Lifelong Learning Institute

FEE: $50 for all lectures listed below.

Lectures take place from 1:00pm-3:00pm on the dates listed below.

Week 1 (Wednesday, September 13)

Van Young- American History Facts and Trivia – Part 1

An entertaining and educational presentation on various facts (both historical and unique) as well as trivia about our nation’s history. Covers everything from the founding fathers, entertainment, sports, and culture. Audience members are asked questions and there is lots of interaction. A fun time for all while learning about our great country.

Week 2 (Wednesday, September 20)

Gregg Montgomery- Apple iPhone/iPad

These classes will focus on Apple mobile devices, including iPhone and iPad. We will discuss basic topics for these devices including apps that come installed on the device such as the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, Photos, and more.

Week 3 ( Monday, September 25)

AJ Vanderelli- Vanderelli’s Room

For this session, I will discuss my work as a visual artist and curator. We will explore the connection between curation and facilitation and how they have influenced my artistic journey.

Week 3 (Wednesday, September 27)

Dave Cohen- World War II Combat Veterans

Experience the harrowing and heroic stories of eight World War II Combat Veterans who fought valiantly to keep our country free from tyranny.

Week 4 (Monday, October 2)

Alexis Wilson- Not So Black and White

At the age of 11, Alexis Wilson is abandoned by her biological mother and about to enter a journey with her father and his male lover that would reveal to her the true power of love. In this remarkable memoir, Alexis reveals her mother’s secret, growing up with same sex parents, her bi-racial heritage, and her life growing up in and around the Broadway and Ballet world. Her memoir, Not So Black and White, crescendos to a powerful close as she’s left with the prospect of two “parents” stricken with AIDS. She confronts the challenge with courage and leaves the reader filled with the infinite possibilities of the human spirit. In this class, Wilson will discuss her memoir, followed by a question and answer session.

Week 4 (Wednesday, October 4)

Jenny Merkowitz- The Life of a Composer

How does a composer go about deciding what kind of music to write and how to write it? This class will walk through the compositional process of Dr. Jennifer Bernard Merkowitz, professor of music at Otterbein University. She will tell the stories of three works from her catalog and play excerpts from them: The Cardiac Dance – The Spirals of Life, electronic music for a one-act ballet; Kate and the Beanstalk, for chamber orchestra to accompany a storybook for the Westerville Symphony’s Tunes and Tales program; and Phyllotaxis for flute and electronics. The presentation will culminate in a live performance of Phyllotaxis by Dr. Kimberlee Goodman, who commissioned the work.

Week 5 (Wednesday, October 11)

Eric Gnezda- A Behind the Scenes Look at Worthington’s National TV Show

When Eric Gnezda sat in what is now the Brownynn Theatre during high school, “listening” to his behavioral sciences teacher lecture, the last thing on his mind was that he would someday host a national TV show in that very room. Forty-eight years later, Eric would sit on that stage with Janis Ian as she sang her classic songs, “At Seventeen,” and “Jesse,” for a sold-out McConnell Center taping of his national PBS TV series, Songs at the Center. Other artists who have joined Eric on the show include John Oates, Rodney Crowell, Ray Stevens, Suzy Bogguss, Bruce Cockburn, Jim Brickman, and Delbert McClinton. “It’s an incredible story about dreams, persistence, faith…and a good business plan,” according to Jack FitzGerald, Eric’s long-time friend and Executive Producer of the series. “We’re very grateful that, against all odds in the TV business, the show continues to grow–in both the number of TV stations carrying it, and its enthusiastic national audience.” Now in its ninth season, the series has broadcast on 475 Public TV stations and channels in 47 states.

Week 6 (Wednesday, October 18)

Isaya Oleporuo- Growing Up Maasai

Isaya Oleporuo, a Maasai Warrior from a remote village in northern Tanzania, loves to share his culture with others.  In his interactive “Growing up Maasai” program you will learn about this peaceful, kind and sharing people who live in extended-family homes (bomas).  Maasai life has remained largely unchanged for the past several centuries.  The arts and its symbolism is very rich in Maasai culture.  Isaya will show and demonstrate their traditions, dress, beautiful jewelry (available for purchase to help the Maasai women), dance and song.  He will tell about the roles of elders, young men and women in their culture.  Boys learn from fathers about becoming warriors who are guardians of their cows and servant-leaders for their people.  In the past, girls have become wives and mothers at a very young age.  You will also learn about Isaya’s work to rescue young girls from forced childhood marriage and finding sponsors to help them further their education.

Week 7 (Wednesday, October 25)

Jeri Diehl-Cusack- Mona Lisa in Camelot

Soon after his inauguration, John Fitzgerald Kennedy made a state visit to France with his wife, Jackie. A decade earlier, Jaqueline Bouvier had spent her junior year of college studying in Paris and Grenoble, thus she both spoke fluent French and had an appreciation of French literature and culture. The Kennedys’ May 1961 trip was such a huge success that they soon reciprocated with an invitation for French diplomats to visit them at the White House in Washington, D.C. Over the next year, Jackie Kennedy used her considerable charm plus her skill as a hostess to entertain, cajole and ultimately persuade the government of France to allow Leonardo da Vinci’s 450+ year old masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, to be loaned to the President of the United States. The priceless painting arrived by ship on December 19, 1962, and in early 1963, “Mona Mania” and “Lisa Fever” gripped our nation. Nearly two million Americans viewed the Mona Lisa over 52 days of exhibition, first at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. and, later, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. JFK’s tragically abbreviated presidency was often likened to the tale of “Camelot”, especially by Jackie Kennedy. This enchanting story, inspired by Margaret Leslie Davis’ book with the same title, contributes to that legend.

Week 8 (Wednesday, November 1)

Rabbi Rick Kellner- Illuminated Prayerbooks

Jewish tradition has a history of publishing a siddur (prayerbook) and the Haggadah (the service for the Passover Seder) containing artwork. Such a book is called an Illuminated Siddur or Illuminated Haggadah. We will look at samples from Jewish history and discover how this tradition has been adapted into modern times through the creation of Visual T’filah (visual prayer).

FEE: $10

Week 1 (Wednesday, September 13)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Van Young- American History Facts and Trivia – Part 1

An entertaining and educational presentation on various facts (both historical and unique) as well as trivia about our nation’s history. Covers everything from the founding fathers, entertainment, sports, and culture. Audience members are asked questions and there is lots of interaction. A fun time for all while learning about our great country.

Van Young was born and raised in northeast Ohio. He has been a resident of Columbus for the last 42 years. One of his retirement goals was to spend time studying and learning about the Civil War, and specifically the social and personal stories of that era. That also led him to immerse himself into learning more about our American History. Since his retirement from AT&T in 2012, Van has become active with two Central Ohio civil war organizations and is the current President of the Griswold American History Study Group. They meet most Monday mornings via Zoom. It is free of charge, and everyone is invited. With 60 American history, travel and current event topics, Van presents to area history groups, senior centers, retirement villages and local colleges. He has four grandchildren, plays pickelball, and looks forward to visiting many of the battlefields and museums associated with the Civil War, and our unique and fascinating American history. As he likes to say, “Remember, we are living history.”

FEE: $10

Week 2 (Wednesday, September 20)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Gregg Montgomery- Apple iPhone/iPad

These classes will focus on Apple mobile devices, including iPhone and iPad. We will discuss basic topics for these devices including apps that come installed on the device such as the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, Photos, and more.

 

Gregg Montgomery works as a technology consultant in the Columbus, OH area, helping people find solutions and answers to technology questions and problems. A former Apple store retail employee, Gregg has now been working independently running his own business for over 10 years. Gregg has consulted with schools and businesses, but spends most of his time working with older adults teaching classes or doing one-on-one training and troubleshooting. Gregg has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Cleveland State University and a Master’s degree in Art Education from The Ohio State University. Despite the art background, Gregg prefers to teach technology.

FEE: $10

Week 3 (Monday, September 25)

1:00pm-3:00pm

AJ Vanderelli- Vanderelli’s Room

For this session, I will discuss my work as a visual artist and curator. We will explore the connection between curation and facilitation and how they have influenced my artistic journey.

 

Alicia Jean Vanderelli (AJ) was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised in Panama City, Florida. In 2003, she settled in Columbus, Ohio. She obtained a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in oil painting in 2008 from the Columbus College of Art and Design, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In 2014, AJ created an alternative gallery space called The Vanderelli Room. The gallery, located within the Franklinton Arts District is multifaceted, housing a variety of art exhibitions, performances, private parties and events. AJ has shaped an inclusive environment that enables individuals to reach their potential through self-expression and exploration.

FEE: $10

Week 3 (Wednesday, September 27)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Dave Cohen-World War II Combat Veterans

Experience the harrowing and heroic stories of eight World War II Combat Veterans who fought valiantly to keep our country free from tyranny.

David graduated from the Columbus Academy in 1954 and Miami University in 1958 with a degree in Business. He has spent the last 65 years as a professional life insurance consultant and 20 years ago began writing books. He has written 10 books and one play. David and his wife Rita are proud parents of four children and ten grandchildren.

FEE: $10

Week 4 (Monday, October 2)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Alexis Wilson- Not So Black and White

At the age of 11, Alexis Wilson is abandoned by her biological mother and about to enter a journey with her father and his male lover that would reveal to her the true power of love. In this remarkable memoir, Alexis reveals her mother’s secret, growing up with same sex parents, her bi-racial heritage, and her life growing up in and around the Broadway and Ballet world. Her memoir, Not So Black and White, crescendos to a powerful close as she’s left with the prospect of two “parents” stricken with AIDS. She confronts the challenge with courage and leaves the reader filled with the infinite possibilities of the human spirit. In this class, Wilson will discuss her memoir, followed by a question and answer session.

Alexis Wilson was born in the Netherlands to Dutch ballerina Sonja Van Beers and African-American ballet star and Broadway choreographer Billy Wilson. Raised and educated in the U.S., Alexis has a background in the theater as a professional dancer, actress, and casting director. Later she continued as a published author (Not So Black and White), speaker, and writing mentor. Since living in Columbus, Alexis has worked as conceptualizer, producer, director & writer for two events with her husband, Artistic Director of The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Byron Stripling: A Concert for Columbus at The Southern Theater and A Concert to End Homelessness at The Riffe. Alexis has worked as a guest artist with The Wexner’s Pages project, an interactive arts initiative created for high school students to tackle challenging social content. In 2018, she wrote an original musical called Renaissance Magic! created for The Lincoln Theatre. She is currently at work on her second memoir, directs the Out-Loud BIPOC Theatre Collective in the Olentangy Orange Drama Department, and works as a private writing coach. Alexis also continues to support and guide young people as a Career Coach for the Visual, Written & Performing Arts at Denison University. Wilson is mother to two daughters and lives with Byron in Westerville.

FEE: $10

Week 4 (Wednesday, October 4)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Jenny Merkowitz – The Life of a Composer

How does a composer go about deciding what kind of music to write and how to write it? This class will walk through the compositional process of Dr. Jennifer Bernard Merkowitz, professor of music at Otterbein University. She will tell the stories of three works from her catalog and play excerpts from them: The Cardiac Dance – The Spirals of Life, electronic music for a one-act ballet; Kate and the Beanstalk, for chamber orchestra to accompany a storybook for the Westerville Symphony’s Tunes and Tales program; and Phyllotaxis for flute and electronics. The presentation will culminate in a live performance of Phyllotaxis by Dr. Kimberlee Goodman, who commissioned the work.

Jennifer Bernard Merkowitz is a composer, pianist, and violist whose pieces incorporate a fascination with rhythms, patterns, and stories. She is Professor of Music at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, where she has taught composition, theory, aural skills, and electronic music since 2008. She has been commissioned by organizations such as the Ohio Music Teachers Association (2017 Composer of the Year), the Johnstone Fund for New Music, Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival, and Dance NOW! Miami. Recordings include Les Crapauds de la Fontaine (The Toads from the Fountain) for bass clarinet and electronics on Ravello Records’ Mind and Machine Vol. 2 and a solo percussion piece And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon, which can be heard on Joseph Van Hassel’s album Correlates on Soundset Recordings. Recent projects include Kate and the Beanstalk for the Westerville Symphony’s Tunes and Tales program, and 15 Years (on the Erie Canal), a piece for trombone and electronics commissioned by Tony Weikel. A native of the Niagara Falls, NY area, Dr. Merkowitz holds a BA in Music and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Richmond and an MM and DMA in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She lives in Westerville, Ohio with her husband, two sons, and two cats. For more information and samples of her compositions, please visit: https://www.jbmcomposer.com.

FEE: $10

Week 5 (Wednesday, October 11)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Eric Gnezda & Jack Fitzgerald- A Behind the Scenes Look at Worthington’s National TV Show

When Eric Gnezda sat in what is now the Brownynn Theatre during high school, “listening” to his behavioral sciences teacher lecture, the last thing on his mind was that he would someday host a national TV show in that very room. Forty-eight years later, Eric would sit on that stage with Janis Ian as she sang her classic songs, “At Seventeen,” and “Jesse,” for a sold-out McConnell Center taping of his national PBS TV series, Songs at the Center. Other artists who have joined Eric on the show include John Oates, Rodney Crowell, Ray Stevens, Suzy Bogguss, Bruce Cockburn, Jim Brickman, and Delbert McClinton. “It’s an incredible story about dreams, persistence, faith…and a good business plan,” according to Jack FitzGerald, Eric’s long-time friend and Executive Producer of the series. “We’re very grateful that, against all odds in the TV business, the show continues to grow–in both the number of TV stations carrying it, and its enthusiastic national audience.” Now in its ninth season, the series has broadcast on 475 public TV stations and channels in 47 states.

 

Worthington native Eric Gnezda is an award-winning songwriter and Emmy-nominated producer. He is the creator and host of the hit PBS series, Songs at the Center, that airs on over 400 PBS stations across the U.S. In its 9th season, the series began at the MAC and continues to call The Bronwynn Theatre its home venue. The series features America’s top songwriters—from legends John Oates and Janis Ian to up-and-coming acts you’ll want to know better. Eric is a recipient of the Ohioana Citation for Music Composition. He is a regular performer at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Café and has seen success with a wide range of songwriting styles, from inspirational anthems to country to comedy. Eric and his work have been featured on media around the globe, including ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, and NPR. He headlines and keynotes conventions across America as a speaker and songwriter and is currently finishing up a memoir.

 

Jack FitzGerald, Executive Producer of Songs at the Center, first teamed up with Eric years ago at WTVN-Radio. Jack has developed business and marketing plans and hired key personnel for dozens of major broadcasting companies nationwide. He has provided expert testimony in several entertainment industry-related court cases and has been the owner of a successful radio station, president of a chemical manufacturing company, and a consultant to interesting projects in fields as diverse as publishing and banking. Very early in his career, after earning a BBA in Marketing from Kent State University, Jack was a highly rated drive-time Air Personality and/or Operations Manager at radio stations in Cleveland, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Columbus, Ohio. Before leaving radio and moving on to other challenges, Jack was named Billboard Magazine’s Large Market Program Director of the Year and had taken home two top awards from the New York International Radio Festival. A licensed pilot with a seaplane rating and, for many years, a licensed pyrotechnician, Jack has driven in two Alcan 5000 Road Rallies and once rode his motorcycle to the Panama Canal, just for the heck of it.

FEE: $10

Week 6 (Wednesday, October 18)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Isaya Oleporuo- Growing Up Maasai

Isaya Oleporuo, a Maasai Warrior from a remote village in northern Tanzania, loves to share his culture with others.  In his interactive “Growing up Maasai” program you will learn about this peaceful, kind and sharing people who live in extended-family homes (bomas).  Maasai life has remained largely unchanged for the past several centuries.  The arts and its symbolism is very rich in Maasai culture.  Isaya will show and demonstrate their traditions, dress, beautiful jewelry (available for purchase to help the Maasai women), dance and song.  He will tell about the roles of elders, young men and women in their culture.  Boys learn from fathers about becoming warriors who are guardians of their cows and servant-leaders for their people.  In the past, girls have become wives and mothers at a very young age.  You will also learn about Isaya’s work to rescue young girls from forced childhood marriage and finding sponsors to help them further their education.

 

Isaya Oleporuo is a Maasai Warrior Chief from the remote village of Eluai in northern Tanzania.  He grew up in the traditional family-centered lifestyle that the Maasai have followed for centuries.  As with all boys, he learned to herd and protect cows, which led to becoming a servant-leader among his people.  Isaya did not attend school, but had the opportunity to come to the U.S. in his 20’s.  He obtained his GED, an associate degree in Boston and completed his bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at Ohio State University in 2022/23.  His passion is to help his people and teach others about Maasai culture.  While in Boston, he did many presentations at schools about Maasai culture.  He continues to help support the women in his village by selling traditional beaded jewelry, providing income for their families as the men are away for months finding pasture for the cows.  Isaya has also established Osotuwa Foundation that helps young girls escape childhood marriage, with sponsorships enabling them to further their educations.  He began this work approximately 8 years ago with nearly 200 girls now having hope for a future of their own.

FEE: $10

Week 7 (Wednesday, October 25)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Jeri Diehl-Cusack- Mona Lisa in Camelot

Soon after his inauguration, John Fitzgerald Kennedy made a state visit to France with his wife, Jackie. A decade earlier, Jaqueline Bouvier had spent her junior year of college studying in Paris and Grenoble, thus she both spoke fluent French and had an appreciation of French literature and culture. The Kennedys’ May 1961 trip was such a huge success that they soon reciprocated with an invitation for French diplomats to visit them at the White House in Washington, D. C. Over the next year, Jackie Kennedy used her considerable charm plus her skill as a hostess to entertain, cajole and ultimately persuade the government of France to allow Leonardo da Vinci’s 450+ year old masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, to be loaned to the President of the United States. The priceless painting arrived by ship on December 19, 1962, and in early 1963, “Mona Mania” and “Lisa Fever” gripped our nation. Nearly two million Americans viewed the Mona Lisa over 52 days of exhibition, first at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and, later, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. JFK’s tragically abbreviated presidency was often likened to the tale of “Camelot”, especially by Jackie Kennedy. This enchanting story, inspired by Margaret Leslie Davis’ book with the same title, contributes to that legend.

Jeri Diehl-Cusack holds a B.A. in French and a M.A. in library science, but an enduring fascination with U.S. presidents and first ladies now inspires her after a career working for public libraries in Cuyahoga County, Columbus and Grandview Heights. She enjoys developing and sharing presentations on a wide variety of presidential and White House history topics. Discussions about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are her specialty. Jeri served for five years on the board of the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership, an organization committed to preserving Mrs. Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park, New York. She is a supporter of the FDR Presidential Library through the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and a lifetime member of Arthurdale Heritage, Inc. which maintains “Eleanor’s Little Village” in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Jeri also supports and promotes the White House Historical Association and the Ohio History Connection. A former trustee of her local historical society and arts council in Grandview Heights, Jeri moved to Worthington in 2019 to live closer to her children and grandchildren. She has long been a passionate volunteer for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and currently serves on the planning committee for the 2023 Columbus Walk to End ALZ. She uses her platform to fundraise for her Walk team, Hurry Up Cure.

FEE: $10

Week 8 (Wednesday, November 1)

1:00pm-3:00pm

Rabbi Rick Kellner- Illuminated Prayerbooks

Jewish tradition has a history of publishing a siddur (prayerbook) and the Haggadah (the service for the Passover Seder) containing artwork. Such a book is called an Illuminated Siddur or Illuminated Haggadah. We will look at samples from Jewish history and discover how this tradition has been adapted into modern times through the creation of Visual T’filah (visual prayer).

Rabbi Rick Kellner has served as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Worthington since 2011. He was ordained as a Rabbi from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Los Angeles Campus in 2007 where he also earned Masters degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education. Rabbi Kellner is passionate about teaching and social justice. He has worked locally with the BREAD organization and on a state wide level with the Ohio Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Kellner also serves as a Vice President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the largest rabbinic organization in the world with more than 2200 members. He lives in Worthington with his wife and two daughters. Rabbi Kellner loves sports, Peloton, and running.