Winter 2008 Schedule

   Learning in Retirement Association

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Office of Community Service

Lowell, Massachusetts 01834

 

2007‑2008 WINTER INTERSESSION

The 2007‑2008 LIRA Winter Intersession, given between semesters, offers to retirees, and those semi‑retired, a sample of LIRA’s almost year‑round program and very friendly community.  The program is planned and much of it provided by the members themselves.  Many of the  2007‑2008 Winter Intersession meetings will be held on the first floor of  Fox Hall, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon; location for the others is indicated.  Book discussions are held in the LIRA Office.  The general public is cordially invited.

 

In the event of a storm, information will be available on radio 980 AM, WCAP.  If UMass/Lowell or Lowell Public Schools are closed, the Winter Intersession program will not be held.

 

Dec. 1  BOOK DISCUSSION:  "Thunderstruck" by Erik Larsen       Toby Hodes*

10 a.m.–noon

 

Dec. 19  HOLIDAY POTLUCK/TOWN MEETING

10 a.m.–noon  Please plan to attend LIRA’s Town Meeting and Holiday Party  at the Wannalancit Building on Suffolk Street.  This year many of you have signed up to bring a particular dish, but, if not, just bring something hot or something cold, a dessert, or whatever, plus an appropriate serving utensil for your potluck dish.  And please don’t forget a book suitable for a child or young person ‑‑ or warm hats, gloves, scarves ‑‑ to be donated to CTI.

 

Dec. 20–Jan. 8      Holidays:   No LIRA sessions

 

Jan. 9      NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK PRESENTATION             Becky Warren

10 a.m.–noon   Becky Warren is the Supervisory Park Ranger at the Boott Mills Museum.  She will give us a presentation on the Lowell National Historical Park past, present and future.

                                                                     Coordinator:  Barbara Page*

12:30 p.m.     LIRA Executive Council meets in Office.

 

         

Jan. 16    TRIP TO ISRAEL AND PETRA                                             Toby Hodes*

 

10 a.m.–noon   Two years ago, Toby Hodes took a trip to Israel at Christmas/Chanukah time, which was led by her Rabbi. The trip included a one‑day excursion to the site of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra in Jordan, a most memorable experience. Toby will discuss her trip and show a number of the pictures she took of a variety of the sites she visited in this most historic and interesting part of the world.

 

12:30 p.m.     Curriculum Meeting, Office

 

Jan. 23    WALKING ON THE ANCIENT SEABED OF PROVENCE

          Connie Lanseigne‑Case*

10 a.m.–noon The illustrated talk includes spectacular vistas, rewards of hiking in Provence, France.  In the spring, lavender fields are  a promise of unique beauty of the region.   Also memorable are medieval villages once popular with painters, beginning with the Impressionists.

 

12:30-2:30 p.m.    BOOK DISCUSSION: "The Road"  by Cormac McCarthy

          Coordinator: Toby Hodes*

 

Jan. 30    EXHIBIT AT NATIONAL HERITAGE MUSEUM, LEXINGTON
9:45 a.m.        Raymond Loewy: Designs for a Consumer Culture

(carpoolers)   From steam locomotives to lipsticks, Raymond Loewy and his Industrial Design Firm created  some of the most important design innovations in the 20th century.  This will be docent-led, at 10:30, with a $5 admission. We will meet at Hannaford at 9:45 AM and carpool from there.                                          

          Coordinator: Ann Dahlman*

 

Feb. 6    LOWELL:  REDEVELOPMENT SINCE THE 1970s           Robert Forrant

10 a.m.–noon   Professor Robert Forrant of UMass Lowell’s Department of Regional Economic and Social Development will talk to us on the topic: Lowell’s Efforts at Redevelopment since the 1970's: What’s working. What’s Not.

            Coordinator: Jean Dettman*

 

Feb. 13  MRT PLAY: "THE MISSIONARY POSITION"

2 p.m. performance   Come join LIRA theatre‑lovers for a satire on everything we often hesitate to talk about:  religion and politics.  Sparks fly on the presidential campaign trail in a clash between the chief fund raiser and a religious advisor.  Integrity, ethics, and beliefs are called into question, leaving a mystery of who will take the high road and — even more shocking –– what that "high road" is defined to be.  A timely selection for the primary season,  this comedy takes audiences behind the scenes of a great political debate.      $27

          Coordinator: Barbara Page*

 

Feb. 20 BOSTON'S BALLPARKS AND ARENAS                                   Alan Foulds

10 a.m.–noon  Mr. Foulds will recount the story of Boston's professional sports scene since 1871, as told in his new book, "Boston’s Ballparks and Arenas."  He will focus on two ancient ballparks, built long before Fenway Park, with anecdotes and vignettes of the events that happened there.  He will also have his book for sale.

          Coordinator: Ann Dahlman*

 

12:30-2:30 p.m.  BOOK DISCUSSION: "Einstein, His Life and Times" by Walter Isaacson

          Coordinator: Toby Hodes*

 

Feb. 27 THE HARVARD BREWING COMPANY                              Dr. Mehmed Ali

10 a.m.–noon  Dr. Ali, director of the Mogan Cultural Center, traces the history of The Harvard Brewing Company, the beer  and ale producer of Lowell, once popular throughout New England.  The company began  in 1893 as Consumer's Brewing Co. and operated from 1893 to its closing in 1955.  

          Coordinator: Connie Lanseigne‑Case*

 

March 13        BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL

7:15 a.m.       This is the first in the Art and Music spring series of programs for 2008.  Daniele Gatti will be conducting, with Garrick Ohlsson at the piano. The program includes Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.   Meet at Hannaford’s; don’t forget your lunch!  $28.50 for members; $33.50 for guests.

          Coordinators: J. Dettman* and R. Rhoades*

March 19        TOWN MEETING

10 a.m.–noon  Don’t miss it!  Come and hear about plans for our Spring Study Groups.

                                                                                                                   *Denotes LIRA member