Co-facilitator: Lynn Steele

Participants will follow a group of remarkable young Jewish teens, escapees from Nazi-controlled areas in the late 1930’s. They settled in the US to continue studies and work. When the USA entered WWII these young men promptly joined the US military. As it became evident that military intelligence was paramount in this war around 2,000 of these young men were interviewed, sent to Camp Ritchie, MD for intense training, naturalized as US citizens and shipped off for D-Day and beyond. More than 50% of the actionable information in the war came from these brave soldiers. Returning to civilian life at the war's end, they made great contributions to the USA.

Optional book: Sons and Soldiers by Bruce Henderson

Co-organizer: Carolyn Hopkins

The mission of the Schingoethe Center of Aurora University is to foster inquiry, celebrate artistic excellence, preserve and perpetuate Native American cultures, and inspire a lifelong engagement with the visual arts. This tour will feature the special exhibit period “Away From Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories”.

Participants will meet at Schingoethe Center, located on east side of the campus of Aurora University.

Participants will expand their knowledge of music by learning about the birth of the Blues, how it developed in various regions of the United States, famous musicians and its influential impact on other music genres. To enhance their local music appreciation, participants will gain an understanding of the significance this style of music played in the Chicago area.

Co-facilitator: Kim Carew

Aurora resident Jim Gamache has recently traveled extensively throughout the Ukraine with various humanitarian organizations. Jim will share his experiences with the Ukrainian people, what we should know about the country, the war, and how we can best stay informed.

History will be viewed through the eyes of three photographers: Social Reformer Jacob Riis (1849-1914); WWII Correspondant, Ernie Pyle (1909-1945); and Presidential Diarist Pete Souza (1954-present). Their photographs bring history alive. How are they revelant today? What old lessons will forever remain new? We will explore these questions together and make our own "iconic photographs" through the magic of memory and imagination.