A New Short Course: Short Stories with Ron Johnson

 More Good Short Fiction to Read and Discuss

presented by Ron Johnson

DATE & TIME: Every Friday 2:00-3:30-pm, starting May 17, ending June 21.

 Ron Johnson is the course leader. Before he became a pastor, Ron taught English and American literature in high school and college. He holds several degrees: M.Div, MA in teaching, and a Doctorate in English and American literature.

This course will focus on six stories from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Interpreter of Maladies, a collection of stories by Jhumpa Lahiri.  Lahiri, the daughter of Indian parents, was born in London but moved with her parents to the United States when she was three. Wikipedia says this about the author and her work:

“The stories address sensitive dilemmas in the lives of Indians or Indian immigrants, with themes such as marital difficulties, the bereavement over a stillborn child, and the disconnection between first and second generation United States immigrants. Lahiri later wrote, "When I first started writing I was not conscious that my subject was the Indian-American experience. What drew me to my craft was the desire to force the two worlds I occupied to mingle on the page as I was not brave enough, or mature enough, to allow in life."

I think you will discover that, though the subject matter of most of the stories is “the Indian-American experience,” their themes are universal.

The course will meet on six successive Fridays, beginning May 17^th , from 2:00PM  until 3:30.  Its vitality depends upon each member coming to the weekly meetings having read and thought about the particular story for the day and being prepared to discuss it with one another.  Each week a group of discussion-starter questions will be emailed to each participant. In order to facilitate discussion, the class will have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 persons. Jan Rosemergy has graciously offered to host this group at her home: 284 Yonside Drive.

REGISTRATION: Contact Ron Johnson: email-ronjohnson25@gmail.com; call: 931-371-1781. First Come; First Serve; but in the past Ron has run repeats; so no one will lost out. 

Course charge: $10 for ULLI members; $20 for non-members. Checks should be made out to ULLI.  (Become a member:$50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI c/o PHCC PO Box 167, Pleasant Hill 38578.) Checks for this course can be mailed to ULLI at the above PO Box. One may also give the course fee directly to Ron at the first class. As always donations are greatly appreciated.

A New Short Course from ULLI: Singing on the Land

 Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present a new short course:

Singing on the Land: 

Historical Perspectives on Local and Regional Folk Music

Presenter: Jan Laude

Dates &Time: 1:30-2:45 March 19, 26, and April 9. 1:30-3:30 April 2

Location: Pleasant Hill Community House 

Note: Class size limited to 15. Registration is first come, first served.

Content: This course will focus on the Folk music brought to the Appalachian region of the United States from Great Britain and the vital role it played in shaping this part of the country.  The first week we’ll explore these questions: What is Folklore? What is Folk music? and What are the local and regional Folk music traditions? During week two we’ll listen to and discuss the music in the movie “Songcatcher.” A handout about what to look for in “Songcatcher” will be distributed. In week three we’ll see “Songcatcher.” During our final session we’ll examine our learnings from “Songcatcher” along with bringing together our knowledge about the historical perspectives on local and regional Folk music.

Presenter: Jan Laude’s academic background in Folklore includes an MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University and a PHD from Indiana University with a double major in Folklore and American Studies and a minor in Women’s Studies. Jan also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University.  Jan’s work as a folklorist focused on American Women’s Folklore, Urban Folklore and Occupational Folklore. Jan is looking forward to sharing her knowledge of, passion for and delight in Folklore. 

To Register:  Send your request to register with your check payable to ULLI and your email address to ULLI Registrar PO Box 621 Pleasant Hill TN 38578. You will receive confirmation by email.  You may also email ullipleasanthill@gmail.com requesting registration. You will receive an email confirmation.

Course charge: $10 for ULLI members; $20 for non-members.  Become a member: $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI PO Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.. As always donations are appreciated.

To Start 2024: The Nature Conservancy at Chestnut Mountain

 

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present:

The Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain: Current Work of the Nature Conservancy

with 

Brittney Townsend, Conservation Forester

Friday, February 2; 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Pleasant Hill Community House. As this meeting is in-person, registration is not required. Please come and join us. 

The Nature Conservancy’s Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain is situated along the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in White County, TN and is part of a mosaic of over 65,000 acres of protected land.   In the Conservancy’s short tenure, the Reserve has been transformed into a living laboratory where scientific research by TNC, and our academic and state partners, are helping us develop and implement innovative forest management strategies and natural solutions to climate change.  Join Britt Townsend, TNC’s Conservation Forester, to learn more about this unique property and The Nature Conservancy’s mission to protect and restore Tennessee’s forests.

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

Next from ULLI: Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action

 Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present:

Addressing the Gun Violence Epidemic Through Volunteering with Moms Demand Action – a Survivor’s Perspective 

with 

Dr. Amanda Rosenberger

Friday, December 8; 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Pleasant Hill Community House. As this meeting is in-person, registration is not required. Please come and join us. 

 Dr. Amanda Rosenberger is the daughter of Dr. Mary Beth Keiter, a current resident of Uplands.  She is on faculty at Tennessee Tech University. Her work is interdisciplinary, cooperative, and provides fundamental information to managers for optimal management of natural resources.  She presently teaches classes in landscape ecology, fisheries management, malacology, and professional development.  In her off time, she illustrates the organisms she loves and is an activist for gun safety. She is a Survivor Fellow with Everytown for Gun Safety and been an activist with Moms Demand Action for the last five years.  She is presently the state survivor lead for the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action. 

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

Next from ULLI: Graham Rowles on Healthy Aging

 Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present: 

“To Move or Not to Move: Where we grow old really matters.” 

Dr. Graham Rowles, Professor Emeritus of Gerontology at the University of Kentucky, returns to Uplands to further explore the issues surrounding aging and place. His talk will include, among other things, some of the latest research on the importance of place as we age, the evolving attitudes towards when, if ever, to move to assisted living or other alternatives, and the many variables that make each situation unique.

Date&Time: Adshead Hall: Friday, September 15th, 6:30- 8:00 pm, and Saturday September 16th, 9:00- 10:30 am (continuing discussion and opportunity for Q&A). Coffee and donuts available Saturday morning at 8:45. 

No registration is necessary. 

Dr. Rowles uses an interactive approach to his presentations, walking among the audience as he speaks and encouraging audience participation. Therefore, this program will NOT be offered on ZOOM. 

Graham D. Rowles is professor of gerontology (emeritus) and was founding director of the Graduate Center for Gerontology at the University of Kentucky. An environmental gerontologist, his research focuses on the lived experience of older adults. A central theme of this work is exploration, employing qualitative methodologies, of the changing relationship between older adults and their environments 

and implications of this relationship for health, well-being and environmental design. He has conducted in-depth ethnographic research with elderly populations in inner-city, rural (Appalachian) and nursing facility environments. Recent research has focused on long-term care and the meaning of place in old age. Dr. Rowles has published widely in the field of gerontology. 

There is no charge for this program, but donations are always appreciated. 

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI, P.O. Box 621, Pleasant Hill, TN 38578.

Next from ULLI: News from the Lavastida Center at Santiago de Cuba

 

​

ULLI Event

 Tom and Kim Warren

Lavastida Center - Cuba 

August 11, Adshead Hall

5:50 p.m. Potluck Meal, ULLI Style (Bring your own plate, eating utensils, and drink container. Oh, and a dish of food to share.)
6:30 p.m Program for those not attending potluck

Some of ULLI's audience will already be familiar with the work of the Lavastida Center in Santiago de Cuba. Tom and Kim Warren will be sharing current information about that work and about visiting the Center. 

The Lavastida Center is doing well and appears to be very active in all of their ministries. They continue to support a number of permaculture projects around the Santiago area, growing various vegetables and raising small scale livestock for local consumption. All the permaculture projects are completely organic and sustainable, as well as very important food source during the current difficult times in Cuba.

The Center also is working on various ecumenical initiatives, providing space, staff, and support for pastoral training as well as lay member training programs. They recently sponsored a program in recognition of International Women’s Day and continue education programs around domestic violence issues. For weekly updates on their activities I suggest you “like” their Facebook page as they are posting information and photos of their events quite often.

Revs. Gisela and Elmer are fully retired now, but are still deeply involved as volunteers in the Center. Elmer turned 80 on the Saturday when our group was there (February 18th). The new Executive Director is Dr. Heidi Lavastida, their oldest daughter. Their staff is quite large and very ecumenical.

Our next trip will be in early February of 2024. We will, of course, be very willing to deliver your Power of the Penny funds (easiest and cheapest way).

There is no charge for this program. Membership renewal is now. Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs: $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated.

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present:

Exploring Sufism with Gregory Blann

Time/Dates: Friday June 9^th: 5:30pm Potluck Supper followed by program.

Saturday June 10^th: 8:30 continental breakfast; program follows.

Location: Adshead Hall if ready; PHCC Community House if Adshead not ready. TBA

Gregory Blann has been an active student of Sufism and the world’s religions for forty years. He received initiation from Pir Vilayat Khan in the Inayatiyya (a universalist Sufi Order) in 1980 and served as a representative in that order for a number of years. He also studied Kabbala with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. In 1990, he received initiation in the Turkish Halveti-Jerrahi Sufi Order from Sheikh Nur al-Jerrahi (Lex Hixon), and also studied with the grand-sheikh of the time, Safer Efendi. Gregory became a Jerrahi sheikh in 1994. His Sufi name is Sheikh Muhammad Jamal. Gregory was raised in the Christian tradition and has studied all the major world religions and regards each of them as a valuable path to God or Ultimate Reality. He sees great complementarity between the mystical teachings of Sufism and Christianity and will share some of those insights in his presentation. 

Gregory is an author whose books include Garden of Mystic Love (on the history and teachings of Sufism), Lifting the Boundaries (an account of the life and Sufi teachings of Muzaffer Efendi), When Oceans Merge: The Contemporary Sufi and Hasidic teachings of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Living Open Space: The Interspiritual Journey of Lex Hixon. These books can be previewed at his website:https://blanng.wixsite.com/blanngallery/art and can be purchased through Amazon.com.

There is no charge for this program. Membership renewal is now. Your

membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting

programs: $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill

38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated.

Note: If you plan to attend the potluck supper before the presentation, don’t

forget to bring your own table setting: plates, cups and cutlery!  Those not wishing to attend the potluck are welcome to arrive at 6:30 for the program. 

On Saturday, January 14, there will be a complimentary continental breakfast at 8:30, followed by the program from 9:00 – 10:30 am.