West Chester Courses
These classes have been completed. The Fall 2019 schedule will be updated when registration opens.
Tuesday Classes
Intermediate to Advanced Photography
For those of you with a good basic knowledge of your camera who have been taking pictures for a while. This course will feature assignments each week with image review the following week. We will cover: 1) How to manage your camera; 2) Composition; 3) Working the light; 4) Freeze the Moment; and 5) Final critique.
Instructor: Ernie Martin has enjoyed photography for 20 years, including helping others learn how to improve their work. He favors outdoor photography, wildlife, nature, scenic landscapes, and some still-life subjects. Ernie is a long-time active member of the West Chester Photo Club.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 9:00–10:15am
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
Economics and You: Get Friendly with an Overwhelming Topic
The course will focus on how economic events and realities, today and yesteryear, affect you as a consumer and as a member of the baby boomer demographic. The class will be organized around a series of entertaining, easy to understand, data driven presentations in an interactive format that separate facts from fiction.
Instructor: Paul Lohr is a retired business manager, consultant, teacher, and elected official. He served one four-year term on the Lakota School District Board of Education.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 10:45am–noon
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
Free Will versus Determinism
What is determinism? What do we mean by free will? Are they in conflict with one another? Can both exist simultaneously in our lives? This course will examine how these two concepts have developed into antagonism in our thinking. In the real world, facts and values are not the same. Which most often determines how we make decisions?
Instructor: Jim Stock is a retired career educator (history, political science), administrator, pulpit supply minister (ten denominations), and world traveler.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 10:45am–noon
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 123
Tuesday Brown Bag Lecture Series
Each week the Tuesday Brown Bag Lecture Series presents a speaker who will discuss a topic of interest and importance. Plan to bring your lunch and enjoy this ILR tradition.
April 2–The Culinary Heritage of Cincinnati with Samples–Deb Price is a volunteer with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and is always willing to share her knowledge.
April 9–The Hunley Submersible – A Harbinger of WWI Unrestricted Submarine Warfare–Gary Q. Johnson, a former submarine qualified naval officer, draws on his diesel and nuclear submarine experience.
April 16–Highpointing: Attain the Highest Point in Every State–Bill Deitzer has been to 45 Highpointers’ adventures. Rosemary Deitzer will describe some humorous encounters.
April 23–The Costuming of “Victoria” (the PBS series)–Sara Butler is a retired Miami University professor and the volunteer costume curator at the Butler County Historical Society.
April 30–Germany: Land of Fairy Tales, Adventures, and Legend–Mike Clements’ ancestors came from Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden Württemberg, and Bavaria.
Coordinators: Carolyn Gard directed academic technologies at three universities, including Miami University. Sharon Chapman is a retired executive assistant.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 12:30–1:45pm
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
The Artistic Palette: Acrylic Painting Workshop
If you want to develop or enhance your visual artistic interests and skills with acrylic paint, this class is for you. Beginners will master basic layout, design, and color study while completing a painting. Experienced painters will achieve higher skill levels while completing a painting. Each painter will receive individualized instruction and will be allowed to select the subject matter for their project. The instructor’s experience allows her to adapt to all styles of painting. Unleash your creativity while having an enjoyable learning experience.
Instructor: Carol Stefanopoulos has 30 years experience as a professional artist and instructor for high school, college, and adult students, and has received more than 50 art awards. Her proficiency includes a wide variety of styles and subject matter.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 2:15–4:15pm
Location: Chesterwood Village, Art Studio
Supply fee: $35.00, payable with registration. Includes eight basic acrylic colors, an assortment of artistquality brushes in various sizes, palette knives, 11” x 14” stretched canvas, practice paper, and tracing paper. The instructor will contact you prior to the class and will welcome questions about the required materials or the workshop.
Cooking Made Easy
Chef Freeze continues offering his culinary delights with a series on basic cooking for easy home-cooked meals. The Chef will offer alternatives to accommodate your style. The classes include Rasta Pasta, Pan Roasted Salmon with Rosemary & Orange Glaze, Easy Turkey Tetrazzini, Lentil Minestrone Soup, and Chicken Fajitas.
Instructor: Chef Montzello Freeze is the head chef for Hillandale Family of Communities and Director of Dietary Management at Chesterwood Village.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 2:15–3:30pm
Location: Chesterwood Village, Dining Room
French and European Mystery Writers in Translation
We will read four mysteries in this term. We’ll be joined by guest speaker, Dennis Sullivan, Professor Emeritus of Miami, who is an avid reader of American and European mystery writers. The following books will be read and discussed:
Class texts: Deadly Camargue by Cay Rademacher, lst Class Maigret Sets A Trap by Georges Simenon, Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones, and The Hanged Man by Gary Inbinder.
Instructor: Mark Plageman, Professor Emeritus of Miami, has been teaching ILR courses for 12 years. His specialty is French and European Mystery Writers in Translation.
4 Tuesdays: April 2–23; 2:15–3:30pm
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 123
Introduction to Wine Tasting
Each class will focus on different wines from different regions around the world and will introduce wine tasting and food pairings.
Instructor: Scott Schmidt owns Looking Glass Hospitality Group, which has a collection of unique independent restaurants. Scott is a certified sommelier with 35 years of restaurant experience.
5 Tuesdays: April 2–30; 4:00–5:15pm
Location: S.W. Clyborne Co. Provision & Spirits, 5948 Snider Road, Mason
Supply fee: $25, payable on first day of class
Wednesday Classes
Trivia is Not Trivial: You Know Way More Trivia Than You Think
You’ll be surprised to discover just how “trivial” you are! Trivia as a game can be great fun, or it can be very frustrating. Trivia is not minutiae, but refers to obscure and arcane bits of knowledge as well as nostalgic remembrances of pop culture from a lifetime of your experiences. You’ll enjoy the fun while learning the challenges of participating in trivia contests as a team. No experience is necessary. The class will have introductory trivia quizzes and you’ll learn the simple principles used to create your own. Challenge your mind to dig deep. We will share experiences and ideas to build a trivia game, or just appreciate playing a good one.
Instructors: Rick Dubberly has been attending trivia contests for over 15 years and has created dozens of quizzes. Jerry Riesenberg has been attending trivia tournaments weekly for about eight years and has created over 40 quizzes.
5 Wednesdays: April 3–May 1; 9:00–10:15am
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
The Vietnam War—Five Decades Later: Stories of War Veterans
With the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive and the resurgence of interest in the Vietnam War, the intent of this course is to offer ILR members an opportunity to hear and discuss stories and experiences of five Vietnam veterans. Vietnam veterans think of the war every day, and this course will honor them and their stories.
April 3–Confessions of a Clandestine USAF Fighter Pilot–Tom Burdin, Captain, U.S. Air Force, flew 168 combat missions with A-1 Skyraiders out of Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. He was involved in the rescue and recovery of 69 pilots and others from the jungles of Southeast Asia. Tom received four Distinguished Flying Crosses and 21 Air Medals during his tour of duty.
April 10–Vietnamization 1970-1971–Thomas Fey, 1Lt. U.S. Army, was deployed to the Darlac Province in Vietnam in May 1970 and served in the II Corps as a member of a Mobile Advisory Team (MAT) working with Montagnard tribes in the Central Highlands.
April 17–Vietnam: A Day In the Life of a USAF Fighter Pilot–Ron Schloemer, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), served for 30 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. During the Vietnam conflict, he flew 200 combat missions in F-4s over North Vietnam and Laos.
April 24–Stories from the FishHook–Carl Becker, Sergeant, U.S. Army, served in III Corps in the 1st Cavalry from March 1969 to March 1970 north of Saigon near the Fishhook region in Cambodia.
May 1–Over the Trail in the AC-119K Stinger–Ron Julian, Major, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), was an airborne gunner on AC-119K ‘Stinger’ gunships in 1969-1970. He flew 150 combat missions in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from four SEA bases.
Alternate–Personal Experiences in a Combat Zone (or We Gotta Get Out of This Place)–Jerry Riesenberg, SSgt., U.S. Air Force, served at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB in Thailand during 1972 and was deployed during the Easter Offensive to a forward operating base at Bien Hoa in Vietnam. He was NCOIC of the weapons maintenance ground crew for AC-119K gunships.
Coordinator: Jerry Riesenberg is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Easter Offensive Battle during 1972. He worked as an analytical chemist and in information technology at Procter and Gamble for 35 years and has been involved with ILR for over six years teaching courses and programming its database.
5 Wednesdays: April 3–May 1; 10:45am–noon
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
Wednesday Brown Bag Lecture Series
Come learn and enjoy an array of topics. Each week the Wednesday Brown Bag Lecture Series presents a speaker who will discuss a topic of interest and importance. Plan to bring your lunch and enjoy this ILR tradition.
April 3–The Goodness of Gander–Rosemary Deitzer is a retired associate manager and meeting planner. She likes to share her enthusiasm for good people and good news stories. Hear how the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland, hosted 6,500 people for 4 days on one hour’s notice beginning on America’s worst day: September 11, 2001.
April 10–Seeya Bub–Since losing his father to suicide in 2013, Tyler Bradshaw has been in the fight of his life—a fight to promote mental health and suicide prevention in families and communities all across our nation. Ty serves as an Assistant Director in the Office of Admission at Miami University.
April 17–Therapy Dogs–James Prickett is Warren County Kennel Club Treasurer, an ardent dog lover, trainer, and “leader of the pack.” Join us for a delightful discussion on the world of therapy dogs! Ever thought about training your dog to become a therapy dog? It’s easier than you think. Learn the ins and outs and then find your place bringing joy to those you meet. From assisted living and memory care facilities to helping little ones to gain confidence by reading to the dogs at local libraries, these dogs do it all.
April 24–Oh, it’s a Long, Long Road–Rod Nimtz, Director of Miami’s Voice of America Learning Center, will share his experience of over a year in recovering from a surgery that was supposed to only take a month to recover from. Trips (real and imagined) to many places along the way, and some wonderful people who made it possible for him to return to the land of the Red and White
May 1–The Honeybee, the Hive and the Beekeeper–Gary Hardwick, a Lebanon, Ohio, resident, has had careers in teaching and radio communications. Ten years ago, he started a new “hobby,” and began keeping honeybees. His hobby rapidly expanded into a sideline business and has become an obsession.
Coordinator: Marlene Esseck is a retired Lakota School District educator.
5 Wednesdays: April 3–May 1; 12:30–1:45pm Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
Health Innovations
April 3–Advances in Trauma Care: Systems, Patient Care, and Science–Dr. D. Anderson Millar, Director of Trauma & Emergency Surgery, West Chester Hospital, Division of Trauma & Critical Care, University of Cincinnati
April 10–Recognize Signs of Stroke, and New Guidelines for Emergency Treatment–Dr. Bassel Salem, TriHealth Neuroscience Institute. Learn the signs and more about emergency treatment guidelines.
April 17–New Technologies for Treating Neurological Diseases: A Special Emphasis on Brain Cancers–Dr. Nicholas Marko, Director, UC Brain Tumor Center, Associate Professor, Dept. of Neurosurgery. Review of evidence-based methods for neurological wellness and new technologies for treatment.
April 24–Advanced Therapeutic Options for Parkinson’s Disease–Dr. Aristide Merola, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Gardner Center for Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders. What is Duopa, DBS, and some promising new research?
May 1–Stop the Bleed: Life-Saving Training–Regina Menninger, RN, BSN. Hands-on training for public lifesaving bleed control techniques.
Coordinator: Jane Gegner is an ILR Curriculum Committee member and works in the business community. Her experience offers her the opportunity to meet a variety of people that assist the ILR with their curriculum goals.
5 Wednesdays: April 3–May 1; 2:15–3:30pm
Location: Voice of America Learning Center, Room 100
Friday Classes
Fridays Not-So-Far Afield (FNSFA)*
We often travel to distant lands without ever discovering the gems hidden in our own backyards. Join us as we do a little exploring closer to home. You may select any or all of these jaunts while planning to expand your local horizons. These are self-drive tours. NOTE: Register for each tour individually, not as a series.
FNSFA: Warren County Historical Society
Enjoy a guided tour of the Neil Armstrong exhibit as well as the newly configured museum space featuring the Art Exhibit Gallery, gift shop, etc.
1 Friday: April 5; 10:00am–noon
Location: 105 S. Broadway Street, Lebanon
Fee: $5, payable at museum
FNSFA: VOA Broadcasting Museum Center
Enjoy a guided tour featuring the newly renovated interior and exhibit space.
1 Friday: April 12; 10:00am–noon
Location: 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester
Fee: $5, payable at museum
FNSFA: Regenerative Medicine for Our Aging and Injured Bodies
Arthritis, tendinitis, and other painful conditions can significantly impact our daily function and the ability to do the things that we most enjoy. Learn how stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and other forms of regenerative medicine may offer appropriate, non-surgical treatment solutions. Dr. Jeremy Girmann is a board-certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician who specializes in the treatment of muscle, tendon, nerve, and joint disorders.
1 Friday: April 19; 10:00am–noon
Location: Miami University Voice of America Learning Center, Room 128
FNSFA: Berns Nursery
Meet inside the charming gift shop for a guided tour of the greenhouse/arbors.
1 Friday: April 26; 10:00am–noon
Location: Berns Nursery, 825 Greentree Rd, Middletown
FNSFA: Historic Butler County Courthouse
By their nature, courthouses are centers of controversy. Disputes are resolved and penalties meted there. Justice is not always popular. There are losers as well as winners when judges and juries make decisions. In its first 110 years, numerous controversies embroiled the venerable Historic Butler County Courthouse, including several involving its appearance and use. In more than 100 years, it has survived fire, flood, many storms and other attacks from nature, the worst being the March 14, 1912, fire which took the lives of three Hamilton firemen. Hear the stories as you see the building come to life through the eyes of your guide, Judge Randy T. Rogers.
1 Friday: May 3; 10:00am–noon
Location: Butler County Courthouse
NOTE: Park in free spaces on High Street, metered spaces (takes quarters) surrounding the Courthouse, or in the city’s McDulin parking garage on Market Street (one block north of High Street, between N. 2nd and N. 3rd Streets; first two hours free). Enter the Courthouse from the Front Street entrance, go through security, take elevator or stairs to meet in the rotunda on the second floor.
Coordinator: Shelly Abrams is the ILR Publicity Chair, as well as the Site Coordinator for ILR in West Chester.