Kansas City

The English-Speaking Union of the United States Annual Conference with The International Council Meeting 2024
2024-10-18 00:00 - 2024-10-20 23:59 UTC
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.
Participants 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.
Immerse 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.
You 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.
The 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).
So 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.
The following Cleveland hotels are offering special room rates for ESU Conference attendees:

Hotel Cleveland, Autograph Collection
24 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio 44113
September 17 cut-off date to make reservations ($229/night)
Book your ESU group rate
The Westin Cleveland Downtown
777 St. Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114
September 17 cut-off date to make reservations ($209/night)
Book your ESU group rate

Preliminary Schedule of Events
Register for the 2024 AGM

2nd Annual Fundraiser: Finders Seekers
2024-11-01 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Join the ESU Kansas City Branch for our 2nd Annual Fundraiser.

The 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

Finders 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.

Invite your friends for a fun and mysterious evening!

Where: O’Neill’s Restaurant, 9417 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS

Cost: $20 plus cost of your meal and beverage. Cash or credit card at the door.

Register Here: https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/61e9aed0f903a1a9331e

Door Prizes: Drawings at end of the evening

Questions: Contact Ben Martin (816) 552-8387 or brmbj3@gmail.com

Happy Hour: Four Award-Winning Poets Share Their Love of Poetry
2024-11-06 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Sponsored by the ESU New York City Branch

Poetry 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.

Be 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.

Register Here

About Our Four Poets

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cocktail: 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.

DBE Kansas Proudly Hosts: The 37th Annual British Faire and Tea
2024-11-16 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
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:

Traditional British Afternoon Tea Celtic Jewelry

The Best local British vendors Antiques

Crafts, Books Specialty foods and cheeses

Christmas crackers Variety of teas

When: Saturday, November 16, 2024, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Abdallah Shrise Temple, 5300 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS.

Admission: Adults: $5.00, Children 4-12 years, $1.00, 3 and under: free Purchase tickets at the door.

This 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.

Day Trip: America's National Churchill Museum, Fulton, MO 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Winston Churchill
2024-12-06 14:00 - 23:30 UTC | Westminister College, 501 Westminster Avenue, Fulton, Missouri, 65251, United States
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.

Happy Hour: History of Christmas Carols
2024-12-11 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch

During 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.

This 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.

Register Here

About Adrienne Hesketh

I 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.

Cocktail: Orange Clossom

25 ml Great Glen Light or Zesty Highland Gin
25 ml Sweet Vermouth
25 ml Orange Juice
Orange Flowers or a twist of orange, to garnish

Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice and stir well. Gently strain into a rocks or martini glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy!

Happy Hour: Churchill’s Citadel
2025-01-08 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville, VA Branch

Katherine 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.

In 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.

This 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.

Register Here

___________________________________________________________________________________

About Katherine Carter

Katherine 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.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Cocktail

Though “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.

“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

Award-Winning Author Alice Mitchell’s Newest Work of Historical Fiction: The Golden Door
2025-01-11 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Find out more

The 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.

Members 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.

When: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm CST

Where: KD’s Books, 241 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO

Admission: Free but registration required. Register here.

The book, The Golden Door, is available for purchase at KD’s Books.

For 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.

The 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.

From 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.

The 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.

About the Author Alice Mitchell

Alison 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

Happy Hour: I Stole a Monet for My Client
2025-01-29 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

About Debra Rhodes Smith

Since 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.

Cocktail

My 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!

Happy Hour: Why I Started World Elephant Day
2025-02-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

This is a Happy Hour for the whole family. All ages will enjoy learning about Patricia’s quest to save and protect elephants, the largest land mammals on earth. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Kansas City Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All ESU Happy Hours take place on Eastern time.

About Patricia Sims

Patricia 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.

Cocktail

French Martini

Created 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.

ESU’s Showtime Shindig
2025-02-22 11:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
The ESU is hosting another Showtime Shindig which is part of the ESU Theatre Club. We will be seeing Andrew Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard starring Grammy-nominated singer and Laurence Olivier-Award winning actress Nicole Scherzinger. We will be attending the show on Saturday, February 22nd at 2PM and having a light brunch before the show at the ESU’s Offices at 11:30AM.

Hotel accommodations are available at the Shelburne-Sonesta Hotel at a special rate for ESU members. Use this link for reservations English Speaking Union – Shelburne Sonesta New York

2025 Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals
2025-02-23 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St, Kansas City, Missouri, 64112, United States
High School students in the KC Metro area will be competing for First Place.

Find out more

The 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.

This 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.

This 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.

Click here to learn more and register your school in the 2025 Shakespeare Competition.

Happy Hour: King George IV: The Worst Ruler in British History?
2025-03-12 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
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 Here

About Dr. James Kelly

James 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 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

Happy Hour: Misadventures in the Wild: An Afternoon of Photos and Film with Kris Millgate
2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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 Here

About Kris Millgate

Kris 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.

International Relations Council's WORLDQUEST 2025
2025-04-10 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Teams 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.

Last 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.

When: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Where: Pierson Auditorium, 5000 Holmes Rd., on UMKC Campus.

Tickets: $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.

Parking: Best covered parking is on levels 5 and 6 of the Cherry Street Garage, 5005 Oak St., a short walk to Pierson Auditorium.

ESU Annual Meeting & Luncheon: Sailing on the Queens
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

To 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.

ESU Kansas City members are reminded that our short annual business meeting will be held prior to Daniel’s presentation.

When: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 1:00 pm

Where: Trezo Mare Restaurant, 4105 N Mulberry Dr, Kansas City, MO

Program registration and tickets: $45 per person. Includes lunch with choice of entrees.

Click here to register for event

Door prize drawings at end of program.

Please 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.

Happy Hour: Why I Like Mark Twain with Susan K. Harris
2025-04-23 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
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 Here

About Susan K. Harris

Susan 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.

People's Choice Award: For the 2025 National Shakespeare Competition
2025-04-24 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

National Shakespeare Competition: Friends & Family Package
2025-04-26 08:00 - 2025-04-28 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Find out more >

Happy Hour: A Chip Off Queen Victoria’s Block
2025-05-14 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
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 Here

About John Vigar, MA FSA Scot FRSA

John 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 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

About Dan Viets

Dan 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

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Line
2025-06-06 00:00 - 2025-06-13 23:59 (America/Chicago)
ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to experience an iconic journey on Queen Mary 2 with Cunard Cruise Lines. This is an ocean journey unlike any other. A chance to escape the real world and indulge in life’s greatest pleasures. This westbound seven-night cruise departs Southampton, England on June 6 and arrives in New York City on June 13, 2025.

Transatlantic cruises are as iconic now as they were in 1847 when the first Cunard ship made its historic journey. A Transatlantic Crossing offers an opportunity to completely relax, relishing days at sea spent enjoying life on board your ship in any way you wish.

Ben Martin, ESU Kansas City’s Programming Chair, is organizing and hosting this trip for ESU members and their friends. For those arriving in London several days ahead of cruise departure, there are pre-cruise packages in London available. ESU is also working on organizing a special ESU event in London pre-departure. Watch for more details coming soon. Please contact Ben Martin for pricing options and more details on this cruise. He can be reached at (816) 522-8387 or brmbj3@gmail.com.

New York City Week
2025-06-10 08:00 - 2025-06-13 17:00 (America/Chicago)
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!

The End of WW II 80 Years On: A Conversation with Leading Historians
2025-06-10 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
All ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to a free online conversation with leading historians to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. This special event features renowned experts who will share unique insights and reflections on one of history’s most consequential global conflicts and its enduring impact.

The distinguished panelists are General the Lord Dannatt, Member of the House of Lords and former Chief of the General Staff, and Allen Packwood OBE, Director of the Churchill Archives Center at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England.

Following the success of their collaborative work, Churchill’s D-Day: The Inside Story, the panelists will explore the final chapters of the war, its aftermath, and the contemporary relevance of this pivotal moment in world history marking eight decades since the war’s conclusion.

While this online program is not part of our ESU Happy Hour programs, we occasionally find extraordinary online programs of interest to ESU members and guests. This program is hosted by the National Churchill Leadership Center and moderated by acclaimed author and historian Katherine Grace Katz. This will be a thought-provoking discussion you won’t want to miss.

When: Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 3:00 pm CT

Tickets: Free to attend but registration is required to receive webinar link.

About the Panelists:

General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL

Richard Dannatt served as a soldier for forty years, concluding his career as Chief of the General Staff—the professional head of the British Army. In 2011, he became an independent member of the House of Lords. He is a frequent commentator on defense and security issues in the media. He divides his time between London and his family home in Norfolk. He is a Deputy Lieutenant for both Greater London and Norfolk.

Allen Packwood OBE

As Director of the Churchill Archives Centre since 2002, Allen has dedicated his career to preserving and illuminating history. A qualified archivist and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he oversees one of the world’s most significant collections of modern political, diplomatic, and scientific papers, including those of Sir Winston Churchill and Baroness Thatcher. His expertise has taken him from curating exhibitions at the Library of Congress to organizing international conferences on the Cold War, and from Bermuda to Hong Kong, sharing Churchill’s life story and legacy. Last year saw the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth, and Allen and Richard’s book has brought fresh insights to this pivotal moment in history.

ESU Festival Group Night: Love's Labour's Lost
2025-06-25 18:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)
Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and endearing comedies. Taking an oath to isolate themselves from the oh-so-trivial distractions of women and LOVE, four men think that a focus on study, self-improvement and celibacy is the key to personal success. But when a Princess and her three companions arrive, the allure of abstinence begins to evaporate…something’s gotta give. Relish the chance to bask in summer love with this early comedy of Shakespeare’s. This is a must-see production by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and directed by Sidonie Garrett. ESU members and friends are invited to this special evening on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Curtain is 8:00 pm.

This promises to be a spectacular production with lavish stage sets, colorful costumes, and featuring an all-star cast. Southmoreland Park is the perfect outdoor setting to bring Love’s Labour’s Lost to life and share a beautiful evening in the park with friends and family.

When: Wednesday, June 25, Curtain is 8:00 pm

Where: Southmoreland Park, just west of the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

Seats: We will have reserved seats near the stage at a discounted group price.

Tickets: We have arranged a group discount price of $22.00 per seat. To purchase your tickets, simply phone the Festival’s office at (816) 531-7728. Tell them you are ordering a reserved seat(s) for the “ESU Group” so you will get the discount price. You can pay over the phone by credit or debit card. 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.

6:00 PM—Gates open.

6:30 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 Love’s Labour’s Lost. You will find the performance between the Festival Gate and the seating area. Two performances: 6:30 or 7:15 PM.

7:00 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.

8:00 PM—This production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

Food Options—

A. You may bring your own picnic basket with food and drink items of your choice.

B. You may purchase food and beverages from the various vendors at the park.

C. Other snacks are available too…funnel cakes, kettle corn, soft drinks, bottled water and more!

Parking: Allow yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the Festival’s entrance.

Carpooling: 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.

Weather: It’s usually very pleasant in the park by showtime. Watch forecasts and plan accordingly.

Friends 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.

Questions?: Call Ben Martin at (816) 522-8387. We hope to see you on June 25th at Southmoreland Park!

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 Presents2025 National Patron Tour Nelson on Shore and at Sea: A Life of the British AdmiralWith 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.

Berkley Lecture: Diplomacy and U.S. National Security
2025-07-15 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
ESU members and guests are invited to a special lecture program hosted by the International Relations Council (IRC). This luncheon welcomes guest speaker Ambassador Joseph Manso (Ret.), former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs with the U.S. Department of State. This program is part of IRC’s Berkley Lecture Series. IRC welcomes all ESU members to this program.

The work of members of the foreign service and the armed services of the United States of America are vitally important to our nation’s national security and foreign policy. For the 2025 Berkley Lecture, we will explore this deep link through the expertise of our Berkley Lecturer, Ambassador Joseph Manso. As a former U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a former faculty member of the National War College, and a seasoned member of the Senior Foreign Service, Amb. Manso is uniquely positioned to speak on this critical intersection of National Security And U.S. Diplomacy.

Amb. Manso will help to break down this nexus – speaking on the evolving challenges of global security – including key issues like weapons nonproliferation, alliance-building, and transnational threats, answering questions like: How do the functions of our nation’s diplomatic channels intersect with the operational and policy demands of our national security to combat these threads? What structures and processes inform and protect the deep link between diplomacy and national security? What gaps exist between the diplomatic corps and military officials, and how does this affect our policies and actions?

Our military and our diplomatic corps are the two major leadership groups representing the United States abroad, understanding their intersection is crucial in having a more complete understanding of U.S. Foreign Policy. To sharpen your understanding, we formally invite you to join the International Relations Council for our 2025 Berkley Lecture!

When: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where: Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, MO

Tickets: Discounted tickets for IRC and ESU members: $65.00 all-inclusive including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets online, click here then for “ESU Members,” select number of tickets, then click “Proceed.”

Luncheon: Ticket price includes parking, a delicious buffet lunch, choice of soft drink, and dessert. A cash bar will be available.

About Ambassador Joseph Manso (Ret.)

Ambassador Manso most recently served as the United States Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Mr. Manso’s most recent prior positions were as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (IO), Director of IO’s Office of United Nations Political Affairs and Director of the Office of European Security & Political-Military Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

Amb. Manso has extensive experience in multilateral affairs, as well as military and law enforcement matters. He has served on the faculty of the National War College, as the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO, and as the Director of the Americas Program in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Amb. Manso has also completed assignments at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the U.S. Mission to the UN in New York, where he was an advisor and a member of the U.S. delegation to the Security Council.

Prior to entering the Foreign Service in 1985, Mr. Manso worked in law and banking in New York and Madrid. He holds a B.A. in History from Fordham College and a Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School. Mr. Manso also completed doctoral study in international law at the University of Madrid.

About the Berkley LectureThe Berkley Lecture was founded in 1996 and brings an expert in foreign policy and global affairs to the Kansas City area. The lecture was established through the Berkley Endowment to honor the IRC’s founder and his decades of service, and to provide a platform for engaging community members in understanding critical global issues. Past Berkley lecturers include former U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford (2014), Gerald Seib (2011), The Honorable Thomas R. Pickering (2005), and Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr. (1998).

Inside the Reagan White House by Frank Lavin
2025-08-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
The International Relations Council (IRC) is hosting a lecture about the Reagan years in the White House. IRC is inviting all ESU members to this lecture.

Ronald Reagan’s presidency concurred with some of the most remarkable world events in modern history, from the end of the Iran hostage crisis to the Reykjavik summit with Mikhail Gorbachev. As a member of the National Security Council and White House staff, guest speaker Frank Lavin had an inside view of the Reagan administration, and he’s compiled his stories into his new book Inside the Reagan White House: A Front-Row Seat to Presidential Leadership with Lessons for Today. Join us as he shares his insider perspective on the Reagan assassination attempt, Ollie North and the Contras, the 1998 Bush-Dukakis contest, and so much more. This will be a lecture you will not want to miss.

“Frank Lavin was there for much of the Reagan years, seeing the revolution up close and personal. Now, this witness to history has written it down in great detail for the benefit of all.” –Craig Shirley, author of Reagan’s Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All

When: Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 6:30 pm

Where: The Offices at Park 39, 300 E 39th St, Kansas City, MO

Tickets: ESU members and guests: $10.00. Click here to register and purchase ticket(s). Register at “IRC Member” price category.

Book Signing: Lavin’s book may be purchased on the registration page or at the lecture. Book signing after the lecture.

About The Speaker: Frank Lavin

Frank Lavin was the White House political director for the Reagan administration and a member of his National Security Council. He also served in both Bush (41/43) administrations, working in the Department of Commerce, Department of State, National Security Council, and the White House. Lavin was previously U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, where he helped negotiate the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. He is active in U.S.-Asia policy, U.S. domestic politics, and trade policy matters.

King Charles' Birthday Tea Party
2025-08-09 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Chicago) | Bohet House, 343 W. Liberty Drive, Liberty, Missouri, United States
Saturday, August 9, 2025 • 10:30 am

2:30 pm seating SOLD OUT

You are cordially invited to attend one of our biggest social gatherings of the year—A tea to celebrate King Charles III’s upcoming 77th birthday on November 14. This will be an ESU Tea Party fit for a King!

Our 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!

This English tea 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.

Our teas will include a special champagne toast to HRH King Charles’ 76th birthday and we will again have our popular Trivia Quiz as well as some special door prizes.

When: Saturday, August 9, 2025. Choose either 10:30 am. 2:30 pm seating SOLD OUT

Where: Bohnet House

343 W. Liberty Dr. Liberty, MO.

Directions and map: Click here

Tickets: $39 per person. All-inclusive, including taxes and gratuities. Click here to purchase tickets.

Friends and Guests: We welcome friends and guests so please bring your friends. Our popular 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.

Parking: 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.

Questions? Contact Jim Paszkiewicz at (816) 807-3229.
