SSI SPRING TERM CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 2023
MAY 2023 CLASSES
Note:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes start at 10 a.m.
Tuesday classes start at 1 p.m.
NOTES:
Several classes will be in-person at the PCC CLIMB Center: 1626 SE Water Ave., Portland or NH
(Neighborhood House) 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland. The PCC CLIMB class will also be offered by
zoom and indicated as “in-person and by zoom”. Zoom access information, as well as any unforeseen
changes, will be announced in the weekly email newsletter prior to the class.
● Pay for Parking at PCC CLIMB – discount code for SSI members can be obtained at the front
reception desk before paying for parking ($2 with code).
● Please wear your name tag to all in-person classes; be sure to fill out the medical information on
the reverse side.
● Wearing masks is optional at either location.
Classes in the Week of May 1
Monday May 1 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Poetry Reading Fun!
Presenter: Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a variety of
published works. Really FUN!
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 2 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Class Notes, a Young Teachers Lessons from Classroom to Kennedy Compound
Presenter: Carolyn Wood, Author
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Carolyn Wood lived in Oregon all but one year of her life -- the year she worked as
the governess for Senator Robert and Ethel Kennedy's children. Class Notes: A Young Teacher's
Lessons from Classroom to Kennedy Compound recounts the serendipitous path that led her to
Hyannis in 1968, months after the Senator's death and provides a glimpse into a world few of us
encounter.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 3 — 10 am - Noon
Title: One Man's Journey Through War in the Pacific
Presenter: Craig Siegel, Author
Location: Zoom
Class description: Follow Leonard Gordon from boot camp in Oregon to combat in New Guinea and
The Philippines as part of the Allies’ relentless drive to defeat the Empire of Japan in World War II.
Leonard’s story, based on his memoir Righteous Might: One Man’s Journey Through War in the
Pacific” is rich with details from the view of the common soldier, sharing stories of everyday activities
in camp as well as deadly combat.
Bio: Craig is a freelance author with a passion for history. His main historical interests are the
American Revolution and World War II and published work includes feature articles for Portland-area
publications and technical articles for national trade magazines. He lives in Portland, Oregon with
wife, Susan, and rescued poodle, Joey. Righteous Might is his first full-length book and his upcoming
book is on the battle for Lone Tree Hill in the New Guinea campaign.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 4 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Regional Natural History - Portland OR
Presenter: David Lonsdale
Location: Zoom
Class description: Regional landscape changed significantly as humans settled and continued to
settle the area. The original settlers-the 1st People-recognized that the region provided a wellspring
of natural resources to support their lifestyles. However, the region’s natural features began to
change rapidly with the arrival of Europeans as a regional trade center (early 1800s). Subsequently,
the region’s landscape succumbed to many modifications; its flora, fauna & geology was molded to
meet our needs and desires. In other words, Portland became a typical US Urban Center.
Bio: David D. Lonsdale was born in the British Dependent Territory of Bermuda (Islands in mid
Atlantic Ocean) and has 50+ years’ experience in the field of Marine Biology. He was a leader in
public aquariums for over 32 years. David has directed aquarium operations, developed numerous
exhibits, and overseen educational programming at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo,
Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and finally at Duluth’s (MN) Great Lakes Aquarium. He has also taught
college level courses in Introductory Ecology, Aquatic Biology, and Introductory Marine Biology. After
his retirement in 2002, he became a consultant for the development of new aquarium exhibits and
newly proposed public aquariums.
—————————————————————————————————--
Week of May 8
Monday May 8 — 10 am – Noon
Title: Curiosity Cafe: An Ode to Public Benches
Presenter: Warren Karmol, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Essays are an important part of literature. In essays, the pleasure of reading takes
precedence over the information in the text. Attendees are encouraged to read a 13-page essay prior
to the class. Here is a link to the essay: ODE TO PUBLIC BENCHES # 1 - Google Docs
Attendees will then discuss the essay as well as discussing the role of essays in today’s culture. 2nd hour
is open for topics of your choice or continuing discussion of essays.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Tuesday May 9 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Historic Presidents
Presenter: Barry Bennett, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Barry will guide us through several short Curiosity Stream videos on the particular
aspects of four presidents: George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon B.
Johnson. We will then discuss the characteristics that make for a consequential or great president, or
any other aspects of their presidencies that class attendees wish to raise.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Wednesday May 10 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Home Share Oregon
Presenter: Lupine DeSnyder, Area Manager, Home Share Oregon
Location: Zoom
Class description: Lupine will talk about the program and its benefits to seniors. She will discuss how
home shares are catching on for seniors who want to stay living in their homes and may be looking
for a way to make extra income to offset rising costs, find companionship, and perhaps get a little
help around the house.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Thursday May 11 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Brain Health
Presenter: Carlos Romo, PhD
Location: NHH; in person only
Class description: The brain is an extraordinary organ, with many wonderful qualities. It's never too
late to focus on your brain health! In this interactive presentation, you will learn about six (6) pillars of
brain health and activities that support brain health that will hopefully inspire participants to act now.
The session is an overview for anyone interested in learning more about brain health. Information on
the latest research on brain health, lifestyle suggestions and resources will be provided and
discussed.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 15
Monday May 15 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Poetry Reading Fun!
Presenter: Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a variety of
published works. Really FUN!
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 16 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: 1 Point Perspective
Presenter: Alice Cotton, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Let’s make a colorful, interesting scene inside an elongated box that goes up into
the sky! You can visually crawl within it once you know how to set it up. You can make it as long or
short as you wish. Shall we travel to infinity? You will need the usual: pencil, paper and colors. Plus
have a ruler or straight edge of any kind handy.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 17 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Brain Tricks
Presenter: Susan Schenk, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: It’s Spring cleaning time for your brain. Brush away that brain fog with some tricks
to be better at remembering. Learn the secret techniques. Susan will share with you the methods
taught in the Dale Carnegie Courses. If you’ve ever said my memory is terrible, or I never remember
names, or I have to write everything down to remember”….then you’ll want to come to this insider’s
pain-free guide to tricking your brain into serving you better.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 18 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Fighting Fraud
Presenter: Carlos Romo, PhD
Location: NHH; in person only
Class description: This presentation will discuss the latest research on the psychology of scams and
frauds and how to identify them. Additionally, Carlos will provide information on trends in scams and
frauds; resources to prevent and protect you from being scammed, as well as recent scams in your
area.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 22
Monday May 22 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Curiosity Café: Organic Foods- Are They Worth the Extra $$$?
Presenter: “Chef” Betty Woods, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: 1st hour: Have you always questioned if buying organic foods is really better for
you and worth the dough you shell out above the cost of the non-organic kind? Learn the facts of the
does and don’ts of purchasing organic food stuffs and the way of the future for organically grown
crops. 2nd hour is open for topics of your choice or continuing discussion of organic foods.
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 23 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Being Ugly: Southern Women Writers and Social Rebellion
Presenter: Monica Miller, Dr.
Location: Zoom
Class description: While popular stereotypes of the region often highlight southern belles as the
epitome of feminine power, women writers from the South frequently stray from this convention and
invest their fiction with female protagonists described as ugly or chastised for behaving that way.
Through this divergence, “ugly” can be a force for challenging the strictures of normative southern
gender roles and marriage economies. In this talk, Dr. Miller will discuss how southern women writers
have created what she characterizes as the “ugly plot” in fiction to upend the expectations of
patriarchy and open more possibilities for southern female identity.
Bio: Dr. Monica Carol Miller is an Assistant Professor and the coordinator of Graduate Programs in
English at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia. She is the author of Being Ugly: Southern
Women Writers and Social Rebellion (Louisiana State University Press, 2014), co-editor of The Tacky
South (Louisiana State University Press, 2022), and editor of Dear Regina: Flannery O’Connor’s Letters
from Iowa (University of Georgia Press, 2022), which was recognized by the Georgia Historical Records
Advisory Council for Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of Archives in 2022.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 24 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Beavers
Presenter: Reese Mercer, Program Director, Beaver Works Oregon
Location: Zoom
Class description: A Path Forward: Natural Beaver Recovery and how Castor canadensis (one of two
extant beaver species) shaped western landscapes – we will take a historical look at their removal and
challenges to recover, and a path forward for natural beaver recovery in The Beaver State.
Bio: Reese and a small group of dedicated volunteers started Beaver Works in 2019, with a focus on
removing obstacles for beaver success through Outreach, Support and Habitat. The program is part
of Think Wild - Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center in Bend, Oregon.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 25 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Together, We Can End Unsheltered Homelessness
Presenter: Keith Wilson, Board Member, Shelter Now
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Keith is a tireless advocate for the environment, sustainable business practices,
and homelessness. He will discuss Shelter Now, a Portland-based organization launched by the
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty and Portland neighborhood association leaders, whose goal is to
advocate for the creation of a wide range of alternative shelters to address the immediate crisis on
Portland’s streets. He will talk about his global travels learning about successful practices that
communities have employed to end unsheltered homelessness.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 29
Monday May 29 — Memorial Day - No Class
We salute and honor those military men and women who died in service of our country.
_____________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 30 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: The Measure of Fortune
Presenter: Mark Eifler
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Did the California Gold miners find success? What did success even mean to
them? What does their search say to us? This is the story of riches, failure, confusion, and perhaps
ultimately the true meaning of success, told through the letters of four seekers of fortune.
Bio: Mark is an Associate Professor of History (Emeritus) and Former Department Chair, University
of Portland. He holds Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees from the University of California, Berkeley
in American history with a specialty in the American frontier.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 31 — 10 am - Noon
Title: From the Not So Silent Movies to the Golden Age of Film Music
Presenter: Gordon Neal Herman, Musician and Educator
Location: Zoom
Class description: Even during the Silent Movie era, music was part of both the film making process
as well as at the movie show. This class will explore how the relationship between film and music --
how it developed and how music was used in the early days of sound.
Bio: As a composer, Gordon has written numerous works in various styles. In 1996, he was part of a
national residency in musical theater sponsored by the NEA and has worked on several music theater
projects. He has released several CDs of original compositions. Gordon has been teaching music
history since 1981. He was the visiting lecturer in American Music History at the University of
Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1984 - 1985 and has taught at University of Idaho, Portland State
University, Linfield College and Marylhurst University. In the 1990s, he was a lecturer for the
Elderhostel program, and in the 2000s was part of the Portland, OR. OASIS program.
MAY 2023 CLASSES
Note:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday classes start at 10 a.m.
Tuesday classes start at 1 p.m.
NOTES:
Several classes will be in-person at the PCC CLIMB Center: 1626 SE Water Ave., Portland or NH
(Neighborhood House) 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland. The PCC CLIMB class will also be offered by
zoom and indicated as “in-person and by zoom”. Zoom access information, as well as any unforeseen
changes, will be announced in the weekly email newsletter prior to the class.
● Pay for Parking at PCC CLIMB – discount code for SSI members can be obtained at the front
reception desk before paying for parking ($2 with code).
● Please wear your name tag to all in-person classes; be sure to fill out the medical information on
the reverse side.
● Wearing masks is optional at either location.
Classes in the Week of May 1
Monday May 1 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Poetry Reading Fun!
Presenter: Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a variety of
published works. Really FUN!
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 2 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Class Notes, a Young Teachers Lessons from Classroom to Kennedy Compound
Presenter: Carolyn Wood, Author
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Carolyn Wood lived in Oregon all but one year of her life -- the year she worked as
the governess for Senator Robert and Ethel Kennedy's children. Class Notes: A Young Teacher's
Lessons from Classroom to Kennedy Compound recounts the serendipitous path that led her to
Hyannis in 1968, months after the Senator's death and provides a glimpse into a world few of us
encounter.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 3 — 10 am - Noon
Title: One Man's Journey Through War in the Pacific
Presenter: Craig Siegel, Author
Location: Zoom
Class description: Follow Leonard Gordon from boot camp in Oregon to combat in New Guinea and
The Philippines as part of the Allies’ relentless drive to defeat the Empire of Japan in World War II.
Leonard’s story, based on his memoir Righteous Might: One Man’s Journey Through War in the
Pacific” is rich with details from the view of the common soldier, sharing stories of everyday activities
in camp as well as deadly combat.
Bio: Craig is a freelance author with a passion for history. His main historical interests are the
American Revolution and World War II and published work includes feature articles for Portland-area
publications and technical articles for national trade magazines. He lives in Portland, Oregon with
wife, Susan, and rescued poodle, Joey. Righteous Might is his first full-length book and his upcoming
book is on the battle for Lone Tree Hill in the New Guinea campaign.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 4 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Regional Natural History - Portland OR
Presenter: David Lonsdale
Location: Zoom
Class description: Regional landscape changed significantly as humans settled and continued to
settle the area. The original settlers-the 1st People-recognized that the region provided a wellspring
of natural resources to support their lifestyles. However, the region’s natural features began to
change rapidly with the arrival of Europeans as a regional trade center (early 1800s). Subsequently,
the region’s landscape succumbed to many modifications; its flora, fauna & geology was molded to
meet our needs and desires. In other words, Portland became a typical US Urban Center.
Bio: David D. Lonsdale was born in the British Dependent Territory of Bermuda (Islands in mid
Atlantic Ocean) and has 50+ years’ experience in the field of Marine Biology. He was a leader in
public aquariums for over 32 years. David has directed aquarium operations, developed numerous
exhibits, and overseen educational programming at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo,
Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and finally at Duluth’s (MN) Great Lakes Aquarium. He has also taught
college level courses in Introductory Ecology, Aquatic Biology, and Introductory Marine Biology. After
his retirement in 2002, he became a consultant for the development of new aquarium exhibits and
newly proposed public aquariums.
—————————————————————————————————--
Week of May 8
Monday May 8 — 10 am – Noon
Title: Curiosity Cafe: An Ode to Public Benches
Presenter: Warren Karmol, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Essays are an important part of literature. In essays, the pleasure of reading takes
precedence over the information in the text. Attendees are encouraged to read a 13-page essay prior
to the class. Here is a link to the essay: ODE TO PUBLIC BENCHES # 1 - Google Docs
Attendees will then discuss the essay as well as discussing the role of essays in today’s culture. 2nd hour
is open for topics of your choice or continuing discussion of essays.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Tuesday May 9 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Historic Presidents
Presenter: Barry Bennett, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Barry will guide us through several short Curiosity Stream videos on the particular
aspects of four presidents: George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon B.
Johnson. We will then discuss the characteristics that make for a consequential or great president, or
any other aspects of their presidencies that class attendees wish to raise.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Wednesday May 10 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Home Share Oregon
Presenter: Lupine DeSnyder, Area Manager, Home Share Oregon
Location: Zoom
Class description: Lupine will talk about the program and its benefits to seniors. She will discuss how
home shares are catching on for seniors who want to stay living in their homes and may be looking
for a way to make extra income to offset rising costs, find companionship, and perhaps get a little
help around the house.
————————————————————————————————————————--
Thursday May 11 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Brain Health
Presenter: Carlos Romo, PhD
Location: NHH; in person only
Class description: The brain is an extraordinary organ, with many wonderful qualities. It's never too
late to focus on your brain health! In this interactive presentation, you will learn about six (6) pillars of
brain health and activities that support brain health that will hopefully inspire participants to act now.
The session is an overview for anyone interested in learning more about brain health. Information on
the latest research on brain health, lifestyle suggestions and resources will be provided and
discussed.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 15
Monday May 15 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Poetry Reading Fun!
Presenter: Trina Gaynon, SSI member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Know a lot about poetry? Know nothing about poetry? Somewhere in-between?
There’s a place for you in this very popular class led by Trina Gaynon. We read from a variety of
published works. Really FUN!
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 16 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: 1 Point Perspective
Presenter: Alice Cotton, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: Let’s make a colorful, interesting scene inside an elongated box that goes up into
the sky! You can visually crawl within it once you know how to set it up. You can make it as long or
short as you wish. Shall we travel to infinity? You will need the usual: pencil, paper and colors. Plus
have a ruler or straight edge of any kind handy.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 17 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Brain Tricks
Presenter: Susan Schenk, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: It’s Spring cleaning time for your brain. Brush away that brain fog with some tricks
to be better at remembering. Learn the secret techniques. Susan will share with you the methods
taught in the Dale Carnegie Courses. If you’ve ever said my memory is terrible, or I never remember
names, or I have to write everything down to remember”….then you’ll want to come to this insider’s
pain-free guide to tricking your brain into serving you better.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 18 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Fighting Fraud
Presenter: Carlos Romo, PhD
Location: NHH; in person only
Class description: This presentation will discuss the latest research on the psychology of scams and
frauds and how to identify them. Additionally, Carlos will provide information on trends in scams and
frauds; resources to prevent and protect you from being scammed, as well as recent scams in your
area.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 22
Monday May 22 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Curiosity Café: Organic Foods- Are They Worth the Extra $$$?
Presenter: “Chef” Betty Woods, SSI Member
Location: Zoom
Class description: 1st hour: Have you always questioned if buying organic foods is really better for
you and worth the dough you shell out above the cost of the non-organic kind? Learn the facts of the
does and don’ts of purchasing organic food stuffs and the way of the future for organically grown
crops. 2nd hour is open for topics of your choice or continuing discussion of organic foods.
______________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 23 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: Being Ugly: Southern Women Writers and Social Rebellion
Presenter: Monica Miller, Dr.
Location: Zoom
Class description: While popular stereotypes of the region often highlight southern belles as the
epitome of feminine power, women writers from the South frequently stray from this convention and
invest their fiction with female protagonists described as ugly or chastised for behaving that way.
Through this divergence, “ugly” can be a force for challenging the strictures of normative southern
gender roles and marriage economies. In this talk, Dr. Miller will discuss how southern women writers
have created what she characterizes as the “ugly plot” in fiction to upend the expectations of
patriarchy and open more possibilities for southern female identity.
Bio: Dr. Monica Carol Miller is an Assistant Professor and the coordinator of Graduate Programs in
English at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia. She is the author of Being Ugly: Southern
Women Writers and Social Rebellion (Louisiana State University Press, 2014), co-editor of The Tacky
South (Louisiana State University Press, 2022), and editor of Dear Regina: Flannery O’Connor’s Letters
from Iowa (University of Georgia Press, 2022), which was recognized by the Georgia Historical Records
Advisory Council for Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of Archives in 2022.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 24 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Beavers
Presenter: Reese Mercer, Program Director, Beaver Works Oregon
Location: Zoom
Class description: A Path Forward: Natural Beaver Recovery and how Castor canadensis (one of two
extant beaver species) shaped western landscapes – we will take a historical look at their removal and
challenges to recover, and a path forward for natural beaver recovery in The Beaver State.
Bio: Reese and a small group of dedicated volunteers started Beaver Works in 2019, with a focus on
removing obstacles for beaver success through Outreach, Support and Habitat. The program is part
of Think Wild - Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center in Bend, Oregon.
______________________________________________________________
Thursday May 25 — 10 am - Noon
Title: Together, We Can End Unsheltered Homelessness
Presenter: Keith Wilson, Board Member, Shelter Now
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Keith is a tireless advocate for the environment, sustainable business practices,
and homelessness. He will discuss Shelter Now, a Portland-based organization launched by the
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty and Portland neighborhood association leaders, whose goal is to
advocate for the creation of a wide range of alternative shelters to address the immediate crisis on
Portland’s streets. He will talk about his global travels learning about successful practices that
communities have employed to end unsheltered homelessness.
______________________________________________________________
Week of May 29
Monday May 29 — Memorial Day - No Class
We salute and honor those military men and women who died in service of our country.
_____________________________________________________________
Tuesday May 30 — 1 - 3 pm
Title: The Measure of Fortune
Presenter: Mark Eifler
Location: PCC CLIMB; in person & by zoom
Class description: Did the California Gold miners find success? What did success even mean to
them? What does their search say to us? This is the story of riches, failure, confusion, and perhaps
ultimately the true meaning of success, told through the letters of four seekers of fortune.
Bio: Mark is an Associate Professor of History (Emeritus) and Former Department Chair, University
of Portland. He holds Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees from the University of California, Berkeley
in American history with a specialty in the American frontier.
______________________________________________________________
Wednesday May 31 — 10 am - Noon
Title: From the Not So Silent Movies to the Golden Age of Film Music
Presenter: Gordon Neal Herman, Musician and Educator
Location: Zoom
Class description: Even during the Silent Movie era, music was part of both the film making process
as well as at the movie show. This class will explore how the relationship between film and music --
how it developed and how music was used in the early days of sound.
Bio: As a composer, Gordon has written numerous works in various styles. In 1996, he was part of a
national residency in musical theater sponsored by the NEA and has worked on several music theater
projects. He has released several CDs of original compositions. Gordon has been teaching music
history since 1981. He was the visiting lecturer in American Music History at the University of
Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1984 - 1985 and has taught at University of Idaho, Portland State
University, Linfield College and Marylhurst University. In the 1990s, he was a lecturer for the
Elderhostel program, and in the 2000s was part of the Portland, OR. OASIS program.