Syracuse

Happy Hour: Discovering Faulkner’s American South in 1990s Pakistan with Dr. Saima Sherazi
2024-05-22 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch

The 1990s found agrarian societies in Pakistan undergoing profound transitions, not unlike the American South in the first part of the twentieth century. William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” captures the stark confrontation between waning Southern aristocracy (the Compson family) and the ascendant middle class represented by the Snopes family.

Dr. Saima Sherazi will take us through the experience of coping with societal change, especially when that change occurs in a setting with entrenched social hierarchies and gender roles. That setting could be rural Pakistan, or the American South of the 1920s. In either place there is upheaval – urbanization and industrialization collide with traditional dynamics of gender and class. Dr. Sherazi will share her experience of teaching Faulkner in an all-girls college in a still conservative Pakistan – far removed from the American South, but nonetheless undergoing similar social upheavals. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. All programs take place on Eastern Time.

Town Hall Meeting
2024-06-04 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
ESU members are invited to Two Town Hall Meetings

Hosted by Executive Director Karen Karpowich

June 4, 3:00 to 4:00 PM CT—SAVE THE DATEIntroducing the new Digital Membership Form and discussing the new rolling year membership for renewals and new members. Zoom meeting registration coming soon.

June 25, 12:00 to 1:00 PM CT—SAVE THE DATEESU Leadership Training for all current and new ESU Branch Board members. Further details and agenda forthcoming.

Happy Hour: The Great Siege of Malta and the Fate of Empires
2024-06-12 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Sixteenth century European historians will find this ESU Happy Hour fascinating and one of tremendous significance. The Great Siege of Malta, a four-month battle from May 18 to September 11, 1565, is considered one of the most ferocious conflicts in military history. Rarely have the odds been so unequal and the stakes so high.

In 1565 Malta was the key to Europe. And during the summer of that year, the future of Western Civilization was decided. The Ottoman Empire had extended its control over most of the Mediterranean. If the tiny island of Malta could be captured, it could become the staging ground for the invasion of critical ports in Europe.

It was an epic struggle, a remarkable tale of resolve and leadership, of disunity in command, and disunity among allies. Historically, the Great Siege of Malta was one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested battles of the sixteenth century.

Dr. Wayne Bowen, Professor of History and Associate Dean for the College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida, draws us into this four-month siege on the island of Malta. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Central Florida Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.

Monthly Luncheons and Programs
2025-12-06 12:00 - 15:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
Holiday Concert of Harps

What's New at the Zoo
2026-01-10 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
Program by Kim Arnold

The American Revolution: A Civil and a World War
2026-01-15 17:00 - 18:00 UTC
As 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.The 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 thirteen 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 III

Dr. 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, rum, 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.

Shakespeare for Everyone
2026-02-14 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
Marguerite Mitchell presentation

Happy 200th Birthday, Matilda
2026-03-14 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
Ciarrai Eaton will introduce us to Matilda Joslyn Gage

Watercolor as a Hobby
2026-04-11 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
Judith Hand entices to try water coloring

2026 Annual General Meeting
2026-04-23 00:00 - 2026-04-26 23:59 UTC
The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference. The conference, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The conference program will include the ESU 2026 Annual General Meeting, social events such as receptions and meals, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and local tours. We invite you to participate in the camaraderie and help us advance our programs that support teachers, students, and recent immigrants.

HIGHLIGHTS

Revolution in Old New York: Soldiers, Spies & Statesmen of the American Revolution Walking Tour:Trace the footsteps of revolution through Manhattan’s past and present.Lunch on historic Stone Street or Fraunces TavernOne of New York City’s oldest surviving streets, originally paved in 1658.andArt of the Gilded Age at The Met Museum Guided TourUncover the brilliance and forgotten voices of the Gilded Age at The Met.

Our Conference venue will be at the ESU House, 144 East 39th Street, and the Shelbourne-Sonesta Hotel, 303 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016. We have a special hotel room at The Shelbourne Sonesta Hotel, which will be available Thursday night through Saturday night. Hotel prices do not include taxes or additional fees, and prices are valid through March 23, 2026. We will have a special opportunity to see the USA finals for the International Public Speaking Competition. Space is limited, first-come-first-served.

$650

Print Registration Form

Two Singers, One Voice
2026-05-02 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Century Club, 480 James Street, Syracuse, New York, 13203, United States
John and Cathy Cadley Program
