 Message from the President
Dear <<First Name>>,
Greeting fellow LLI members at the front door of Olin these past Friday afternoons has been a complete joy! Even behind masks, it is wonderful to be together again at last! After all the detailed planning to bring LLI back to campus this fall, simply walking the usual pathways and seeing our distinctive name tags and red lanyards feels so normal, doesn’t it? How we’ve missed being at Bard! Thank you sincerely for wearing your new name tags with the vaccine verification sticker when you come to campus. So many LLI volunteers made our return possible, and they share in giving a very happy and safe welcome to all!
Our on-campus classes are full, and the Curriculum Team is now finalizing WinterFest on Zoom while scheduling courses for next spring, anticipating a return to Fridays on campus with Zoom courses offered on Thursdays. The tech details of the hybrid class are being honed this semester, and our presenters are eager to offer more hybrid choices next spring. Attendance is strong both on campus and on Zoom, and it’s clear that the courses are even better than the catalog descriptions promised.
Next week, we’ll hold our first social gathering on campus at the Hessel Museum of Art. The ProClass registration response was immediate and the gathering is now full. It promises to be a stand-out event. COVID restrictions limited our group attendance, but read more about the exhibitions (With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art, 1972-1985) inside this issue. Any LLI member can visit Hessel to see this show. See the descriptive article inside.
On September 24, on behalf of our members, I accepted the New Generations Award, given to LLI by the Bard College Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) at its 10th-anniversary celebration, in recognition of our 20-year commitment to learning through the ages. As part of fulfilling our purpose of “providing educational and social opportunities for our members to share their love of learning and exchange ideas and experiences'' and in gratitude for our ongoing relationship and the significant support we receive from the college, LLI makes annual financial contributions to Bard and CCE programs that benefit students of all ages. Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President; Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Director, Center for Civic Engagement, was gracious and most generous in his praise for LLI and our members as he noted our importance to Bard and to CCE—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It was a perfect afternoon at Blithewood, overlooking the Hudson and the Catskills beyond, in which to celebrate CCE’s achievements, meet fellow award recipients, and recognize LLI’s contributions to the life of the college as a Community Partner in CCE. Congratulations to all!
Yours,
Nanci
president@lli.bard.edu
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LLI Receives Award from the Bard College CCE
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by Jill Lundquist
As Nanci mentioned in her president’s letter, LLI received the New Generations Award by Bard College Center for Civic Engagement on September 24, at a beautiful celebration recognizing CCE’s 10th anniversary. It was a spectacular late afternoon under a tent behind Blithewood, overlooking the river and the mountains beyond. Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President of Bard; Vice President of Academic Affairs; Director, Center for Civic Engagement, presented the award to Nanci in recognition of LLI’s 20-year commitment to learning across the ages. She also accepted certificates from the Town of Red Hook, the Village of Red Hook, NYS Senator Sue Serino, and Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro.
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by Deborah Lanser
LLI is celebrating our 20th anniversary with a banner over Annandale Road between Blithewood Avenue and North Ravine Road. Those of you who are taking in-person classes can see it on your way to Bard through the month of October.
Linda Stanley, LLI’s first vice president, spearheaded the effort. A special thank you to Amy Parrella, Director of Grounds, Arboretum and Horticulture, and Dan DeCiutiis for their help in making all the arrangements; to the Departments of Carpentry, Electrical, and Horticulture who hung the banner; to Elena Erber, who designed the banner; and Dave Fell at Dutchess Signs, who created it. They all were a pleasure to work with.
Our 20th anniversary celebration last year was postponed because of COVID. More celebrations are planned over the coming year as it becomes safer to gather in a large group.
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In-person orientation for 2020 and 2021 new members was held on campus on September 8th. Irene Esposito, hospitality chair, hosted the new members with coffee, tea and pastries, enjoyed by all. Following the orientation, several new members toured the campus. Two days later, an online zoom orientation was held. Thank you to Kim Sears, team chair of member services, for organizing these events.
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by Susan Phillips
One of the most tempting reasons for Linda Legendre to move from Massachusetts to the Red Hook area eight years ago, besides being closer to her five grandchildren and their parents, was the enticement of the excellent reputation of Bard’s Lifelong Learning program. Although it took her two years to be admitted via the lottery system, she has since assumed a wide array of Bard LLI responsibilities. She has now taken on, as of July 1st, what is considered by many the huge job of head of Curriculum for Bard LLI.
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With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art, 1972-1985
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by Gretchen Lytle
To many of us, this is not art history. This is yesterday. The Hessel Museum of Art’s exhibition, With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art, 1972-1985, presents a wide range of work from that movement, work that runs counter to the abstract minimalism prevalent at that time. Yesterday, right? The exhibition raises questions about cross-cultural connections (there is more than western civ). It celebrates techniques and materials that traditionally belong in the craft world and often to women. Most of the artists are female. Many of the artists, male and female, are familiar names with different cultural backgrounds. Much of it is colorful and intricate. What a contrast to the esteemed bare-bones art of the time.
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Thank You's from BHSEC Recipients
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by Deborah Lanser
For years, LLI has provided financial help for students in the Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) in Manhattan for expenses incurred during summer internships. Recipients of this year’s $665 grant included Jacob Little, who worked as a counselor-in-training at Mass Audubon’s Wildwood Overnight Camp, and Joseph Lin, who interned with the Zero Waste Island team at Governor’s Island. The thank you letters they wrote to President Nanci Kryzak show they took full advantage of the learning opportunities the grants afforded them.
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Tech Corner: LLI Contacts for Help and Information 2021
by Deborah Schwartz
Welcome back to Bard LLI and the fall semester! We are looking forward to meeting, learning, and working together with new and renewed members.
LLI is a rich and rewarding adventure. We want to ensure that it is a positive experience for you—even when you are figuring out who best to contact to resolve a particular issue or get certain information. Remember, everyone is eager to help our members and to build community. So, if you don’t know where to start, check out the email addresses below and send someone a quick message. LLI volunteers know how to help and refer questions to the person who can provide the best answers.
We want to hear from you!
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In Memoriam
by Cathy Reinis
Arnold Feinsilber, a longtime member of LLI, died on September 20th from Alzheimer’s Disease. Arnold and his wife Milly have been active members of LLI, enjoying the classes, the hiking, and the outdoor programs. Arnold, an architect, created a course in which architects who had designed buildings at Bard explained the challenges and the resulting designs. Arnold and Milly enjoyed interacting with Bard Conservatory students and frequently invited them into their home for holidays and celebrations.
Due to Covid, no services are planned at this time. Milly is particularly grateful to Hudson Valley Hospice for their support to her and Arnold in the past few months. Donations in Arnold’s memory may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
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Council Notes for September 2021
by Deborah Lanser
Council members discussed the following topics at the September meeting:
LLI members who believe they have not received Zoom links to their classes should be reminded to check their spam folders and whichever email address they used for registration.
As of now, the plans for the spring semester are to have Zoom classes on Thursdays and in-person classes on Fridays.
Council approved the following policy: LLI classes that fall on national holidays will be held unless Bard College observes that holiday. Observance of religious holidays that coincide with LLI classes is at the discretion of the presenter.
Any member interested in observing a Council meeting should email Linda Stanley at lstanley@lli.bard.edu.
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Highlights of the Bard Calendar
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by Felice Gelman
The Hessel Museum of Art has two major exhibits of interest. With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art 1972-1985 runs through November 28. Closer to Life: Drawings and Works on Paper in the Marieluise Hessel Collection will close on October 17. The Hessel Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m., but visits must be reserved in advance here. LLI has arranged a special tour of the museum for members on Wednesday, October 13, but it filled up very quickly.
Thursday, October 7 from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., the Bard Center for the Study of Hate presents a webinar with Bill Morlin, a journalist best known for reporting on white supremacy groups. He will talk about “how journalists should write about hate groups and hate group members.” You can register here.
Tuesday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m. at the Fisher Center, the China Now Music Festival will present two works by NY-based composer Huang Ruo, one composed in 2020 in response to the pandemic and the other composed in 2021 to honor the stories of Chinese immigrants. The concert is free to the Bard Community, but you must present your Bard ID. Reserve tickets here.
Wednesday, October 13 at 8 p.m. at the Fisher Center, the China Now Music Festival will showcase contemporary Asian American composers. The concert is free to the Bard Community, but you must present your Bard ID. Reserve tickets here.
Each Thursday through October 28, from 1:00 to 5 p.m., the Bard College’s weekly Farm Stand is open featuring fresh produce, mushrooms, fresh honey, and maple syrup when seasonally available. Pre-orders can be placed here. For more information, call 518-653-6118, e-mail farm@bard.edu, or visit https://blogs.bard.edu/bardfarmstore/.
You may find Bard College Conservatory of Music events here. The complete Bard College Events Calendar, with subscription information, may be found here.
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Important Dates for LLI Members
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October 12: Curriculum Committee Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. If you would like to attend, please email Bill Tuel at btuel@lli.bard.edu. If you would like to present an idea for a course, please email Curriculum Chair Linda LeGendre at llegendre@lli.bard.edu prior to the meeting.
October 13: Social Gathering -- Hessel Museum Tour.
October 18: Council meeting on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. If you would like to attend, please email Linda Stanley at lstanley@lli.bard.edu.
November 5: Last day of the fall semester.
November 9: Curriculum Committee Open House at 10 a.m. If you would like to attend, email Bill Tuel at btuel@lli.bard.edu. If you would like to present an idea for a course, please email Curriculum Chair Linda LeGendre at llegendre@lli.bard.edu prior to the meeting.
November 15: Council meeting on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. If you would like to attend, please email Linda Stanley at lstanley@lli.bard.edu.
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This newsletter is a publication of Bard LLI Council. Communications Team Chair: Cathy Reinis. Writers and editors: Susan Christoffersen, Felice Gelman, Carmela Gersbeck, Deborah Lanser, Jill Lundquist, Dona McLaughlin, Chuck Mishaan, Kathy OConnor, Susan Phillips, Deborah Schwartz, Margaret Shuhala. Photographers: Gary Miller, Chair, Carmela Gersbeck, Kathy OConnor
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