The Flossie Pack Center

For Lifelong Learning

SUMMER 2021 Schedule of Courses and Activities Classes Begin Monday, June 7

Phone: 816-235-2870 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website: spark.umkc.edu or Web search: UMKC SPARK

SPARK is an affiliate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City

SPARK OVERVIEW

SPARK stands for Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge. We are a lifelong learning organization for active retirees. SPARK has been offering classes and other activities in the Kansas City area since 1993. We are a non-profit organization with over 200 members and an affiliate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In gratitude for a major contribution from the Pack family in December 2020, we have changed our name to “The SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning.”

Our Mission

SPARK’s mission is to provide lifelong learning opportunities, through intellectually stimulating, cultural and social experiences which enhance the quality of life for SPARK members.

Who Are We?

We are “Happy Wonderers” – interesting, curious, educated persons with a passion for continued learning, meeting new people, sharing time and experiences and pursuing an active, stimulating life. SPARK is a volunteer organization that relies on the participation of members to promote and achieve its mission.

Classes are held four quarters per year for two to six weeks, and last two to three hours per week in person or 60 to 90 minutes over video. There are no tests or exams. SPARK also offers several social activities throughout the year.

Annual Membership dues are $40.00, renewable in January.

Membership is REQUIRED to enroll in our classes and activities.

SPARK’s NEW downstairs office and classroom remain closed with the exception of the Western Civilization Class !!

For everyone’s safety during this Coronavirus outbreak, all other classes will be held online over ZOOM.

Tours will be IN-PERSON.

Upon enrolling, you will receive a confirmation email of your registration detailing the Meeting ID and Password for each class.

TABLE of CONTENTS

~~ CLASSES ~~

Mondays, June 7 thru June 28 North American Indigenous People and Imperial Expansion...... 4 The Founding of North America’s Middle Colonies ...... 5

Tuesdays, June 8 thru June 29 Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan (OUTDOORS !) ...... 6 Kansas City Gems ...... 7-9 Western Civilization: Modern Japan (IN-PERSON Option) ...... 11

Wednesdays, June 9 thru June 30 Western Civilization: Modern Japan (ZOOM Option) ...... 10 Western Civilization: Modern Japan (IN-PERSON Option) ...... 11 Urban Art: Drawing and Painting with Liz ...... 12

Thursdays, June 10 thru July 1 The Paradigm Shift of Impressionism (5 weeks – Ends July 8) ...... 14 Sicily, the Island at the Crossroads of the World ...... 15

~~ SPECIAL IN-PERSON TOURS ~~

Friday, June 11 Guided Tour of Antioch Park ...... 16

Friday, June 18 Guided Walking Tour of the Loose Park Rose Garden ...... 17

~~ CLUBS and GROUPS ~~

“Let’s Eat Out” Group Announcement ...... 18 Margaret Sturges’ Book Club (meets 3rd Mondays) ...... 18 Thursday Book Club (meets 4th Thursdays) ...... 18

~~ MISC. INFORMATION ~~

Other Fun Things to do this Summer ...... 13 Donations and Scholarships ...... 19 Membership and Class Registration ...... 20 NEW ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES ...... 21 Officers, Board of Directors & Committees ...... 22 How to Contact Us ...... 23 Calendar of Classes and Events ...... 23 Need Help or Want to Volunteer to Host ZOOM Classes? ...... 24

3 NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE and IMPERIAL EXPANSION

North American Indigenous People and Imperial Expansion Since 1815 June 7 – June 28 (4 weeks) Mondays, 10:00 – 11:30

This course concludes the sequence of classes on the Indigenous People of the Western Hemisphere and the European Invasion offered by SPARK over the last several years.

We will begin with the last of the “Indian Wars” in the United States at the end of the Nineteenth Century and the commonly held idea – among Euro Americans – that Indian people and cultures were destined to simply fade away. Then we’ll consider what really happened: increasingly conspicuous determination on the part of Indigenous People to survive physically and culturally; citizenship for all (whether they wanted it or not); the gradual disappearance of the boarding schools; and radical changes (back and forth) in Federal policy, beginning with the “Indian New Deal”.

We will also look at the modern history of the Inuit and Aleut in Alaska; the First Nations in Canada, including the Canadian people involved in the 19th Century Métis Rebellions. Who are the Métis? Take the course and find out! We will also watch and discuss the film “Cree Hunters of Mistassini.”

Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Dr. Alan Perry shares with us his knowledge, experience and a life-long enthusiasm for history. Dr. Perry graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand with degrees in history. He served over 15 years as Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and taught history at Park University in Kansas City. He also has served as an Archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, the Virgin Islands and Kansas City.

4 FOUNDING of the MIDDLE COLONIES of NORTH AMERICA

The Founding of the Middle Colonies of North America and King Philip’s War June 7 – June 28 (4 weeks) Mondays, 1:30 – 3:00

We all learned about Jamestown, the Pilgrims and the Mayflower, when we were in school, but the six decades (1630s to 1680s) following those momentous events are shrouded in mystery for most Americans. This class will attempt to lift the veil covering those forgotten years. We will discuss the founding of New Sweden and New Netherlands; the military struggle for control of those colonies waged by Sweden, the Netherlands and England; the tragic story of King Philip's War in New England; and the cultural, social, religious and political history of those turbulent times.

Americans have always prided themselves on their rich diversity. Nowhere was that diversity more evident in seventeenth-century North America than in the four Middle Colonies (i.e., New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania), with settlers coming from all parts of Europe. The groups represented included English, Swedes, Finns, Dutch, Germans, Scots-Irish and French; all living in close proximity to one another. The Middle Colonies also contained an assortment of Native American tribes and a sizable population of indentured servants and African slaves.

America's Middle Colonies were more religiously diverse than other regions of North America and thus enjoyed a high degree of religious tolerance. The Penn family, for example, was Quaker, and their colony became a haven for that group as well as German Lutherans and numerous small sects such as Mennonites, Amish, and Moravians. Scots-Irish Presbyterians and Jewish settlers also found a home in the Middle Colonies, and the Dutch Reformed Church had a strong presence in upstate New York and New Jersey, whereas Congregationalists were prevalent on Long Island. This made the dominance of a single faith next to impossible, but it also made the Middle Colonies less cohesive than other regions.

Just a few of the fascinating individuals you'll be introduced to during this class include Peter Minuit, Johann Printz, Wilhelm Kieft, Peter Stuyvesant, Metacomet or “King Philip,” Benjamin Church and, of course, William Penn.

Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Robert Gangwere is a native Kansas Citian now living on a farm in southeast Missouri. He earned BA and MA degrees in American history from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a law degree from UMKC. During his career with the U.S. Small Business Administration he served as the Agency's ethics official, Deputy General Counsel, and acting General Counsel. Robert has also served as the President of the Citizens Association of Kansas City, as a member of Kansas City's Tax Increment Financing and Historical Preservation commissions, and co-authored Kansas City: A Place in Time (2nd edition).

INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI CHUAN

Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan (OUTDOORS !) June 8 – June 29 (4 weeks) Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30

Tai Chi is a form of exercise characterized by slow moving forms or sequential postures, performed in a relaxed and conscious manner, controlling energy with awareness. Traditionally, Tai Chi is considered a complete physical conditioning and a moving meditation.

Tai Chi provides an excellent exercise opportunity for seniors. It is a wonderfully meditative form of isometric exercise that energizes and rejuvenates you. The postures are taught and practiced at a slow pace. All of the postures are performed while standing, will increase strength, and are most beneficial in improving balance. The movements promote concentration, correct posture, alignment and efficient use of muscles. This class is an introduction to the principles of Tai Chi and we will only learn the first few postures of the 37 movements in the Yang style form of Tai Chi during the four week session.

The classes will be held in the southwest corner of the grounds of the Nelson- Atkins Museum of Art in the wooded area. Enter the grounds on the brick path on the southwest corner of the grounds at the intersection of Oak and Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. Keep to the left on the path a short distance, past a Henry Moore sculpture to an open area. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes. We will be standing on a level, grassy area. Street parking is available on Oak Street adjacent to the entrance on the corner. If you are a Museum member you may park in the parking garage but then it will be a long walk down to the class area.

Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Royal Scanlon has been practicing Professor Cheng Man-ch’ing’s Yang Style Short Form T’ai Chi Ch’uan for more than three decades. In the tradition of this lineage, he was granted permission by his instructor to teach in 2001 and he has been teaching regularly since 2006. The art of Tai Chi and wellness form are very much a part of his life and he appreciates the opportunity to share it with others. Royal is also a longtime musician in Kansas City, a poet and photographer. You may have heard his music over the years or seen his photography on display. He credits his practice of Tai Chi with subtly changing his life in many ways and it is “healthful” on many levels.

NOTE: The maximum enrollment for the class is 12 people. Although the class will be held outdoors, masks must be worn and the practice space will be socially distanced. The instructor asks that participants in the class be fully vaccinated. A waiver and understanding of responsibilities must be signed. Participants assume the risk of attending class IN-PERSON. Individuals who sign up should evaluate their own health risk and any risk that they may pose to others.

KANSAS CITY GEMS

Kansas City Gems June 8 – June 29 (4 weeks) Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3:00

Different Topics — Different Presenters — Each Week

Members may enroll in all four classes for $15 or individual classes for $5.00 each.

Please pre-register for all Gem classes that you plan to attend. We need to determine the possible attendance.

Week 1: June 8 Secret Kansas City: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure Presenter: Anne Kniggendorf

Most visitors know all about Kansas City’s barbecue, jazz, and football success, but there are hidden gems and wild pieces of trivia around every turn in Missouri’s largest city. Is the giant Hereford bull anatomically correct? Can a seed that’s been to outer space still grow into a normal tree? And who really killed President William Henry Harrison?

You’ll find answers to the questions you didn’t know you had in Secret Kansas City: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Learn why three completely unrelated groups have chosen Kansas City as the center of the world and the place you want to be when the world ends. Between these covers, you’ll also find castles, a horse buried in a cul-de-sac, a ghost who likes a good laugh, and the world’s longest snake. This is not a tour guide for outsiders, it’s a scavenger hunt – insiders only, please.

Longtime Kansas Citian Anne Kniggendorf is at your service to bolster your love and boost your respect for this middle-of-the-map city. With her eye for the odd leading the way, you’ll have a great time discovering Kansas City.

Anne Kniggendorf has lived in Kansas City most of her life, and nearly all these fun facts came as a surprise to her. Searching for stories has become a serious preoccupation for this freelance journalist who has local bylines in the Kansas City Star, KCUR 89.3, and Flatland magazine. Nationally, she has written for Smithsonian magazine, National Public Radio, the Saturday Evening Post, and Publishers Weekly. Visit her at AnneKniggendorf.com or on any of her eponymous social media pages.

KANSAS CITY GEMS

Week 2: June 15 The Music of George and Ira Gershwin Presenter: Bruno Leone – Courtesy of the San Diego Athenaeum Music and Arts Library

George and Ira Gershwin are among America’s greatest composer/ lyricist teams. From Broadway to Hollywood, until George’s untimely death at age 38, the Gershwin brothers were dominant figures in the world of popular music. George was so renowned that Leonard Bernstein, in his Joy of Music, wrote “not since Tchaikovsky has there been a more inspired melodist than George Gershwin.” And George’s genius was matched by his brother’s compositional philosophy that “a good lyric should be rhymed conversation.” Pianist and historian Bruno Leone will chat, play and sing his way through many of the Gershwin’s most memorable melodies as he weaves the melodic excellence and the lyrical beauty of George and Ira into a tapestry of songs and stories taken from a truly golden era in American music.

Bruno Leone performs throughout the United States, where he celebrates the lives and music of America’s most heralded composers and lyricists. He captures the legends and folklore of American popular music in a way achieved by few entertainers. The San Diego Union- Tribune has praised his “remarkable skill of combining the classroom with the concert hall to create musical stories that actually enliven his audience.” This program was created for the San Diego Athenaeum, who is kindly allowing SPARK to present it to our members.

KANSAS CITY GEMS

Week 3: June 22 Health Concerns: Diabetes Update Presenter: Dr. Alan Forker

Learn how you can prevent Diabetes, how people can live longer now with Diabetes, and a new paradigm of treatment for Type 2 Diabetes — not just lowering your blood sugar, but preventing cardiovascular and kidney disease.

Alan D. Forker, MD, MACP, FACC, FAHA, is a retired Cardiologist (after 43 years) with many overlapping posts. A native Kansan and KU graduate (1969), he trained further at Mayo Clinic. Early on, he practiced privately in Lincoln, NE and Wichita, KS (20 years). He has taught medicine at the Univ. of Nebraska (6 years) and continues as Emeritus Professor at UMKC Medical School. While Chief of Cardiology at Truman Medical Center (11 years), he also led the CV Training Program at UMKC/MidAmerica Heart Institute (19 years). Lately through 2016, he directed Lipid and Diabetes research at St. Luke’s Hospital (11 years).

Week 4: June 29 Life as a City Council Member; Aging with Grace and Brain Health Presenter: Melissa Robinson; Councilwoman, 3rd District, KCMO

Our speaker today will share strategies to achieve health equity in the Greater Kansas City Community and discuss her work with the Black Health Care Coalition and the Black Research Institute. She will provide information about aging and a new initiative called “ACES”, in coordination with the Kansas University Alzheimer’s Disease Center to address brain health and dementia.

She will also discuss her role as a Kansas City, Missouri City Council member, how she came to be a politician, her goals to improve the quality of life for Kansas Citians, and provide a glimpse of the day-to-day happenings from City Hall to the neighborhoods of Kansas City.

Melissa Robinson is President of the Black Health Care Coalition, an organization that maintains sustainable community partnerships and plays a major role in creating community health equity. She leads efforts to address the social determinants of health and she strives to reduce health disparities in the areas of hypertension, obesity, infant mortality, diabetes, breast and prostate cancer and childhood asthma. Her numerous leadership awards include being named a “Top Forty Under Forty” by Ingram’s Magazine. She hosts “Voices from Midtown and Beyond”, a radio program that airs weekly on KPRT 1590 AM. She is also the former Board President for Kansas City Public Schools.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION

Western Civilization: Modern Japan June 9 – June 30 (4 weeks) Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 Option A: ZOOM Only

Please Note: Below you’ll find the same course description offered for the spring semester related to Modern Japan. Unfortunately, because my class moves at a snail’s pace, I was unable to cover the course content as promised. Because much of the material I’m now teaching is based on current events, it’s been difficult to estimate how much time each topic requires. I apologize to those who signed up in the Spring to learn about Japan and hope you’ll sign up again to learn about Japan this summer. Carol McCavitt

This semester we’ll transition from examining China’s relationship with her Asian neighbors to studying Japan’s miraculous recovery after World War II. Today, Japan is our closest ally in Asia. According to the US State Department, the American-Japanese relationship is regarded as “the cornerstone of US security interests in Asia and fundamental to regional stability and prosperity.” How did this happen? This semester we’ll find out. ZOOM Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Carol McCavitt has been teaching for SPARK since 2009. Before moving to Kansas City, Carol was a high school teacher on Long Island, where she taught Advanced Placement European History for 20 years. Educated as an undergraduate at SUNY at Stony Brook, Carol completed her Master’s Degree at Queens College in NYC and did her doctoral work at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

NOTE: This class will also be offered IN-PERSON on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please see the following page for Enrollment Procedures.

Acceptance for LIMITED IN-PERSON attendance will depend on: 1. Date of enrollment (first received) 2. Lack or difficulty of access to ZOOM

WESTERN CIVILIZATION

Western Civilization: Modern Japan June 8 – June 29 (4 weeks) Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 Option B: IN-PERSON Tuesdays Or June 9 – June 30 (4 weeks) Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 Option C: IN-PERSON Wednesdays

IN-PERSON Class Fee: $30

(Plus $15 for 4 parking tags, if needed, mailed to participants)

NOTE: Mark your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice of Options on the Enrollment Form. You will be notified which Option you have been accepted in.

A MAXIMUM of 8 individuals can enroll in this class for IN-PERSON on Tuesdays and another 8 on Wednesdays. ALL Campus rules of Social Distancing must be observed.

Please note the following Terms and Conditions:

• A waiver and understanding of responsibilities must be signed. • Masks must be worn and social distancing observed. • Participants assume the risk of attending class -IN PERSON. • ALL IN-PERSON Registrants will have access to the (Wednesday) ZOOM version of the class at no extra cost. • ALL IN-PERSON and ZOOM Registrants will have access to the YouTube recordings of the (Wednesday) ZOOM version of the class also at no extra cost.

We ask that individuals who sign up for an IN-PERSON class evaluate their own health risk and any risk that they may pose to others.

A waiting list will be maintained.

Due to limited seating, if you need to switch days for any reason, please contact the Office Coordinator to check availability.

11 URBAN ART: DRAWING and PAINTING with LIZ

Urban Art: Drawing and Painting with Liz June 9 – June 30 (4 weeks) Wednesdays, 1:30 – 3:00

Join a favorite SPARK instructor and local artist Liz Vargas, as she once again teaches an art class, this time from her home over ZOOM, where she continues to pursue her art while caring for her toddler, Natalia.

Liz will instruct students in both drawing and painting skills while urging them to go outside and capture the scenes around them. Supplies, which include watercolor paints, brushes and 140# pound watercolor paper, can be purchased at local art and hobby stores and also online. A complete supply list will be sent to those enrolled. Watercolor sets recommended by Liz are available at amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26XDWTTDH8XW4?ref_=wl_share where she has created an inclusive wish list, but particularly recommends either the reasonably priced “ARTSY Watercolor Paint Set” or the “Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketcher’s Pocket Box”.

Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Liz Vargas is an urban sketcher and en plein air artist. Liz discovered a passion and a talent for art as a child and renewed that interest several years ago. Self-taught, her preferred medium consists of ink and watercolors. She likes to travel with a small art kit wherever she goes, trying to capture the moment in her drawings.

12 OTHER FUN THINGS to do in KANSAS CITY this SUMMER

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Monet Water Lilies: From Dawn to Dusk

This immersive sound and light installation offers visitors a new way to experience the work, giving each of us a quiet space to restore our energy and endure, as Monet did, in the midst of difficulty.

A 10-minute light program that emulates the rise and fall of daylight will play every quarter-hour. The exhibition also features a short video of Monet painting in his garden at the outbreak of World War I.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum is also re-opening their Miniature Golf Course on the grounds of the Museum.

Tickets for admission to the Museum and the Golf Course can be reserved in advance at their website: www.nelson-atkins.org.

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Starlight Theatre has two new shows scheduled: “Sister Act” Aug. 10-15 and “Escape to Margaritaville” Sept. 21-26.

They also have several concerts scheduled throughout the summer.

********************************************* Theatre in the Park – in Shawnee Mission Park ”Mamma Mia” June 4-12, “Curtains” June 18-26, “Cinderella” July 2-10, “Half Time – Gotta Dance” July 16-24, and Disney’s “Newsies” July 30–Aug. 7.

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Alas, The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Tempest” has fallen victim to the pandemic. A statement on their website says that the Actors’ Equity Association’s Covid protocols would have made it both logistically challenging and prohibitively expensive.

They hope to mount a production in 2022.

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The Santa Fe Trail Association is sponsoring a number of events to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the founding of the trail. The list of events can be found on their website: www.santafetrail.org. 13 The PARADIGM SHIFT of IMPRESSIONISM

The Paradigm Shift of Impressionism June 10 – July 8 (5 weeks) *** NOTE: this is a 5 week class *** Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30

Impressionism shattered the trajectory of Western art that had been born in 1400s Florence. For the next 400 years, European art remained true to its Renaissance beginnings, humming along quietly until the 1860s, when it began to slip off its smoothly greased rails. A new generation of skilled, innovative artists — today revered, but reviled in their own day — despaired over the morbidity of that long tradition. They met on Thursday nights at Café Guerbois to question the basic assumptions upon which art had rested for so long. Learn why these young avant-garde artists were willing to sacrifice so much material comfort and professional approbation to create a new art.

This series places the Impressionist movement within its historic context and examines its philosophical underpinnings and the radical innovations developed by its leading artists — Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas — before turning to the artist who most fully inhabits the theories and techniques of Impressionism, Claude Monet. And we’ll learn how America played a pivotal role in the survival of their art.

Class Fee: $30

This is a first for SPARK! We are honored to present this pre-recorded 5-part series developed for the Athenaeum in San Diego and presented by Art Historian Linda Blair, who has taught art history for many years at the La Jolla Athenaeum and in the UC San Diego Osher program. She was also a docent at The Cloisters. She holds a BA from Mills College and an MA from University of California San Diego, where she is an active volunteer dedicated to raising scholarship funds. Her articulate energy and passion for art have made her one of the Athenaeum's most popular speakers.

14 SICILY, the ISLAND at the CROSSROADS of the WORLD

Sicily, the Island at the Crossroads of the World June 10 – July 1 (4 weeks) Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:00

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, was the ultimate prize in the ancient Greek and Roman world. Fertile beyond imagining, the ancient Greeks began colonizing the island in the 8th century BCE and people have been fighting for control of the island ever since. While most of the perimeter of the island was colonized by the Greeks, a significant part of Sicily was colonized by the Carthaginians, the archrivals of the Romans. After exploring ancient Sicily, we will move on to Palermo, once the splendid capital of Muslim Sicily before becoming the greatest city of the Norman conquerors during the late Middle Ages, second in importance only to Constantinople.

We will pause and explore the unparalleled wonders of Monreale before moving on to explore the grandeur of Baroque Sicily, with an emphasis on Palermo and the genius of Giacomo Serpotta. Finally, we will end our exploration of this enchanted island with a consideration of modern Sicily, its importance in the Allied victory in WWII and its on-going struggle to find its place in the modern world.

During our tour of this magnificent island, we will take some detours to discuss the uniqueness of Sicilian cuisine and our enduring fascination with all things Corleone.

Class Fee: $30

Instructor: Rob Seaver has been in love with Italy his entire life. He first set foot on Italian soil at the tender age of nine months and has been going back ever since. A painter and art historian by training, he has crisscrossed Italy more often than Hannibal. Having lived in Italy nearly 30 years of his life, he reckons he has crossed the Rubicon at least a thousand times. Robert’s lifelong exploration of Italy has been focused primarily on Italian art, architecture, opera and food; in short, most of the things which comprise the good life. Join Robert as he takes you on an unforgettable journey to experience some of the endless treasures of the country at the heart of Western Civilization.

SPECIAL TOURS

Guided Tour of Antioch Park 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, KS Friday, June 11 10:00 – 11:15

June is the perfect month to enjoy a leisurely walk in the park. Visit the Helen S. Cuddy Rose Garden featuring a fountain, perennials, ornamental grasses, bulbs and over 500 different roses. Stroll on the walkways through the Arboretum which is set aside for the cultivation of trees and shrubs from around the country. Learn from a staff person who has dedicated his career to enhancing the beauty of the natural world.

Antioch Park is Johnson County Park and Recreation District's oldest park. The property was purchased in 1956 and the park opened in 1958. Antioch Park has remained one of JCPRD's most popular parks attracting up to 700,000 visitors a year. It features two fishing lakes, several shelters that can be reserved for gatherings and the area’s first Vietnam Memorial, honoring local residents who gave their lives there.

Our tour guide, Craig Shafar, is a Board Certified Master Arborist and Municipal Specialist. Mr. Shafar serves as Northeast Assistant Regional Manager for Johnson County Parks and Recreation District.

Parking is available in the park. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle

Optional – bring a sack lunch to enjoy in one of the many shelter houses with other participants after the tour.

Date: Friday, June 11 at 10:00 Place: Antioch Park 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, KS Tour cost: $10.00 Tour size: 10 – 12 (social distancing and wearing MASKS) Parking: Several lots available

SPECIAL TOURS

Guided Walking Tour of the Loose Park Rose Garden North Pavilion off Summit and 51st Street Friday, June 18 9:00 – 10:00

Come see the Loose Park Rose Garden at the height of its beautiful June bloom! The tour will include a discussion of rose classifications and varieties, rose care, the history of Loose Park and the rose garden, garden design, recent renovations and awards, coming events in the garden, and the partnership between K.C. Parks and the Kansas City Rose Society. Here’s a chance to learn from an expert!

Our guide, John Riley, is an American Rose Society (ARS) Certified Consulting Rosarian and Past President of the Johnson County Rose Society. He was also past Loose Park Rose Garden Chairman and currently serves as Secretary of the Kansas City Rose Society (KCRS) Board and American Rose Society Central District Roses-In-Review Chairman.

Date: Friday, June 18 at 9:00 (to beat the heat!) Place: Loose Park Rose Garden — North Pavilion off Summit and 51st Street Tour cost: $10.00 Tour size: 10 – 12 (social distancing and wearing MASKS) Parking: In adjacent lots and also on-street parking Accessibility: This will be a walking tour with some optional stairs. The garden is wheel-chair accessible.

CLUBS and GROUPS

“LET’S EAT OUT”

This lively group has long met for lunch on Fridays at local restaurants. Due to Coronavirus, however, we are now on hiatus. Instead, we suggest you order carry-out at your favorite restaurant. We hope to see you in the future when it is safer to gather together.

Our facilitator is Lynn Lieberman 816-223-1658 or [email protected]

MARGARET STURGES’ BOOK CLUB

Meets on the third Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. via ZOOM (this quarter)

To join this club, contact Laura Sloan, 913-634-3264, or [email protected]

5/17 Uprooted Naomi Novik 6/21 Old Filth Jane Mary Gardam 7/19 Mistress of the Ritz Melanie Benjamin 8/16 tbd

THURSDAY BOOK CLUB

Meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12 noon (except November and December due to holidays) via ZOOM (this quarter)

Our facilitator is Sue Habiger, 816-616-2636, or [email protected]

5/27 Nobody’s Fool Richard Russo 6/24 Songs of Willow Frost Jamie Ford 7/22 The Girl from the Channel Islands Jenny LeCoat 8/26 Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America 1789-1989 Michael Beschloss

DONATIONS and SCHOLARSHIPS

There are several ways to

give to SPARK

 Donations to SPARK contribute to the purchase of audio-visual and classroom equipment, and cover other expenses associated with maintaining and improving delivery of SPARK programs.  Gifts to the Frances McLaren Scholarship Fund are used to subsidize class fees for those who would like to participate but need monetary help.  Gifts to the Instructor Recognition Fund allow us to present a gift bag to each instructor at the end of a class session.  Memorial Donations in memory of someone, or Honor Donations to celebrate a special person.  In-Kind Contributions (non-cash donations such as gift cards for instructors, equipment, supplies, etc.).

Many thanks to those who have contributed to these funds during this past year! Your continued support is very much appreciated.

FRANCES McLAREN SCHOLARSHIP FUND SPARK has assistance available to SPARK members needing some extra help with class fees. The Frances McLaren Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Frances by her family and through donations to the fund. If you would like more information or to request assistance, please contact: Jan Parks at [email protected] or 816-523-1723 All requests are confidential.

SPARK CLASS REGISTRATION

MEMBERSHIP and CLASS FEES

Annual Membership ...... $40 (renew in January) (4-6 weeks) ... $30 Humanities Classes (3 weeks) ... $25 (2 weeks) ... $20 Tours ...... $10 – $20

NEW On-Demand Playlists ...... $25 / $30 (see back page) (YouTube recordings of previous classes)

You must be a member to enroll in classes and activities. All classes are held online over ZOOM unless otherwise noted.

Pre-registration is required for all SPARK classes.

• The enrollments in some classes may be limited. • If a class is closed due to maximum enrollment, subsequent enrollees will be added to a wait list. • A class with low enrollment may be cancelled. • Refunds will be issued for cancelled classes.

Please help SPARK by registering and paying before Thursday, May 27 to save your place in each class.

Upon enrolling, you will receive a confirmation email of your registration with the ZOOM Meeting ID and Password for each class.

New Payment Options on SPARK Website Check Payments mailed to PO Box 67, Greenwood, MO 64034 OR

Using the PayPal Platform

NEW ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

SPARK has two new ways to enroll in classes. Since our office at UMKC is closed, we have developed these two options for members to enroll in our online and in-person classes. Option One: Enroll Online. We have improved our website so members may enroll and pay for their classes on the internet. Option Two: Enroll by U.S. Mail. If members prefer to enroll by mail, they can find the registration form on our website and print it out. Then they complete the form and mail it with a check to our new P.O. Box.

Online Enrollments: Begin by going to the SPARK website spark.umkc.edu; under the “SPARK Member Tools” tab, click on the “Enrollment For the Current Quarter” and complete the following steps:

1. Click the Blue box labeled View Online Course Catalog. 2. Scroll through the list of classes. • To learn more about a class, click on the title. • To select a class, click Add to Cart. 3. When you are finished selecting all of your classes, click View Cart in the list of classes or the “CART” tab at the top of the page. 4. You may add a donation on this page if you wish to. 5. On the right hand bottom side of your screen choose Proceed to Checkout. 6. Complete all required information under Billing details. 7. Choose how you wish to pay: Check Payment or PayPal by clicking the circle next to your choice. 8. You do not need a PayPal account to use that option! Simply scroll past the Log In button to Pay with Debit or Credit card. 9. You will receive an email with instructions to access your ZOOM classes not later than one week prior to the start of class. 10. Still have questions about how to enroll online? Click the light blue box labeled Tutorial Video.

Enrollments by Mail: Begin by going to the SPARK website spark.umkc.edu; under the “SPARK Member Tools” tab, click on the “Enrollment For the Current Quarter” and complete the following steps:

1. Click the Box labeled Traditional Enrollment Form to access the PDF file of the form or remove the form from the center of the printed catalog. 2. Complete the form by filling in your name and email address and marking the classes you want to take. 3. Write a check payable to SPARK for the “Total of All Items”. 4. Mail your completed Enrollment Form and check to SPARK at the following address: SPARK, PO Box 67, Greenwood, MO 64034. 5. You will receive an email with instructions to access your ZOOM classes not later than one week prior to the start of class.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Board of Directors Committees / Publications

President: Bill Webb ~~ Committees ~~ President Elect: Gary Hindman Secretary: Nancy Powell Curriculum: Judy Kirk Treasurer: Bill Hirsch Events: Baila Goldstein Marketing: Jan Parks ** Peggy Baker Membership: Open Barbara Dooley Baila Goldstein ~~ Publications ~~ LeeAnn Hays David Jeter Class Catalog: Patty Fuller Virginia Lambright Shirley Marshall Monthly Update Emails: Jan Parks ** Lori Williams Alan Perry Carolyn Rowe ** Past President Diana Taylor Linda Wade Diane Filion – UMKC Ex-Officio Director

SPARK is a VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION... Our continued success and growth is due to the contributions and leadership of our members. We invite you to join our team. Here are some ways to volunteer: • Offer to be a Class, Gem or Tour Coordinator. • Offer to Co-Host a ZOOM class. Spark will provide the necessary training. • Join the Membership Committee to welcome new members and improve membership experiences. • Volunteer to teach a class or give a Gem presentation. • Assist in copying handouts for instructors. • Help the Curriculum Committee identify new class topics, instructors, tour ideas, and Gem presenters. • Help organize instructor recognition activities and gift bags. • Help the Marketing Committee raise awareness of SPARK in the community to recruit new members. • Share information about SPARK with your friends and invite them to an event or class for a visit. • Share your ideas or suggestions with a Board member or Committee chair on how we can improve SPARK.

Email or call the SPARK Office to volunteer and we will contact you.

CONTACTS and CALENDAR

HOW to CONTACT SPARK (NEW INFO !!) If you have questions or need help completing the Enrollment Form, please contact the Office Coordinator at the SPARK office. Phone: 816-235-2870 or 913-302-0488 Email: [email protected] UMKC SPARK, PO BOX 67, Greenwood, MO 64034 Visit our Website: spark.umkc.edu or Web search: UMKC SPARK Facebook: facebook.com/SPARKatUMKC

CALENDAR

Summer 2021 Register for classes by Thursday, May 27 Classes: Monday, June 7 – Friday, July 2

Fall 2021 Register for classes by Thursday, Sep. 9 Classes: Monday, Sep. 20 – Friday, Oct. 29

Winter 2022 Annual Meeting – Election of Board of Directors Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 (RSVP by Dec. 31, 2021) Register for classes by Friday, Jan. 7 Classes: Monday, Jan. 17 – Friday, Feb. 25, 2022

Spring 2022 Register for classes by Thursday, Mar. 10 Classes: Monday, Mar. 21 – Friday, Apr. 29

Board Meetings 2021 / 2022 The Board usually meets on the third Friday of even-numbered months at 9:30 online over ZOOM until further notice: June 18, August 20, October 15, December 10, February 18, April 15. Members are always welcome to attend Board and Committee Meetings.

23 NEED HELP or WANT to VOLUNTEER to HOST ZOOM CLASSES?

Need help with our ZOOM classes? Want to learn how to set up and hold ZOOM events to spend time with family or friends? ** Contact us at [email protected] **

Volunteers Needed !! We need volunteers to serve as class coordinators and ZOOM co-hosts. If you are not comfortable with ZOOM, but are willing to learn, we will teach you more about ZOOM. ** Contact us at [email protected] **

NEW – On-Demand SPARK classes !! The pandemic hasn’t been all bad. Having classes on ZOOM has allowed us to record them so they can be viewed at a later time. All of our classes since Fall 2020 are now available to purchase on-demand for $30 per class or $25 for the Gem Series. Upon purchasing the class, you will receive an email with information on downloading a private link to a YouTube playlist which contains the recordings of all the meetings for that class. Visit spark.umkc.edu/shop/ to view the options and enjoy an additional learning opportunity !! NOTE: Prior Enrollees continue to enjoy access to their class recordings for (at least) one following quarter.