ESU

NYC Branch Shakespeare Finals
2025-02-25 15:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | The Players, 16 Gramercy Park S, New York, New York, 10003, United States
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!

Happy Hour: King George IV: The Worst Ruler in British History?
2025-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
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.

ESU 2025 Founder's Award Gala Honoring Dr. E. Quinn Peeper
2025-03-15 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Winter Park Racquet Club, 2111 Via Tuscany, Winter Park, Florida, 32789, United States
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

Read the press release
About the ESU Founder’s Award
About the 2025 Honoree Dr. E. Quinn Peeper
About ESU Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall

Hotel Information

Spring Hill Suites
Here’s your reservation link your guest can use to make reservations:
Book your group rate for The English-Speaking Union: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1732215030357&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true
You 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.
Event Summary:
The English-Speaking Union
Start Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
End Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

SpringHill Suites Winter Park for 199.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Hilton Garden Inn
Guests can make their reservations using the link or inputting the code ESU in the area of the website.
Event Summary:
The English-Speaking Union
Start Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
End Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park for 189.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Booking link: https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/iaav6g

Happy Hour: Misadventures in the Wild: An Afternoon of Photos and Film with Kris Millgate
2025-04-02 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Happy Hour: Why I Like Mark Twain with Susan K. Harris
2025-04-23 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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.

2025 ESU National Shakespeare Competition - Finals Weekend
2025-04-26 00:00 - 2025-04-28 23:59 (America/New_York)
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!

Happy Hour: A Chip Off Queen Victoria's Block
2025-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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!”

Happy Hour: Kansas City: Home of Disney's Original Animation Studio
2025-06-04 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
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

New York City Week
2025-06-10 00:00 - 2025-06-13 23:59 (America/New_York)
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!

ESU 2025 Patron Tour: Nelson on Shore and at Sea: A Life of the British Admiral
2025-07-06 00:00 - 2025-07-14 23:59 UTC
The English-Speaking Union In Partnership with Sea Cloud Cruises Presents 2025 National Patron Tour Nelson on Shore and at Sea: A Life of the British Admiral With Author and Lecturer Flora FraserJuly 6-14, 2025Naples to MaltaSet sail on an extraordinary journey through history aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud Spirit, retracing the footsteps of one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes, Admiral Horatio Nelson. This exclusive voyage, co-hosted by the English-Speaking Union and Sea Cloud Cruises, offers a unique blend of luxury, adventure, and intellectual stimulation.By day, explore picturesque ports and historic sites central to Nelson’s career and private life. By night, dine under the stars and engage in stimulating conversation with fellow history and adventure enthusiasts. Tour Highlights•Sail from Naples to Malta on board Sea Cloud Spirit, ranked among the best luxury passenger ships in the world. •This three-mast windjammer’s 28 sails are hoisted by hand for authentic sailing experience.• Enjoy lectures by renowned biographer Flora Fraser• Visit key locations in Nelson’s Mediterranean campaigns• Visit the ports of Naples, Capri, Trapani, Palermo, Naxos, Syracuse, and Valletta, Malta• Experience the thrill of sailing on a tall ship in Nelson’s wake• Indulge in luxurious accommodations and gourmet cuisineAbout ESU Patron ToursThe ESU National Patron Tours enhance our Patrons’ engagement with the ESU community through bespoke experiences of cultural enrichment, educational exploration, and unforgettable adventures.

For more information about the tour and how to sign up please contact Rossana Ivanova at rivanova@esuus.org, (862) 224-4244.

Documents and Forms

Participant Agreement
Registration Form

italy-tripDownload

Happy Hour: The Battle of Britain
2025-08-20 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
June, 1940—In the past two months, Nazi Germany has conquered Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Great Britain stands alone against the formidable German war machine. Now, Germany decides to bring Britain to its knees. In order to do that, Goering’s Luftwaffe must win air superiority over the English Channel and Southeast England. The Battle of Britain is about to begin. It is up to the outnumbered British Royal Air Force—”The Few”—to stop the Germans.Please join Seattle’s Museum of Flight volunteer Bob Fishman for an in-depth look at a turning point in history—how the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe and saved Britain and perhaps the world from Nazi domination—the aircraft, the strategy, and the tactics including the first use of radar & ground control to manage an air battle. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Seattle Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout Bob FishmanBob Fishman has been a member of Seattle’s Museum of Flight and twelve years ago, as a volunteer, began giving tours of the Crew Compartment of the Full Fuselage Trainer. He also trained other volunteers. Bob has been an active member of the Museum Speakers’ Bureau, giving talks on World War II, aviation, and space history.He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and subsequently earned Master’s and Doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering. After eight years on active duty as a Naval officer, he had a 40-year career in the electric power generation business as an engineer, project manager, and executive. In 2023, Bob returned to the U.S. Naval Academy as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in Engineering where he is teaching the next generation of Navy and Marine Corps leaders.Bob attended the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA and is an instrument-rated private pilot with over 3,200 hours in fifteen different aircraft models.Cocktail:Bob’s Favorite spirit:Glenlivet 12-year-old single malt, served neat.Drinking whiskey “neat” means that it’s served at room temperature and without any mixers or anything that would dilute the serving, like ice or water. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. Glenlivet, translated from Gaelic, means “valley of the smooth flowing one” and is most likely referencing the nearby River Livet.

Happy Hour: J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth & Modernism
2025-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
J.R.R. Tolkien was a towering figure in the world of twentieth-century English letters. His labors on Beowulf continue to shape the literary landscape, his work on the Oxford English Dictionary still serves, and his groundbreaking thoughts about the role and purpose of fairy stories gave focus to the thoughts of C.S. Lewis and other Inklings. The Rev’d. Andrew Lazo returns to speak to the ESU about Tolkien’s approach to myth and language in his own period—an approach that still speaks call on our age as well.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout Andrew LazoThe Rev. 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 authored 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. After 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. For 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. The talks in the Myth of Love series will be published as chapters of his forthcoming book.

"Teenage Shakespeare" - PD Workshop with Catherine Loomis
2025-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
With wit, insight, and passion, Professor Loomis brings Shakespeare to life in ways that are both entertaining and inspiring. In this one-hour Zoom session, she will share strategies for engaging your students and providing rich historical context through her presentation, “Teenage Shakespeare.” This session will explore what life was like for teenagers in Shakespeare’s time, as well as what the Bard himself experienced during his formative years.Register

Happy Hour: Vampire Literature: An Anthology
2025-10-01 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Co-Authors Dr. Robin Werner and her colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, will discuss their book titled Vampire Literature: An Anthology. Specifically, they will talk about the anthology’s inspiration and the challenges of the creation process.Vampire Literature: An Anthology is the first anthology designed specifically to introduce students and general readers to the history, theory, and cultural impact of the literary vampire. With coverage from the early nineteenth century to the twenty-first, Vampire Literature: An Anthology brings together a wide range of texts from many eras and collects work by American, British, Irish, and Caribbean writers. The focus is on shorter prose texts, primarily short stories and novellas; in a few cases, longer works are excerpted. A range of illustrations, from political cartoons to film stills, is also included.Don’t miss this discussion on an often-misunderstood genre of literature by highly acclaimed authors who bring considerable research into the topic. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout the Co-Authors: Dr. Robin A. Werner and Dr. Elizabeth M. Lewis are instructors in the Department of English at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Werner received her B.A. from St. Lawrence University and both her M.A. and Ph.D. from Tulane. Robin’s research and pedagogical interests are in Victorian Literature, Women and Gender Studies, Theatre History, and Fantasy and Horror Literature. She has taught a variety of special topics courses on children’s fantasy literature, supernatural fiction, and Victorian gender roles.Dr. Lewis’ doctoral degree is in British and American Modernism and Performance Studies. In addition, she has a dance background and taught classical ballet for many years. Her specialty is dance in literature and her dissertation “Dance for the World is Dead” examines the centrality of dance aesthetics to the style and structure of modern epics, including James Joyce’s Ulysses, William Carlos Williams’ Paterson and H.D.’s Helen in Egypt. She has given numerous conference papers and has published in the field, as well.Dr. Lewis teaches undergraduate literature courses in drama, fiction, American and British literature, as well as New Orleans literature, both onsite and online, in addition to courses in Women’s Studies.Cocktail:Mademoiselle d’Styria1.5 oz dudognon champagne cognac•1 oz Lilette Rosé •1 oz Giffard pêche du vigne•0.5 oz Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao•0.5 oz lemon juice•2 dashes Angostura bitters Shaken & served up in a coup glass with a lemon twist

Happy Hour: The Lost Heirs: The Rise and Fall of the D'Oyly Carte Dynasty
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • 4:00 PM ETSponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania BranchThe name D’Oyly Carte is recognized throughout the world because of Richard D’Oyly Carte’s partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan, which produced fourteen famous comic operas during the last quarter of the 19th Century such as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado.Richard D’Oyly Carte (1844-1901) was one of the greatest impresarios of his age as well as a shrewd businessman who realized the potential of Gilbert and Sullivan’s work and worked closely with them to produce and promote their operas. The company became renowned for its high-quality productions featuring talented singers, musicians, and actors. It was the success of these operas that paved the way for D’Oyly Carte’s other achievements—building his own theatres and establishing a chain of luxury hotels that included The Savoy Hotel, Claridge’s and The Berkeley in London.A gripping new book by author James Stebbings sheds new light on the untold story of the D’Oyly Carte family – and the tragic loss of two heirs that ultimately led to the dynasty’s downfall. ‘The Lost Heirs – The Rise and Fall of the D’Oyly Carte Dynasty’, tells the story of Lucas and Michael D’Oyly Carte, the son and grandson of the legendary theatrical impresario and hotelier, Richard D’Oyly Carte.Richard D’Oyly Carte’s empire spanned both the worlds of theatre and luxury hotels. Yet, the story of two of his heirs, Lucas and Michael, has long been overlooked – until now. James Stebbings delves into the lives of these two young men who were destined to carry on the family legacy, but whose untimely deaths sent shockwaves through the D’Oyly Carte family.Today, the legacy of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company lives on through recordings, revivals and adaptations of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, which continue to be loved by audiences around the world.James Stebbings’ presentation is coming to ESU audiences from his hometown in Norfolk County, England. His talk is illustrated with rare photographs and images. If you are a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, a theatre history enthusiast, or anyone intrigued by the dramatic rise and fall of one of Britain’s most celebrated dynasties, this Happy Hour is for you, sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.Register HereAbout James Stebbings:James Stebbings has had a life-long love of the theatre, especially the musical theatre and the world of drama and theatrical entertainment, participating whenever he has had the opportunity. Before retirement, James worked in financial management in London for a US energy company, but his passion was always the musical theatre about which he writes and talks. After his retirement he moved to Norfolk in the East of England which gave him time to focus on subjects he loves. This includes organizing music festivals, managing and representing some professional performers, creating and performing in historical enactments for a local museum, and performing in a musical duo. His newest book, The Lost Heirs – The Rise and Fall of the D’Oyly Carte Dynasty, was just published in April, 2025.James is a familiar figure with ESU Happy Hour audiences giving presentations on Gilbert and Sullivan in 2021, the story of the sinking of the Lusitania in 2022 and, also in 2022, James was a featured speaker at four ESU US Branches in the Evelyn Wrench Lecture series. Cocktail:T.N.T. CocktailThe Fifth of November in the UK is known as Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night remembering when, in 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament. I thought it appropriate therefore that we mark it with a T.N.T. cocktail from The Savoy Cocktail Book.Equal parts:Canadian Club WhiskyAbsinthe Instructions:Fill a mixing glass with ice cubesAdd the whiskey and absintheStir well until chilledStrain into a chilled shot glass or coupeStir, don’t shake: Though Prohibition-era recipes often called for shaking, modern practice suggests stirring spirit-only cocktails to chill them without adding air, which gives them a frothy texture.

Exploring Shakespeare's Women: A Professional Development Workshop
2025-11-15 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join the ESU for an exclusive online professional development workshop live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Explore four of Shakespeare’s most fascinating women—Juliet, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, and Hero—through an interactive session connecting critical writing with rehearsal-room practice. Gain fresh strategies for engaging students with themes of gender, relationships, and power in Shakespeare’s works.Ideal for secondary English and drama teachers, especially those involved in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. Participants may be eligible for Professional Development credit.

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall
2025-11-20 08:00 - 2025-11-23 17:00 (Europe/London)
The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union to
A Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall
Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AG England
November 20–23, 2025

Executive Plus/Deluxe Suite $2,800 pp double occupancy, $3,900 pp single
(Executive Suites at $2,500 pp double / $3,400 pp single are sold out)

Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation from the Earl and Countess of Derby to spend a luxurious weekend at historic Knowsley Hall, a magnificent estate nestled in the English countryside.
Knowsley Hall has been in the ownership of the Stanley family for over 600 years. Set within 2,500 acres of a private walled estate, located near Liverpool, the hall has been welcoming royalty and distinguished guests since 1495.
For more information or to secure your reservation contact Rossana Ivanova, rivanova@esuus.org, (862) 224-4244.

View Itinerary
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Happy Hour: A Brief History of Toys for Tots
2025-12-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
From its humble beginnings in 1947, the wife of a Marine Reserve Major wanted todonate dolls to a charity that would distribute the toys to children in need. Sheconvinced her husband to create one. He looked to fellow Marine reservists to get thejob done. The project was a huge success and was officially adopted by the MarineCorps in 1948 and went nationwide almost immediately.Today, Toys for Tots is recognized as an official activity of the Marine Corps and part ofthe official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. For the past 77 years, the Toys for Totsprogram along with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve have led a campaign to collect newand unwrapped toys, providing millions of gifts annually to underprivileged childrenduring the holiday season.Today’s Happy Hour guest speaker is Major Gunnar Spafford, USMC (Ret.) who is theDeputy Vice President of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The Foundation hassupported Toys for Tots since 1991. Major Spafford will describe the history of Toys forTots and how it has become a worldwide program. The Major will also explain the goalsof the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free to attend, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.About Major Gunnar Spafford, USMC (Ret.) Major Spafford joined the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in August 2023 as the Deputy Vice President of Business Development working within the Marketing & Development department. Major Spafford served in the United States Marine Corps as both an enlisted infantryman and a military police officer before being competitively selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program to receive education and training to become a Marine Corps Officer. As a Military Policeman, he served in multiple billets to include Assistant Special Operations Chief, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of a weapons storage facility, Watch Command, Patrol Supervisor, Special Reaction Team (SRT), and SRT sniper. As an officer, Major Spafford served as Deputy Provost Marshal, Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Senior Operations Officer before fulfilling his final role as a Manpower Program Manager for Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower & Reserve Affairs. After 25 total years of service, Gunnar retired from the Marine Corps and continued as a strategic and innovative Project Management Professional with a diverse background in program leadership and process improvements, most recently working as the Deputy Director for Manpower & Personnel for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
