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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260211T130000
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DTSTAMP:20260620T035252
CREATED:20251229T050850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T023238Z
UID:1344-1770814800-1770818400@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Happy Hour: Jane Austen and You
DESCRIPTION:February 11\, 2026 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST\n\n\n\nAfter 250 years\, why are Jane Austen’s novels still so popular?Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all over the world and have been made into countless TV\, film\, theatre\, and radio adaptations. She is known for her sharp wit\, social commentary on the English Regency period\, and pioneering contributions to the development of the modern novel. Her works—such as Pride and Prejudice\, Sense and Sensibility\, Emma\, and Mansfield Park—blend romance with incisive critiques of class\, gender roles\, and the expectations placed on women in 18th- and early 19th-century society. \n\n\n\nAusten’s writing is celebrated for its elegant prose\, memorable characters\, and subtle irony. Though she gained limited fame during her lifetime\, she is now regarded as one of the most important and beloved authors in English literature.Jane Austen’s reputation has reached legendary status in the modern world. Her works have achieved remarkable global recognition\, evidenced by their translation into more than 40 languages. The Jane Austen Society has branches worldwide including The Jane Austen Society of North America which has over 5\,000 members in 83 Regions. Followers of Jane Austen on social media and local clubs total well over 100\,000.Last year marked the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.  To understand why she is still regarded with such affection by fans the world over\, our ESU Happy Hour guest speaker\, John King\, will discuss her family\, her times\, where to start (or return to) her works\, and how to get the most reward from reading her novels. Whether you read Austen often\, or never\, you will enjoy engaging with a writer whose novels have delighted men and women in every corner of the globe for over two centuries. \n\n\n\nThis ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free to attend\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.About John KingJohn is a current member of the Georgia Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a longtime volunteer for many Atlanta civic and nonprofit organizations including past member of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Opera\, counselor for Boy Scouts of America\, past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Historic Oakland Foundation\, and past Chair of the Program Committee of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta. \n\n\n\nFor twenty years\, John worked in the sale and implementation of Information Technology solutions\, primarily Enterprise Resource Planning systems. In 2011 he began providing consulting and training to IT sales teams. He has delivered these services on five continents\, to clients that include SAP\, Oracle\, Google\, and IBM. \n\n\n\nHe earned a BBA degree in Marketing from Georgia State University in 1991 and a Master’s degree in Management of Technology from Georgia Tech in 1997. His interests include sailing\, watercolor\, horology\, math\, astronomy\, history\, and English literature. \n\n\n\nCocktailRegency MocktailInspired by the 19th-century punch tradition with modern non-alcoholic ingredientsIngredients:1 oz brewed black tea (strong\, cooled; Earl Grey or Assam are ideal)1 oz pomegranate juice (or non-alcoholic red wine for a richer base)½ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)½ oz demerara or simple syrup (to taste)Dash of grated nutmegOptional: orange blossom water (1–2 drops for a floral Regency flair)Garnish: lemon or orange wheel\, optional herbs like mint or thyme
URL:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/event/happy-hour-jane-austen/
CATEGORIES:Online Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/12/Jane-Austen.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="ESU Atlanta Branch":MAILTO:atlanta@esuus.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260114T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260620T035252
CREATED:20251119T014834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251204T185758Z
UID:1317-1768399200-1768402800@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Happy Hour: The American Revolution: A Civil and a World War
DESCRIPTION:January 14\, 2026 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs the calendar turns to 2026\, The English-Speaking Union of the United States begins a year-long celebration of 250 years of American independence. Throughout the year\, ESU will feature several Happy Hours that give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on this historic milestone. \n\n\n\nThe American Revolution was a war unlike any other—one of ideas and ideals\, that shaped “the course of human events.” With 165 principal engagements from 1775-1783\, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence. The Revolutionary War was not just a civil war conflict between colonists who remained loyal to the Crown and those who sought independence from British rule. When other European powers like France and Spain officially entered the war\, it expanded into a global clash of empires—a veritable World War.Today’s Happy Hour guest speaker\, Dr. Henry (Phil) Williams III\, president of ESU’s Charlottesville\, VA Branch\, will describe the early beginnings of the war from 1775 through 1783. He will illustrate the eight-year conflict between Great Britain and its 13 North American colonies beginning with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and ending with the Treaty of Paris in 1783\, which formally recognized American independence.Williams will explain that the true history of the Revolution must not be taught just from an American-centric focus\, but also how England\, the Commonwealth\, and Europe viewed and\, in fact\, taught this period of history quite differently.Join us as the ESU launches a journey toward this landmark event as we  commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville\, VA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free to attend\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.About Dr. Henry (Phil) Williams IIIDr. Williams is originally from Michigan. He received degrees and diplomas from Culver Military Academy\, the University of Virginia\, the University of Edinburgh\, Scotland\, the University of Florence\, Italy\, and two Master’s and a Doctorate in International Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy\, Tufts University. He has lived in four foreign countries and has studied and worked professionally in four foreign languages: French\, Greek\, Italian\, and Turkish. Formerly a Wall Street and International Investment Banker\, he currently lectures on a variety of topics\, including American History\, Turkey\, and the Middle East. He has been featured on National Public Radio related to several of his interests\, has written many news commentary pieces on Turkey and the Middle East\, and has published scholarly articles on Ottoman and Turkish Law. He has been teaching a course at Koç University\, Istanbul\, Türkiye\, titled “Turkey and America\, East and West – Where the Twain Meet” since 2015. Dr. Williams is the President of the Charlottesville Branch of the English-Speaking Union and a past Virginia State President of the Sons of the American Revolution with which he is still active. He served on the board of the American Friends of Turkey for over twenty-three years. He is an avid sportsman with keen interests in equestrian pursuits\, racquet sports and swimming.  He also inherited a love of Antique and Classic cars and has been active in his local car club for many years. Marilyn Williams is his wife\, and they have two grown children\, Margaret and Phillip. What did a Revolutionary Period Happy Hour Look Like?The Founding Fathers drank a wide variety of alcoholic beverages\, including whiskey\, run\, ale\, beer\, cider\, wine (Madeira\, claret\, and champagne)\, and punch. Popular drinks often served at official functions included Madeira wine and various punches. Many of the founders had specific preferences; for example\, John Adams favored hard cider and Madeira\, while George Washington was a fan of whiskey and Madeira. Non-alcoholic drinks like cider\, small beer (a low-alcohol brew)\, and coffee were also commonly consumed for refreshment and social reasons.   \n\n\n\nRegister Here
URL:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/event/american-revolution/
CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/11/American-Revolution.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251210T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251210T150000
DTSTAMP:20260620T035252
CREATED:20251111T000903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T013640Z
UID:1291-1765375200-1765378800@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Happy Hour: A Brief History of Toys for Tots
DESCRIPTION:From its humble beginnings in 1947\, the wife of a Marine Reserve Major wanted to donate dolls to a charity that would distribute the toys to children in need. Sheconvinced her husband to create one. He looked to fellow Marine reservists to get the job done. The project was a huge success and was officially adopted by the Marine Corps in 1948 and went nationwide almost immediately. \n\n\n\nToday\, Toys for Tots is recognized as an official activity of the Marine Corps and part of the official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. For the past 77 years\, the Toys for Tots program along with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve have led a campaign to collect new and unwrapped toys\, providing millions of gifts annually to underprivileged children during the holiday season. \n\n\n\nToday’s Happy Hour guest speaker is Major Gunnar Spafford\, USMC (Ret.) who is the Deputy Vice President of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991. Major Spafford will describe the history of Toys for Tots and how it has become a worldwide program. The Major will also explain the goals of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. \n\n\n\nThis ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online\, free to attend\, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link. \n\n\n\nAbout Major Gunnar Spafford\, USMC (Ret.) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMajor Spafford joined the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in August 2023 as the Deputy Vice President of Business Development working within the Marketing & Development department. Major Spafford served in the United States Marine Corps as both an enlisted infantryman and a military police officer before being competitively selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program to receive education and training to become a Marine Corps Officer. \n\n\n\nAs a Military Policeman\, he served in multiple billets to include Assistant Special Operations Chief\, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of a weapons storage facility\, Watch Command\, Patrol Supervisor\, Special Reaction Team (SRT)\, and SRT sniper. As an officer\, Major Spafford served as Deputy Provost Marshal\, Executive Officer\, Operations Officer\, and Senior Operations Officer before fulfilling his final role as a Manpower Program Manager for Headquarters Marine Corps\, Manpower & Reserve Affairs. \n\n\n\nAfter 25 total years of service\, Gunnar retired from the Marine Corps and continued as a strategic and innovative Project Management Professional with a diverse background in program leadership and process improvements\, most recently working as the Deputy Director for Manpower & Personnel for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Manpower and Reserve Affairs. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nClick here to register
URL:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/event/toys-for-tots/
LOCATION:https://www.esuus.org/event/hhdecember25/
CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/11/Happy-Hour-December-25.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251115T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251115T100000
DTSTAMP:20260620T035252
CREATED:20251111T005017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251111T005722Z
UID:1296-1763193600-1763200800@www.esuus.org
SUMMARY:Exploring Shakespeare’s Women: A Professional Development Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Join the ESU for an exclusive online professional development workshop live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Explore four of Shakespeare’s most fascinating women—Juliet\, Lady Macbeth\, Beatrice\, and Hero—through an interactive session connecting critical writing with rehearsal-room practice. Gain fresh strategies for engaging students with themes of gender\, relationships\, and power in Shakespeare’s works. \n\n\n\nIdeal for secondary English and drama teachers\, especially those involved in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. Participants may be eligible for Professional Development credit. \n\n\n\nClick here to register
URL:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/event/shakespeare-women/
CATEGORIES:National,Online Events,Virtual Happy Hours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.esuus.org/seattle/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/11/Juliet.jpg
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