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ALL COURSES HELD AT SOUDERTON MENNONITE HOMES

207 W. SUMMIT ST. SOUDERTON, PA 18964

Expanding Horizons Fall 2017

Course Catalog

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Welcome to another session of Expanding Horizons! This educational program was formed in 1996 to promote adult enrichment opportunities in the community. The Expanding Horizons Committee includes staff and resident representatives of retirement communities Dock Woods, Frederick Living, Lutheran Community at Telford, Peter Becker Community, The Community at Rockhill, and Souderton Mennonite Homes. The Committee also includes representatives from Generations of Indian Valley and Encore Experiences at Harleysville.

Classes & Registration The Fall 2017 classes will be held Thursdays, October 5, October 12, October 19, and October 26. For the 9:00am time slot, participants may choose one of two sessions: Exploring Islam OR The Realities of Language. For the 10:30am time slot, participants may choose one of two sessions: Looking Back in Time OR What's On Your Mind?

The cost of the four-week series is $25.00, made payable to Peter Becker Community with registration. This non-refundable fee includes registration in two chosen sessions and refreshments during the break. The non-refundable registration fee and registration are due by September 7, 2017. Class size is limited, so be sure to register early!

Please plan to arrive at Souderton Mennonite Homes at 8:45am on Thursday, October 5 (opening day) for an orientation to the Fall 2017 Expanding Horizons series.

Our Faculty Class instructors are recruited from the community and include speakers from universities, businesses, organizations, and churches, as well as local talents. Each instructor commits his or her time and talents to the Expanding Horizons program, and we are very thankful for their contributions. If you know someone who is a dynamic speaker and “subject-matter expert” on a topic that might be of interest for a future session, please contact a member of the Expanding Horizons Committee. We always welcome new ideas and suggestions!

For more information, please contact Joe Monserrat at 215-256-9501.

Indulging your passion for life-long learning

Exploring Islam Asheq Fazlullah Islam, like Christianity, is

multi-faceted and not easily summed up in a few brief sound bites. In this four-week series, we will examine the details of several of these facets—spirituality, intellectual achievements, and social issues. See individual course titles below.

Thursday, October 5: Introduction to Islam Thursday, October 12: Spirituality and Ethics in Islam Thursday, October 19: The Golden Age of Islam (800 – 1500) Thursday, October 26: Islam and Contemporary Geopolitics

The Realities of Language Darryl Smith

Language is not a logical animal. But because of our human nature, we want to believe that our way of speaking English is the right way. During this four-week series, you will learn how language "knowledge" is filled with half-truths and outright lies. The reality is beautiful. See individual course titles below.

Thursday, October 5: Language Reality Thursday, October 12: Phonology Mysteries Thursday, October 19: MorphologyThursday, October 26: Etymology and Combining Forms

Thursday, October 5 William Penn and the Indians Douglas A. Miller The story of William Penn is one of the iconic stories of early Pennsylvania. During this class, we will explore why Penn's relationship with native peoples was critical to the success of the Pennsylvania colony. We will also discuss what happened after Penn's passing.

Thursday, October 12:Medical History and Practices of the Civil War Herb Kaufman In popular media, physicians and surgeons in the Victorian Era are usually portrayed as blood-soaked butchers. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  Medical practices as portrayed in the movies, on television, and in many novels are created to excite and dramatize events.  While the medical practices were certainly naïve and unsophisticated by today’s standards, Victorian Era physicians truly worked tirelessly and diligently to heal the wounded and comfort the ill.  This presentation is intended to dispel the myths and explain the differences between the movies and the actual medical practices. Actual Civil War surgical instruments, medicines, and photographs are used to provide a first-hand look at Victorian-era medical equipment.

Session 1A: 9:00AM

Exploring Islam

Fall 2017 Courses

Session 1B: 9:00AM

The Realities Of Language

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Session 2A: 10:30AM

Looking Back In Time

Thursday, October 19:Valley Forge: The Third Winter Encampment W. Bruce HustisFind out why General Washington picked

Valley Forge for the 1777-1778 encampment and why armies encamped during the winter. Life in the camp will be discussed, including weather, soldiers' clothing, rations, weapons, and living quarters. We will learn about General Washington's "military family" including General Von Steuben, the ladies at camp, and Martha Washington.

Thursday, October 26: Desperate Measures: Unusual Incidents and Personalities of the Civil War Herb Kaufman This presentation focuses on the unusual, extraordinary, and often controversial incidents and events that took place during the four years of the Civil War. Strange-but-true topics include soldier murders, a plot to bomb the White House, the strange case of Ulric Dahlgren and the plot to kill the Confederate President, the spy who was hung twice

and buried in three places, dueling generals, the ill-fated life and death of General A. P. Hill, the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, and other unusual personalities and events.

Thursday, October 5: Overview of Brain Health: How to Keep Our Brains Fit as We Age Kathleen Kaneda Roberts Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are a huge concern for many of us as we grow older.  So what can we do to lessen the risk?  Research shows us that there is much that can be done proactively!  Join us as we review some of the latest research and recommendations.

Thursday, October 12:Developing a Positive Mindset: Ways to Keep Your Glass Half Full

Instar LearningThe daily challenges we face sometimes make it difficult to maintain a positive outlook. What lessons can we learn from those who have spent a lifetime focusing on positive thinking? From Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking to the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Positive Psychology and the extensive research of Dr. Martin Seligman, we will discover tools that can help us keep our glass half full and explore how to minimize the impact of aging on optimism.

Session 2A: 10:30AM (con’t) Session 2B: 10:30AM

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Looking Back In Time

What’s On Your Mind?

Thursday, October 19:Optimism to Well-being: Examining What We Need to Flourish Instar Learning What are the connections between a positive

outlook and well-being? Dr. Martin Seligman's latest book, Flourish, extends our discussion of positive thinking to the concept of well-being. We will share some of Seligman's research on well-being and consider how we can help ourselves and others flourish.

Thursday, October 26: The Magic of Music and Memory Kathleen Kaneda RobertsResearch shows that listening to music can enrich lives. Find out how the use of an MP3 player and the creation of customized music playlists can reduce boredom, loneliness, and anxiety for those who suffer from dementia.

Session 2B: 10:30AM (con’t)

lnstar Learning Alliance is an educational non-profit organization established in 2014, currently serving Montgomery County. Their primary mission is to offer interactive workshops and academic programs to increase the visibility, voice, and value of senior citizens. Their broader vision is to build social capital within communities by focusing on the strengths and capabilities of senior citizens. Co-founders Ginger Bernd, Pamela Mott, and Amy Ryan Faga comprise a facilitation team that spans 30 years of instruction at the elementary, secondary, and college levels.

Virginia (Ginger) Bernd (Instar) Ginger taught secondary English and coordinated the secondary enrichment program for the Souderton Area School District from 1969-1992. As a colleague of the Creative Education Foundation,

Ginger has been a teaching leader at the Creative Problem Solving lnstitute since 1980. She has served as a coordinator of their YouthWise program for children ages 10-17. Ginger also taught an

lntroduction to Creative Problem Solving course at Gwynedd Mercy College. She holds a B.S. and M.Ed. in secondary education in English from Kutztown University. ln addition, she has completed certificate programs in staff

development from Lehigh University

and gifted education from Temple University. She is currently completing the master's program at the lnternational Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College.

Pamela Mott (Instar)

As a co-founder of lnstar Learning Alliance, Pamela brings experience from both the education and business worlds. She is a former marketing communications specialist for an

insurance brokerage firm and adjunct professor of English at Montgomery County Community College. After attending the Creative Education Foundation's Creative Problem Solving lnstitute (CPSI) in 2004, Pamela began

her training as a CPS facilitator. She holds a B.S. in English from Millersville University and an M.A. in English with a focus on professional writing from Arcadia University.

Amy Ryan Faga (Instar)

Amy is retired from the North Penn School District, where she taught elementary gifted education K-6 and served as the department chair. As a coach and coordinator of the Odyssey of

the Mind program, she brought creative problem solving skills to teams and coaches who competed at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Amy earned her B.S. in elementary education from East Stroudsburg University and her M.Ed. from West Chester University.

Our Faculty

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What’s On Your Mind?

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W. Bruce Hustis spent 25 years in education as a college professor, chief school administrator, and psychologist. He is a living history interpretative volunteer at Valley Forge. He can be seen greeting visitors at Washington's headquarters, baking bread at the Muhlenburg encampment, and firing his musket during a presentation on the Life of a Soldier. Bruce has made presentations at Valley Forge National Historical Park on: The Family of Liberty Bells, Washington's Indispensible Men, Pennsylvania: How it Got its Shape, and more.

Herb Kaufman has been a teacher, lecturer and living historian of the Civil War and Victorian Era for more than 20 years. He is a founding member of the faculty of the Civil War Institute at Manor College and an adjunct instructor of Civil War History at Camden County College. He also teaches courses at Gratz College in Elkins Park, PA. Herb Kaufman has received numerous awards for his continuing work in education

and support of the history of the Civil War. Mr. Kaufman is a member of the board of directors and curator of The Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library in Philadelphia. He is currently the treasurer of The Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table and a member of the board of The General Meade Society. He is also a member of numerous historical and community organizations. Mr. Kaufman holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Temple University.

Asheq Fazlullah serves on the executive committee of CAIR-Philadelphia, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Philadelphia Chapter. In this role, he helps advise and shape the vision of the organization. Mr. Fazlullah has delivered workshops dealing with school bullying and civil rights. He has also presented Islam 101 presentations to faith groups, schools, universities, and local civic groups across the Greater Delaware Valley region. Additionally, Asheq rotates as a Friday congregational prayer

service leader at Villanova University and Swarthmore College. Born in South Asia, Asheq immigrated to the U.S. as an infant with his parents, living in several states before settling in suburban Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Conestoga Senior High School in Berwyn, PA and earned a bachelor's in economics from Penn State at University Park.

Douglas A. Miller is the historic site director of Pennsbury Manor. He has served as the director of Hope Lodge in Ft. Washington, Graeme Park in Horsham, Washington's Crossing in Bucks County, and Curtin Village (home of PA Civil War Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin). Mr. Miller is a peer reviewer in the accreditation process for museums, an instructor in historic weapons safety, and a peer consultant to museums in the Mid-Atlantic region. He has a lifelong interest in tales of Penn's dealings with native peoples.

Kathleen Kaneda Roberts holds an M.B.A. in management information systems. She is a certified information security manager (CISM) and nursing home administrator (NHA).

Ms. Roberts worked at AT&T for 21 years in such fields as international strategy, federal government services, and cybersecurity product management. She is the founder and principal of iSecure Solutions, a company providing professional cyber-security services for Christian higher education clients. She is currently employed in project management at Living Branches and is the director of dementia care strategy. Her personal experiences have helped inspire her career. Specifically, she learned much from living with a grandparent and interacting with family members who suffered from dementia.

Darryl Smith taught English for 38 years at Souderton Area High School. He is a former adjunct professor of the course, The English Language, at Muhlenberg College. He holds bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from Kutztown University. Mr. Smith has lived in Souderton since 1966 and often teaches linguistic lessons at the Indian Valley Public Library. He has had the honor of previously teaching several courses for the Expanding Horizons program.

Our Faculty (con’t.)

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