Learning in Retirement at Iona University

LIRIC is run by a group of dedicated, creative volunteers. We govern ourselves through an executive board and formulate our own by-laws, policies and procedures. The LIRIC board is made up of the officers and the chairs of our standing committees. Our curriculum committee designs our programs and arranges for presenters from among our members, Iona faculty and the community at large. All members of LIRIC are encouraged to suggest courses, speakers and presenters and to assist in arranging for them. Our Hospitality committee provides us with daily coffee and cookies, and arranges several luncheons each year, some of which are free. Other volunteers edit or write articles for our newsletter, collect membership checks, arrange trips and special events, even stuff envelopes for mailings. LIRIC also has a paid director who is our liaison with Iona University and oversees daily operations.

Director

• Maureen Arnold

Board Members

• President: Shirley Radcliffe
• Vice Presidents: Linda Levine
• Secretary: Lannie Spalding
• Treasurer: Martha Johnson
• Comptroller: Lois Lovisolo
• Member Liaison: Beth Hofstetter & Dawn Vetrano

Committee Chairs

• Curriculum: Linda Whetzel
• Hospitality: Gail Apfel
• Membership: Lorraine Rosano
• Newsletter Editor: Monica Grey
• Special Events: Kathy Sheldon
• Trip Coordinator: Dianne Heim

Representatives at Large

• Chris McCormick
• Jeanne de Saint Ouen

Four Tuesdays: June 2, 9, 16, 23

All Classes Meet At:
Temple Israel of New Rochelle
1000 Pinebrook Boulevard
New Rochelle, NY

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

11 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.

LUNCH

12:15 p.m. — 1 p.m.

A SUMMER SAMPLING

1 p.m. — 2:15 p.m.

Yesterday AND Today

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

These history-oriented classes cover the centuries — and the globe.

June 2 - Securing the Rights Won in the American Revolution: "A Republic If You Can Keep it" (Benjamin Franklin)

Presenter: Alice Grant, Teacher of American History

June 9 - My Name is Stefan

Presenter: Leah Rozenfeld Sills

June 16 - American Muslim Family Life: An Immigrant Story

Presenter: Ola Nosseir, Founder of Our Common Beliefs

June 23 - Denmark and its Self-Governing Islands — Greenland and Faroe

Presenter: Lois Lovisolo

A Summer Sampling

1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

An electric mix that will teach and entertain — something for everyone!

June 2 - Everyday Improvisation

Presenter: Mike Amori, Teacher and Improviser

June 9 - John Singer Sargent, and Society Portraiture

Presenter: Beth Gersh-Nesic Art Historian, Director, New York Arts Exchange

June 16 - What is an Attitude of Respect?

Presenter: Galen Barry, Iona University Philosophy Department

June 23 - Performance: A Bird in the Hand

Presenter: Actress Michèle LaRue returns with stories from The Gilded Age

Monday

Chair Yoga

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Pre-registration and an additional fee of $65.00 are required for this class. The registration form is at the end of this catalog.
Chair yoga is a gentle practice performed while seated and/or with the support of a chair. It is suitable for all levels and is especially beneficial for those seeking to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and body awareness. Standing poses may be included with the chair used for support, and classes often incorporate breathing
techniques and meditation to enhance focus, relaxation, and mental clarity.

Instructor: Shannon DiNota, a former professional dancer and dance teacher, is a certified yoga teacher and chair yoga instructor who has worked closely with Yoga 4 Cancer, a leading program in specialized oncology yoga.

Great Decisions
 

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23;

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Great Decisions is a course sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association that encourages people to learn about and discuss U.S. foreign policy. Each session includes a 30-minute video for background and then a discussion led by LIRIC members. Although it is not required, participants who wish to get the most from the course should purchase a copy of the Great Decisions Briefing Book ($35.00 + shipping) and do the readings for each class. Copies may be ordered directly from The Foreign Policy Association by calling 1-800-477-5836 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by ordering online at www.fpa.org/great_decisions.

• Facilitators and dates for the following topics will be announced.
• America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
• Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy U.S.-China Relations
• Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
• Ukraine and the Future of European Security
• Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World U.S. Engagement of Africa

• The Future of Human Rights and International Law
   

  Coordinator/Class Representative: Linda Creary

Canasta: Supervised Play
 

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23;

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

This class is limited to 30 participants and is open only to those who took Canasta in the fall or who play at an intermediate level. A class for beginners will be offered in the fall.

To register: Please email instructor Lori Blumenfeld at lorib1940@gmail.com or call her at 914-776-1789 (home) or 914-589-0713 (cell).

Classical Music’s Greatest Orchestral Works – Series 2
 

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23;

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Gregory Koster, who has been a student of classical music since the early ‘60s, continues his LIRIC presentation of The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works. We will begin each week with a presentation by Prof. Robert Greenberg of The Great Courses, and then watch performances of similar works. This second series will cover eight works by Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky – as we move from the Late Classical period to the Early and High Romantic. It just keeps getting better!

Play-Reading
 

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23;

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Play-Reading will continue our long-standing practice of doing "Table-Reads" of plays by (mostly) well-known American and European authors, exploring the dialogue, character dynamics and overall flow of the stories. Everyone gets a chance to participate and no formal acting experience is required. A fun time is guaranteed!
 

We will begin the Spring semester with a serious multi-layered drama, "Ghosts," by Henrik Ibsen. In a "first" for LIRIC, all will be able to attend a local performance of the play, by the Iona University Theater Ensemble, on Sunday afternoon April 26, 2026, at Iona's Doorley Hall, followed by a "Talk-Back" discussion with the cast!
 

Leavening the seriousness of "Ghosts," we will follow with two full-length comedies: "The Philadelphia Story," by Philip Barry, and "You Can't Take It With You," by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, and a one-act comedy, "Why Cupid Came to Earl's Court," by Cosmo Hamilton.

Presenters:

Andrew Harrison, a long-time member of the Play-Reading class, and Alan Dindas, a former teacher of English who directed student productions, will lead the class.

Studio Lessons in Art

8 sessions

March 2, 9, 16, 23;

April 6, 13, 20, 27.

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

This course will teach you both drawing and painting, using the supplies you bring to class. Because of the room size, it is limited to 24 students (with a waiting list), so if you’re a budding artist – or wish to become one -- sign up quickly! To register contact the instructor: patmsuth@optonline.net.

Bring a drawing pad, a 2B charcoal pencil, and a kneaded eraser to the first two

Bring a canvas board (any size) and acrylic paints or watercolors to the remaining
sessions

Instructor: Patricia M. Sutherland was a founding member of The Reilly League of Artists, and its president for ten years. A full time artist, she has her studio in New Rochelle. For further information log onto: patmsuth.smugmug.com

Tuesday

Science Corner
 

7 sessions

March 10, 17, 24;

April 7, 14, 21, 28.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Join us for a diverse group of presentations that explore the future, present, and past in the world of science.

Class Representative:

Joyce Kent, who coordinated this series, is the retired chairperson of Science at New Rochelle High School where she introduced a course on Bioethics.

Spring Salmagundi

7 sessions

March 10, 17, 24;

April 7, 14, 21, 28.

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

This series of unrelated single talks, interrupted on March 24th for a Special Event –Just Desserts – offers an eclectic mix of topics.

Basic Spanish and Beyond

6 sessions

March 10, 17;

April 7, 14, 21, 28.

1:50 – 3:00 p.m

This is a multi-level Spanish language acquisition course highlighting pronunciation, conversation, grammar, readings on varied subjects, and – songs. If you can’t say it, you can sing it!

Instructor:

Rosalie Hollingsworth taught Spanish and bilingual subjects in New York City for some 35 years. Afterwards she taught Spanish classes to retired teachers at the UFT. She brings her expertise in both language and music to LIRIC with this class.

Writers’ Workshop

4 sessions

April 7, 14, 21, 28

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Please Note: This class does not begin until April 7th
For those of you who don't get the "writer's itch" until later in the day, the Writers' Workshop is for you. Unleash your dormant Tolstoy and Hemingway in a relaxed informal setting. There is a writer within all of us.

Facilitator:

Chuck Miller, the facilitator of the Writers' Workshop is an educator with five decades of experience. He enjoys writing and creating an environment in which others are encouraged to re-engage with their writing talent.
 

Wednesday

Wednesdays are special at LIRIC. Classes are suspended that day to allow for additional intellectual and artistic pursuits off site. The familiar is intertwined with the new in often off-beat adventures to expose our members to things and places that enrich and feed the mind as well as the soul.

We have some exciting trips in the planning stages – a museum in March, a New Jersey sculpture ground in April, and a boat ride in June, when it will be warm again! Trip planner Dianne Heim likes to travel far and near. With so many things to see in the world, Dianne would like to share with you some of those in our own backyard.

Thursday

A Memoir Writing Workshop

8 sessions

March 5, 12, 19, 26;

April 9, 16, 23, 30.

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Right now, you can begin to re-experience, and reflect on, the work of your life – the exciting, wonderful, and even the unhappy events. Your grandmother’s cookies. The house that nurtured you for years and years. A special and meaningful person. A dear friend. A diving catch at a Little League baseball game. A crocheted afghan made with Mom, Grandma or Aunt Bea.

In this class, we sit and recall events that to others might mean little, but to ourselves, are filled with richness. Through recollection, reflection, creation, you can return to a special day, a week, a year — experiences that you are invited to remember and put on paper via memoir writing
 

Instructor:

Bill Wertheim has taught both memoir writing and poetry workshops throughout Westchester for over ten years. His BA degree in English Literature is from Columbia University; he holds an MA degree from SUNY at Stony Brook, an MSW degree in Social Work from Hunter College, and is currently at work producing a volume of his poetry and writing his own memoirs.

American Art from 1700 to 2020

4 sessions

March 5, 12, 19, 26.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m

In general, Art History offers a lens through which to view human history. Artists function like canaries in coal mines. They are the sensitive observers who react to the seismic shifts of their times. In this series of talks American artworks from the 1700s to the 2020s will be presented in chronological order to put them into the context of important events and topics in American history.

(Because slides are sometimes difficult to see, a list of the artworks will be provided so
you can access the art before class.)

Presenter:

Shirley Radcliffe, in addition to being LIRIC’s president, is one of our most popular presenters. After teaching in the New York City public schools for more than 38 years, and ending her pre-retirement at Manhattanville College, she brought her considerable talents to LIRIC where she’s offered courses in literature, language, dining, clothes, happiness, pre-Columbian history, art, being WEIRD, Chaucer’s Prologue to The Canterbury Tales as history, a history of the world in 6 glasses, and most recently What We Did in Bed: A Horizontal History.

What Makes it Great? Discover the Hidden Art in Television Drama and Comedy

2 sessions

April 9, 16.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

In this two-week, fast-paced workshop, you’ll transform the way you experience television. Participants dive into one powerful dramatic series and one sharp situation comedy to answer a deceptively simple question: What makes a television drama or comedy truly exceptional?

Have you ever finished an episode and thought, “Wow, that was brilliant—why?” This workshop pulls back the curtain on how today’s best TV is made, revealing why truly great shows are closer to fine art than to background entertainment

If you want to understand why certain series feel deeper, smarter, or more powerful and you’re curious about how media shapes beliefs, values, and public conversations this class is for you. You’ll gain practical tools to judge for yourself when a show is merely entertaining and when it genuinely rises to the level of art.

Presenter:

Jim Fauvell taught at New York Institute of Technology for 39 years and was chairperson of their Communication Arts Department for 15 years.

The French Revolution – Tale of Tragically Unintended Consequences
 

2 sessions

April 23, 30.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

This two-week class will first examine the causes of the revolution -- an explosive mix of fiscal profligacy, callousness, and idealism – then move on to the bloodshed, from the Estates General to Robespierre to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

Presenter:

Robert Henrey, an Oxford graduate whose lifelong scholarly interest lies in the fields of history and linguistics, has given LIRIC talks on both, and now returns to speak about the French Revolution.

Of Blood & Beauty: The Story of Imperial Russia, 900-1918

7 sessions

March 5, 12, 19, 26;

April 9, 16, 23.

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

This seven–lecture series will take you on an exploration of the dark mysteries of Imperial Russia: from its founding as a pagan kingdom in the 900s; to its conversion to Christianity; through its often brutal growth in power and prestige; to its final, tragic, and sudden end in bloodshed. Along the way, we’ll introduce its many colorful rulers and explore its cultural developments, especially its art and architecture.

Presenter

Mark D. Fichtel; raconteur extraordinaire, who has given us series onLesser-Known Presidents and The Papacy, returns to give us tales of Imperial Russia.

Class Representative:Chris McCormick

Literary Discussion: Early America

7 sessions

March 5, 12, 19, 26;

April 9, 16, 23.

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

In his seminal work, Common Sense, Thomas Paine inspired colonists to “begin the world over again” and form a constitutional republic. Our readings for the spring semester are set in this time of upheaval as Americans rebelled against the monarchy and fought to create a new nation. We’ll explore the ways in which literature reflects and informs our shared heritage, our collective memory of the events that shaped our country.

The Westchester Library System owns many copies of the full-length books including some eBook and audio book versions. Paper copies of short works will be distributed the week before they will be discussed. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to read the works in advance; all are welcome!

Class Representative: Beth Hofstetter

Mah Jongg

7 sessions

March 5, 12, 19, 26;

April 9, 16, 23.

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Meets in the small Lapidus room

Mah Jongg, a tile-based game thought to have originated in China several hundred years ago, spread throughout the world during the twentieth century. While it involves a degree of chance, it is a game of skill, strategy and calculation – all of which you will learn in this class which is open not only to beginners who want to learn the fundamentals but also to those who already know how to play. We will be using the 2025 Mah Jongg card until the 2026 card becomes available in April. Cards can be purchased from Amazon, the Mah Jongg League, or at a local store.

Friday

Lecture Series: America’s Birthday!

6 sessions

March 6, 13;

April 10, 17, 24;

May 1.

1:00 – 2:15 p.m.

Classes meet in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library on the New Rochelle Campus

Call it the semiquincentennial or the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence, but join us to celebrate America in music and to explore social, political and historical aspects of the nation. (And be sure to view Billy Budd in the Film Course at 2:30 on April 10th so you can fully appreciate Bob Lacey’s lecture on the political questions raised by it on April 17th.)

Class Representative: Lois Lovisolo

Film Course: The Nation’s Birthday

6 sessions

March 6, 13;

April 10, 17, 24;

May 1.

2:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Classes meet in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library on the New Rochelle Campus

As America celebrates its semiquincentennial, we are reminded that our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come from the consent of the governed, not the whims of a monarch. Films about our struggle for independence and a fair democracy help us better understand and protect these freedoms for future generations. Several of the selections are from a 2015 History Channel miniseries called Sons of Liberty, which dramatize the spirit and values of the early days of the American Revolution.

Instructor:

Film enthusiast Cheryl Passavanti lectures on contemporary topics using film as text. In New Rochelle, she taught middle school language arts, film courses for teachers, and adult ed classes. She also presents at LIRIC and lectures at the Scarsdale Senior group.

Class Representative: Lorraine Rosano

Four Tuesdays: January 6, 13, 20, 27

All Classes Meet At:
Temple Israel of New Rochelle
1000 Pinebrook Boulevard
New Rochelle, NY

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

11 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.

LUNCH

12:15 p.m. — 1 p.m.

JANUARY JAMBOREE

1 p.m. — 2:15 p.m.

Yesterday & Today

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

January 6 - Robert Moses: New York’s Master Builder

Presenter: Edward Condon,  Historian and Jeopardy! Winner

January 13 - Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The MacDonald Interviews

Presenter: Pat Raftery, Westchester County Historical Society

January 20 - Japan: From Samurai Insularity to Ultra Modernization

Presenter: Robert Henrey

January 27 A Day of Games – Morning and Afternoon

Bring your own cards, board game  (Scrabble, Monopoly, etc.) and lunch if you plan to stay all day
Coordinator: Kathy Sheldon

January Jamboree

1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

January 6 - When Dance Meant Romance

Presenter: Yvonne Marceau

January 13 - The History of Public Libraries

Presenter: Chris Poggiali, New Rochelle Librarian

January 20 - What Did You Say?

The Social, Emotional and Mental Effects of Hearing Loss, and New Hearing Aid Technology. Presenter: Dr. Marisa Boyle,Au.D.,CCC-A: Doctor of Audiology

January 27- Game Day

Come for the afternoon if you couldn’t make the morning

Course Descriptions: Monday

Newsworthy Topics

7 sessions
October 6, 20, 27;
November 3, 10, 17;
December 1.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Each session will delve into recent news stories within a specific field such as geopolitical concerns, finance or scientific advances. We encourage your active participation in this current events course and will leave plenty of time for civil discourse and a lively, informative, cordial discussion.

• October 6: Science w/Joyce Kent
• October 20: U.S. Foreign Policy w/Jim O’Neill
• October 27: Finance w/Seth Thompson
• November 3: Middle East w/Fred Towers
• November 10: The Faces of the Democratic Party 2025 and Beyond w/Chuck Miller
• November 17: Medicine w/Adrienne Weiss-Harrison
• December 1: When Disaster Strikes The Red Cross Answers w/David Gonsalves and Marty Kanengiser

Class Representative: Joyce Kent

Canasta

7 sessions
October 6, 20, 27;
November 3, 10, 17;
December 1.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Canasta, a card game in the rummy family, originated in Uruguay and is the Spanish word for “basket” (you gather a “basket-full” of 7 cards for a canasta!). Popular in the US in the early 1950s, it is enjoying a revival as card players discover/rediscover it. Enmeshed in melding, freezing, baiting and signaling, Canasta engages cognitive activity to analyze, strategize and plan tactical moves - all well rewarded when you “go” Canasta!

Since there will be no beginner class in the Spring, join now to learn!

Instructor: Lori Blumenfeld played Canasta in the ‘50s as a teenager and loved the game. She took a refresher course two years ago and discovered that not only did she still love it, but she made new friends with whom she continues to play weekly.

Classical Music’s Greatest Orchestral Works

7 sessions
October 6, 20, 27;
November 3, 10, 17;
December 1.
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Gregory Koster, who has been a student of classical music since the early ‘60s, continues his LIRIC presentations Classical Music 101 and What’s Opera, Doc? with a new series featuring The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works. As in the Opera course we will begin each week with a presentation by Prof. Robert Greenberg of The Great Courses, and then listen in depth to the work being discussed. This first series will cover seven works by Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. [In future semesters we will move on to the Classical Era, the Romantic Era, and the Twentieth Century.]

Play-Reading

7 sessions
October 6, 20, 27;
November 3, 10, 17;
December 1.
2 – 3:15 p.m.

When the cast of a play meets for the first time they do a "table read." This is a practice in film, television, and theater where the script is read aloud by the cast, often around a large table, to explore the dialogue, character dynamics, and overall flow of the story. That's what we do: we sit around a table and read a play. No acting, just reading. Just for fun. And it is: FUN. Join us for a rollicking good time! This semester’s selections all fall into the category of Romantic Farce, and feature works by Anton Chekov, George Bernard Shaw, and other American and European playwrights. Scripts will be provided.

Presenters: Andrew Harrison, a long-time member of the Play-Reading class, and Alan Dindas, a former teacher of English who directed student productions, will lead the class.

Art Workshop

7 sessions
October 6, 20, 27;
November 3, 10, 17;
December 1.
2 – 3:15 p.m.

LIRIC’s redesigned Art Workshop continues to evolve, providing a friendly, well lighted, atmosphere where you can unleash your inner artist and express yourself. All skill levels are welcome. Some instruction will be provided for beginners and new guidelines suggested for the more advanced. If you enjoy painting, drawing, coloring, even doodling, the Art Workshop is the creative place to be. A list of suggested materials can be provided, or bring what you already have from home, and be prepared to enjoy yourself. For more information contact Gail Apfel at gdapplehead@optonline.net. 

Instructor: Gail Apfel is a graduate of the High School of Music and Art and has participated in classes at the Westchester Art Workshop as well as art classes through Road Scholar and the Hudson River Museum. She chairs LIRIC’s Fine & Performing Arts Committee.

Course Descriptions: Tuesday

NOTE: Tuesday classes do not begin until October 21.

The Rise and Demise of Journalism in America

5 sessions
October 21, 28;
November 4, 18;
December 2.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Is the truth on life support in America? Join us for a gripping journey through the collapse of journalism as we know it. In this five-session presentation, we’ll trace the bold beginnings of colonial newspapers, when a single issue could spark government crackdowns, to the golden age of investigative reporting and the rise of the mighty “Fourth Estate.” Finally, we will take a deep dive into today’s turbulent and exhausting media landscape, where truth battles disinformation and the very foundations of a free press are under siege from political, economic, and technological forces. Discover how the story of journalism is, and always has been, the story of America itself – shaped by struggle, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Presenter: Jim Fauvell taught at New York Institute of Technology for 39 years and was chairperson of their Communication Arts Department for 15 years.

Fall Cornucopia

5 sessions
October 21, 28;
November 4, 18;
December 2.
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

As always, this series of unrelated single talks offers an eclectic mix of topics. The
first and last are interactive, so be ready to participate!

• October 21: Getting to Know You
  Presenter: Linda Creary
• October 28: How to Give Memorable Speeches and Eulogies
  Presenter: Dr. Jeffry Haber, LaPenta School of Business
• November 4: The Women in Picasso’s Life and Art
  Presenter: Beth Gersh-Nesic, PhD, art historian, critic
  Director of New York Arts Exchange
• November 18: Demystifying ChatGPT and AI
  Presenter: Rob Kissner, Clinical Lecturer
  Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• December 2: Chair Yoga: Lecture and Demonstration
  Presenter: Shannon DiNota, Certified Yoga Instructor

Basic Spanish and Beyond

5 sessions
October 21, 28;
November 4, 18;
December 2.
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Meets in the small Lapidus room.

This is a multi-level Spanish language acquisition course highlighting pronunciation, conversation, grammar, readings on varied subjects, and – songs. If you can’t say it, you can sing it!

Instructor: Rosalie Hollingsworth taught Spanish and bilingual subjects in New York City for some 35 years. Afterwards she taught Spanish classes to retired teachers at the UFT. She brings her expertise in both language and music to LIRIC with this class.

Writers’ Workshop

5 sessions
October 21, 28;
November 4, 18;
December 2.
2 – 3:15 p.m.

For those of you who don't get the "writers itch" until later in the day, the Writers' Workshop is for you. Unleash your dormant Tolstoy and Hemingway in a relaxed informal setting. There is a writer within all of us.

Facilitator: Chuck Miller returns as the facilitator of the Writers' Workshop. An educator with five decades of experience, he enjoys writing and creating an environment in which others are encouraged to reengage with their writing talent.

Course Descriptions: Wednesday

Wednesdays are special at LIRIC. Classes are suspended that day to allow for additional intellectual and artistic pursuits off site. The familiar is intertwined with the new in often off-beat adventures to expose our members to things and places that enrich and feed the mind as well as the soul.

We have several exciting trips in the planning stages. Look for flyers in your welcome packets and via e-blast. Trip planner Dianne Heim likes to travel far and near. With so many things to see in the world, Dianne would like to share with you some of those in our own backyard.

Course Descriptions: Thursday

The Law in Theory and Practice

4 sessions
October 9, 16, 23, 30.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

This 4-part series deals with various aspects of the law.

• October 9: A panel of lawyers, led by Bob Kent and Steven Levine, discusses the legal system.
• October 16: The Honorable John P. Colangelo, Justice, Supreme Court, State of New York (retired), explains to us How Judges Are Chosen.
• October 23 & 30: Alex Eodice, professor emeritus of Iona’s Philosophy Department, presents theories of judicial interpretation (e.g. textualism, originalism, democratic li erty) and shows how they play out in particular cases.

Class Representative: Linda Levine

What We Did in Bed: A Horizontal History

4 sessions
November 6, 13, 20;
December 4.
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

More than an article of furniture, the bed is where we spend one third of our lives. Louis XIV ruled France from his bed. Winston Churchill governed Britain from his during WWII. Tutankhamun was buried on a golden bed. Deceased middle-class Victorians were propped up in their beds for a final photograph. Groucho Marx quipped: " Anything that can't be done in bed isn't worth doing at all." Join Shirley Radcliffe as she looks at the topic of sleep and the varied roles of the bed as researched by archeologists Brian Fagan and Nadia Durrani who wrote the book.

Presenter: Shirley Radcliffe is one of our most popular presenters. After teaching in the New York City public schools for more than 38 years, and ending her pre-retirement at Manhattanville College, she brought her considerable talents to LIRIC where she’s offered courses in literature, language, dining, clothes, pre-Columbian history, art, being WEIRD, Chaucer’s Prologue to The Canterbury Tales as history, Happiness, and most recently, A History of the World in 6 Glasses.

Papal Stories: History and Legends, Saints and Sinners and Heretics

7 sessions
October 9, 16, 23, 30;
November 6, 13, 20.
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Papacy, looked to by 1.5 billion people, have existed for nearly 2,000 years, yet almost all of those two millennia are clothed in mystery and ignorance of the facts. Illustrated with 100-150+ slides of paintings, and medieval illuminations and manuscripts, this seven-part series will deal with important moments in the Papacy’s history.

You will learn about: Popes named Leo; Martyred Popes; the Byzantine Papacy and the Frankish Papacy, when Popes were appointed, approved, or dominated by the Emperors; the 10th century crisis that might have destroyed the Papacy; Popes and Crusades; the Western Schism and Avignon Popes; and Popes and the Renaissance.

Presenter: Mark D. Fichtel, raconteur extraordinaire, who recently gave us a series on Lesser-Known Presidents, returns to give us stories about the popes of yore.

Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to read the works in advance; all are welcome.

Course Representative: Kobie Thakar

Mah Jongg

7 sessions
October 9, 16, 23, 30;
November 6, 13, 20.
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Meets in the small
Lapidus room.

Mah Jongg, a tile-based game thought to have originated in China several hundred years ago, spread throughout the world during the twentieth century. While it involves a degree of chance, it is a game of skill, strategy and calculation – all of which you will learn in this class which is open not only to beginners who want to learn the fundamentals but also to those who already know how to play. You will need a 2025 Mah Jongg card, which can be purchased from Amazon, the Mah Jongg League, or at a local store.

Instructor: Linda Levine

Literary Discussion: The Magic and Reality of Mexico

7 sessions
October 9, 16, 23, 30;
November 6, 13, 20.
2 – 3:15 p.m.

This semester many of our readings exemplify magical realism, a genre that blends history, myth, and fantasy. In Pedro Páramo, required reading for Mexican high school students, Juan Rulfo depicts a “world swirling around in his head” in which a man’s search for the father he never knew uncovers an unsettling past. And the characters in Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate view the supernatural as intrinsic to daily life. We’ll also explore the long-standing, complicated issue of migration from the perspectives of Mexican and American authors. Sessions devoted to short works by several acclaimed Mexican authors will broaden our exposure to Mexican literature. 

The Westchester Library System owns many copies of the full-length books including some eBook and audio book versions. Paper copies of short works will be distributed the week before they will be discussed. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to read the works in advance; all are welcome!

• October 9: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
  Presenter: Beth Hofstetter
• October 16: Short works (paper copies will be distributed on 10/9)
  Presenter: Linda Whetzel
• October 23: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
  Presenter: Jeanne de Saint Ouen
• October 30: Short works (paper copies will be distributed 10/23)
  Presenter: Elizabeth Ward
• November 6: Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
  Presenter Linda Ferruzzi
• November 13: Short works (paper copies will be distributed 11/6)
  Presenter: Kobie Thakar
• November 20: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
  Presenter: Barbara Hickey

Class Representative: Kobie Thakar

Course Descriptions: Friday

Lecture Series: Mexico

8 sessions
October 10, 17, 24, 31;
November 7, 14, 21;
December 5.
1 – 2:15 p.m.

Classes meet in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library on the New Rochelle Campus.

Join us in this series of eight presentations by knowledgeable LIRIC members and Iona faculty as we explore the rich history and culture of our neighbor south of the border.

• October 10: Mexico’s History: The Aztecs and the Spanish
  Presenter: Lois Lovisolo
• October 17: Mexico’s History: From the Defeat of Santa Anna to the U.S. Annexation of Texas
  Presenter: Lois Lovisolo
• October 24: Mexico’s History: The Rise of Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata
  Presenter: Kobie Thakar
• October 31: The Mexico I Love – Language, Culture, and Song
  Presenter: Rosalie Hollingsworth
• November 7: The Three Amigos (Not the Movie): Cuarón, Iñárritu, del Toro and the Rise of Mexican Cinema
  Presenter: Dean Defino, Director of Film Studies
• November 14: The Indigenismo Art of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
  Presenter: Kristy Caratzola, Arts and Languages Department
• November 21: Indigenism and Literature
  Presenters: Jimena Perry, History Department Nereida Segura-Rico, Former Iona Faculty Member
• December 5: South of the Border: Mexican Immigration
  Presenter: James Carroll, History Department

Please note that this is an abbreviated program as we were not able to find rooms for all the dates on which we have lectures.

Film Course: Mexico on the Movie Screen

5 sessions
October 10;
November 7, 14, 21;
December 5.
2:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Classes meet in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library on the New Rochelle Campus.

From the silent films of yesteryear to the streaming platforms of today, the connection between Hollywood and Mexico has been a complex interplay of art, culture, politics, and commerce. For decades, Hollywood has ventured south of the border for cost-effective production services, while Mexican talent has traveled north for better opportunities. As the world’s fourth-largest movie market, Mexico serves as a training ground for shaping the modern movie landscape.

• October 10: And Starring Poncho Villa as Himself, 2008, 110 minutes
  This re-make of an early silent film made by D.W. Griffith at the behest of Poncho Villa who wanted to raise money and present a heroic image of himself of himself as Mexico’s Robin Hood, stars Antonio Banderas and Alan Arkin.
• October 17: No Class
• October 24: No Class
• October 31: No Class
• November 7: Roma, 2018, 135 minutes
  Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this award-winning film focuses on a Mixteco housekeeper who nurtures her employer’s children through their parents’ impending divorce while dealing with her own unwanted pregnancy.
• November 14: Maria Candelaria, 1944, 96 minutes
  This classic award-winning melodrama, starring Dolores del Rio, tells the story of a
  poor indigenous couple who long to marry despite the obstacles in their way.
• November 21: Like Water for Chocolate, 1992, 105 minutes
  Based upon the novel, this is a cinematic example of magic realism. When Tita is
  prevented from marrying Pedro, he marries her sister to be close to her, and she
  takes to fantastical cooking.
• December 5: Sin Nombre (Without a Name), 2019, 96 minutes
  When a young woman tries to emigrate to the U.S. with her estranged father, their
  journey is interrupted when she meets a pair of Mexican gang members on the same
  American-bound train.

Instructor: Cheryl Passavanti is a learning facilitator and lecturer on current topics about and through film. A frequenter of film festivals and film clubs, she has brought her expertise to the New Rochelle Resource Center, the Adult Education on program in New Rochelle, and, in the last few years, to LIRIC.

Class Representative: Lorraine Rosano