Events for: 2024-2025

Nora Neale is a beekeeper from Topsfield, Mass., a member of the Essex County Beekeeper's Association, and a familiar face from the bee building at the Topsfield Fair. Geared toward elementary and middle school students, the interactive presentation will include a presentation in a bee suit, candle-making and honey tasting. Supplies will be provided.

In a lecture themed “Dynamics of Movement and Dwelling: Whistler’s Sense of Home,” Shirland explores various aspects of James McNeil Whistler’s life and art through various meanings of a “home” (residence, environment, country, household, birthplace, etc.). Shirland’s lecture will be part of the Whistler House’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2025. Dr. Shirland received his Master’s and PhD in Art History from University College London. His doctoral work examined constructions of masculinity in British art c.1880-1914. Among his publications are articles in the journals, Art History, Visual Culture in Britain, and Aries. He has taught at the University of York and Lasell College, and served as the curator of Public Programs at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. He is also visual arts director and lead curator for the project Violence Transformed.

Every year, 14 senior Yale students are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Founded in 1909, the “Whiffs” began as a senior quartet that met weekly at Mory’s Temple Bar. Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated traditions.  Singing a mixture of old Yale tunes, jazz standards, and other hits from across the decades, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts across six continents each year.

Jeff Belanger is one of the most visible and prolific researchers of folklore and legends today. A natural storyteller, he’s the award-winning, Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, and is the author of over a dozen books (published in six languages). He also hosts the award-winning New England Legends weekly podcast, which has garnered over 4.5 million downloads since its launch, and ranks in the top 1 percent of all podcasts as far as popularity, according to Listen Notes.

Sothea Chimruom is the Executive Director of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) on School Street in Lowell. His lecture will focus on the CMAA’s programming to commemorate the anniversary of the Cambodian genocide. Beginning in the early 1980s, thousands of Cambodian fled their homeland to escape a communist regime and genocide and resettled in the City of Lowell and other cities throughout the U.S. For many Cambodian refugees, with limited resources, language barriers, and a lack of knowledge about local customs and culture, the resettlement process can be overwhelming. In 1984, CMAA was founded to help alleviate these gaps and provide support to the Cambodian communities in Greater Lowell.

In July 1891, four intrepid women from Lowell, Massachusetts, set off for an adventure they would remember all their lives. Calling themselves “the Merrie Trippers,” they created a journal of their two-week trip to Great Brewster Island complete with entries, illustrations, and photographs, everything but their real names. Volunteers from the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands, led by author Stephanie Schorow, dove into the journal’s mysteries and published “A Boston Harbor Islands Adventure: The Great Brewster Journal of 1891” in 2023. In an illustrated lecture on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m., the authors will explain how they uncovered the women’s identities (and more) and were able to create a portrait of 19th century women’s lives.

A native of Lowell, Mass., Gilday served as the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations from August 22, 2019, through August 17, 2023. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Gilday held staff assignments with the Bureau of Naval Personnel; staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Joint assignments include executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and naval aide to the President. He is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Charles Shuttleworth is senior editor of Sal Paradise Press. He is the editor of Desolation Peak, published in 2022; he served as co-editor with Paul Maher, Jr. on Self-Portrait, which came out in July; and he is the editor of The Buddhist Years, due out in October, which focuses on writings from 1954-’58, revealing how Kerouac’s study of Buddhism led to spiritual insights and colored his fiction. Shuttleworth has been teaching classes on Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation for the past 30 years, currently at the Harker School in San Jose, Calif.

Singer, emcee, puppeteer, and magician — Harry and his monster friends are always the life of the party. Harry and Good News Gus has received accolades from both party-goers and professional groups alike. With young and old, Harry's high-energy interactive entertainment is sure to bring laughter, energy, and warm, fuzzy feelings!

Ben is a musician, singer-songwriter and composer who has performed and recorded family music with his band, Ben Rudnick and Friends, since 2000! Some of their hit songs include A Frog Named Sam, Sally Salamander, Chicken Soup Ballad and tons more! Together, they discuss turning A Frog Named Sam into its own musical, filming the music videos for their songs, winning seven Parents' Choice Awards for his work in the music business and many more!

Through hip hop dance, children learn about nature with fun animal facts and follow along to get their own bodies moving in dances that emulate animal movements in this energetic video program for the whole family.