BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Kansas City - ECPv6.8.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Kansas City X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Kansas City REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20240310T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20241103T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 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 TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250426T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250428T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250411T163809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250411T163901Z UID:1333-1745654400-1745859600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:National Shakespeare Competition: Friends & Family Package DESCRIPTION:Join us for fun competition events in NYC from Saturday\, April 26 to Monday\, April 28\, 2025. Come celebrate the achievements of our 2025 Branch Champions. \n\n\n\nFind out more > URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/national-shakespeare-competition-friends-family-package/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/Friends-Family-Package.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250424T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250424T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250411T163459Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250411T163504Z UID:1331-1745481600-1745514000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:People's Choice Award: For the 2025 National Shakespeare Competition DESCRIPTION:Deadline to Vote: April 24\, 2025\, 11:00 pm CT The People’s Choice Award is an event for the whole ESU Shakespeare community! ESU members\, friends\, families\, teachers\, classmates\, and communities will be able to vote for their favorite First Place Shakespeare Competition winner from ESU Branches all over the U.S. Let’s keep the fun going and vote for our Kansas City Branch Shakespeare Competition winner\, Emma Scherman! Click here to watch the video performances of 42 students who entered the 2025 National Shakespeare Competition. Be sure to watch Emma Scherman’s video\, she is #15. It’s easy to vote:How to join in the fun:Click on the link above to see performance videos from all of our branch champions on the 2025 ESU National Shakespeare Competition YouTube Channel. Each performer has been assigned a number.Using this form to submit your entry using “NSC” and the number of your favorite performance (example: NSC15)Remember to watch our Kansas City First Place Winner: #15 Emma Scherman. She had an amazing performance!You will receive a return email confirming that your vote has been received. People’s Choice Award Cash Prizes for Winners!• FIRST PLACE WINNER RECEIVES A $1\,000 CASH PRIZE            (Courtesy of the ESU Cleveland Branch)• Second place receives $500• Third place receives $250 Please only vote once. One vote per email. Repeated votes from the same email will not be counted. And please do not call in; your vote will not count and your call will not be returned. Please do not email or call to confirm your vote. Voting is open to everyone\, not just ESU members. Get your classmates\, teachers\, neighbors\, relatives\, and community involved. We encourage you to share this with friends\, fellow students\, and relatives so they can vote too! Let’s show our support for Emma and vote now! Remember\, voting ends at 11:00 pm Central Time on Thursday\, April 24th. The winners will be announced on Monday\, April 28 at the ESU National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/peoples-choice-award-for-the-2025-national-shakespeare-competition/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/Peoples-Choice-Award.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T160000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250315T172534Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250315T180214Z UID:1286-1745420400-1745424000@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. \n\n\n\nSusan 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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\nAbout Susan K. Harris \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSusan 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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-why-i-like-mark-twain-with-susan-k-harris/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Mark_Twain.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250413T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250413T150000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250308T191240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T133924Z UID:1258-1744549200-1744556400@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU Annual Meeting & Luncheon: Sailing on the Queens DESCRIPTION:Mark your calendar for our ESU Kansas City Annual Meeting and Luncheon Program featuring two ESU members’ cruise adventures on two luxurious Cunard Cruise ships—Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. Ben Martin and Sam El Dalati share stories and beautiful photos of a Transatlantic crossing and an unforgettable voyage along the breathtaking coastline of Alaska. Learn about the history of these two iconic cruise ships including why the Queen Mary 2 is considered the world’s only ocean liner. Built as a sister ship to Queen Victoria\, Queen Elizabeth joined the Cunard fleet in 2010 and has an elegant Art Deco interior evoking images of the Golden Age of travel. \n\n\n\nTo start our Annual Meeting we welcome a special guest\, Daniel Assyia\, president of the International Relations Council of Kansas City. Daniel will give us a brief history of the IRC and describe upcoming events and programs. The Kansas City Branch of the ESU has developed a long-time partnership with IRC and we have co-hosted and sponsored events jointly for many years. \n\n\n\nESU Kansas City members are reminded that our short annual business meeting will be held prior to Daniel’s presentation.  \n\n\n\nWhen: Sunday\, April 13\, 2025\, 1:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Trezo Mare Restaurant\, 4105 N Mulberry Dr\, Kansas City\, MO \n\n\n\nProgram registration and tickets: $45 per person. Includes lunch with choice of entrees. \n\n\n\nClick here to register for event \n\n\n\nDoor prize drawings at end of program. \n\n\n\nPlease make your reservation no later than April 7 so we have a good count for the restaurant. This ESU Annual Meeting and Luncheon Program is open to the public and we welcome all ESU members to bring friends and family. Please call Ben Martin at (816) 522-8387 if you have any questions. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/annual-meeting-luncheon-program/ CATEGORIES:Events with Tickets,Kansas City ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Annual-Meeting.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250410T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250410T210000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250308T183219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250315T180044Z UID:1256-1744308000-1744318800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:International Relations Council's WORLDQUEST 2025 DESCRIPTION:If you love trivia contests\, this event is for you! The International Relations Council is hosting WORLDQUEST 2025 again this year and all ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend. \n\n\n\nTeams of eight representing area businesses\, universities\, nonprofit organizations\, community groups\, ambitious students\, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. There will be six rounds of ten questions covering topics like global affairs\, geography\, world languages and cultures\, history\, and more in this fun and interactive competition. The winning team takes home the traveling trophy\, while second-place and third-place teams win valuable prizes. \n\n\n\nLast year ESU sponsored a table of eight and we would like to sponsor a table of eight again this year\, perhaps two ESU tables if enough interest. \n\n\n\nWhen: Thursday\, April 10\, 2025\,  6:00 to 9:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Pierson Auditorium\, 5000 Holmes Rd.\, on UMKC Campus. \n\n\n\nTickets: $60 per person. . You may pay at the door with credit/debit card or cash. But please call Jim Paszkiewicz at (816) 807-3229 to confirm so we have a list of  who’s attending. The ticket price includes a buffet-style dinner. \n\n\n\nParking: Best covered parking is on levels 5 and 6 of the Cherry Street Garage\, 5005 Oak St.\, a short walk to Pierson Auditorium. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/international-relations-councils-worldquest-2025/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/WorldQuest.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250402T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250402T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250315T171326Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250315T175631Z UID:1283-1743609600-1743613200@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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\nAbout Kris Millgate \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nKris 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. \n\n\n\nMillgate 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. \n\n\n\nHer 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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-misadventures-in-the-wild-an-afternoon-of-photos-and-film-with-kris-millgate/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Misadventures.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250315T235959 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250124T084518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250315T175533Z UID:1236-1741996800-1742083199@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\nRead the press release \n\n\n\nAbout the ESU Founder’s Award \n\n\n\nAbout the 2025 Honoree Dr. E. Quinn Peeper \n\n\n\nAbout ESU Holiday Weekend at Knowsley Hall \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHotel Information\n\n\n\nSpring Hill SuitesHere’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=trueYou 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 UnionStart Date: Thursday\, March 13\, 2025End Date: Sunday\, March 16\, 2025Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:SpringHill Suites Winter Park for 199.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday\, February 12\, 2025Hilton Garden InnGuests can make their reservations using the link or inputting the code ESU in the area of the website.Event Summary:The English-Speaking UnionStart Date: Thursday\, March 13\, 2025End Date: Sunday\, March 16\, 2025Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park for 189.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Wednesday\, February 12\, 2025Booking link: https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/iaav6g URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/esu-2025-founders-award-gala-honoring-dr-e-quinn-peeper/ LOCATION:Winter Park Racquet Club\, 2111 Via Tuscany\, Winter Park\, Florida\, 32789\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/founders-gala-FNL2FNL2-min-1536x864-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250312T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250312T180000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250219T224759Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T230339Z UID:1242-1741798800-1741802400@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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\nAbout Dr. James Kelly \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nJames 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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-king-george-iv-the-worst-ruler-in-british-history/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/King-George.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250223T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250223T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241215T011104Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T082756Z UID:1209-1740319200-1740330000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2025 Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals DESCRIPTION:High School students in the KC Metro area will be competing for First Place. \n\n\n\nFind out more \n\n\n\nThe finals of the 2025 ESU Kansas City Branch Shakespeare Competition will be held on February 23\, 2025.  This event is free and open to the public.  Schools from across Kansas and western Missouri are participating in the Competition.  Join us to watch talented students who have won competitions at their schools perform monologues from Shakespeare’s plays and recite Shakespeare’s sonnets. A panel of experienced theatre professionals will be judging the competition. The winner of the Kansas City Branch finals will advance to compete in the ESU national competition in New York in April 2025.  \n\n\n\nThis Competition is designed to develop students’ speaking and critical-thinking skills while they explore the beauty of the language and the timeless themes in Shakespeare’s works. By preparing a monologue and sonnet for public presentation\, students bring Shakespeare to life in their own way and learn to express his works with understanding\, clarity and feeling. \n\n\n\nThis performance-based education program unites students in our Branch’s territory with students in other ESU Branches nationwide\, on average reaching approximately 15\,000 teenagers in over 800 schools and home school organizations across the United States. \n\n\n\nClick here to learn more and register your school in the 2025 Shakespeare Competition. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/2025-shakespeare-competition-kansas-city-branch-finals/ LOCATION:Kansas City Public Library\, Plaza Branch\, 4801 Main St\, Kansas City\, Missouri\, 64112\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Shakespeeare-Competition.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250222T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250222T163000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250124T083654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T083655Z UID:1232-1740223800-1740241800@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.  \n\n\n\nHotel 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/kansascity/event/esus-showtime-shindig/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/sunset-blvd-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250219T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250219T160000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250121T012244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250121T012245Z UID:1228-1739977200-1739980800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Why I Started World Elephant Day DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Kansas City BranchFilmmaker 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.  \n\n\n\nThis 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. \n\n\n\nAbout Patricia Sims \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nPatricia 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. \n\n\n\nCocktail \n\n\n\nFrench Martini \n\n\n\nCreated 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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-why-i-started-world-elephant-day/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/Elephant.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250129T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250129T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20250121T011711Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250121T013535Z UID:1225-1738166400-1738170000@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. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nAbout Debra Rhodes Smith \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSince 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. \n\n\n\nCocktail \n\n\n\nMy 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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-i-stole-a-monet-for-my-client/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/Monet.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250111T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250111T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241215T015241Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250102T032129Z UID:1212-1736604000-1736614800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Award-Winning Author Alice Mitchell’s Newest Work of Historical Fiction: The Golden Door DESCRIPTION:You are cordially invited to attend a free live interview with award-winning author\, Alice Mitchell\, at KD’s Books in Lee’s Summit\, Missouri. \n\n\n\nFind out more \n\n\n\nThe English-Speaking Union\, Kansas City Branch (ESU) in partnership with the Kansas Chapter of the Daughters of The British Empire (DBE) are hosting a live\, online interview with the author of The Golden Door\, Alice Mitchell\, based in the U.K. \n\n\n\nMembers of ESU and DBE\, and guests will be able to watch the live online interview on a TV monitor at KD’s Books in Lee’s Summit\, MO. ESU’s Ben Martin will conduct the interview. Mitchell will talk about the remarkable stories of several European emigrant families who make their way to America and endure harsh realities of a country they never knew. \n\n\n\nWhen: Saturday\, January 11\, 2025 at 2:00 pm CST \n\n\n\nWhere: KD’s Books\, 241 SE Main St.\, Lee’s Summit\, MO \n\n\n\nAdmission: Free but registration required. Register here. \n\n\n\nThe book\, The Golden Door\, is available for purchase at KD’s Books. \n\n\n\nFor those not able to attend the live interview at KD’s Books\, a link will be provided to everyone registered to watch the live interview on your computer\, laptop or mobile device. \n\n\n\nThe Golden Door tells the story of several European emigrants who endure not only the treacherous conditions onboard the ‘Yorkshire’ sailing packet ship but also the struggles and trials of finding themselves in a country unlike their own. All have distinct reasons for leaving\, some far more sinister than others\, but their collective goal remains the same: the hope of a better life. Although strangers to begin with\, their lives are set to collide and become entwined with love and sorrow as their paths cross and recross. \n\n\n\nFrom the hustle and bustle of New York City to the vast flatlands and rolling plains of Kansas\, into the battlefields and hospital wards of the Civil War\, Hartley\, Caitlin\, Owain\, and the Kleist family must each find their way\, knowing that their lives will never be the same again. The Golden Door is intertwined with the real events and people of the time. It is a tale of new beginnings and harsh realities: of kindness\, hope and fear\, bravery and sacrifice\, of freedom\, love\, and loss. \n\n\n\nThe publisher\, Arcanum Press\, has been kind enough to donate a portion of the proceeds from The Golden Door to the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas and The English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch as well as other selected historical societies and organizations linked to the American Civil War. The English-Speaking Union\, Kansas City Branch in partnership with the Kansas Chapter of the Daughters of The British Empire provided advice\, engagement\, and support in publishing this remarkable story. \n\n\n\nAbout the Author Alice Mitchell \n\n\n\nAlison Harrop (alias Alice Mitchell) won a prestigious Betty Trask Book Award in 1985 for her first Novel ‘Instead of Eden’ which is about the lives of a grandmother\, mother and daughter during the ’60s and ’70s in the North of England. More than thirty years later\, after a rewarding career as a medical doctor\, she released her second work ‘The Mortimer Affair – Joan de Joinville’s Story’ set in the turbulent reign of Edward II.  After many years living in Merseyside\, Chester and North Wales\, Alison is now retired and  has  returned  to Yorkshire. Her work of Historical Fiction ‘The Golden Door’ is a tale of 19th Century Immigrants to America. While initially struggling to make their way  in New York\, they are embroiled in the lead up to the Civil War along the western frontiers of Kansas and the Civil War battles themselves URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/award-winning-author-alice-mitchells-newest-work-of-historical-fiction-the-golden-door/ CATEGORIES:Kansas City ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/golden_door.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250108T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250108T160000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241215T014637Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241215T014638Z UID:1217-1736348400-1736352000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Churchill’s Citadel DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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.  \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\n___________________________________________________________________________________ \n\n\n\nAbout Katherine Carter \n\n\n\n \n\n\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\n___________________________________________________________________________________ \n\n\n\nCocktail \n\n\n\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 water downed. And one would think Churchill would prefer an expensive\, rare scotch. But he actually liked Johnny Walker Red\, an inexpensive one.However\, 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\n\n\n“The Churchill”1 1/3 oz Johnnie Walker Red1/2 oz Punt e Mes Carpano (red Vermouth)1/2 oz Cointreau2 drops of fresh lemon juiceInstructionsChill a martini or coupe glassFill a cocktail shaker with iceAdd the scotch\, sweet vermouth\, Cointreau\, and lime juiceShake until very cold\, about 15 secondsPour into the chilled cocktail glass URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-churchills-citadel/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/l64zuhrq.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241211T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241211T160000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241019T044757Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241112T052319Z UID:1188-1733929200-1733932800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: History of Christmas Carols DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch \n\n\n\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.  \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Adrienne Hesketh\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\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\n\n\n \n \n \n Cocktail: Orange Clossom \n \n \n \n25 ml Great Glen Light or Zesty Highland Gin\n25 ml Sweet Vermouth\n25 ml 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! URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-history-of-christmas/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/Happy-Hour_Dec.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241206T140000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241206T233000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241215T010452Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241215T010453Z UID:1205-1733493600-1733527800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Day Trip: America's National Churchill Museum\, Fulton\, MO 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Winston Churchill DESCRIPTION:Find out more The entire world is celebrating Sir Winston Churchill’s 150th birthday in 2024. Special events and programs are occurring around the globe to mark this historic milestone. Timothy Riley\, Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton\, MO\, is hosting a special reception for this special occasion on Friday\, December 6\, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Learn more here.In addition\, ANCM has an ongoing special exhibit titled “Churchill and Blenheim Palace” which features objects from the collection of America’s National Churchill Museum and select loans from private collections. The exhibit explores Churchill’s enduring admiration for\, and relationship to Blenheim Palace\, ancestral home of the Churchill family and one of the grandest homes in England. Learn more here.The magnificent church\, St. Mary the Virgin\, Aldermanbury\, which is part of the Churchill Museum complex is currently closed to the public for renovation. However\, Mr. Riley has agreed to give our ESU group a private tour of the church during the December 6 reception. If you have never seen this wonderful example of Renaissance Classical and English Baroque architecture\, this will be an extraordinary opportunity to not only see the church inside but learn about its history from ANCM Director\, Timothy Riley. (Learn more about the church here.) ESU is organizing a day trip to Fulton\, MO on Friday\, December 6 to give members an opportunity to participate in all three events:Special reception at 5:00 pm honoring the 150th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s birthSpecial exhibition “Churchill and Blenheim Palace” located inside ANCMPrivate tour of St. Mary the Virgin\, Aldermanbury for our ESU group hosted by Timothy Riley.The entire program (all three events listed above) should last 1 ½ to 2 hours and is free to the public. We will arrange carpooling as necessary to accommodate everyone interested in attending. It is approximately 2 ½ hours to Fulton from Kansas City. Please contact Jeff Schnabel if you would like to attend this special day trip event at (816) 878-1239 or email at jschnabelkc@gmail.com. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/day-trip-americas-national-churchill-museum-fulton-mo-150th-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-sir-winston-churchill/ LOCATION:Westminister College\, 501 Westminster Avenue\, Fulton\, Missouri\, 65251\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/Churchill_Museum.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241116T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241116T150000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241009T045101Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241019T041210Z UID:1184-1731751200-1731769200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:DBE Kansas Proudly Hosts: The 37th Annual British Faire and Tea DESCRIPTION:British Are Coming!  All ESU members and guests are invited to the 37th Annual British Faire in Overland Park\, KS. sponsored by the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas.  This annual fundraising event benefits retirement communities and local charities.  Some of the events and activities at the British Faire: \n\n\n\nTraditional British Afternoon Tea               Celtic Jewelry \n\n\n\nThe Best local British vendors                Antiques \n\n\n\nCrafts\, Books                                                 Specialty foods and cheeses \n\n\n\nChristmas crackers                                       Variety of teas \n\n\n\nWhen:  Saturday\, November 16\, 2024\, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Abdallah Shrise Temple\, 5300 Metcalf Ave.\, Overland Park\, KS. \n\n\n\n Admission: Adults: $5.00\, Children 4-12 years\, $1.00\, 3 and under: free Purchase tickets at the door. \n\n\n\nThis is a fun event for the whole family with activities and events for all ages.  The Kansas City Branch of the ESU will have an Informational Booth at the Faire so be sure to stop by and have your photo taken to be added to our Facebook page. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/dbe-kansas-proudly-hosts-the-37th-annual-british-faire-and-tea/ CATEGORIES:Kansas City ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/British_Faire.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241106T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241106T180000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241009T040320Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241009T043235Z UID:1177-1730912400-1730916000@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Four Award-Winning Poets Share Their Love of Poetry DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU New York City Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Our Four Poets\n\n\n\n Karen 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\n\n\n Susana 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\n\n Meredith 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\n Peter 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\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCocktail: Manhattan As a salute to New York City\, our Happy Hour cocktail is:The Manhattan:2 ounces rye whiskey1 ounce sweet vermouth2 dashes Angostura bittersGarnish: brandied cherry (or lemon twist\, if preferred)Directions:Pour the whiskey\, sweet vermouth and bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice.Stir until the mixing glass is very cold to touch.Place ice and cherry in a rocks glass\, then strain the shaker over the fresh ice. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-four-award-winning-poets-share-their-love-of-poetry/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/Nov_HH.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241101T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241101T210000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20241010T040029Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241019T040922Z UID:1186-1730484000-1730494800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:2nd Annual Fundraiser: Finders Seekers DESCRIPTION:Join the ESU Kansas City Branch for our 2nd Annual Fundraiser. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe year’s edition is at O’Neal’s in Leawood at 6:00 p.m. on Friday\, November 1st.  We will first enjoy a light dinner from O’Neal’s menu and then begin the quest to solve the mysteries at hand. The mysteries can be found in the international mystery board game: Finders Seekers \n\n\n\nFinders Seekers places you in a country or city with a mystery to be solved.  Using the clues that are in the game box\, follow a series of clues and puzzles to arrive at the solution. There will be multiple game boxes that will allow us to play in teams of 4 or 5 people each.  Teams will be determined once you arrive. \n\n\n\nInvite your friends for a fun and mysterious evening! \n\n\n\nWhere: O’Neill’s Restaurant\, 9417 Mission Rd.\, Leawood\, KS \n\n\n\nCost: $20 plus cost of your meal and beverage. Cash or credit card at the door. \n\n\n\nRegister Here: https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/61e9aed0f903a1a9331e \n\n\n\nDoor Prizes: Drawings at end of the evening \n\n\n\nQuestions: Contact Ben Martin (816) 552-8387 or brmbj3@gmail.com URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/2nd-annual-fundraiser-finders-seekers/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/Fall_Event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241018T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241020T235959 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240529T043816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240529T043818Z UID:1026-1729209600-1729468799@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 Preliminary Schedule of Events\n Register for the 2024 AGM URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/the-english-speaking-union-of-the-united-states-annual-conference-with-the-international-council-meeting-2024/ CATEGORIES:National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/2024-AGM-Cleveland-Banner-v5-1-min.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241009T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241009T160000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240927T040144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241001T035253Z UID:1163-1728486000-1728489600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors DESCRIPTION:Her 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. \n\n\n\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  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Carol Ann LloydCarol 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\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCourting the Queen MocktailMix 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.   URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/courting-the-virgin-queen-queen-elizabeth-i-and-her-suitors/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/ESU_Happy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240930T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240930T203000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240911T031520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240927T040854Z UID:1147-1727719200-1727728200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Evelyn Wrench Speaker Program Lecture: George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy DESCRIPTION:The English-Speaking Union – Kansas City Branch and the International Relations Council will be presenting the Evelyn Wrench Lecture on Monday\, September 30 at Polsinelli on the Plaza.  \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSally Bedell Smith is the author of bestselling biographies of Queen Elizabeth II; William S. Paley; Pamela Harriman; Diana\, Princess of Wales; John and Jacqueline Kennedy; and Bill and Hillary Clinton. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair since 1996\, she previously worked at Time and The New York Times\, where she was a cultural news reporter. In 2012\, Smith was the recipient of the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence. She is the mother of three children and lives in Washington\, D.C.\, with her husband\, Stephen G. Smith. \n\n\n\nAbout the Lecture \n\n\n\nGeorge VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy \n\n\n\nBestselling writer about the Royal Family Sally Bedell Smith gives an illustrated talk about her account of the marriage between George VI and Elizabeth and the raising of their daughter Elizabeth II that she says saved the monarchy.Bedell Smith was granted access to her parents’ letters and diaries by Queen Elizabeth II. She explains how a loving and devoted marriage helped the king and queen to meet the challenges of World War II\, confirm the public’s faith in the monarchy and raise their daughters Elizabeth and Margaret. Bedell Smith explains how they formed relationships with Churchill and Roosevelt and inspired Britain with their courage and compassion. \n\n\n\nAbout the Evelyn Wrench Speaker Series \n\n\n\nA collaboration between ESU National and ESU Branches across the United States\, the program presents a great opportunity for Branches to connect with their Members and others in their community. Named for ESU founder Evelyn Wrench\, the program provides speakers to ESU Branches throughout the United States over the course of one to two weeks. Wrench Speakers have been renowned historians\, politicians\, and authors\, presenting their work for ESU members and the general public. Lectures cover a wide range of topics\, including but not limited to: current events; history; language and literature; art and architecture; and travel.Schedule6:15       Registration and Reception for Ms. Smith \n\n\n\n7:00       Lecture \n\n\n\n7:45       Book Signing URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/wrench-lecture-sally-bedell-smith/ LOCATION:Polsinelli Law Firm\, 900 W 48th St\, Kansas City\, Missouri\, 64112\, United States CATEGORIES:Branch,Kansas City ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/Evelyn-Wrench-Lecture-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240925T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240925T180000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240905T205105Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240905T205107Z UID:1144-1727283600-1727287200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: The Life and Times of Margaret (Molly) Brown DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Denver Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Pamela Mahonchak\n\n\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\n\n\nCocktail: Bee’s Knees\n\n\n\nBee’s Knees — according to 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. JJ. 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! \n\n\n\nBee’s Knees Recipe (Makes one cocktail) \n\n\n\n1/2 oz honey syrup \n\n\n\n1 oz fresh lemon juice \n\n\n\n2 oz gin \n\n\n\nLemon twist \n\n\n\n1. Make 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. \n\n\n\n2. Combine honey syrup\, lemon juice and gin in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold\, about 30 seconds. \n\n\n\n3. Strain into a martini glass or cup. \n\n\n\n4. Garnish with a lemon twist. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-the-life-and-times-of-margaret-molly-brown/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/hh-sept-25-24-1024x536-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240921T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240927T235959 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240529T044730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240601T021842Z UID:1029-1726876800-1727481599@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\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n Thanks 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. \nA Private View of Italy has hosted groups from many illustrious institutions including: \n\nThe Art Institute of Chicago\nThe Collectors Circle of the Winterthur Museum\nThe Frick Collection\nMorgan Library\nNew York Philharmonic\nThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\nPhiladelphia Museum\nWhitney Museum\nWorld Monuments Fund\n\nAbout the ESU National Patron Tours\nThe ESU National Patron Tours enhance our Patrons’ engagement with the ESU community through bespoke experiences of cultural enrichment\, educational exploration\, and unforgettable adventures. \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 View Tour Brochure\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n Documents and Forms \n \n \n Itinerary \nRegistration Form \nParticipant Agreement URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/esu-2024-patron-trip-a-private-view-of-italy/ CATEGORIES:National ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/italy-trip.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240904T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240904T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240904T190039Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240904T190042Z UID:1142-1725465600-1725469200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Exploring Churchill's Public Service Through Period Memorabilia DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Savannah Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Brian Krapf\n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCocktail\n\n\n\nJohnny Walker black\, neat. This was also Churchill’s drink of choice. Truly a wise man with excellent taste!  URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/hh-exploring-churchills-public-service/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/sept-4-24-hh-1024x536-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240817T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240817T235959 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240315T213342Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T004405Z UID:922-1723852800-1723939199@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:King Charles' Birthday Tea Party DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, August 17\, 2024 • 10:30 am or 2:30 pm Seatings \n\n\n\nBOTH SEATINGS SOLD OUT \n\n\n\nAll ESU Members and Friends of ESU are cordially invited to attend one of our biggest social gatherings of the year—a tea to celebrate King Charles III’s birthday. We will miss our wonderful Tea Parties for the Queen but our King’s Teas will be equally regal. We will be celebrating HRH King Charles’ 75th birthday. This will be an ESU Tea Party fit for a King!  \n\n\n\nOur tea party will include a variety of tea sandwiches\, sweets\, Brenda’s signature scones\, Mock Devonshire cream\, fine fruit butter or fruit jams and premium tea.  Brenda Hedrick\, the owner and proprietress of Anna Marie’s Teas proudly proclaims\, “This is not just any tea party–our tea experiences are delightfully extravagant!”  This is a special occasion not to be missed! \n\n\n\nThe English teas will be held in the Bohnet House in Liberty\, Mo.\, which is a stately 3-story\, 5\,000 square foot home built in 1913. The house boasts Frank Lloyd Wright details–oak trim\, 3 fireplaces and large open spaces. Its large wraparound porch and period American\, French and English antique furnishings create the perfect setting for tea parties–served on a special collection of china and silver.  \n\n\n\nOur teas will include a special champagne toast to HRH King Charles’ 75th birthday and we will again have our popular Trivia Quiz as well as some special door prizes. \n\n\n\nWhen: Saturday\, August 17\, 2024. Choose either 10:30 am or 2:30 pm seatings.   \n\n\n\nWhere:  Bohnet House              343 W. Liberty Dr.              Liberty\, MO.              Directions and map: Click here  \n\n\n\nTickets:  BOTH SEATINGS SOLD OUT \n\n\n\nFriends and Guests:  We welcome friends and guests so please bring your friends. Our ESU Teas have sold out the last ten years and we encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible so you won’t be disappointed.  \n\n\n\nParking:  Parking is limited around Bohnet House.  Please carpool where possible.  If anyone wants to use their car to carpool to reduce the number of cars\, let us know and we’ll pass along information so members can contact the carpool drivers to make pick up arrangements. \n\n\n\nQuestions? Contact Ben Martin at (816) 522-8387. URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/king-charles-birthday-tea-party/ LOCATION:Bohet House\, 343 W. Liberty Drive\, Liberty\, Missouri\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/kc-birthday-tea-party.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240814T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240814T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240709T201736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T004044Z UID:1115-1723651200-1723654800@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: C.S. Lewis and the Powerful Predicament of Language DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Andrew Lazo\n\n\n\n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\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/kansascity/event/happy-hour-c-s-lewis-and-the-powerful-predicament-of-language/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image002.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240727T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240727T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240709T202427Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T004135Z UID:1117-1722088800-1722099600@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Membership Mixer DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, July 27\, 2024 at 2:00 PM \n\n\n\nThe Board of the English-Speaking Union Kansas City Branch cordially invites members and guests to our annual Membership Mixer.  This year the Board will provide BBQ as the main course and asks that you sign up to bring an appetizer\, side dish\, or dessert\, and to bring your favorite beverage.  The Potluck Party begins at 2:00 pm on Saturday\, July 27\, 2024. \n\n\n\nThis is a free event but we ask you to RSVP. Please go to the separate “Punchbowl” email Ben Martin sent to all ESU members on June 29. Click on “Open Invitation” and follow the directions. Be sure to click on “Select Potluck Items” button under the “To-Do Items” list. If you didn’t receive the Punchbowl email from Ben or if you are not a member but would like to attend\, please click here to RSVP. Fill in “Join the Guest List” with your name and email address then continue with “Select Potluck Items.” \n\n\n\nWe will meet at Ron Worth & James “JP” Paszkiewicz’s clubhouse at Patrician Woods. The address is:  12532 Cedar St.\, Leawood\, Kansas.  It is a gated community\, but the gates will be open during this event.  Please enter off of Roe Ave. at 126th St.  The Clubhouse is facing you as you enter the community.  Parking is behind the clubhouse next to the swimming pool.  Please fill in the parking lot from the far end so that anyone needing assistance can park closest to the clubhouse.  Enter through the swimming pool gate and into the clubhouse. \n\n\n\nWe hope to see you all at this event\, and ask that you update your attendance if you are not able to attend by going to Punchbowl.com and signing in under the email you received this invitation with\, or downloading the Punchbowl app on your smartphone. \n\n\n\nIf you have any questions\, please call Ben Martin\, Events Chairman\, at 816-522-8387. \n\n\n\nLooking forward to seeing all of you. \n\n\n\nSincerely\, \n\n\n\nJulie Robinson\, President URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/membership-mixer/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image001.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240626T200000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240626T220000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240315T224129Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240604T233327Z UID:923-1719432000-1719439200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:ESU Festival Group Night DESCRIPTION:The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s 32nd season brings the political thriller Julius Caesar which is a true story of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The play tells the story of the conspiracy against Caesar\, his assassination\, and the defeat of his conspirators. As the world spins out of control\, chaos and superstition lead to civil war. Julius Caesar is highly regarded for its incisive commentary on politics\, ambition\, and the power of rhetoric. This is a must-see production directed once again by Sidonie Garrett. ESU members and friends are invited to this special evening on Wednesday\, June 26\, 2024.Curtain is 8:00 pm. \n\n\n\nThis promises to be a spectacular production with lavish stage sets\, colorful costuming\, and featuring an all-star cast. Southmoreland Park is the perfect outdoor setting to bring Julius Caesar to life and share a beautiful evening in the park with friends and family. \n\n\n\nWhen: Wednesday\, June 26\, Curtain is 8:00 pm \n\n\n\nWhere: Southmoreland Park\, just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum. \n\n\n\nSeats: We will have reserved seats near the stage at a discounted group price. \n\n\n\nTickets: We have arranged a group discount price of $22.00 per seat. To purchase your tickets\, click here and select number of chairs. In promo box use ESU24. You will receive an email confirmation. When you arrive at the Park\, just tell the staff at the entrance you are part of the ESU Group and have a reserved seat. \n\n\n\n6:00 PM—Gates open.  \n\n\n\n6:30 and 7:15 PM—Pre-Show Parody: The Festival’s teen apprentice troupe called Team Shakespeare presents a hilarious parody of the Festival play. The parody will amuse both children and adults while helping them understand the plot of Julius Caesar. You will find the performance between the Festival Gate and the seating area. Two performances: 6:30 or 7:15 PM. \n\n\n\n7:00 PM–Show Talk:  “Show Talk\,” gives audiences an entertaining and educational preview of the play. Show Talk begins at 7:00 pm located near Festival entrance. \n\n\n\n8:00 PM—This production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes\, including a 15-minute intermission.  \n\n\n\nFood Options— \n\n\n\n\nYou may bring your own picnic basket with food and drink items of your choice.\n\n\n\nYou may purchase food and beverages from the various vendors at the park.\n\n\n\nOther snacks are available too…funnel cakes\, kettle corn\, soft drinks\, bottled water and more!\n\n\n\n\nParking: Allow yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the Festival’s entrance.   \n\n\n\nCarpooling:  If anyone wants to use their car to carpool to reduce the number of cars\, let us  know and we will pass along information so members can contact the carpool drivers to make pick up arrangements. \n\n\n\n Weather:  It’s usually very pleasant in the park by showtime. Watch forecasts and plan accordingly. \n\n\n\nFriends of ESU and Guests:  If you have friends or relatives who would like to join our group at the discounted price\, please feel free to invite them.  \n\n\n\nQuestions?: Call Ben Martin at (816) 522-8387. We hope to see you on June 26th at Southmoreland Park!  URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/esu-festival-group-night/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/festival-group.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240626T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240626T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T065458 CREATED:20240529T063616Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240604T211720Z UID:1068-1719417600-1719421200@www.esuus.org SUMMARY:Happy Hour: What Hemingway Left in Sloppy Joe's Bar DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch \n\n\n\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. \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n These 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. \n \n \n \n\n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n About 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. \nSuggested reading: Islands in the Stream (“Cuba”) URL:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/event/happy-hour-what-hemingway-left-in-sloppy-joes-bar/ CATEGORIES:Virtual Happy Hours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/kansascity/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hh-sloppy-joes.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR