IN PERSON AT TEMPLE SHALOM

This will be a concert-style presentation, alternating between Lisa's reading of her humorous and poignant Jewish memoirs and Rabbi Sruli's Jewish themed magic. They will also play some Jewish Music.

Rabbi Sruli is the spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Auburn and has been performing Jewish magic for many years. He was a featured performer at last year's Maine Conference for Jewish Life in Waterville. Lisa's memoirs have been published many times in Jewish publications such as the Forward. She has also opened for best-selling author David Sedaris.  

IN PERSON AT AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Richard Mullins will discuss the event known today as The Expulsion of the Acadians. He will use the contents of his book Evangeline: the Novel, which provides the historical information missing from Longfellow’s Evangeline. He will present this history through the biographical material researched on each of the major figures involved. A major objective is to educate on one of Canada’s greatest tragedies that is not systematically taught in schools, through both historical and personal experiences.

Richard Mullins taught high school English in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; then moved to Mahone Bay, N. S. As principal of the high school; then moved to Rumford, ME and taught high school English; taught English Literature for Hudson College; retired and now lives in Dixfield, Me with his wife, Lorraine; they have three daughters and two grandchildren.  

IN PERSON AT SCHOONER ESTATES

2026 marks the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Route 66. It was determined that a road was needed between Chicago and Los Angeles. 2400 miles across what most people thought of as the Great American Desert. But it is far more than that, and we'll do some exploring of the route.

Alan has taught many courses over the past 20 years. 

IN PERSON AT LA METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Whatever we think about immigration into the United States now and in the past, we can agree, I think, that immigration has shaped the character of the United States and also that immigration is implicated in much of the partisan divide we have today.

Issues of economic growth and fiscal health, crime, climate, culture change, racial, religious and national identity (among others) are all connected to immigration matters.

Positions around immigration defy easy labelling of ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative.’ In six short weeks, this course will try to help its participants find their bearings in the immigration debate. 

Doug Bennett taught political theory and public policy at Temple University, Reed College, and Earlham College for 25 years. From 1997 to his retirement in 2011 he was president of Earlham College. He holds a B.A. from Haverford College and Ph.D. in political science from Yale University. Now living in Topsham, he is a member of Durham Friends Meeting (Quakers).