Board of Directors Drew Casani, President

Al Williams, Vice President Gail Beck, Treasurer

Mary Jo Pflum, Secretary Dorothy Jones, Past President

Kristine Anderson Ron Andres Joan Briller Leslie Brost Jim Carter

Kathleen Connolly Marshall Deutelbaum

Patrick Egan Larry Fisher

Sally Gustafson Nancy Hartman Mark Levinthal

Howard Magadanz Mary Quinn

Joe Rees Margaret Rowe Donna Stonehill

John Veach

Calendar of Events

WALLA NEWS Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association, Inc.

Volume 20, Issue 3 May 2019

It is very humbling to be writing my first “A Note from the President.” I feel confident in being the WALLA president because the many volunteers who have made the organization so great in the past are ready to do so in the future. (NOTE: I consider Mary Gardner one of those volunteers because she contributes so much more to WALLA than being the Purdue Coordinator and Liaison.)

Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the Annual Meeting. Tom Turpin, the Bug Man, opened my eyes to many aspects of insects that had never occurred to me (still not sure I am ready to give up chicken, even if they taste the same). Tom’s life as a professor and researcher exemplify the idea of “Learning just for the fun of it.”

At the Annual Meeting, we recognized two volunteers. When Gail Beck was announced as the winner of the Mary Fuqua Memorial Volunteer Award, the applause and cheering was deafening. It demonstrated how much everyone appreciates all that Gail has given to WALLA, not only over the past year, but over many years. And, speaking of awards, this was the first year for the Mary E. Gardner Exceptional Service Award. This award recognizes someone who over many years has made significant contributions to WALLA. It honors not only the recipient, but also honors Mary Gardner. The first recipient of the award is Jacques Delleur. No one deserved to win this award more than Jacques. Over the years he has truly made a real difference.

Speaking of making a difference, at the end of every day, I ask myself (Con nued on page 5)

A Note from the President

M, May 6 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film T, May 14 1:00p Strategic Planning W, May 15 1:30p Executive Comm W, May 22 10:30a Programing Comm 1:30p Board W, Th, F May 29, 30, 31 Three day trip to

eastern Indiana M, June 10 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film W, June 19 1:30p Executive Committee M, June 24 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film W, June 26 10:30a Programing Comm 1:30p Board M, July 8 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film T, July 9 1:00p Strategic Planning W, July 17 1:30p Executive Committee M, July 22 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film W, July 24 10:30a Programing Comm 1:30p Board Wednesday, July 31 11:15a Beef House

Dinner Theater Trip M, Aug 12 6:30p WALLA & Friends Film T, Aug 22 5:00p Fall Class Preview

Chicken Dinner

Upcoming Events

The three day trip to Richmond is explained later in the newsletter. July 31st we have a trip to the Covington Beef House Dinner Theater to see Honky Tonk Angels. Another baseball trip is in the works so look for that on our website and in the July newsletter. We are also planning a Great Read event during classes, details in this newsletter.

Already in the works are a holiday event, Trivia fun in January and another trip to the opera (we hear it is Porgy & Bess).

Nancy Hartman & Ron Andres, Co-chairs, Programming Committee

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WALLA & Friends of the Library Film Series

The summer film series are shown on the second and fourth Mondays of June and July and the first Monday of August.

Films are screened at 6:30 p.m. in the Elm-Walnut Room on the second floor.

A WALLA Programming Subcommittee member will introduce the film and conduct any post-film discussion.

Free popcorn and bottles of water are available during the screenings.

Those having hearing aids can connect with the T-coil Hearing Loop. Also, when possible, subtitles will be shown.

Scientific Fiction Film Festival This Summer

This summer WALLA and the Friends of the West Lafayette Library will present a series of 21st Century science fiction films. The films have been selected by WALLA members for their serious depiction of the impacts of scientific discovery on human beings, from their personal relationships to their physical and psychological survival in alien environments. Genres range from romance to animated comedy. Each film is preceded by an introduction and followed by a discussion led by the WALLA member who chose the film.

Monday June 10 Solaris. Psychologist Kris Kelvin is sent to investigate a space station circling the planet Solaris where the crew has become completely dysfunctional. Kelvin discovers why when it happens to him. This movie attempts to create a vision of a human encounter with something that “cannot be reduced to human concepts, ideas or images.” 99 minutes. Released in 2002. PG-13 Kristine Anderson, presenter.

Monday, June 24 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind This science fiction romantic comedy follows Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) as they break off their relationship and, through technology available only in this movie, have their memories of one another erased from their minds. They reconnect and we, the audience, accompany them as they begin again. A second theme involves the employees of Lacuna, Inc., the firm

that does the memory erasing, and their actions which have devastating consequences for Joel, Clementine, and all clients using their services. The film was well received by critics and garnered many awards: Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 2004 and Kate Winslet was an Academy Award nominee for Best Actress. Many media outlets list the film as one of the best movies of the decade, the century, and of “all time.” Directed by Michel Gondy, released in 2004. 108 minutes. Rated R. Joan Marshall,

presenter.

Monday, July 8 The Martian During a manned mission to Mars astronaut Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and is left behind by his crew. He must draw upon his ingenuity with spirit to subsist and find a way to signal earth and find a way to eat and survive. Released in 2015. 2hr, 22 min. Rated PG. Jim Carter, presenter.

Monday, July 24 WALL-E A computer-animated science fiction film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. In the 29th century, Earth has been abandoned and covered in garbage, its population having been evacuated by the megacorporation Buy-N-Large (BnL) on giant starliners seven centuries earlier after decades of mass consumerism facilitated by BnL. Left behind is WALL-E, a robot trash compactor to clean up. All other compactors have

“died” but WALL-E has gained sentience and is scavenging parts from other units to remain active. The film criticizes consumerism, corporatism, nostalgia, waste management, human environmental impact and concerns,

obesity, and global catastrophic risk. Released in 2008. Rated G. 97 min. Joe Krause, presenter.

Monday August 12 Passengers is a science fiction/romance that stars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt as two spaceship passengers en route to a distant planet on a colonizing mission. The problem: both of these passengers wake up ninety years before the ship will reach the planet. While the other 5,000 colonists stay sleeping in their cryostasis pods, the two characters struggle not only with isolation but with the increasing problems of a spaceship that has been critically damaged. The two must learn not only how to get by on their own but also how to protect the rest of the crew and colonists—who will not wake up to know their bravery for almost another

If you are on Facebook, you can visit WALLA at facebook.com/WALLAonline, search for “WALLA and Lafayette” or search for our full name Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association. Become a fan of WALLA and keep up-to-date on our activities.

Thank You

We would like to give thanks for memorial donations to the Audio Visual committee in memory of Ace Tyler.

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WALLA Trip to Wayne County deadline approaches!

There is still time to register for the 3-day summer trip to the eastern part of the state, Wayne County.

The trip has much to offer, basketball, pottery, Levi Coffin Home and Model–T cars and more. The 3 day event is May 29, 30, and 31. Look at the flyer in this newsletter and on our website wallaonline.org for reg-istration information and other places of interest.

We are staying at a Best Western in Richmond, Indiana and six meals out of 7 are included in the price. This is a good time to see another part of our state and be with old friends and meet some new ones.

Call or text Mary Jo Pflum if you have any questions or concerns, 219-369-3730 or email her at jwmjpflum@gmail.com. Deadline is May 10 to make reservations.

WALLA Goes to the Beef House Dinner Theater

On Wednesday, July 31, WALLA will go to the Covington Beef House Dinner Theater for a matinee. After the meal, we will see The Honky Tonk Angels. Country classics combine with a hilarious story about three good ole gals who follow their dreams to Nashville. Songs include Stand By Your Man, Coal Miner’s Daughter, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You, and Harper Valley PTA. Find the registration flyer in this newsletter and on our website, wallaonline.org. The deadline is July 1.

The 2019 the Big Read for both Purdue University and The Greater Lafayette Community is The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson. Our own Margaret Rowe, a WALLA Board member and frequent presenter, will review the book for the WALLA event on Wednesday, October 30 from 12:15-1:00 p.m. It will be during Fall WALLA classes, and box lunches may be ordered for the event. Deadline for ordering box lunches is at least one week before the event. Four copies of The Odyssey are available to be checked out at the WALLA office, Rm. 157, WL City Hall (former Happy Hollow School). This event is open to the public, and drinks are provided. Questions: call Sally Gustafson (765) 463-5874

M. M. Rowe: Reviewer of The Odyssey

Margaret Moan Rowe was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She grew up in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she received a B.A. from Holy Family College and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Temple University. Dr. Rowe joined the Department of English at Purdue University in 1969. She taught a variety of undergraduate courses, and graduate courses in twentieth century British literature. Her published work includes a critical study of Doris Lessing’s novels as well as essays on a wide range of other British writers, among them George Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and W.H. Auden. In addition to her work as teacher and researcher, Dr. Rowe was also an active administrator, serving as Department Head of English, Dean of Liberal Arts, and Vice Provost of the university. She retired from Purdue University in 2010.

The Odyssey by Emily Wilson, Translator Over 28 centuries ago, Homer’s Odyssey entered the cultural consciousness of Europe. Probably first sung by bards, the story of Odysseus and his long journey home from the equally long Trojan war captured the imagination of listeners. That captivation persisted when the poem was written down and shared with readers. Over the centuries those readers have included many writers influenced by Homer’s epic. Virgil’s Aeneid, Dante’s Comedia, Cervantes Don Quixote, and novels by James Joyce, Nikos Kazantzakis, and Margaret Atwood are just a few of the literary children of Homer. Filmmakers, too, have heard Homer’s siren song. Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and George Lucas’ Star Wars draw from Homer’s themes and characters. Much of Homer’s ongoing influence is due to the dedication of translators who have brought the adventures of Odysseus from Greek into other languages. About 60 translations have appeared in English since George Chapman’s first in 1615. Until 2017, all of the English translations were produced by male scholars. Thus, Emily Wilson’s translation, published by Norton, is an achievement to be celebrated. Not only is it a compelling presentation of Homer’s world, crisp and clear in its language, but it is also a scholarly breakthrough. A woman has claimed her place at Homer’s feast. Only fitting when one remembers that Odysseus’ successful journey home is so dependent on the wisdom and courage of the women who help him survive and reach Ithaca.

2019 BIG READ WALLA EVENT

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Annual Meeting

Letter from the President (cont.)

three simple questions: how have I made a difference, what did I learn, and have I had fun? I expect that being president, I will have plenty of opportunities to answer these questions. How can WALLA make a difference for our participants and the Wabash Area? Certainly, we enhance the quality of life with our classes and social events. Learning is obvious with the classes and trips. And, we should always remember to have fun.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Fall Classes, October 14 through November 7, 2019. Marshall Deutelbaum, Pat Egan, and Mary Gardner have worked with the presenters to schedule some outstanding classes, covering a wide array of topics in science, literature, music, film, history, self-help, and other. By the way, if you have ideas for classes you would like to attend or want to present, please contact Mary, Marshall or Pat.

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization. I am excited about the plans for this year. Let’s go out and learn some stuff and have some fun!

(Con nued from page 1)

Gail Beck was the winner of the Mary Fuqua Memorial Volunteer Award.

Jacques Delleur was named the first recipient of the Mary Gardner Award for Exceptional Service. Unfortunately Jacques was unable

to attend the meeting but Drew and Al will make sure he gets it.

Al announced the Mary E. Gardner Exceptional Service Award.

Outgoing president, Dorothy Jones, received a nice planter from incoming president, Drew Casani.

“My heartfelt thanks to the WALLA board for creating the new award: Mary E. Gardner Exceptional Service Award.” Mary Gardner

“Special thanks are due to Al Williams for a) deciding it was

time to initiate this award, b) soliciting feedback about criteria

and name of first awardee, c) generating consensus, d) making

sure the award plaque was ready to be presented, and e) ensuring that after several months of prep, the

new award came as a complete surprise to the honoree.” Dorothy Jones

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New WALLA Board

We are fortunate to have such a great pool of volunteers. Five people have stepped up to join our existing board members in running WALLA. Two were appointed to fill vacant seats, Joe Rees and Larry Fisher and three were elected to start new 3 year terms, Margaret Rowe, Joan Briller and Donna Stonehill. Joan’s and Larry’s bios are below and you will read about the others in the next issues. Welcome to the board.

New Board Member Bios

Joan remembers the warm welcome she got when joining WALLA two and one half years ago. She says, “It will be exciting to give back to such a fine organization as a Board member."

Her personal profile includes a career as a New York City grade school teacher followed by a position as a medical office manager. Here in Lafayette Joan serves on the Board of the Friends of the Tippecanoe County Public Library. She enjoys events of the Purdue Women’s Club, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra concerts and Purdue Convos.

Joan learns a lot from taking and presenting WALLA classes. As a Board member, she will strive to help keep WALLA strong and vibrant.

Larry Fisher grew up on a farm near Swayzee, Indiana. After high school, he served in the US Air Force as an Inertial Navigation Technician on aircraft. Following military service, he attended Ball State University and received a degree in Organic Chemistry. After graduate school, he worked as a research chemist in the field of specialty chemicals used in the electronics industry (printed circuit boards and silicon chips), transitioning into product management of these types of chemicals. He moved to West Lafayette with his wife of 42 years, Esther, three years ago and “officially” retired as a Customer Service Associate at Lowes Home Improvement the end of May, 2019.

2019 WALLA Board

Top row (L-R) Mark Levinthal, Howard Magadanz, Drew Casani, Al Williams, Ron Andres, Leslie Brost, Mary Quinn, Marshall Deutelbaum, Jim Carter, Pat Egan, Larry Fisher, Joe Rees

Bottom row (L-R) Nancy Hartman, Kristine Anderson, Kathleen Connolly, Mary Jo Pflum, Sally Gustafson, Dorothy Jones

Not pictured: Joan Briller, Margaret Rowe, Donna Stonehill, John Veach

Joan Briller

Larry Fisher

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Annual Meeting (cont.)

The annual meeting was attended by many WALLA participants. Mayor John Dennis made opening remarks and Pastor Chris Danielson gave the invocation. After our excellent meal from the Trails staff, we were entertained by Dr. Tom Turpin. He cooked and fed some of the braver participants mealy worms.

President Dorothy Jones opened the business meeting. Kathleen Connolly presented a heart-felt poem and the names of our friends who passed away during the past year. Dorothy Jones recognized our special guests. Leslie Brost recognized the current and retiring board members as well as the current committee chairs. Jim Moore nominated new board members and they were elected unanimously. Tom Schott presented the slate of officer to be voted upon at the board meeting immediately following the annual meeting. Drew Casani presented the Mary Fuqua Memorial Volunteer Award to Gail Beck and Al Williams announced Jacques Delleur as the winner of the inaugural Mary Gardner Award for Exceptional Service. Dorothy Jones closed the meeting and passed the gavel to Drew Casani.

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Thank You!

Ann Skadberg organized the spring WALLA Soup Luncheon with the help of our wonderful soup cooks, Polly Egan, Jo Sullivan, Sandy Williams, Kathy Clark

and SuzAnn Schott. Other WALLA participants donated salads, cheese and crackers and desserts. Thank you to

everyone involved.

$445 was donated during the Soup luncheon.

Wild Rice Soup

6 Tablespoons butter 1/2 cup finely grated carrots

1 Tablespoon minced onion 3 Tablespoons slivered almonds

1/2 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups chicken broth or stock 1 cup half & half

2 cups cooked wild rice 1 small jar button mushrooms

1/3 cup minced ham

Melt butter, add onions & saute until tender. Blend in flour.

Gradually add broth, cook, stirring constantly until, mixture comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute.

Stir in rice, ham, carrots, almonds, & salt. Simmer 5 minutes.

Blend in half & half and heat to serving temp.

Contributed by Sandy Williams

Oak Park, Illinois Trip to Frank Lloyd Wright Sites

On April 12, 2019, twenty-seven people traveled by bus to Oak Park as part of the spring class presented by Gail Beck on the iconic American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Stops included his home and studio and the Unity Temple – all his early designs. The Prairie Style home and studio were especially popular, because of their stunning use of wood and stained glass.

The weather cooperated fully, timing worked perfectly, tour guides were knowledgeable and gracious, and, of course, lunch at Winberies of Oak Park was excellent! These field trips are just one of the many benefits of being a WALLA participant.

Newsletter deadline - June 28 for the July Newsletter WALLA & Friends Film Series May 6 (note date change in

May), June 10 (Start of the summer series),

Spring 3 day trip to Richmond May 29, 30, 31

Beef House Dinner Theater July 31

Fall Class Preview Chicken Dinner August 22

WALLA Fall Classes October 14—November 7

Mark Your Calendars WALLA Volunteers Wanted and Needed

Our WALLA organization works best when many participants see needs, make useful suggestions and especially, lend a hand.

The success of our WALLA programs depends on office workers, newsletter writers, course coordinators, course presenters, planners and facilitators of our social and enrichment occasions, audio-visual technicians, vigilant board members and many others.

Consider how you can add to our growing list of able and enthusiastic volunteers. Consider adding your name to our “Help Wanted and Needed” sheet at your earliest opportunity.

For more information you may go to the WALLA office in room 157 in the West Lafayette City Hall, 1200 N Salisbury St. The website also contains more information.

Sign up for Electronic Newsletter

Want to get your newsletter quicker and save WALLA money? Sign up to get your newsletter electronically. Either send an email to subscribetonewsletter@WALLAonline.org (Please put “Subscribe” as the subject and your first and last name in the body of the message.) or visit WALLAonline.org and look in the right hand column for the newsletter signup form.

Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association, Inc.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid West Lafayette, IN

Permit #79

Address Service Requested

WALLA Office, Rm 157 West Lafayette City Hall 1200 N Salisbury St West Lafayette, Indiana 47906-3006 Phone: 765-746-2006 E-mail: office@WALLAonline.org Website: WALLAonline.org Office hours: 10 am– 1 pm weekdays Newsletter email: newsletter@WALLAonline.org Affiliated with Purdue University

May 2019