Christmas Carols, Cookie Decorating and Cocoa *New hands-on event
Instructor: Jean Hein

Dec. 13
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence
Cost: $75

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Description
“Carols for Christmas I,” last December, was a much-enjoyed Osher class. Join us for “Carols for Christmas II,” as we explore a new selection of carols from the Sir David Wilcox collection and a sampling of carols from throughout the world. Since we’ll work up an appetite singing, we’ll each decorate a dozen Christmas cookies with the help of a pro pastry chef. (We won’t tell Santa if they don’t all make it home.) Bring your friends and family to create a new holiday tradition!

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina, where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Jean has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

Includes: Two hours of instruction, all cookie decorating supplies, one dozen cookies and light snacks

A Christmas Story: The Musical

Dec. 9
5:30 – 9 p.m.
In-Person
Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Ave., Lawrence
Cost: $100

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Description
From the songwriting team behind the smash-hit, Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” and the critically acclaimed films “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Associated Press calls “A Christmas Story: The Musical” “a joyous Christmas miracle,” while The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”

The event includes top-notch seats behind the Lied Center’s orchestra pit and a catered dinner with a special Osher-only presentation before the show. All reservations must be made by Nov. 18. No refunds will be given after that date.

Turn-of-the-Century Holiday Traditions Tour *New event

Dec. 12
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In-Person
The Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, Kansas City, Kansas
St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
Vaile Victorian Mansion, Independence, Missouri
Meet at Edwards Campus (Overland Park) and St. Andrews Office Building (Lawrence)
Cost: $135

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Description
Did you miss out on the sold-out Strawberry Hill tour last spring? Here is your chance to experience this wonderful hidden gem. Experience the holidays through the lens of history by visiting two of Kansas City’s turn-of-the-century mansions, completely transformed for the Christmas season, and a traditional Catholic church built in 1900. The day will start with a tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, housed in a mansion built on a bluff overlooking downtown Kansas City in 1887. Each of the mansion’s rooms will be awash in holiday décor, including traditional Eastern European decorations. After a traditional Croatian lunch in the St. John the Baptist Fellowship Hall, we‘ll tour the St. John the Baptist Church, celebrating its centennial this year. Next we will board the bus and head east to the Vaile Victorian Mansion, one of the best examples of Second Empire-style architecture in the United States. The 31-room mansion includes nine marble fireplaces, spectacular painted ceilings and a 48,000-gallon wine cellar, all transformed for the holidays.

Includes docent-led tours of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, St. John the Baptist Church and the Vaile Mansion, a traditional four-course Croatian lunch, executive coach transportation and a special Christmas treat. The coach will pick up and drop off students at the St. Andrews Office Building in Lawrence and at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

Carols for Christmas I
Instructor: Jean Hein

Nov. 25
1 – 3 p.m.
In-Person
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
Join us for a Christmas carol celebration, featuring stories behind the music and lyrics, inspiring video performances, and visual art to enhance your holiday season. As Sir David Willcocks said, “In our technological age, the simple pleasure of communal singing at Christmas has endured, and carol music, ‘the ancient unalterable music of the people’ still brings cheer.”

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina, where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Jean has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University. 

Happy Days: A Nostalgic Review of the 1950s
Instructor: Carl Graves

Dec. 1, 8 & 15
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
For a significant majority of Americans, the ‘50s were good times. The Baby Boom, prosperity and rising home ownership fueled more fun than in previous and subsequent decades. Do you remember “Howdy Doody,” poodle skirts, S&H Green Stamps, the McGuire Sisters and big cars with chrome and tail fins? We’ll look back on these things and more when covering topics such as suburbanization, television, cars, movies, music, fads, fashions, foods, beverages, toys, games and print media. We’ll also touch on social critiques and worries like polio. We’ll compare our memories to documents, film clips and music. 

Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a master’s degree in U.S. history from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Harvard. He taught at the university and community college levels and at Kansas City’s Pembroke Hill School.

The Samurai: Legendary Warriors to Cultural Icons *New Class 
Instructor: Karl Menninger

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
10 a.m. - Noon
In-Person
Clay County, Missouri (Location TBD)

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Description
Get ready to trace the history of the samurai class in Japan, its distinctive weapons, armor, code of behavior, and its part in Japanese history. We’ll also look at the samurai in Japanese pop culture, from books to movies (including “The Seven Samurai” and other films), to manga and anime. We’ll expand our discussion to non-Japanese books and films about samurai (“Shogun,” “The Last Samurai”), re-makes of Japanese samurai films (“The Magnificent Seven,” “A Fistful of Dollars”) or modern-day people who live by the samurai code (“Ghost Dog,” “Le Samourai”), video games with samurai, and how to tell the difference between a samurai and a ninja.

Karl Menninger is a retired government lawyer who seems to have found an avocation teaching courses on disability law, citizenship, comedy and James Bond, among other topics.

The Search for an “American” Sound
Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
6 – 8 p.m.
Online

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Description
Since the 1890s, when Americans began to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the “American” sound. We’ll explore how not only classical musicians, but also Broadway and Hollywood composers, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that have been defined as evocative of these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Still, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein, Jon Batiste and others will be the protagonists in this lecture, supported with audiovisuals and anecdotes. 

Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with an MBA and has been a concert promoter since 2000, directly involved in many events by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G and many more. He designed and staged many original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres.

Ethics in Modern Life *New Class
Instructor: Sarah Rosenson

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
2 – 4 p.m.
Online

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Description
In this interactive discussion class, we’ll explore one or two different real-world ethical issues each week. Questions will include: should billionaires exist? Does their huge wealth indicate something unjust and unethical about how our society is structured, or not? Should the Audubon Society, streets, schools and other institutions change their names because they are named after people who owned slaves? Did the West Point Military Academy handle a recent cheating scandal ethically? Come join the conversation!

Sarah Rosenson holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in-person and online, including several Osher classes.

Figuring Out Today’s Fickle Financial Landscape *New discussion group
Instructor: Gordon Sellon

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
Financial news – the stock market, interest rates, tariffs, cryptocurrency – often dominates the national news cycle. Want to know more about how these systems and policies affect our daily lives but feel you need a doctorate in economics to do so? We have you covered! Each week we’ll dive into a few financial topics, first through lectures, then turn the floor over for interactive discussions. Bring your questions!

Gordon Sellon is an economist who spent 30 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, retiring as senior vice president and director of research. He also taught economics at the University of Kansas, the University of Michigan, Grinnell College and Oklahoma City University. Gordon has degrees in economics from Harvard College and the University of Michigan.

Structural Issues in the U.S. Government *New Class
Instructor: Sarah Rosenson

Dec. 4, 11 & 18
2 – 4 p.m.
Online

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Description
We’ll put several issues related to our democratic framework under the microscope in this interactive online discussion class. The House of Representatives is supposed to be representative by population, but is it? Should there be mandatory retirement ages for senators, congresspeople and presidents, or would that be unethical age discrimination? Should voting be mandatory? 

Sarah Rosenson holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in-person and online, including several Osher classes.

Tales of Atlantis *New Class
Instructor: David Mannering

Nov. 11 & 18
1 – 3 p.m. 
In-Person
Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS

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Description
Among the many legends of lost cities and vanished ancient civilizations none has captured the popular imagination quite like the lost continent of Atlantis. First described in a tale told more than 2,000 years ago, Atlantis has been “found” many times since. Was it a real place or just an allegory? Can modern archaeological methods and satellite imagery lend credence to the legend? Join us to look at the leading theories of its whereabouts and revel in the tales of those intrepid sleuths who believe they’ve solved the mystery.

David Mannering earned a master’s degree in philosophy and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Kansas, then spent 40 years in information technology. After retiring, he rekindled his interest in the ancient civilizations bordering the Mediterranean and has taken several trips to visit ruins in its vicinity. 

First Ladies of the White House
Instructor: Russ T. Hutchins

Nov. 3, 10 & 17
10 a.m. – Noon
Online

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Description
Let’s dive into our First Ladies’ lives with a short biography of each. We will discuss how active – or not – the ladies were in Washington politics, from Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mrs. Reagan. We won’t leave out those who chose to stay home either, like Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Truman and others! 

Russ Hutchins teaches U.S. history, Western civilization, economics, business, philosophy and business management at Friends University. He is a retired public-school administrator and educator.

Sisters in Sorrow, Equal in Suffering: The Women of Bleeding Kansas *New Class
Instructor: Michelle Martin

Dec. 3 & 10 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Online

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Description
Let’s travel back in time to share the experiences of women who made Kansas Territory their home from 1854 - 1861. Regardless of their political sentiments, women in Bleeding Kansas shared sorrow and grief equally as the territory roiled with turmoil. From the staunch abolitionist Sara Robinson to a young woman robbed of her fiancé, we’ll look at the compelling human dramas that took center stage as Kansas decided if she would be a free or slave state.

Michelle M. Martin is a Michigander by birth and a Kansan and Oklahoman by choice. Martin earned her doctorate in history at the University of New Mexico. Her research probes interracial marriage, gender, race and power in the Mvskoke Nation in Indian Territory from 1870 - 1897.

Three Days at Gettysburg
Instructor: Ethan Rafuse

Oct. 29, Nov. 5 & 12
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
In-Person/Hybrid
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park & Online

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Description
The great three-day Battle of Gettysburg has widely been seen as the American Civil War’s turning point, the pivot on which the war and the fate of the republic turned. This course will look at the three days of battle at Gettysburg. We’ll consider the great (and not so great) leaders, events and decisions that shaped its course, conduct and outcome, as well the larger campaign that carried the war north of the Potomac for the second time in less than a year. We’ll also look at the battle’s special place in the war’s history, as well as that of the individuals and events that shaped its course and results.

Ethan S. Rafuse received his doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His publications include “Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy 1863-1865,” essays in “The Chattanooga Campaign” and “The Chickamauga Campaign,” and “U.S. Presidents During Wartime.”

Understanding George Orwell: His Life and Legacy
Instructor: Vic Peterson

Dec. 2 & 9
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
This two-session course explores the life and works of George Orwell, a pivotal 20th-century writer known for his sharp critiques of totalitarianism, class inequality and political corruption. First, we’ll delve into Orwell’s life, from his upbringing in British India to his formative experiences in Burma, the Spanish Civil War and World War II. We’ll connect these moments, which shaped his political views and literary voice, to his early works, such as “Down and Out in Paris and London” and “The Road to Wigan Pier.”

The second session shifts focus to Orwell’s most iconic works, “Animal Farm” and “1984.” We’ll explore their themes of power, propaganda and societal control, discussing their relevance to modern political and digital landscapes. The session also examines Orwell’s influential essays, including “Politics and the English Language,” and his enduring legacy as a writer and thinker. Through discussions and reflections, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Orwell’s contributions to literature and his resonance in contemporary times.

Vic Peterson is the author of “The Berserkers” (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

Jewish Holiday and Life Cycle Traditions as Seen Through the Michael Klein Collection *New Class
Instructor: Abby Magariel

Nov. 6, 13 & 20
10 a.m. – Noon
In-Person
Village Shalom, 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS (Nov. 6 & 13)
The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, 12320 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS (Nov. 20 only)

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Description
Get to know some of the diverse holdings of the Michael Klein Collection, a treasure of Jewish art, ritual objects and material culture from around the world. The first two classes will highlight objects from the collection that are used for holidays and life cycle events. The third class will meet at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park for a tour of the Klein Collection displays.

Abby Magariel is the educator/curator of the Michael Klein Collection at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park. Before joining the world of Jewish education and museums, she was an educator at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka and the education director at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. 

Artificial Intelligence and Art
Instructor: Hugh Leeman

Nov. 5, 12 & 19
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
Online

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Description
For centuries, civilizations have turned to art to reflect their deepest beliefs, power dynamics and cultural foundations. As we move through the modern era, emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping this ancient terrain. These tools challenge conventional ideas of creativity, prompting new questions about authorship, agency and artistic intention. Come ready to explore the creative application of AI technologies and their integration into contemporary life. By tracing key developments and breakthroughs in AI, we will study the societal and ethical implications of these tools for human expression and consider how they may redefine cultural paradigms in the 21st century.

Hugh Leeman is an artist and lecturer. He lectures regularly at Johns Hopkins University and Duke University in English and at Colorado State University in Spanish. Hugh uses his art to engage social challenges while energizing community relationships.

Nature Wars: Our Battles With Vegetation, Wildlife and Water
Instructor: Thomas Luellen

Nov. 4, 11 & 18
2 – 4 p.m. 
In-Person
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence

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Description
“And God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the Earth and subdue it.” Over three weeks, we’ll examine North Americans’ efforts to subdue the Earth. From removing the forests east of the Mississippi River for giant monoculture farms to designing perfect suburban lawns – which attract deer and geese – subduing the Earth has been a constant battle. In the West we’ll learn “water flows uphill to money.” One in nine Americans depend on water from the Colorado River. But with the current 20-plus-year drought, we’ll need to make significant changes to our water usage.

Thomas Luellen recently retired after 31 years in hospital administration and 14 years as an adjunct instructor at Washburn University. He has a master’s degree in geography from the University of Kansas. His personal interests have always been his native state and its history.