BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ESU - ECPv6.8.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.esuus.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for ESU REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240409T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240409T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240214T221027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240327T183652Z UID:1926-1712678400-1712682000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Winston Churchill and the United States of America with Timothy Riley DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch \nOn April 9\, 1963\, President Kennedy signed a House Resolution proclaiming Sir Winston Churchill an Honorary Citizen of the United States. This program will examine and explore Churchill’s life-long admiration for America and his belief that a “special relationship” between Britain and the United States would benefit both countries and the greater world. We invite ESU members and guests around the world to celebrate National Winston Churchill Day on April 9th with our guest speaker\, Timothy Riley\, Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.  \nRegister here\n\nAbout Timothy Riley\n \nSince 2016\, Timothy Riley has served as the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator for America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton\, Missouri. During his tenure he has expanded the Museum’s collection\, exhibitions\, programs\, publications and underscored the continued relevance of Winston Churchill’s legacy in today’s world. \nHe received his baccalaureate degree from Lawrence University in Appleton\, WI\, before pursuing graduate study at Columbia University in New York City. He previously served at The Cloisters\, a part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. From 2006 to 2012 Mr. Riley served as director of The Trout Museum of Art in Appleton and was appointed Director Emeritus in 2012. Riley was inducted into the Association of Churchill Fellows of Westminster College in 2016. \nHe has curated Churchill exhibitions throughout the United States including aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach\, CA; at the Society of Four Arts in Palm Beach\, FL; Hillsdale College; and at Washington University in St. Louis. Vanity Fair called the latter exhibition “the most comprehensive collection of Churchill paintings ever to be presented.” \nHe is an in-demand speaker on Winston Churchill and has been cited or interviewed by the Wall Street Journal\, Los Angeles Times\, New York Times\, Le Point\, NPR\, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal\, and others. He recently contributed a chapter examining speeches by Winston Churchill and Mikhail Gorbachev in\, The End of Cold War and its Aftermath\, a book published by the Arthur D. Simons Center for Ethical Leadership Interagency Cooperation and published the Command and Staff College Foundation Press. He also is a contributing editor for Finest Hour\, the journal of the International Churchill Society. \nHe serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Churchill Fellows of Westminster College and the Board of Directors for the International Churchill Society-United States. \nMr. Riley was the keynote speaker at the National Patron Reception during ESU’s Annual Conference\, October 20-22\, 2023\, in Kansas City\, Missouri. His presentation\, “How Winston Churchill Mobilized the English Language…in Missouri” was a tour de force at the reception. \nThe ESU Kansas Branch has collaborated with Tim and America’s National Churchill Museum on a number of occasions including a lecture program on “The Art of Winston Churchill” and Tim generously assisted with a video about the Winston and Clementine Churchill Statue in Kansas City as part of ESU’s 100 Years\, 100 Stories Centennial Celebrations. \n2024 marks the 150th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s birth in 1874. There will be events throughout the year in various locations around the globe to commemorate this milestone. Click below to learn more. \n \n\n \nCocktail: \nChampagne (preferably Pol Roger) \n“I could not live without Champagne. In victory I deserve it. In defeat I need it.” \n–Winston Churchill URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-winston-churchill-and-the-united-states-of-america-with-timothy-riley/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/april-9-24-hh-header.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240415T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240415T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240124T022150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T205509Z UID:1790-1713139200-1713225599@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:National Shakespeare Competition Finals DESCRIPTION:The ESU is proud to announce that the 2024 National Shakespeare Competition Finals will be held in New York City on Monday\, April 15 at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center Theater. Our exciting weekend of events in New York City will begin Saturday\, April 13 and will include a welcome reception\, acting workshops for contestants\, an NYC bus tour\, a Broadway show and more! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/national-shakespeare-competition-finals-2024/ LOCATION:Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center\, 150 W 65th St\, New York\, New York\, 10023\, United States CATEGORIES:Homepage Featured,National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nsc-logo.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240501T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240501T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240327T193829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240419T142726Z UID:2226-1714582800-1714586400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Shakespeare: How Leaders Rise\, Rule\, and Fall with Eliot A. Cohen DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Boston Branch \nPerhaps our best teacher on the nature of power – how it is acquired\, exercised\, and lost – is none other than William Shakespeare. An incisive observer of human nature\, Shakespeare educates us on the qualities that make a successful leader and warns how power can corrupt a leader’s moral compass. Four centuries after his death\, Shakespeare’s plays continue to inspire and relate to a 21st-century audience\, and we can learn more about our contemporary political leaders through the lens of his characters. Join our next ESU Happy Hour as Dr. Eliot Cohen compares some of the most memorable leaders of Shakespeare’s plays to their real-world contemporary counterparts. Tracing the art of power from its acquisition to decline. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Boston Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. \n All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Eliot A. Cohen\n \nEliot A. Cohen is the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies\, and the Robert E. Osgood Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)\, where he has taught since 1990. He received his BA and PhD degrees from Harvard and taught there and at the U.S. Naval War College before going to SAIS\, where he has also served as the school’s ninth dean. His books include\, most recently\, The Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and the Necessity of Military Force\, as well as Conquered into Liberty: Two Centuries of Battle Along the Great Warpath that Made the American Way of War\, and Supreme Command: Soldiers\, Statesmen\, and Leadership in Wartime\, among others. \nFrom 2007 to 2009 he was counselor of the Department of State\, serving as Secretary Condoleezza Rice’s senior adviser\, focusing chiefly on issues of war and peace\, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic\, and his commentary has also appeared in the Washington Post\, the Wall Street Journal\, the New York Times\, and on major television networks. \n\n \nCocktail: \nSherry\, served ice cold in a tulip glass as an aperitif. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-shakespeare-how-leaders-rise-rule-and-fall-with-eliot-a-cohen/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/may-1-24-hh-header.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240522T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240522T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240423T150203Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240423T150420Z UID:2410-1716393600-1716397200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Discovering Faulkner's American South in 1990s Pakistan with Dr. Saima Sherazi DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch \nThe 1990s found agrarian societies in Pakistan undergoing profound transitions\, not unlike the American South in the first part of the twentieth century. William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” captures the stark confrontation between waning Southern aristocracy (the Compson family) and the ascendant middle class represented by the Snopes family. \n  \nDr. Saima Sherazi will take us through the experience of coping with societal change\, especially when that change occurs in a setting with entrenched social hierarchies and gender roles. That setting could be rural Pakistan\, or the American South of the 1920s. In either place there is upheaval – urbanization and industrialization collide with traditional dynamics of gender and class.  Dr. Sherazi will share her experience of teaching Faulkner in an all-girls college in a still conservative Pakistan – far removed from the American South\, but nonetheless undergoing similar social upheavals. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Dr. Saima Sherazi\n \nDr. Saima Nawaz Sherazi embarked on her academic journey at Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore\, Pakistan\, where she studied English\, Economics\, and Psychology. She went on to do Masters in English and American Literature and then a PhD in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching from University of Warwick. An outdoor steel sculpture ‘Let’s not be stupid’\, by Richard Deacon situated within the University of Warwick’s grounds\, holds particular significance for her. It symbolizes for her the delicate balance she has maintained between ‘constraint and freedom’ shedding the shackles of traditional expectations and prejudices through education. \nDr Sherazi has shared her expertise at esteemed institutions in both Pakistan and the UK\, including Lahore College for Women University\, Kinnaird College\, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)\, Aston University\, Coventry University\, University of Warwick\, and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). During her tenure at Kinnaird College\, she taught American Literature to postgraduate students\, exploring works by William Faulkner\, Eugene O’Neill\, Robert Frost\, Wallace Stevens\, Emily Dickinson\, and Toni Morrison. At LUMS\, she also contributed as a consultant to the Virtual University of Pakistan\, designing English Language and Technical Writing Courses. \nShe also consulted on projects for the World Bank\, the most notable amongst them being the taskforce on taxation reform and was the editor of the taskforce’s composite Report on Tax Reform of Pakistan. Currently\, Dr. Sherazi focuses on applied linguistics at QMUL. Her research interests revolve around collaborative semi-embedded approaches to writing pedagogy and the integration of elearning multimedia materials in higher education. \nShe also serves as the head of the Language Centre at Queen Mary’s School of Languages\, Linguistics\, and Film. Beyond her professional pursuits\, Dr. Sherazi maintains an abiding interest in feminist critical theory and advocating for gender equality for women in the South Asian subcontinent. \n\n  \nCocktail: \nFrench 75 cocktail \nPrep: 5 mins Easy Serves 1\nIngredients\n20ml lemon juice\n10ml sugar syrup\n30ml gin\nchampagne\nice\nlemon zest\n \nMethod\nStep 1 Pour the lemon juice\, sugar syrup and gin into a cocktail shaker then fill up with ice.\nStep 2 Shake well then strain into a champagne flute. Top with a little champagne\, let settle (as it will bubble up) then fill up with more champagne. Swirl gently with a cocktail stirrer then garnish with a strip of lemon zest if you like. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-discovering-faulkners-american-south-in-1990s-pakistan-with-dr-saima-sherazi/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/may-22-hh-header.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240612T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240612T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240507T144202Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240507T144237Z UID:2483-1718208000-1718211600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: The Great Siege of Malta and the Fate of Empires DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch \nSixteenth century European historians will find this ESU Happy Hour fascinating and one of tremendous significance. The Great Siege of Malta\, a four-month battle from May 18 to September 11\, 1565\, is considered one of the most ferocious conflicts in military history. Rarely have the odds been so unequal and the stakes so high. \nIn 1565 Malta was the key to Europe. And during the summer of that year\, the future of Western Civilization was decided. The Ottoman Empire had extended its control over most of the Mediterranean. If the tiny island of Malta could be captured\, it could become the staging ground for the invasion of critical ports in Europe. \nIt was an epic struggle\, a remarkable tale of resolve and leadership\, of disunity in command\, and disunity among allies. Historically\, the Great Siege of Malta was one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested battles of the sixteenth century. \nDr. Wayne Bowen\, Professor of History and Associate Dean for the College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida\, draws us into this four-month siege on the island of Malta. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Dr. Wayne H. Bowen\n \nWayne H. Bowen is Professor of History and Associate Dean for the College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida. He received a B.A. in History from the University of Southern California\, an M.A. and Ph.D. in European History from Northwestern University\, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He is a specialist on modern Spain\, focused on the era of the Franco dictatorship. \nBowen is the author of nine books\, six of them on Spanish history\, from the early modern era to the Cold War. He has also published more than two dozen articles in academic journals\, with subjects including the Middle East\, the Mediterranean\, and Great Power relations since 1800. His articles have been published in ten countries\, translated into Spanish\, Polish\, French\, and Turkish. \nBowen is currently finishing a contracted book on Spanish workers in Nazi Germany and conducting research for a subsequent monograph on relations between the Spanish and Ottoman Empires from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Bowen is also a retired Colonel in the US Army Reserve\, with service in Iraq and with NATO in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He lives in Oviedo\, Florida\, named after the original Spanish city. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-the-great-siege-of-malta/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/june-12-24-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240528T170603Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240626T203808Z UID:2614-1719421200-1719424800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: What Hemingway Left in Sloppy Joe's Bar DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch \nShortly after Ernest Hemingway’s death in 1961\, his widow\, Mary Hemingway\, was contacted by the owner of Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West\, asking her to retrieve the materials that Hemingway had stored there since he moved to Cuba in 1939. With the aid of Hemingway’s longtime Key West friends Toby and Betty Bruce\, Mary sorted through mountains of papers and belongings\, took what she wished\, and left the rest to the Bruces in gratitude for their help. \nThese materials remained in the family’s possession\, stored on their property in Key West\, for decades until their son\, Benjamin “Dink” Bruce\, decided that they should be in a safer place where they could be of use to scholars. He asked the advice of Sandra Spanier\, whom he had allowed to study the collection on site in her work as General Editor of the Hemingway Letters Project. In 2021 the largest known collection of Hemingway materials in private hands came to the Penn State University Special Collections Library\, where it was opened for research in 2022. \nDr. Sandra Spanier will talk about some of her adventures in scholarship (including the discovery of Hemingway’s first short story\, written at age 10) and some of the other treasures in this trove of thousands of documents\, photographs\, and artifacts. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Dr. Sandra Spanier\n \nSandra Spanier is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English at Pennsylvania State University and General Editor of the Hemingway Letters Project\, which is producing the authorized scholarly edition of the writer’s more than 6\,000 letters\, being published by Cambridge University Press in a projected seventeen volumes. She has a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago\, and an M.A. and PhD. degrees from Pennsylvania State University. \nSpanier serves on the Editorial Board of The Hemingway Review and was a consultant to the PBS documentary film series HEMINGWAY\, directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. She has been active in international collaborative efforts to conserve Hemingway’s papers in Cuba and restore his long-time home outside Havana and is a founding member of the Board of the Finca Vigía Foundation\, which works to preserve Hemingway’s legacy in Cuba. \nIn addition to Hemingway\, her research has focused on American women writers. Spanier’s Kay Boyle: Artist and Activist (1986)\, was the first book about the life and work of Kay Boyle (1902- 1992)\, a distinguished and prolific writer whose work merits wider recognition. She also edited and introduced Boyle’s Life Being the Best and Other Stories (1988) and Process: A Novel (2001) –Boyles long-lost first novel\, the manuscript missing since the 1920s until Spanier discovered it in an archive. Her authorized edition of Boyles letters\, Kay Boyle: A Twentieth- Century Life in Letters\, Selected Letters 1919-1992\, was published in 2015. \nSpanier has also written about journalist and fiction writer Martha Gellhorn (1908-1998)\, who did not wish to be remembered as Hemingway’s third wife. She worked with Gellhorn to bring into print her previously unpublished 1946 play Love Goes to Press: A Comedy in Three Acts (1995; revised edition. 2010)—a comic battle of the sexes set during World War II\, featuring two women war correspondents and the ex-husband of one\, whom she had divorced on the grounds of plagiarism. The play\, a hit in London in 1946 and a flop on Broadway in 1947\, was produced to critical acclaim in 2012 by the Mint Theater in New York. \nCocktail: Daiquiri\nTwo versions from which to choose: \nHEMINGWAY SPECIAL (Circa 1937) \n2 oz. white rum \n1 tsp. grapefruit juice \n1 tsp. maraschino liqueur \n½ oz. fresh lime juice \nFrappe (chip or crush) some ice\, add to shaker\, then add remaining ingredients. Shake well\, then pour into a chilled cocktail glass. \nPAPA DOBLE (THE WILD DAIQUIRI) (Circa 1947) \n3 ¾ oz. white rum \n2 oz. fresh lime juice \n2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice \n6 drops maraschino liqueur \nBlend well with ice. Serve in a large\, chilled goblet. \nCredit:  Philip Greene\, To Have and Have Another:  A Hemingway Cocktail Companion \nSuggested reading: Islands in the Stream (“Cuba”) URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-june-26-2024/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/june-26-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240714T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240720T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240514T154549Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240514T180841Z UID:2524-1720915200-1721519999@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 1-Week “Page to Stage” Program DESCRIPTION:Immerse yourself in the language and world of Shakespeare with experts from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.  Based in the historic sites of Harvard House and Hall’s Croft (home of Shakespeare’s daughter)\, you will enjoy interactive\, illustrated talks from eminent scholars on a range of topics including: Shakespeare’s Life\, Times and Legacy; Shakespeare in Performance; Music in Shakespeare’s Theatre; current research trends in Shakespeare Studies.  There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the Trust’s treasures held in its archives and collections through a Q&A with its collections experts. \nThe course will include behind-the-scenes tours and museum visits as well performances at the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company and Globe theatres.  \nTo set you up for the theatre visits you will engage in pre-performance talks on the plays being seen\, along with facilitated group post-performance discussions and a chance to talk with members of the RSC’s acting company. \nThe program is designed to give you a new perspective on how Shakespeare’s legacy is celebrated in Stratford-upon-Avon and continues to shape people’s lives not just in the town of his birth\, but around the world. \nThis travel-learning experience is perfect for anyone interested in cultural exploration\, lifelong learning\, or just having a uniquely English experience.  It’s also an excellent opportunity for English\, social studies\, and theater teachers of all experience levels (including pre-service and retired)\, and others who are eager to engage in learning with world-class scholars and educators in a historic setting. \nIncludes accommodations at the historic White Swan Hotel\, admission to all sites\, breakfast daily\, performance tickets and round-trip transportation to Shakespeare’s Globe in London. An ESU representative will also be present. Enjoy every planned activity or explore Stratford at your leisure. We are planning a full itinerary but you decide what to enjoy! Following is the initial program. Please Note: it is subject to adjustment depending on speaker and RSC tour availability. All classes will take place at the Harvard House or Hall’s Croft\, Stratford-upon-Avon. \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nitaly-trip URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/sbt-page-to-stage-2024/ CATEGORIES:Homepage Featured,National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shakespeares_birthplace.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240814T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240814T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240709T151142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T200230Z UID:2787-1723651200-1723654800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: C.S. Lewis and the Powerful Predicament of Language DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch \nC.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. Lewis wrote more than thirty books\, reaching a vast audience and attracting thousands of new readers every year. \nIn his last\, best novel\, C. S. Lewis gives voice to a potent and glorious challenge facing writers\, readers\, and lovers of language when a wise character suggests that\, “to say the very thing you really mean\, the whole of it\, nothing more or less or other than what you really mean; that’s the whole art and joy of words”. As a deeply-committed and famously-accomplished scholar\, critic writer\, and reader\, C. S. Lewis has much incisive wisdom to offer in such matters. \nIn his talk\, Lewis scholar and Episcopal priest the Rev’d Andrew Lazo explores a number of Lewis’s most insightful and helpful observations arising from a lifetime devotion to the powerful predicament of language. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Andrew Lazo\n \nThe Rev’d Andrew Lazo is an internationally-known speaker and writer specializing in C.S. Lewis and the Inklings. Andrew earned his Master’s in Modern British Literature from Rice University where he was a Jacob K. Javits fellow in the Humanities. He is a frequent speaker around the U.S. and U.K. and has written several articles on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In 2009\, Andrew published Mere Christians: Inspiring Encounters with C.S. Lewis. In 2014 he also was honored to transcribe\, edit\, and publish a previously unknown book by C.S. Lewis\, “Early Prose Joy\,” which was Lewis’s very first spiritual autobiography. For ten years he taught English and C. S. Lewis at St. Thomas and Houston Christian High Schools in Houston. \nAfter finishing studies for an M. Div. (with Honors) at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria\, VA in May 2022\, Andrew was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in January 2023 and serves as the Apprentice Rector at Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden\, FL. He is also pursuing his doctorate in Romantic Theology at Northwind Seminary\, where he serves as a Distinguished Lecturer. Andrew is married to author and speaker Dr. Christin Ditchfield Lazo. \nFor more than fifteen years\, Andrew has been working on a long-awaited study of Till We Have Faces\, making groundbreaking discoveries all along the way. The results of his ongoing research have led him to give talks to the Mythopoeic Society in 2016 as Scholar Guest of Honor; in the summer of 2017\, Andrew served as a plenary speaker at the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s 2017 Summer Institute in Oxford and Cambridge. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-c-s-lewis-and-the-powerful-predicament-of-language/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image002.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240904T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240812T171109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240812T173119Z UID:2911-1725469200-1725472800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Exploring Churchill's Public Service Through Period Memorabilia DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Savannah Branch \n2024 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill with events planned throughout the year which celebrate and explore his remarkable public service and enduring legacy. Brian E. Krapf\, is recognized internationally as an authority on the memorabilia made during Sir Winston’s public service\, which spanned over 65 years. Mr. Krapf has recently published A Churchill Treasury\, which is the first book to utilize period memorabilia to document Sir Winston’s public service in a biographical format. Mr. Krapf will discuss his book\, A Churchill Treasury\, and give us a rare tour of some of the Churchill pieces in his collection\, many of which have not been shown in public. In Antiques Roadshow fashion\, Mr. Krapf invites Happy Hour viewers to send photos of their Churchill memorabilia for show and tell. Upload photos here. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Savannah Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Brian Krapf\nBesides being an accomplished civil trial lawyer in Savannah\, Georgia\, Mr. Krapf has avidly collected period Churchilliana for over thirty years. According to fellow collectors\, he has assembled the premier collection of Winston Churchill memorabilia in the United States. \nHe is an active member of the International Churchill Society and has served as ICS’s collection columnist and published a monthly Churchilliana column in the organization’s Churchill Bulletin for the past six years. Likewise\, items from his collection have been reproduced several times as cover illustrations for ICS’s Finest Hour quarterly journal. Additionally\, Mr. Krapf is an avid collector and conservator of American presidential campaign memorabilia. He formerly served seven years as the national President of the American Political Items Collectors. He has been honored with APIC’s highest award\, induction into the organization’s Hall of Fame. He is also a published political historian\, and has been a guest on CNN\, MSNBC\, and NPR. American items from his collection have been featured in History Channel documentaries and in major printed media publications. Mr. Krapf served as an advisor to Congress on proposed amendments to the Hobby Protection Act. \n\nCocktail\nJohnny Walker black\, neat. This was also Churchill’s drink of choice. Truly a wise man with excellent taste!  \n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-exploring-churchills-public-service-through-period-memorabilia/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/sept-4-24-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240921T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240927T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240113T214306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240507T143250Z UID:1726-1726876800-1727481599@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU 2024 Patron Trip: A Private View of Italy DESCRIPTION:A Private View of Italy – Our Italian Partner and Host\n\n\n\nFounded by art historian Count Stefano Aluffi-Pentini in 1996\, A Private View of Italy encourages guests to appreciate the life of historic palaces and villas\, and allows them to discover the inaccessible treasures that are hidden behind closed doors. Through the centuries the Italian aristocracy has preserved their residences\, which were designed by architects such as Raphael\, Palladio\, and Bernini. \n\n\n\nThanks to Count Stefano Aluffi-Pentini’s trusted interactions and long-time friendships with the families owning these residences\, our group will be welcomed in extraordinary places\, often by the homeowners themselves. \n\n\n\nA Private View of Italy has hosted groups from many illustrious institutions including: \n\n\n\n\nThe Art Institute of Chicago\n\n\n\nThe Collectors Circle of the Winterthur Museum\n\n\n\nThe Frick Collection\n\n\n\nMorgan Library\n\n\n\nNew York Philharmonic\n\n\n\nThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\n\n\n\nPhiladelphia Museum\n\n\n\nWhitney Museum\n\n\n\nWorld Monuments Fund\n\n\n\n\nAbout the ESU National Patron Tours\n\n\n\nThe ESU National Patron Tours enhance our Patrons’ engagement with the ESU community through bespoke experiences of cultural enrichment\, educational exploration\, and unforgettable adventures. \n\n\n\nFor more information about the tour and how to sign up please contact Rossana Ivanova at rivanova@esuus.org\, (862) 224-4244. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Documents and Forms \n \n \n Itinerary \nRegistration Form \nParticipant Agreement \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nitaly-trip URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/esu-2024-patron-trip-a-private-view-of-italy/ CATEGORIES:Homepage Featured,National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/italy-trip.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240925T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240812T172724Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240905T154311Z UID:2913-1727287200-1727290800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: The Life and Times of Margaret (Molly) Brown DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Denver Branch \nAn overview of the life and legacy of Margaret Tobin Brown\, activist\, WWI volunteer in France\, philanthropist\, and suffragist whose 1889 home\, shown above\, is an historic museum in downtown Denver\, CO. Though known to many as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” due to surviving the sinking of R.M.S. Titanic in 1912\, Margaret’s legacy is presented at her home with emphasis on her enduring legacy of social justice and public service. Guest speaker\, Pamela Mahonchak\, will trace Margaret’s life from her early childhood in Hannibal\, Missouri\, to Leadville\, Colorado\, where she met and married mining engineer James Joseph Brown\, to her days of glory in Denver and New York. The presentation will cover her accomplishments and her status as an icon in the fight for universal suffrage. There is a lot more to Molly Brown than the Titanic! This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Denver Branch. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Pamela Mahonchak\n \nPamela Mahonchak draws from her wealth of knowledge as a docent at the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver where she began volunteering in 1971. She still gives weekly tours when she is not traveling since retiring as an airline pilot. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\nCocktail: Bee’s Knees\nBee’s Knees- According a newspaper article from April 22\, 1929 in The Standard Union\, Margaret Brown invented the “Bee’s Knees” cocktail: “The ‘Bee’s Knees’ is an invention of Mrs. J.J. Brown of Denver and Paris\, widow of the famous miner\, and is a rather sweet combination including lemon and honey.” Did she really invent it? We do not know but it is a fun story! \nBee’s Knees Recipe (makes one cocktail) \n1/2 oz honey syrup \n1 oz fresh lemon juice \n2 oz gin \nLemon twist \n\nMake Honey Syrup: combine two tablespoons honey and two tablespoons water in a small bowl or saucepan. Warm in the microwave or on the stove until you can completely stir the honey into the water. \nCombine honey syrup\, lemon juice and gin in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold\, about 30 seconds.\nStrain into a martini glass or coup.\nGarnish with a lemon twist. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-the-life-and-times-of-margaret-molly-brown/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/hh-sept-25-24.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240913T194817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T194823Z UID:3653-1728489600-1728493200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch \nHer birth in 1533 came as a result of one of the most controversial marriages in royal history\, that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Little Princess Elizabeth lost her status as legitimate heir to the throne before she was three years old when her father moved on to another wife. When Elizabeth became Queen of England at age 25\, public debate immediately turned to the prospect of her own marriage. From Parliament to the Privy Council in England\, and from monarchs and ministers throughout Europe\, many lobbied for their choice as the world waited for the queen to make a decision. Enter the world of royal romance\, where the personal is political and marriage is a matter of public debate. While Elizabeth I had many eager prospects\, in the end she was the only English monarch to rule as an adult and never marry. \nOur guest speaker\, Carol Ann Lloyd\, is a historian\, Shakspearian\, and acclaimed author. In her latest book\, Courting the Virgin Queen\, Lloyd tells us how Queen Elizabeth I’s decisions defied expectations throughout her reign\, frustrating her supporters\, and encouraging her enemies. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Pinehurst Branch in North Carolina. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All Happy Hours take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Carol Ann Lloyd\n \nCarol Ann Lloyd is a popular historian and Shakespearian with expertise in Shakespeare\, 16th century England\, women’s lives\, and leadership. She speaks globally for Smithsonian Associates\, Agecroft Hall\, Royal Oak Foundation\, and other organizations. She also lectures for Smithsonian Journeys and the Queen Mary 2\, and other cruise ships. Carol Ann delivers programs for business audiences about leadership\, focusing on how today’s leaders can use timeless leadership principles from Shakespeare and history to achieve success in the modern world. Carol Ann is the host of the popular “Royals\, Rebels\, and Romantics” podcast and is the author of books\, including The Tudors by Numbers\, Courting the Virgin Queen\, How to Build Relationships One Conversation at a Time\, and Meaningful Conversations. She holds graduate degrees from the University of Virginia and University of Utah and is doing additional postgraduate work with Oxford University. Carol Ann is a member of National Speakers Association and Past President of the Washington\, DC chapter. \n\nCocktail: Courting the Queen Mocktail\n \nMix one part cranberry juice with two parts Fresca\, Sprite\, or other fizzy drink. Garnish with blueberries and raspberries. Best enjoyed on the deck. Note: you can substitute something stronger for the fizzy drink. \n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-courting-the-virgin-queen-queen-elizabeth-i-and-her-suitors/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/oct-9-24-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241018T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241020T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20240509T180905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T141848Z UID:2493-1729209600-1729468799@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:The English-Speaking Union of the United States Annual Conference with The International Council Meeting 2024 DESCRIPTION:Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey as we gather in the vibrant city of Cleveland. We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all ESU and International Council members to join us for an unforgettable experience this October. \nParticipants will have the unique opportunity to engage with our International community at large\, from around the globe\, from places such as Asia\, South Asia\, Eastern Europe\, Europe and the UK. The International Council will host the Welcome dinner held on Friday evening. \nImmerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of Cleveland\, a city renowned for its rich history\, cultural diversity\, and thriving arts scene. This is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for education\, language\, and cultural exchange. Prepare to be inspired by engaging speakers\, breakout sessions\, and enlightening discussions. \nYou will have the chance to embark on guided tours to experience the best of what Cleveland has to offer. The Cleveland Museum of Art is a renowned institution with over 63\,000 artworks spanning 6\,000 years\, known for its digital advancements and free admission. It is a leading hub for exhibitions\, research\, and digital innovations in the art world. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was built in Cleveland in 1995 after winning a bid over other cities. Star-studded events marked milestones like the groundbreaking ceremony in 1993 and the grand opening in 1995. The Cleveland Orchestra is a top-tier orchestra renowned for its exceptional performances and dedication to the community. Led by Franz Welser-Möst\, the Orchestra has set new goals to enhance its impact on Northeast Ohio by prioritizing concert experiences\, music education\, and cutting-edge technology. Performances are held at Severance Hall in Cleveland and the Blossom Music Center in the summer. \nThe Tour of Cleveland covers all the main attractions from Public Square to Playhouse Square\, including landmarks such as Old Stone Church\, Terminal Tower\, Soldiers and Sailors Monument\, Cleveland Public Library\, Federal Reserve of Cleveland\, and Playhouse Square. Visitors will also get to explore the inside of the Arcade and Cleveland Trust Company Building (Heinens). \nSo mark your calendars and secure your spot. Join us in Cleveland this October and be part of a community that celebrates knowledge\, fosters connections\, and embraces the joy of learning. \nThe following Cleveland hotels are offering special room rates for ESU Conference attendees: \n\nHotel Cleveland\, Autograph Collection\n24 Public Square\, Cleveland Ohio 44113\nSeptember 17 cut-off date to make reservations ($229/night)\nBook your ESU group rate \nThe Westin Cleveland Downtown\n777 St. Clair Ave NE\, Cleveland\, OH 44114\nSeptember 17 cut-off date to make reservations ($209/night)\nBook your ESU group rate \n\n  \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Preliminary Schedule of Events\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nitaly-tripDownload URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/2024-agm/ CATEGORIES:Homepage Featured,National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-AGM-Cleveland-Banner-v5-3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241106T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241106T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20241007T201316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T201706Z UID:4138-1730916000-1730919600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Four Award-Winning Poets Share Their Love of Poetry DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU New York City Branch \nPoetry tugs at our emotions and affects each of us differently. Listening to versus reading poetry can create different images and thoughts even for the same poem. Join this special ESU Happy Hour when we bring four award-winning poets together to share their love of poetry—Karen Karpowich\, Susana Case\, Meredith Trede\, and Peter Nickowitz. Our poets will be reading their own poems in a round-robin program covering topics such as love\, aging\, film\, travel\, art\, family\, food\, and elegy. These poems will inspire us\, give us emotional strength and perspectives on our lives. This is a Happy Hour you will want to share with the whole family. Invite your friends to this extraordinary ESU Happy Hour program. \nBe sure to read the bios on the four poets including our own ESU Executive Director\, Karen Karpowich. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU New York City Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Our Four Poets\n \nKaren Karpowich’s work has appeared in the Red River Review\, Mudfish\, In the Orange Room and in the anthologies\, An Eye for an Eye Makes the Whole World Blind and If the World Was Your Classroom What Would You Teach a Girl. Her poem\, In Central Park was featured at The Symphony Space event commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Her other works include\, A Poem Against the War that inspired the creation of a new symphony by the Dutch composer\, Harrie Janssen. Karen is the Executive Director of the English-Speaking Union of the United States. \n  \nSusana Case has authored nine books of poetry\, most recently If This Isn’t Love\, 2023. She has won several book awards\, including multiple Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards\, and she was a Finalist twice and an Honorable Mention for the Eric Hoffer Book Award\, as well as Finalist for the American Book Fest Awards\, and the International Book Awards. The first of her five chapbooks\, The Scottish Café\, was re-released in an English-Polish version\, Kawiarnia Szkocka  and an English-Ukrainian edition\, Шотландська Кав’ярня\, was published in January\, 2024. Case co-edited\, with Margo Taft Stever\, the anthology I Wanna Be Loved by You: Poems on Marilyn Monroe. \n  \n \nMeredith Trede has three poetry collections: Bringing Back the House ; Tenement Threnod\,y Field Theory and\, as a Toadlily Press founder\, a chapbook\, Out of the Book. Her extensive journal publications include Barrow Street\, The Feminist Wire\, Friends Journal\, Gargoyle\, A Gathering of Tribes\, and The Paris Review. She has held residencies at Blue Mountain Center\, Ragdale\, Saltonstall\, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in Virginia and France. \n  \n  \n \nPeter Nickowitz is the author of a collection of poetry\, Cinema Vernacular which was a finalist for the National Poetry Series\, and a literary critical book\, Rhetoric and Sexuality: The Poetry of Hart Crane\, Elizabeth Bishop\, and James Merrill.  In addition to poetry\, Peter writes plays and screenplays.  His feature-length screenplay\, Jonathan\, was made into a film starring Ansel Elgort\, Patricia Clarkson\, Suki Waterhouse\, and Matt Bomer.  Jonathan premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival\, was released theatrically by Well Go Entertainment\, and is currently streaming on Netflix.   \n\nCocktail: Manhattan\n  \nAs a salute to New York City\, our Happy Hour cocktail is: \nThe Manhattan: \n2 ounces rye whiskey \n1 ounce sweet vermouth \n2 dashes Angostura bitters \nGarnish: brandied cherry (or lemon twist\, if preferred) \nDirections: \n\nPour the whiskey\, sweet vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice.\nStir until the mixing glass is very cold to touch.\nPlace ice and cherry in a rocks glass\, then strain the shaker over the fresh ice.\n\n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-four-award-winning-poets-share-their-love-of-poetry/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11-6-24-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241123T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241123T120000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20241031T155148Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T150548Z UID:4604-1732359600-1732363200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Online Professional Development Workshop for Educators: "Bringing Shakespeare to Life in Your Classroom with Dr. Nick Walton" DESCRIPTION:Zoom Workshop\, November 23\, 2024 at 11:00 am ET \nAre you an educator looking to bring the Bard to life in your classroom? The ESU is thrilled to announce this professional development workshop open to teachers participating in the National Shakespeare Competition\, TLab\, or any of the ESU’s education programs. Led by renowned Shakespeare scholar Dr. Nick Walton live via Zoom from Stratford-upon-Avon\, this online session will help educators find fresh\, engaging ways to introduce Shakespeare to students.  \nDr. Walton is the Shakespeare Courses Development Manager for Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK.  He has decades of experience making Shakespeare accessible\, relevant\, and fun for modern students. In this one-hour session\, Dr. Walton will share hands-on techniques and insights into Shakespeare’s world\, giving teachers the tools to spark students’ curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of his timeless works. \nThis workshop is ideal for high school English and drama educators\, particularly those participating in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. Participants in this online workshop may earn Professional Development credits under the New York City Department of Education. \nDon’t miss this opportunity to bring a new level of excitement and insight into your teaching! \nRegister Online URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/shakespeare-pd-workshop/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/unnamed-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241211T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241211T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20241016T150215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241016T150341Z UID:4296-1733932800-1733936400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: History of Christmas Carols DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch \nDuring this Christmas season\, Christmas carolers bring the holiday season to life. Join this special Happy Hour and learn how this Christmas tradition began and changed over time. Beginning with Roman times\, carols emerged from songs sung during the four seasons. During the Middle Ages\, minstrels played carols. The Tudor period\, brings a rich Tudor feast described in one carol. Carols were suppressed during the Cromwellian period. The eighteenth century saw many more carols written and composed. In the nineteenth century\, many carols came to England from the continent. Our guest speaker\, Adrienne Hesketh\, will perform her own carol with the Baptist Church band.  \nThis Happy Hour brings everyone into the holiday season\, and we welcome you to share with family and friends of all ages. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All Happy Hours take place on Eastern Time. \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Adrienne Hesketh\n \nI always had an interest in music and history from when I was a child. I learned to play the piano when I was nine and started composing my own music. Before I married and had children I worked as a clerk/archaeological assistant in the Ancient Sites and Monuments Register of Devon\, County Hall in Exeter. I enjoy looking up history\, giving talks based on my findings and playing many concerts in the local area. \n  \n\nCocktail\nOrange Blossom \n\n25ml Great Glen Light or Zesty Highland Gin\n25ml sweet vermouth\n25ml orange juice\nOrange flowers or a twist of orange\, to garnish\n\nAdd the ingredients to a shaker with ice and stir well. Gently strain into a rocks or martini glass. Garnish\, serve and enjoy! \n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-history-of-christmas-carols/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/12-11-24-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250108T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20241031T153623Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T151142Z UID:4600-1736352000-1736355600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Churchill's Citadel DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch \nKatherine Carter\, longstanding curator of the Churchill family’s country home\, will present her pivotal new account of Churchill’s activities during the 1930s\, highlighting how Chartwell\, his rural residence\, became the epicenter of his anti-Nazi endeavors. During the 1930s\, as Europe edged closer to conflict\, Winston Churchill was politically sidelined. However\, it was during this period that his home\, Chartwell\, in Kent\, transformed into the command center for his crusade against the rise of Nazi Germany. He convened with esteemed colleagues and sources\, such as Albert Einstein and T.E. Lawrence\, who bolstered his efforts while he diligently warned of the looming war. \nIn her newly published book\, Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm\, Carter narrates the compelling tale of these significant yet obscure gatherings at Chartwell. She introduces an intriguing ensemble of individuals—from renowned figures to political heavyweights\, envoys to intelligence agents—who influenced Churchill’s insights and tactical approach. Utilizing Chartwell as his stronghold\, Churchill collected critical information on Germany’s militaristic advancements\, positioning himself to alter history’s trajectory. \nThis ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All Happy Hours take place on Eastern time.  \nRegister Here\n\nAbout Katherine Carter\n \nKatherine Carter is a curator\, historian\, and biographer who has managed the house and collections at Chartwell\, Churchill’s country home\, for more than a decade. A widely sought after commentator and adviser on the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill\, she lectures internationally and appears frequently in print and broadcast media. \n  \n  \n\nCocktail\nThough “The Churchill” cocktail is named after the famous politician\, Churchill himself would never have drunk one. He famously didn’t care much for mixed drinks and preferred his scotch heavily watered down. And one would think Churchill would prefer an expensive\, rare scotch. But he actually liked Johnny Walker Red\, an inexpensive one. \nHowever\, Pol Roger champagne holds a special place in history as the favored drink of Sir Winston. A legacy dating back to 1849 earning a reputation for producing exquisite sparkling wines synonymous with elegance and refinement. \n“The Churchill” \n\n1 1/3 oz Johnnie Walker Red\n1/2 oz Punt e Mes Carpano (red Vermouth)\n1/2 oz Cointreau\n2 drops of fresh lemon juice\n\nInstructions \n\nChill a martini or coupe glass\nFill a cocktail shaker with ice\nAdd the scotch\, sweet vermouth\, Cointreau\, and lime juice\nShake until very cold\, about 15 seconds\nPour into the chilled cocktail glass\n\n  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-churchills-citadel/ LOCATION:Livestream\, United States CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-8-24-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250129T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250129T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250103T170348Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T165850Z UID:5455-1738170000-1738173600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: I Stole a Monet for My Client DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills BranchJoin this fascinating Happy Hour with guest speaker Debra Rhodes Smith who has written a memoir of anecdotes during her 34-year career as a certified arts appraiser and Fine Art Advisor. Many experiences are shared while amassing the art collections for some of the largest corporations and luxury hotels worldwide. In her book\, “Tales of Art Beyond the Frame\,” Smith describes one of her most interesting assignments involving the acquisition of a Monet for a client and through some quirky circumstances at a Sotheby’s auction\, she was able to obtain a million-dollar Monet for well under the valued price. All of Smith’s tales are true\, witty\, poignant\, intelligent\, informative\, sophisticated\, and a fresh perspective of the often-mysterious world of art. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills\, NC Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.Register HereAbout Debra Rhodes SmithSince 1977 when I began my career as an art advisor to prestigious corporations\, the client list grew throughout the United States and as far as the Middle East and Macao. Not only were there corporate collections\, but art placement in the most renowned luxury hotels\, healthcare facilities and airline lounges worldwide. This included hundreds of guest rooms and public space art installations. In 1981\, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration recognized my expertise and requested I contribute an article to their Journal. Then in 1991\, after two years at New York University Appraisal Studies for Fine and Decorative Arts\, I joined the Appraisers Association of America. In 2009\, I became USPAP compliant.CocktailMy favorite cocktail is a Skyy Vodka dry martini using an atomizer of vermouth accompanied with a jalapeno stuffed olive. However\, to celebrate the start of the New Year\, I recommend Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Manhattan with a splash of bitters. Cheers! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-i-stole-a-monet-for-my-client/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1-29-25-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250208T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250208T140000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250122T201708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250122T210556Z UID:5727-1739019600-1739023200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Online Professional Development Workshop for Educators: "The Art of the Sonnet: Teaching Shakespeare's Poetry for Performance" with Bada's Eunice Roberts DESCRIPTION:SATURDAY\, FEBRUARY 8 @ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ESTLIVE via Zoom from Oxford\, EnglandAre you a high school educator eager to make Shakespeare’s sonnets more accessible and engaging for your students?The ESU is excited to invite you to an exclusive professional development workshop\, designed for teachers involved in the National Shakespeare Competition\, TLab\, or any of the ESU’s education programs.Led by Eunice Roberts—former dean and current course director at the British American Drama Academy (BADA)—this interactive workshop will be broadcast LIVE via Zoom from Oxford\, England. Eunice will share her expertise as a classically trained actor and educator\, demonstrating how performance techniques can deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s poetry. Through the study of two selected sonnets\, participants will gain practical tools for using rhythm and language to unlock the rich potential of Shakespeare’s text.This workshop is ideal for high school English and drama educators\, especially those participating in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. Participants can also earn Professional Development credits through the New York City Department of Education.Don’t miss this opportunity to bring fresh insights and excitement to your teaching!Space is limited—register today! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/sonnet-professional-development/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250116T185914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T202819Z UID:5626-1739980800-1739984400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Why I Started World Elephant Day DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch. Filmmaker and conservationist\, Patricia Sims\, talks about her journey to create the annual global awareness campaign\, World Elephant Day\, which she founded in 2012. Through her photography of Asian and African elephants\, Patricia portrays her conservation work with elephants\, her documentaries about elephants\, and her recent trip to Kenya to see how the impact of World Elephant Day has helped numerous conservation organizations protect these animals for more than a decade by creating a global movement to save elephants. This is a Happy Hour for the whole family. All ages will enjoy learning about Patricia’s quest to save and protect elephants\, the largest land mammals on earth. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All ESU Happy Hours take place on Eastern time. Register HereAbout Patricia SimsPatricia Sims is an award-winning documentary director and producer who has always kept a passionate eye on conservation. As an independent producer\, Patricia has directed documentaries around the world focusing on stories that merge art\, science\, nature\, and the interrelationships between humans and animals. She has collaborated with some of the world’s leading conservation celebrities\, scientists and explorers\, with a specialization in wildlife and oceanographic productions. Well-traveled in over twenty-five countries she has directed documentary features and series for Canadian and international networks\, nonprofit organizations and the United Nations University. She is a Fellow International of The Explorers Club and Fellow at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. As a dedicated conservationist and impact producer\, Patricia is the Founder of World Elephant Day\, the annual global awareness day and campaign that brings attention to the critical threats facing elephants. Patricia is the Founder and Executive Director of World Elephant Society\, the 501(c)(3) public charity for World Elephant Day. Patricia is also the President and Producer of her production company Canazwest Pictures\, based in Victoria\, BC.CocktailFrench MartiniCreated in the late ’80’s in New York City\, this is a fruit-forward twist on the classic martini.1 ½-ounces vodka½-ounce Chambord3/4 ounces pineapple juiceA dash of lime juiceLemon twist for garnishFill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodka\, Chambord and pineapple juice. Shake well. Strain into a 4-ounce martini glass and garnish with lemon twist. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/happy-hour-why-i-started-world-elephant-day/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2-19-25-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250222T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250222T163000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250115T160957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T211139Z UID:5604-1740223800-1740241800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU's Showtime Shindig DESCRIPTION:The ESU is hosting another Showtime Shindig which is part of the ESU Theatre Club.  We will be seeing Andrew Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard starring Grammy-nominated singer and Laurence Olivier-Award winning actress Nicole Scherzinger. We will be attending the show on Saturday\, February 22nd at 2PM and having a light brunch before the show at the ESU’s Offices at 11:30AM. Hotel accommodations are available at the Shelburne-Sonesta Hotel at a special rate for ESU members. Use this link for reservations English Speaking Union – Shelburne Sonesta New York  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/esus-showtime-shindig/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/sunset-blvd-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250225T153000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250225T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250219T154331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T154334Z UID:6233-1740497400-1740506400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:NYC Branch Shakespeare Finals DESCRIPTION:Join us on Tuesday\, February 25\, for the ESU New York City Branch Shakespeare Finals at The Players\, an historic theater landmark in the heart of Gramercy Park! From 3:30 to 6:00 PM\, 10 talented high school finalists from across NYC will take the stage in this iconic venue\, competing for a chance to represent NYC at the ESU National Shakespeare Competition Finals at Lincoln Center on April 28.Come cheer on these amazing young performers as they bring Shakespeare’s words to life in this incredible setting! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/nyc-branch-shakespeare-finals/ LOCATION:The Players\, 16 Gramercy Park S\, New York\, New York\, 10003\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-Players.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250312T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250312T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250211T161106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250214T203553Z UID:6108-1741802400-1741806000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: King George IV: The Worst Ruler in British History? DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Richmond Branch.British historian\, Sir Spencer Walpole\, described King George IV (1762-1830) as “a bad son\, a bad husband\, a bad father\, a bad subject\, a bad monarch\, and a bad friend.” The Duke of Wellington was more charitable of the king\, “[King George IV] was indeed the most extraordinary compound of talent\, wit\, buffoonery\, obstinacy\, and good feeling–in short\, a medley of the most opposite qualities–with a great preponderance of good–that I ever saw in any character in my life.” King George IV was known for his manners and charm but also for his drunkenness\, spendthrift ways\, and scandalous love life. Learn more about King George III’s son\, who left the Crown weaker and less popular\, but immeasurably richer in architecture\, the fine and decorative arts\, in this ESU Happy Hour hosted by James C. Kelly\, Ph.D.\, of ESU’s Richmond Branch\, who recently retired after a half-century-long curatorial career. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Richmond VA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All Happy Hours take place on Eastern Time.Register HereAbout Dr. James KellyJames C. Kelly\, a native of Philadelphia\, received a Ph.D. in history from Vanderbilt University. He has been\, successively\, Executive Director of the Tennessee American Revolution Bicentennial Commission\, Chief Curator of the Tennessee State Museum\, Assistant Director for Museums at the Virginia Historical Society\, and until his retirement on July 31\, 2024\, Chief of Museum Programs Division of the U.S. Army Center of Military History. Among his publications are articles of Anglo-Cherokee relations in the eighteenth century\, Bound Away: Virginia and the Westward Movement; The Virginia Landscape: A Cultural History; and Jamestown\, Quebec\, Santa Fe: Three North American Beginnings. A long-time member of the Richmond Branch of the ESU\, he attended the Royal Collection Studies at Windsor Castle\, where he was on the memorable 11th of September 2001\, and he contributed a chapter on Queen Elizabeth’s formative years for The Queen and the U.S.A.\, published in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.  URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/3-12-25-hh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3-12-25-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20241003T162952Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T170532Z UID:4096-1741996800-1742083199@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU 2025 Founder's Award Gala Honoring Dr. E. Quinn Peeper DESCRIPTION:The English-Speaking Union Founder’s Award GalaHonoring Dr. E. Quinn PeeperESU National ChairmanHis Britannic Majesty’s Honorary Consul to LouisianaSaturday\, March 15\, 2025Winter Park Racquet ClubWinter Park\, FloridaWith Special Guest Caroline Emma Stanley\, Countess Derby of Knowsley Hall  \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n Read the press release \nAbout the ESU Founder’s Award \nAbout the 2025 Honoree Dr. E. Quinn Peeper \nAbout ESU Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall \n  \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n Hotel Information \n \n \n \n Spring Hill Suites\nHere’s your reservation link your guest can use to make reservations:\nBook your group rate for The English-Speaking Union: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1732215030357&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true \nYou will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link\, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event. \nEvent Summary:\nThe English-Speaking Union\nStart Date: Thursday\, March 13\, 2025\nEnd Date: Sunday\, March 16\, 2025\nHotel(s) offering your special group rate: \n\nSpringHill Suites Winter Park for 199.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday\, February 12\, 2025\n\nHilton Garden Inn \nGuests can make their reservations using the link or inputting the code ESU in the area of the website. \nEvent Summary:\nThe English-Speaking Union\nStart Date: Thursday\, March 13\, 2025\nEnd Date: Sunday\, March 16\, 2025\nHotel(s) offering your special group rate: \n\nHilton Garden Inn Winter Park for 189.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday\, February 12\, 2025\n\nBooking link: https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/iaav6g URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/esu-2025-founders-award-gala/ LOCATION:Winter Park Racquet Club\, 2111 Via Tuscany\, Winter Park\, Florida\, 32789\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/founders-gala-FNL2FNL2-min.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250402T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250402T180000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250211T162951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250312T154949Z UID:6111-1743613200-1743616800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Misadventures in the Wild: An Afternoon of Photos and Film with Kris Millgate DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch.Kris Millgate is an Emmy-Award winning multimedia journalist\, bold storyteller\, and certified Idaho Master Naturalist. She is a producer\, writer\, editor\, and author of three books on her adventures. Kris will describe her amazing outdoor experiences from wildfires and water wars to tracking grizzlies and tagging trout. With a quarter-century of multimedia storytelling experience\, she traverses the country in search of dynamic outdoor stories. She will talk about her transition from a TV news anchor to an outdoor naturalist and environmentalist through beautiful pictures and short film clips. Invite your friends and family to this ESU Happy Hour as Kris tells us about her spectacular adventures and misadventures in the wild. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.Register HereAbout Kris MillgateKris Millgate is a bold storyteller\, but she wasn’t born brave. Millgate\, an outdoor journalist born the same year as the Endangered Species Act\, grew up painfully shy and afraid of beards.Millgate graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in broadcast journalism and spent a decade in TV news before starting Tight Line Media in 2006. As producer\, writer\, videographer\, photographer\, certified drone pilot\, editor and gear hauler\, Millgate engages in every project with inspiring enthusiasm and unmatched intensity. In the edit bay\, she never tires. In the field\, she never stops. She hikes\, bikes\, rows and flies her cameras into the wilderness to collar grizzlies\, catch native trout\, and count bald eagles. Kris is an energetic and passionate advocate for nature’s beauty and protection.Her productions have been broadcast on PBS\, toured with film festivals\, won national recognition\, and put her on stage as an inspiring public speaker who reveals awkward truths. Kris’s honors include Outdoor Writers Association of America first-place awards for fishing\, hunting\, conservation\, and adventure stories. She’s the recipient of The Ted Trueblood Award for exceptional communication from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. She’s also recognized for outstanding service and wildlife conservation by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. She talks to strangers daily and she hangs out with beards often. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/4-2-25-hh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/new-4-2-25-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250423T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250423T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250312T170833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T161101Z UID:6506-1745424000-1745427600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Why I Like Mark Twain with Susan K. Harris DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Indianapolis Branch.Mark Twain (1835-1919) was an American humorist\, journalist\, lecturer\, and novelist who gained international fame for his travel narratives and for his adventure stories of boyhood\, especially The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is considered one of America’s best and most beloved writers. Susan K. Harris is a Mark Twain scholar as well as a scholar of American women’s writings. She has published four books on the author. Susan’s talk will focus on Twain’s innovative language\, his double-edged humor\, his political courage\, and his struggle to find certainty in an uncertain world. She will explore the debate over teaching Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—how its offensive language works\, and why it matters.Susan investigates aspects of Mark Twain’s fascinating life most people never knew. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Indianapolis Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.Register HereAbout Susan K. HarrisSusan K. Harris served twelve happy years as the Joyce and Elizabeth Hall Distinguished Professor of American Literature at the University of Kansas. She received a B.A. from Antioch College in Yellow Springs\, Ohio\, an M.A. from Stanford University\, an M.A. from Cornell University\, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. She has published four books on Mark Twain and edited both a Riverside edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Library of America’s volume Mark Twain: Historical Romances.  She served on numerous advisory boards and university-level committees at Penn State and KU\, and for national institutions such as NEH.  Most recently\, she served as President of the Mark Twain Circle of America (2020-2022) and received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Society for the Study of American Women Writers. URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/4-23-25-hh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/4-23-25-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250428T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250219T154657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250421T200911Z UID:6237-1745625600-1745884799@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2025 ESU National Shakespeare Competition - Finals Weekend DESCRIPTION:Mark your calendars! From Saturday\, April 26 to Monday\, April 28\, 2025\, NSC Branch Champions from across the country will gather in New York City for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration\, learning\, and performance.The weekend will culminate with the Final Competition at Juilliard’s Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center on Monday\, April 28.We are thrilled to bring together such extraordinary young performers from across the country. Let the countdown begin—we can’t wait to see you shine on stage! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/2025-esu-national-shakespeare-competition-finals-weekend/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250514T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250514T170000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250415T145225Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T145229Z UID:6949-1747238400-1747242000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: A Chip Off Queen Victoria's Block DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Charleston Branch.Queen Victoria (1819-1901) is one of the best loved monarchs. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days\, which was longer than those of any of her predecessors\, constituted the Victorian era. The British Empire reached its peak during her rule. Almost within touching distance of our own time\, her story is so familiar to us it seems unlikely that there is much new to discover. This ESU Happy Hour will uncover amazing and little-known aspects of Victoria’s family. Victoria`s mother\, the Duchess of Kent\, had already been married and widowed before her wedding to a son of George III. From her first husband\, she had a daughter\, Feodora\, who came to live in London when her mother remarried. At Kensington Palace she married the Prince of Hohenloe Langenberg. Their son\, and Queen Victoria`s nephew\, was Prince Victor Gleichen. After distinguished service in the British Navy\, Prince Victor took up a career as a sculptor\, working from his apartments in St James` Palace. Quickly becoming the Victorian sculptor of choice\, his work is found in collections throughout Britain\, and especially in the Royal Collection. Two of his children followed in their father’s footsteps. One daughter\, Feodora\, became an even more successful sculptor\, exhibiting at the Royal Academy on more than a dozen occasions. Helena\, an early suffragist who served on the Western Front during WWI\, was an accomplished artist. Our guest speaker\, John Vigar\, takes a close look at Prince Victor and tells the remarkable story of the Gleichen family of sculptors. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charleston Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.Register HereAbout John Vigar\, MA FSA Scot FRSAJohn Vigar has been described as one of the most popular commentators on English history. He lectured for the University of Kent from 1992 to 2010\, teaching a variety of architectural and social history studies\, and has worked on a sessional basis for many other academic institutions. He has been a regular tutor at Denman College for over 35 years and is now part of their Denman at Home program. An enthusiastic and popular approach to his subject ensures that he has a large following of regular students. In addition to his contracted lectures John is a popular speaker at meetings of many  groups including The Arts Society (NADFAS)\, the National Trust\, and historical societies country-wide. His lecture tours to public libraries and colleges in Germany where he speaks on English literature and its links with topographical history are well received. John proudly states\, “I`m keen to bring [my lectures] to life through a series of amusing and accessible presentations\, and after one of my lectures you`ll never see history as a dull and dry subject again!” URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/5-14-25-hh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/5-14-25-hh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250604T190000 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250506T153717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T153721Z UID:7078-1749060000-1749063600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Kansas City: Home of Disney's Original Animation Studio DESCRIPTION:Walter Elias Disney (1901-1966) was born in Chicago\, IL. The Disney family moved to Kansas City in 1911 where nine-year old Walt delivered newspapers with his brother\, Roy. Six years later\, Walt attended classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. Founded in 1885\, the Kansas City Art Institute is one of the oldest and most respected art and design colleges in the U.S. In 1918\, during World War I\, Walt served in France with the Red Cross.In May\, 1922\, Disney founded his first professional film studio in Kansas City\, Missouri. He named it Laugh-O-gram Films. He rented an office suite on the second floor of the then-new building on 1127 E. 31st Street in Kansas City\, a building designed by noted Kansas City architect Nelle Peters. Walt and his young crew made inventive cartoons\, including several loosely based on classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and his first Alice comedy\, Alice’s Wonderland.Despite the short life of Laugh-O-gram Films\, it was the foundation of Walt Disney’s remarkable career and of The Walt Disney Company of today. Laugh-O-Gram was “the cradle of Hollywood animation.” Although animation has been produced for nearly 20 years on the east coast\, Walt Disney and the Kansas City animators who followed him to Hollywood were the first to produce animation there.The Laugh-O-gram Films office is where Disney first met and befriended a real-life mouse scampering on the office floor. Before Walt moved to Los Angeles\, he made a point of taking his mouse companion into the countryside so he would not fall victim to the cats which lived in the restaurant on the first floor of the Laugh-O-gram building. It is said by some that this provided Disney with the inspiration for his most well-known creation: Mickey Mouse.Decades have passed since Disney moved to Los Angeles in 1923. The old building on 31st Street in Kansas City fell into decay. Then\, when the building was facing demolition\, local real estate developer\, Butch Rigby\, joined with Columbia\, Missouri\, attorney Dan Viets and others to form a non-profit corporation\, Thank You Walt Disney\, Inc. Through years of perseverance and fundraising efforts\, the old “Laugh-O-gram” building on 31st Street is now undergoing a massive\, multi-million-dollar renovation dedicated to the legacy of Walt Disney.Our guest speaker for this ESU Happy Hour is Dan Viets\, President of Thank You Walt Disney\, Inc. With photos and other images\, Dan will share his vast knowledge of Walt Disney\, the history of the Laugh-O-gram building and describe the services and activities planned for the building. The ESU Kansas City Branch sponsors this ESU Happy Hour. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.Register HereAbout Dan VietsDan Viets is President of Thank You Walt Disney\, Inc. He joined Thank You Walt Disney shortly after it was formed in the mid-1990s. He has served on the TYWD Board for more than 25 years.Dan is co-author of the book\, Walt Disney’s Missouri: The Roots of a Creative Genius\, published by The Kansas City Star. He has also authored articles about Walt Disney’s Missouri history published by the University of Missouri School of Journalism\, Truman State University\, the Missouri Historical Society\, the Jackson County Historical Society\, and others.Dan has lectured for many years about Walt Disney’s Missouri history on behalf of the Missouri Humanities Council/State Historical Society of Missouri. He has made presentations at the Walt Disney Boyhood Hometown Museum in Marceline\, Missouri\, the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco\, as well as to Disney employees at Disneyland in California\, Walt Disney World in Florida\, Walt Disney/Pixar Animators\, and at the national convention of Disneyana Fan Club in Anaheim\, California. Dan has a degree in Philosophy and Psychology and a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Missouri at Columbia.Cocktail:Scotch Mist was Walt’s favorite drink for a reason. It’s complex yet refreshing\, the perfect cocktail to sip slowly on the patio at the end of a warm day. 2 ounces of Scotch whiskey1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice1/2 ounce of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water\, dissolved)Soda waterCrushed iceLemon twist URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/6-4-25-hh/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6-4-25-hh.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250610T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250613T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T061949 CREATED:20250403T193418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153115Z UID:6890-1749513600-1749859199@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:New York City Week DESCRIPTION:Join us for New York City Week\, a dynamic celebration of culture\, history\, and community in partnership with the ESU’s Andrew Romay Center for New Immigrants (ARNIC). This exciting lineup of events includes\, the Big Onion Walking Tour\, an Immigrant Programs Luncheon\, the ARNIC Graduation\, and Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.June 11\, 2025 – Immigrant Programs Luncheon – A special gathering to celebrate and support programs that empower and uplift immigrant communities.June 12\, 2025 – Big Onion Walking Tour & ARNIC Graduation – Discover the fascinating immigrant history of New York City on this expert-led walking tour\, followed by the ARNIC Graduation Ceremony\, honoring the newest graduates of the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC). The ceremony\, held at the ESU national headquarters\, celebrates the resilience\, hard work\, and success of our inspiring new immigrant students.June 13\, 2025 – Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical – Experience this critically acclaimed\, darkly comedic musical that tells the incredible true story of one of WWII’s most daring espionage operations.As part of the festivities\, don’t miss our Showtime Shindig\, a dazzling evening of entertainment and connection.Only 20 spots available! Tickets for New York City Week events are available for individual purchase or as part of a package—customize your experience and celebrate the best of New York your way!Reserve your spot today! URL:https://www.esuus.org/event/new-york-city-week/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/New-York-City-Event.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR