Welcome back to CCR. All meetings take place at the ECPI University building at 3800 Paramount Drive in North Charleston.
We have a great varied and diverse list of speakers and presentations for the Spring of 2023.
January 9, 2023 1:00 pm
Malika N. Pryor, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, International African American Museum
In the Beginning: The opening of the International African American Museum
Malika N. Pryor will provide an overview of the museum’s opening and the institution’s offerings — both onsite and digital. She will also share the programmatic calendar and its inspiration, with particular attention to special exhibitions and major events.
January 9, 2023 2:30pm
Yuriy Bekker, Artistic Director and Concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony
Charleston Symphony Orchestra: Our Vision, Mission, and Future
Yuriy Bekker, from his unique position as Artistic Director and Concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, will bring us insights regarding this great, cultural, Charleston treasure.
January 23, 2023, 1:00 pm
Jordi Yarborough, Vice President, Statewide Stakeholders & Local Government Engagement, South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority and Its Effect on the Lowcountry
SC Ports owns and operates the Port of Charleston, Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon. As a top 10 U.S. container port, SC Ports promotes, develops and facilitates waterborne commerce to meet the current and future needs of its customers, and for the economic benefit of the citizens and businesses of South Carolina. SC Ports has invested more than $2 billion in port infrastructure in recent years, ensuring we remain globally competitive. Port operations create 1 in 10 S.C. jobs and generate a $63.4 billion economic impact on South Carolina each year. Ms. Yarborough has graciously provided her presentation slides for review.
January 23, 2023 2:30pm
Edward Hart, Dean, School of the Arts, College of Charleston
A Charleston Concerto
Edward Hart will discuss the composition of his recently premiered orchestra work, A Charleston Concerto, featuring renowned Harlem Quartet.
January 30, 2023 1:00pm
Crystal A. Hank, Psy.D. Professor of Practice and Field Placement Coordinator, The Citadel
Self Care? Not Just Another “To Do” List Item
Self-care many times is talked about adding something to your plate to “make you feel better”. Crystal A. Hank will address dimensions of self-care, how to make your self-care work for you, and will end with a relaxation exercise that helps us all go on about our day more mindful and refreshed.
January 30, 2023 2:30pm
Diana Barth and others will preview the Charleston Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) classes that will begin mid-February.
This is a change from the originally scheduled presentation.
February 6, 2023 1:00pm
Andrew Dombrowski, Library Specialist, Charleston County Public Library
Smart Home Gadgets and Guidance
Speakers, appliances, security systems, thermostats and lights are just a few of the objects in our homes that can be connected to the internet and controlled remotely with the push of a button! Learn about some popular smart home devices and how to stay safe while using them.
February 6, 2023 2:30pm
Adam Parker, Reporter, The Post and Courier (Beat: Race and History)
“Us: A Journalist’s Look at the Culture, Conflict and Creativity of the South”
Adam Parker will discuss the purpose and nature of his book “Us” and how the book came together. Also, how journalism works, what it’s for, how it fails, and why we need it. This will be conversational and interactive. The audience should feel free to ask questions and offer ideas.
February 13, 2023 1:00pm
W. Scott Persons, PhD, Assistant Professor and Curator of the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, College of Charleston
Tyrannosaurs in Action: The Flesh, Motion, and Battle Tactics of T. rex
In the badlands of Wyoming, the College of Charleston Dinosaur Expeditions have unearthed the world’s longest tyrannosaur trackway. At a nearby site, the skeleton of an armored herbivorous dinosaur records the direct evidence of a deadly T. rex encounter. These finds, combined with new paleontological techniques, are shedding fresh light on the world’s most famous carnivorous dinosaur. Being a Tyrannosaurus isn’t what it used to be.
February 13, 2023 2:30pm
Irvin Condon, Judge of the Probate Court
The Probate Court
Judge Condon will discuss the workings of the Probate Court and what documents everyone should have on hand in case of an emergency.
February 20, 1:00 p.m.
Lindy Keane Carter, Charleston-based author
“Hooligans and Rice Kings: South Carolina Stories from Research for a Pre-Civil War Novel”
Charleston author Lindy Keane Carter provides a fascinating backstory to the publication of her novel “The Rice Birds.” She’ll share tales, uncovered during her research, about the tidal cultivation of rice, its unique role in triggering the Civil War, Irish immigrants’ struggles, and contributions in the young state of South Carolina, and the true story of a sea captain who sailed a luxury racing yacht from Charleston to the African coast, fooled British Navy officers who inspected her for evidence of slaving, and fooled them again on his way back to America.
February 20, 2023 2:30pm
Michael Sweat, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Faculty Director MUSC Center for Global Health, Director, Division of Global and Community Health, MUSC
COVID-19 – Past, Present, and Future
Michael Sweat plans to review the history of the COVID-19 epidemic globally, nationally, and locally. Key issues he will cover include: (1) challenges in measuring the scope and impact of COVID-19, (2) social / political challenges to mitigation, (3) challenges to forecasting the epidemic, (4) a review of future risks of COVID-19, other coronaviruses, and emerging infectious diseases in general.
February 27, 2023 1:00pm
Bobby Shealy, Realtor and cookbook author
“A Taste of Living in Charleston”
Bobby Shealy will talk about the motivation in writing his cookbook, how that was accomplished, and the synergy of real estate and cookbook.
February 27, 2023 2:30 PM
Eric Crawford, Associate Professor of Musicology, Claflin University
Gullah Spirituals
Eric Crawford will discuss the survival of the Gullah spirituals for over 150 years. He will reveal the presence of the Gullah Geechee creole language within these songs. He will play recordings and have interactive singing moments to convey the beauty of the Gullah Geechee songs. His book Gullah Spirituals is available from the USC Press at a 25% discount for CCR members using the discount code JSAVE25.
March 6, 2023. 1:00pm
Bill Cosgrove, World War II Historian
The Mystery of Frank’s Nightmare: A B-17 Down Over Germany and its Sole Survivor
Lt. Eugene Cook was the pilot of a jinxed B-17 Flying Fortress from the 91st Bomb Group – “Frank’s Nightmare”. His plane was shot down on his fifth mission. Following a harrowing experience upon landing he spent almost two years in a German POW camp. Lt. Cook discovered after the war that he was the sole survivor of this ill-fated Flying Fortress. The author was able to visit the crash site near Heimbach, Germany, thus solving a 70-year mystery for both Cook’s family and the people of this small village in the Eifel Forest of western Germany.
You can use Bill’s Guide to doing WW2 Research if you wish to research your own family members participation.
March 6, 2023 2:30pm
Lisa Metheney, Army Corps of Engineers
Army Corps of Engineers Today in the Lowcountry
Learn what the modern Corps of Engineers does, with emphasis on what they are doing here in Charleston. How is the Corps addressing the flooding on the peninsula? What are the Corps future plans for the Lowcountry?
March 13, 2023
Natalie Simmons, Milliner/Hat Maker, Carolina Millinery
If the Hat Fits
What is it about hats? We are fascinated by hats but fear wearing them, why? Natalie Simmons will share how to find the hat that fits, how to wear hats with confidence and how to preserve an heirloom hat.
March 13, 2023 2:30 pm
Amy L. Gaffney, Attorney, Litigator and Mediator
Mediation
Individuals and companies turn to mediators when they want an alternative to the traditional court system. Why? Traditional court systems can be expensive, time consuming, and plagued with delays.
March 20, 2023 1:00pm
Lisa Hayes, Charleston Library Society
Special Collections at the Charleston Library Society
Lisa Hayes will be discussing some of the library’s history as they celebrate their 275th Anniversary. She will use examples from their collection to illustrate this.
March 20, 2023 2:30pm
Brian D. Fors, Curator of the Waring Historical Library
Discovering Diversity: Medical History Collections in the Waring Historical Library
The records in the Waring Historical Library mostly reflect the history of White, male physicians in the Atlantic Medical World, South Carolina and the South. Yet the history of health sciences in the area is much more diverse in nature. Using new insights into the material in the collections, Brian Fors, Curator of the Waring Historical Library, will discuss the re-examination of certain collections that have resulted in new realizations about healthcare in Charleston and South Carolina.
March 27, 2023 1:00PM
Kim Hallin, Owner & Equine-Inspired Guide
Horse Wisdom
What can humans learn from horses? Turns out a whole lot! Join local author, Kim Hallin, for a heartwarming discussion about the writing of her book Horse Wisdom: Life Lessons for Humanity, which takes readers on an intoxicating journey to uncover deeper truths about freedom, trust, intuition, leadership, community and communication. Whether you’re an experienced equestrian or simply admire horses from afar, your heart will overflow with the wisdom galloping through Kim’s heart… and across the pages of her book.
March 27, 2023 2:30pm
Joe Elmore, CFRE, CAWA, Charleston Animal Society
Behind the Scenes at Charleston Animal Society
Learn more about your Charleston Animal Society as it approaches its 150th anniversary! Hear from passionate leadership about the lifesaving program and services that make a difference in the community and continue the mission to end animal cruelty.
April 3, 2023 1:00pm
John Barth
Eyes on the Universe
Our own John Barth will discuss how telescopes, the James Webb Space Telescope in particular, provide a view of the birth of the universe over 13 billion years ago.
* This is a change from the originally scheduled program.
April 3, 2023 2:30pm
Polly Buxton, Owner of Buxton Books
Experiences and Challenges of an Independent Bookseller in Charleston
Buxton Books was established in 2016 as a downtown bookstore supporting the writing and reading community. The store hosts a wide variety of author events.
April 10, 2023 NO CCR in observance of Easter and Passover
April 17, 2023 1:00pm
George Pope, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Volunteer, MUSC Children’s Hospital
“The Baby Whisperer”
George Pope will discuss his book, “The Baby Whisperer”, which is a memoir of his seventeen years of volunteering in the MUSC Children’s Hospital NICU. He will briefly discuss his experience with self-publishing.
April 17, 2023 2:30pm
Jon Gundersen, Senior Foreign Service Officer, retired, U.S. Department of State
How Foreign Policy is Made in Washington / Ukraine Update
As someone who has served both Republican and Democratic Administrations at a high level, Mr. Gundersen will discuss how foreign policy is made at the highest levels – what worked and what didn’t. In addition, as the person who opened the first American Embassy in Kyiv in 1991 and as an active commentator on Ukrainian Affairs, Mr. Gundersen will give his assessment of the current situation in Ukraine.
April 24, 2023 1 p.m.
Nic Butler, Historian, Charleston County Public Library
Behind the Scenes of Charleston Time Machine
Nic Butler will provide an overview of the free, bi-weekly podcast called Charleston Time Machine, hosted by Charleston County Public Library, and share insight into the process of researching, writing, and recording each of the 250+ episodes that explore the less familiar aspects of Lowcountry history.
April 24, 2023 2:30pm
Kristal Hudson Randall
Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda
We are constantly assaulted by misinformation, and we can all inadvertently spread it. We will look at what makes us vulnerable to misinformation and how to more effectively determine whether something is “information” or not. We will look at who is targeted and how they are targeted and explore tools that can be used to combat misinformation.
May 1, 2023 1:00pm
Brian Hicks, Post & Courier Columnist and Author
What’s Going On!
Brian returns for his annual visit to discuss with us his insights and to answer our questions about issues impacting the community.
May 1, 2023 2:30pm
Marian Mazzone, Professor of Art History, College of Charleston
Contemporary Art: What is it and Where is it Going?
Marian Mazzone will discuss what is going on in the art world today.
May 8, 2023 1:00 pm
Annual Elections, Business Meeting and Luncheon