Tours and Tantalizing Topics to Highlight Spring 2017 Senior Forum

From a wind turbine tour to a lesson on an intriguing baseball chapter in Findlay history, this spring’s Senior Forum educational sessions, sponsored by the University of Findlay’s Division of University Advancement, will cover a wide array of interests.
Offered as a flexible learning experience for people age 50 and older, the sessions will feature site visits and presentations by experts, students and other community members. Three sessions each will be held on Wednesdays, on April 12, 19 and 26. Most will take place in the UF Alumni Memorial Union’s Multipurpose Room.
The cost is $12 per day, or $18 with lunch. Single session attendance will cost $4 each. Walk-in registrations are accepted, but those who want lunch must contact Nancy Leatherman at 419-434-4672 to reserve a place 5-7 days before the session to be attended.
Kay Hoane is Senior Forum’s new director. She is a retired teacher who owns Mother Hubbard’s Learning Cupboard and has planned programs for area retired teachers for six years. She graduated from Bowling Green State University and has lived in Findlay for 40 years.
Hoane said she met with Senior Forum committee members to select a wider variety of high-interest topics and introduce subjects that would attract participants in their fifties and older.
“I am extremely excited to have this challenging and fun opportunity, and feel we have a great spring lineup,” Hoane said.
The schedule is as follows:
April 12
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Learn How to Borrow Books Anytime, Anywhere, from your Mobile Device
Jeff Winkle, Director, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
Jeff will provide updates on library services and programs. He will also give a tutorial on how to use OverDrive®, an electronic way to borrow books from the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library anytime, anywhere. Bring your e-readers, tablets and library cards. University librarians will also be available to help.
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Tour the Mazza Museum
Ben Sapp, Director, Mazza Museum, and Kerry Teeple, Deputy Director, Mazza Museum
Ben and Kerry will give a tour of UF’s Mazza Museum, showing the artwork of many famous illustrators of children’s books. They will discuss the art process and explain the programs they offer. A trip through the gift shop will be included.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Baseball and Brothels: The Hidden History of Hancock County
Jenne Cairns and Joy Brown, University of Findlay students in the Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing Program
Jenne and Joy will give presentations from their Contemporary Rhetorical Theory class, in conjunction with the Hancock Historical Museum. Learn little-known facts about the Hancock County area!
Jenne Cairns, MARW student
Sweeping Off Home Plate: Rediscovering Grant Johnson, Findlay Baseball Legend
Why do some people find a permanent place in local lore while others fade into obscurity? Everyone knows that Findlay is home to Tell Taylor, but hardly anyone remembers that Findlay is also the hometown of Grant “Homerun” Johnson who has the distinction of being not only one of the “heavy hitters” in early professional baseball nationwide, but also was an Afircan-American man playing on an integrated baseball team right here in Findlay in the late 1890s. Through photographs provided by the Hancock Historical Museum and other archival documents and news articles, this presentation is just the precipice of uncovering personal and professional information about Johnson that has been long since forgotten, thus forever linking his legacy to his hometown of Findlay.
Joy Brown, MARW student
Unvirtuous Findlay
Brown’s presentation, originally created as an assignment for the University of Findlay’s fall 2016 semester Contemporary Rhetorical Theory graduate course, will focus on prostitution in Victorian-era Findlay, particularly before and during the oil and natural gas boom. The trade’s impact on the city and its citizens will be addressed.
April 19
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Combating the Opiate Epidemic in Ohio
Rep. Robert Sprague, R-Findlay, Ohio House of Representatives, 83^rd District
Robert Cole Sprague is serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives, following his appointment in February 2011. He serves the 83^rd District, which consists of Hancock and Hardin counties, as well as parts of Logan County. Sprague serves on the House Finance Committee, and as chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and chairman of the House Prescription Drug Addiction and Healthcare Reform Committee. Additionally, he serves on the Financial Institutions, Housing, and Urban Development Committee; Health and Aging Committee; and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Better Blooms: Understanding Phenology and Gardening
Bill Jones, Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator
Bill Jones will discuss how phenology the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, is used to monitor insect activity and global climate change. The life cycle of insects and the blooming of plants are both closely associated with the amount of heat accumulated in the environment. This association permits more accurate prediction of insect activity than the use of a calendar alone. Learn how phenology can make the gardening experience more interesting, and how it can explain bloom times and bloom duration each season. Also, learn how phenology is being used to monitor global climate change.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
University of Findlay Singers Performance
University Singers is a small choral ensemble of UF students who perform not only classical but contemporary repertories on and off campus. During this session, University Singers will be performing traditional choral pieces and selections from musicals.
April 26
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Life Lessons Learned from Coaching Championship Teams
Ron Niekamp, University of Findlay men’s basketball coach, retired
Niekamp served 26 years as the head coach for the Oiler’s men’s basketball team from 1985 to 2011, where he compiled an overall record of 598-185 and guided 26 straight winning seasons. He captured 10 GLIAC South Division regular season championships before retiring.
12:15-1:15 p.m.
K-9 Training Demonstration
Sergeant Tom Miller, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department
Sergeant Miller will bring two trained police dogs to demonstrate how the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department works with the dogs to help keep our county safe.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Findlay Utility Scale Wind Turbine Tour
Jeff Shrader, One Energy
Visit One Energy’s North Findlay Wind Campus, between Ball Corp. and Whirlpool Corp. facilities off of North Main Street, for a tour explaining Wind for Industry® projects. During the tour and presentation, you will get to experience up close and personal how utility scale wind turbines work, debunk some common wind and turbine myths and learn how large electricity consumers can manage their electricity costs with these highly efficient and profitable projects.

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