Cocktails, Craft and Company: The Art of the Home Bar

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Join Jack Livingston, a seasoned bartender and former distiller, for a spirited five-week journey into the world of classic cocktails and home entertaining. With a career that spans Tiki Bars of the Virgin Islands, college bars and pubs, and ownership of MLH Distillery and Cocktail Lounge - where he served as both distiller and recipe developer - Jack brings a wealth of hands-on expertise to every pour. This course will cover the fundamentals of bartending technique, a curated tour of timeless classic cocktails, and practical guidance on building a well-stocked home bar that is always ready for guests. Whether you are new to mixing drinks or simply looking to elevate your entertaining game, this class offers a relaxed, engaging, and delicious way to spend your fall. The class will be conducted five consecutive Thursdays afternoons, between October 22 and November 19, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Fowler Building.

Participants: Min 6, Max 20

The ILR is traveling again!  The Fund-Raising committee has revived the ILR partnership with Collette Travel to offer travel opportunities to ILR members and friends. Come and hear about travel opportunities to the Badlands in South Dakota (Spotlight on South Dakota featuring Mount Rushmore & The Badlands May 28 – Jun 3, 2027) and the Maritimes in Canada (Canadian Maritimes and Coastal Wonders featuring the Cabot Trail - Sep 10 – 20, 2027). Bring anyone who might be interested, family, friends, neighbor - not just ILR members. 

One-hundred years ago this year, two men spoke to each other by phone across the Atlantic Ocean. The 3000-mile call between New York and London was achieved partly through wires and partly by radio waves. Struggling above the static, the two men spoke briefly about the weather and their changing world. The audio recording is preserved today in the Library of Congress (USA). Despite being the first inter-continental trans-Atlantic phone conversation, nobody knows who the two men were. Cliff Brown will unravel the history behind Communication's Holy Grail.

I discuss my process with the Rotary and other nonprofits I've worked with in the past, as well as my role as oversight from Erie to Cranberry. I encourage people to donate to my current endeavors with Crutches 4 Africa. 

This year we're celebrating our nation's 250th birthday! In 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain to form the United States. This year was of course highlighted by the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This class will look at this iconic year through the Pulitzer Prize winning author, David McCullough's book with the same title, 1776, and we'll have a discussion of this work. I'd like to lead future classes on McCullough's other notable historic works such as Truman and John Adams.

Participants: Min 8, Max 30

Cribbage players unite! If you know how to play cribbage or if you've never heard of it but like to play cards this might be the club for you - we'll teach you the game. And, you should know that cribbage exercises your brain, improves math skills, enhances memory, decisions making and problem solving. It can promote healthy connections between nerve cells, and last but not least, you will make social connections and have some fun.

 What is Fantasy Football? How does one join up and play in a league? You do not need to be an expert in football. All that is required is a love of football and access to the internet. This class will involve going over the basics --which may include instruction on downloading the app to your phone If there is enough interest, we can set up our own free league. 

Study Dwarf Planets in the Solar System

Participants: Min 5, Max 20 

The presentation includes fun facts about Bald Eagles and the recent story of Rosie and Hutch, two juvenile Bald Eagles rescued from the nest.

Participants: Min 20, Max 25 

Turning the vision of a glacial lake on Muddy Creek into reality required careful site evaluation, skillful design, and construction of a dam that formed a seven-mile lake - now Moraine State Park’s highlight. Historical photos and documents from the 1960s reveal how Muddy Creek, Swamp Run, Shannon Run, Big Run, and Bear Run were combined to construct the lake in Pennsylvania’s third largest state park.

Bill May of Butler, PA, will take us on a journey to Butler, to meet the men/women and places connected to the Civil War. Using colorization and AI and immersive storytelling, Bill's stories come to life! You do not want to miss the tales of the cannons and monument in Diamond Park, the man who transported Abraham Lincoln in his horse and carriage, the women who helped John Wilkes Booth during his escape, one of the first battle reenactments in the country, the Civil War orphanage and the inspiring story of the "Fighting Chaplain." These stories and many more fascinating stories await the audience.

Participants: Min 20

Bring your own lunch (nothing too messy or smelly) and your favorite fall treat to share for nourishment and socialization. Coffee, tea, and apple cider will be provided.

Participants: Min 10, Max 35

WIN is a volunteer group of nature lovers dedicated to educating Pennsylvanians on how to help wildlife in emergencies involving safe capture and transport for care at qualified rehabilitation facilities. What should you do if you see injured deer? Birds? Other mammals? Is there anything you can (or should) do besides call for help? How can you help educate friends and neighbors when you see wildlife in distress? Come hear WIN volunteer Julia Meredith provides a fascinating overview of the WIN organization, stories of amazing rescues, and important information for saving Pennsylvania wildlife in need. 

Photos from a trip to the Galapagos Islands including general information about travel there. 

Are you "game"? Then this class is for you! Come, enjoy a variety of games for your entertainment-strategy, word, trivia, number, card, dice, and "be-quickest" games. Learn about new games and revisit old favorites. You won't be "board".

Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks are intimately related geologically, both with the ancient bedrock geology, as well as the more recent glacial geology. The class will explain the geologic origins of the parks and “tour” various geologic sites in and near the parks. We'll also discuss several practical applications of our geologic knowledge of the parks. 

Using his recently published book "Thirty Key Moments in the History of Christianity," Dr. Graham will present several key happenings in the first millennium about the history of Christianity that are unknown to most people. You will learn how the Church spread, triumphed and struggled over the early centuries. Examples from three continents include The Birth of the 1st Christian Nation (Armenia, 301 or 314), "The Way" Arrives in Tang Dynasty, China ( Xi’an, 635), Christian "Pupil Smiters" of Nubia Save Their Church-Twice (Sudan, 642 and 652). 

Participants: Min 10, Max 35

Part I: The story of the only free golf course. Its inception, history and how it operates today and what it has to offer the community it serves. Hear how the vision of one man has enriched and shaped a local community for over 100 years. The free golf course is one of the jewels that Sharon community members enjoy at no cost because of the vision and philosophy of Frank H. Buhl. Learn the story of the birth of Buhl Park and the evolution of its most unique feature, the free golf course locally known as Dum Dum. For those interested in playing the course, experiencing golfing on a simulator, and using the driving range refer to the trip section to sign-up. 

Part II: Participants will travel to Sharon (see the Trips section) where they will have a demonstration of the golf simulators as well as hit a few balls, tour the pro shop, and learn about the programs and services available to the community. They will also be able to hit some balls at no charge on the driving range. They can conclude this experience by playing 9 holes on the only free golf course in the USA. 

Participants: Min 8, Max 15