak Park Drive, (Of Mathews Drive)
Class Limit: 20
T Polls, Pundits, and Politics! The '24 Election!
This class will be held just one week from Election Day 2024. We will soon know the results of months of hype, hyperbole, and hysteria driven by traditional media, social media, and now artifcial intelligence.
All of this is tracked by polls . . . dozens of them. But how accurate are they?
We will look at how better polls are conducted, the major issues they have identifed, party positions regarding these issues, and predicted outcomes. We won’t have to wait long to see how accurate they were.
Doug Stowell is a consumer and political polling veteran in both U.S. and EU Markets. His career includes Market Research Director for the Xerox Corp., U.S. Clients Director for the U.K. polling frm NOP, Ltd in London, and Senior Polling Executive for Wirthlin Worldwide in Washington, D.C. He launched Market Resource Associates in 2008 and conducts opinion polls on U.S. and global issues.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, October 29
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
T Armageddon: Europe Goes to War in 1914—The Causes and Consequences of World War l
This is the fourth program in our fascinating series on American history taught by Joe Melita. After a century of relative peace which saw unprecedented advances in science and technology as well as human freedom and standards of living, the great powers of Europe in 1914 plunged into their greatest internecine confict.
The world we live in today is largely a consequence of that tragedy and it still reverberates with the failures of the peace treaty that ended what was supposed to be ''The war to end all wars.''
Joe Melita is a retired high school history teacher with thirty-four years of experience. He taught numerous Advanced Placement courses in both American and European history. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Queens College in NYC.
Two Sessions: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, November 12 and 19
The Seabrook, (Of Pope Avenue)
Wednesdays
T Writing: Creative Nonfiction
Do you have a story to tell? A true one, a story you lived, watched frsthand, or researched and studied: That story! This course will help you get started, with a rich menu of creative options that can make a true story better in the telling. We will consider audience, voice, point of view, story arc, modes of discourse, and more.
Robin Liebenberg was an English teacher for thirty-three years. Now retired, she writes full time and has published poetry, fction, and nonfction.
Four Sessions: 1:30 to 4:00 PM, Wednesday, October 9, 16, 23, and 30
The Cabana at The Preserve at Indigo Run (Turn of 278 into Indigo Run. Take the frst left into the Preserve at Indigo Run. Park at the main ofce.) Class Limit: 12
T Lean Ensemble’s Page to Stage: Theater Discussion Group
During this two-part program, Whitaker Gannon will lead participants through in-depth conversations of the essential themes and topics of the play What the Constitution Means to Me as well as the process of turning a script into a show.
Similar to a book club, participants will be asked to read the script of What the Constitution Means to Me prior to our frst discussion. During this frst session, participants will have the opportunity to share their analysis of the play, learn more about its historical background, and explore the question, “Why is this story relevant to audiences today?”
Next, students will get to see the play on a date of their choosing between October 31 and November 10.
Finally, the group will come together for a second session to discuss how their understanding of the story has evolved and been enhanced after seeing it come to life, as well as gain insight from Whitaker Gannon about the creative process for this specifc production.
Whitaker Gannon is Lean Ensemble’s Director of Community and Arts Engagement, and a professional theater director.
Two Sessions: 10 AM to 12 Noon, Wednesday, October 23, and November 13
Hilton Head Library, large conference room in the rear (Beach City Road) Class Limit: 30
T Current Events
For over a decade Hilton Head lifelong learners have come together to discuss the issues of the day—locally, nationally, and around the world. We seldom solve anything, but the conversation is always spirited and informative.
This session will span the end of a long, contentious Presidential race. Beyond that both the House and Senate are in play this year. We may not be happy with all of the results, but we will have some long-awaited answers.
As always, your moderators will select the topics for the frst session. Thereafter, participants will decide what they want to discuss. Remember, all points of view are welcome, and all will be respected.
Your moderators: Bruce Lerner, a liberal and Jim Van Cleave, a conservative.
Four Sessions: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Wednesday, October 23 and 30 and November 6 and 13
PSD #1, Community Room, Oak Park Drive, (Of Mathews Drive)
T Nuclear Weapons—What Are They, Who Has Them, and Do We Have Enough?
This course will address the three questions posed in the title. The frst portion will be a slide presentation of technical and historic information that answers the frst two questions. The second part will be an interactive discussion the fnal question, "How many nuclear weapons are enough?"
John Gilbert has several decades of experience dealing with nuclear weapons from an operational and intelligence perspective. This includes inspection of Russian launch and support facilities and the training of nuclear inspectors from U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Wednesday, November 20
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road.)
T The Aging Eye
Join Dr. Paul Bell for an in-depth presentation about changes that occur to the human eye with age. The discussion will include cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eyes, and foaters. He will also cover ocular changes associated with diabetes and hypertension.
Dr. Paul Bell is a board-certifed ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Thursday, October 10
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road.)
T Why Would Anyone Want to Jump Out of Perfectly Good Airplane?
Follow Glenn Crews' lifelong voyage from his frst jump to now over four thousand skydives, Experience the excitement and exhilaration of high-speed human fight. His presentation will include videos of his actual jumps and he will bring his parachute equipment for you to see what enables him to fy in the sky!
Glenn Crews holds fourteen sky diving world and national records. He is to be reshrined in The Guinness Book of Records for having the largest formation of skydivers connected in a single jump.
One Session: 10 AM to 12 Noon, Thursday, October 17
TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
Thursdays
T The Supreme Court
Charlie Sanders returns for another session of the Supreme Court of Hilton Head, consistently one our most popular classes. This time covering two controversial topics:
October 31: Freedom of Religion — Thomas Jeferson suggested that there should be a “wall of separation” between church and state. Starting in 1879, the Supreme Court has been a critical player interpreting the First Amendment to not only strengthen that wall and but also defne its subtleties. We will explore some of the historic precedents dealing with the free exercise of religion clause and some of the more recent decisions to answer the question of whether the Roberts’ Court is attempting to reposition the role of religion in American society.
November 7: Presidential Immunity — The almost uniquely partisan election cycle has been dominated by the question of executive immunity. The Supreme Court has considered the question addressing a president’s immunity in civil liability cases several times dealing with Presidents Nixon and Clinton. The Ofce of Counsel of the Attorney’s General Ofce similarly issued an opinion on the question in 1996.
Dealing with former President Trump’s assertion of presidential immunity, the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has addressed the question in a criminal context, which decision has been appealed. The Supreme Court issued their opinion on the question in June. We will explore the prior case law, the former President’s claims, and the Supreme Court’s decision.
Charlie Sanders has delighted LLHI members for over a decade with his insightful and entertaining classes on the Supreme Court.
Two Sessions: 10 AM to 12 Noon, Thursdays TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
T Smart Homes—Simplify Routines and Secure Your World
Learn how new technologies have enabled the introduction of a wide variety of solutions that can automate routine tasks and ofer added security and safety to your home. We will review the range of options available and practical ways to gradually introduce and expand your Smart Home for your specifc needs.
Paul Weismantel has worked for forty years in high tech hardware and software for governments and businesses in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has become our resident expert in new technology.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Thursday, October 24
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane.
T The Critical Issue of Gullah Land Loss
Development, tourism, and fnancial strains have taken their toll on the amount of land the Gullah descendants have been able to hold on to. At one point on Hilton Head Island over 3,500 acres were owned by Gullah families. Recent estimates put the number of acres still retained at less than 900.
Traditionally, most Gullah Geechee property was simply passed on to heirs. The original purchasers, possibly formerly slaves, did not will or formally deed the property to their descendants. It just became “heir’s property.”
More than a century later there are hundreds of Gullahs with ownership rights to a property who lack a clear title. Even though the property may have been lived on by the same family for generations if the land goes up for sale the legality of who can do what with the land becomes an issue.
This class will address this history and the critical state of “heir’s property” today.
Luana Graves Sellars is a journalist, community activist, educator, preservationist, and documentary flm maker who is dedicated to preserving Gullah culture, history, and people. She is the owner of Sankofa Communications and the founder of the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Thursday, November 7
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road. Passes will be called in.)
Thursdays
T Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis
Ever wonder what causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis? How large can these events be? Where and when will they occur? We will tackle these questions and others as we examine the relatively new Theory of Plate Tectonics.
Major earthquakes of the past will be discussed, including the recent discovery of a 400-year-old event of the Pacifc Northwest coast. And how about the San Andreas fault? Is the west coast of the United States destined to fall into the ocean? Of special interest to us: is South Carolina in any danger? Come and fnd out for yourself.
Marie McClune is a geologist, environmental educator, and formerly a high school science teacher. She is currently a Lowcountry Master Naturalist and Docent at the Coastal Discovery Museum. .
One Session: 10 AM to 12 Noon, Thursday, November 21 TidePointe (Second right of Point Comfort Road.)
T The Transcontinental Railroad in the Civil War
The Transcontinental Railroad was an important factor in the lead up to the Civil War. The railroad facilitated westward expansion, intensifying disputes over slavery's extension into new territories and exacerbating Southern fears of losing political and economic power. These tensions contributed to Lincoln’s election in 1860 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.
Chris Clayton is past President of the Lowcountry Civil War Roundtable, a docent for Honey Horn Museum, and Historian for the Sons of Confederate Veterans-Beaufort.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Thursday, November 21
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road. Passes will be called in.)
T Climate Change and Climate Action
In this class you will cover the basic dynamics of climate change and how it is trending. You’ll learn what its efects have been to date. And fnally, what practical steps need to be taken to arrest it’s advance.
Tim Joy is the President of the Beaufort chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby. This is a national, nonpartisan, nonproft grassroots advocacy organization. He has had training in climate issues from MIT and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Friday, October 11
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road.)
T
Hilton Head Island in the Civil War:
Before, During, and After
Before the Civil War Hilton Head was a known for its thriving Sea Island Cotton plantations. However, by 1844 unrest over tarifs, taxes, and abolitionists spawned the Bluf ton Separatist Movement, presaging the confict to come. In 1861 the Battle of Port Royal brought the Island under Union control. The occupation made possible a successful blockade of Confederate shipping that helped Union forces win the war. What followed was the emancipation of the slaves in Mitchelville and the attempts to preserve the Gullah culture.
Join Ford Hutchinson for a lavishly illustrated journey through this fascinating era in our Island’s history.
Ford Hutchinson has a BA from Dartmouth College and is a lecturer at the Coastal Discovery Museum.
One Session: 1:30 to 3:00 PM, Friday, November 15
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road.)
Fridays
T Relationships in Film
The four movies in this series deal with a variety of genres, relationships, and situations. However, the overarching theme is that with old age comes wisdom, poignancy, often humor.
October 18 — Going in Style (1979 - United States): Three old man meet to plan a daring bank heist out of sheer boredom. They pull of the caper, and then the real problems start! Starring George Burns and Art Carney.
October 25 — Monsieur Ibrahim (2003 - France): In 1960’s Paris a Jewish teen and a philosophical older Muslim shopkeeper (Omar Sharif) form a growing relationship, and the adolescent learns a lot about life.
November 1 — Harry and Tonto (1974 - United States): When his New York City apartment building is torn down, a retired lifelong New Yorker (Art Carney) goes on a cross-country odyssey with his beloved cat Tonto.
November 8 — The Farewell (2019 – United States and China): A Chinese family living in the United States travels to China after the family matriarch is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Once there, family secrets are divulged. Directed by Lulu Wang.
Roz and Steve Shaw have been teaching flm courses for the OLLI-RU program at Rutgers University since 2003. This is their second flm series for LLHHI.
Four Sessions: 1:30 to 4:00 PM, Fridays
The Cypress, Hilton Head Plantation, 20 Lady Slipper Lane, (Use the back gate at the end of Squire Pope Road. Passes will be called in.)
TidePointe
LLHHI Fall 2024 Course Calendar
Musical
TidePointe
Mail-In Membership for LLHHI
To register by mail, check the courses you wish to attend from the list on this page and mail it to LLHHI, P.O. Box 3074, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 by September 30, 2024.
Enclose a check for $50 to cover your membership. This allows you to take as many of our fall courses as you wish.
Be sure to fll out the contact information below.
Or register online at www.LifelongLearningHHI.org
Check below if any of your information is new!
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Are You A New Member?
Please be sure to include your check to Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island for $50.
Check here if you would like to be an Instructor’s Assistant in a class you are taking. This involves simple administrative tasks such as greeting students and supervising sign-in.
We need audio/visual assistants. Training will be provided. Membership dues and semester fees will be waived for trained volunteers. Are you interested? YES
2024 Fall Courses:
Mondays
HHI Cultural Afairs
Musical Theater
D Day
History of Jazz
Tuesdays
Better Brain
Sip & Savor Cofee
Mastering Medicare
Presidential Election
Quick Sketch
WWI
Wednesdays
Writing Page to Stage
Current Events
Nuclear Weapons
Thursdays
Aging Eyes
Skydiving
Smart Homes
Supreme Court
Gullah Land Loss
Volcanoes & More
Railroad and Civil War
Fridays
Climate Change
Films
HHI in the Civil War
The opinions expressed by our instructors are their own and do not necessarily refect those of the Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island organization. We encourage the free expression of all ideas and the right of our members and guests to respectfully challenge them.