JFK Assassination

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  It has been 62 years since November 23, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Despite the time lapse, Americans are still fascinated by the incident. The controversies and speculation surrounding who conducted the shooting and why has perpetuated interest. SRU history professor Dr. Thomas Pearcy will share his knowledge on the subject. The class will be held at SRU.  

 We meet on Thursdays and will dine at various restaurants in and around the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. You will pay for your own lunch and will be contacted by e-mail. We carpool. All arrangements will be made via your facilitator.   

The Macoskey Center is a 70-acre sustainability education, demonstration, and research center at Slippery Rock University. The center was founded in 191.5 by Dr. Robert A. Macoskey and the ALTER Project. The tour will be guided by Samantha Bortz, Director of The Macoskey Center for Sustainability Education & Research. 

Be aware of uneven, rocky terrain, narrow sidewalks, doorways. Trip Leader: Greg Sferra 

Join us for a tour of the Butler Masonic Building and learn how this ancient fraternal organization began, helped build and shape America, and continues today. Our mission is building better leaders for tomorrow, helping local charities through service and making good men and women better through its many branches. 

The building has a very small elevator. Free parking is available in the vicinity. 

 Located in the shadow of the Mercer County Courthouse, the Mercer County Historical Society has much local memorabilia displayed. Notably, there is an Industrial Collection as well as a Military Collection. A furnished home from the mid-1800s and a former Episcopalian Church add to the collections. Following the 1.5-hour docent-guided tour, we are invited to tour a Victorian-era Queen Anne home located nearby. Be aware of steps without ramps, elevators. For carpooling we’ll meet at the ILR office in Slippery Rock. 

 This extremely unique, 19,000 square foot museum (the former residence of Charles B. Brown, III, the Museum's founder) houses a world-class collection of music boxes and other antique automatic music machines, as well as many other fascinating items. The building itself provides guests with a most enjoyable experience as they pass from one unbelievable room to another, at times through hidden doors and secret passageways. Be aware of steps without ramps, elevators, many stairs and quite a bit of walking. Carpooling to be arranged by participants. Access fee : $10/ person in cash, payable at museum. 

 The tour of the North Country Brewery canning facility with Johnathan Barnes - the head brewmaster for more than 10 years - will provide an overview of the process of how craft beer is brewed and then distributed across Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio.  

Old Economy Village is home to 17 historic buildings set amidst beautiful gardens, located 18 miles northwest of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River in Ambridge. This National Historic Landmark preserves the legacy of the Harmony Society, one of the most successful religious communal groups of the 19th century. 

Stairs and walking are involved, uneven, rocky terrain, steps without ramps, elevators, narrow sidewalks, doorways, inaccessible washrooms. Meet at Old Economy Visitor Center

The access fee is $10 for under 65 years old and $9 for 65 or over, payable at the site. 

Set against the backdrop of 1830's Paris, La Boheme follows four impoverished artists surviving with little more than friendship, passion and their love for art. When Roldolfo, a poet, and Mimi, a young seamstress, meet, the two are drawn into a tumultuous and passionate affair with a love that can only be broken by death. La Boheme will make you laugh, and bring you to tears, with its timeless story and captivating music. Emotional and dramatic, it's no wonder Puccini's most celebrated opera has transcended the genre, inspiring both a ballet and the Broadway hit musical rent. Anthony Walker conducts. Kristine McIntyre directs. Be aware of steps without ramps, elevators, walking from the parking area to the restaurant to Benedum. We will meet at the ILR parking lot a little before 11:00 AM.

Class Fees: $50.00 payable at ILR  

At the height of the McCarthy era, naive college graduate Timothy Laughlin comes to Washington eager to join the crusade against communism. But a chance encounter with a handsome State Department official, Hawkins Fuller, leads to Tim's first job--and his first relationship with a man. Under the threat of increased government scrutiny, this complicated and clandestine affair will put both men's loyalties and convictions to the ultimate test. As the poisonous political climate pollutes their relationship, love becomes a casualty of what it takes to "play the game" in Washington. Based on Thomas Mallon's 2007 gut-wrenching novel, Fellow Travelers was praised as "a near-perfect example of fast-flowing musical drama" by The New York Times and is already widely considered a contemporary classic. Anthony Walker conducts. Brian Staufenbiel directs.

We will meet at the ILR parking lot a little before 11:00 AM.

Class Fees: $50.00 payable at ILR   

 In the game of pickleball, points are awarded only to the serving team/player. Thus, it is important to take advantage of the opportunity when having the serve. This class will assist participants in learning and improving their pickleball serves. The class will be conducted at Slippery Rock University's Aebersold Student Recreation Center (ARC). Participants should come dressed to play wearing athletic apparel and shoes. Paddles and balls will be provided but participants may bring their own paddles. 

  Slippery Rock University's planetarium is located in Vincent Science Hall and is unique because it is run entirely by students. Students organize the material and music for the shows, which include full dome movies. The facility has slowly migrated to using a digital projector. The capacity for seating is 50. Students who take Dr. Mukherjee's Astronomy and Space Science classes also use the planetarium. It serves as a venue for their service learning projects.  

The World's Coolest Toy Store is right here in Butler County! We will have an early entrance time to this magical place to learn about the science of toys. Afterwards, there will be time for exploring the store on you own. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year! 

Meet at the store.   

Prepare for this tour by attending the in-person class program "Preston Park Tour". The Friends of Preston Park Executive Director, Anthony Stagno, will take you on a 2-3-hour walking tour of buildings and grounds of Preston Park, 215. S. Eberhart Road, Butler, PA. 

Meet in the parking lot at Preston Park, near the Rest Rooms. 

Meandering Trails Quilt Show is a large quilt show including displays, demonstrations, vendors and raffles. Food is available. Admission is $5.00 per person and includes a free raffle ticket and a cloth butterfly pin or magnet. Docents will explain displays and answer questions about the quilts. The place for the quilt show is in a lovely area for fall colors. It will be a good leaf peeping day. We will meet at Scrubgrass Grange unless it is carpooling. For carpooling contact Ruth Leo. Contact information will be provided for the trip participants.

Access fees: $5.00, payable at the site. 

Gene's Lionel O-gauge train display is housed in a 56' x 24' building constructed in the year 2000. Two five-man teams built the display working one day a week for two years and the layout measures 30' x 17'. The trains operate on five different levels with the capability of nine running simultaneously. One can view trans traversing a mountain scene, residential and country life with rolling stock (cars and engines) collected over 74 years. Visitors have come from as far away as Ukraine, Columbia and may states in the USA. 

Please note that there are no restrooms available. We will meet at the site.