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Jesus was born in Bethlehem, was a carpenter, and made a triumphant entry Jerusalem just before he was executed. Or did he? Surely non-biblical historians recorded these vents, right? What we know is that most of what New Testament readers think they know is wrong. We shall discuss the efforts of Biblical scholars to construct a life of Jesus, consider conflicting reports of the Gospels, and examine what the records of other historians from Jesus’ time.

This comprehensive PowerPoint recreation is about the life of one of the most remarkable personalities in world history. From birth in a log cabin to a dirt-poor family, with less than two years of schooling, to rising to the highest office in the land would seem impossible. Yet, after surviving that poverty, and lack of education, became the best Jury Lawyer in Illinois, if not the Country. Political experience and support for other candidates; coupled with his reputation for honesty and integrity, and his developed gift for moving people with his verbal eloquence pushed him to the presidency and greatness in one of the country's darkest periods. 

Before George Floyd's death galvanized America, the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till is consider the catalyst to the Civil Rights Movement. "The story of Emmett Till is one of the most important of the last half of the 20th century." The presentation examines the impact of his lynching on the movement. An anti-lynching bill has yet to pass Congress.

There are few thinkers who may claim to have had such a large impact on western thought as Augustine of Hippo. This course will provide an outline of his life, some of his principal thoughts and his resounding influence on western civilization.

This continuance of the obstacles and tribulations of this humble man's rise from poverty to national reputation. Once elected President, problems fell heavily upon his shoulders and plagued him for the majority of the rest of his life. His despair over his revolving door of Generals that are costing him support from the public; from his own political party, and sadness from the mounting loss of the Nation's youth. From all this, he skillfully resolves the complexities of this National cliffhanger.

According to the instructor, people should remember the pain and learn that we as Americans stand on the shoulders of many who have not been acknowledged or recognized for their tremendous contributions that are used on a daily basis. Some of them are the first in many categories. We aspire to be the best and we need to know those who have already achieved. It was not without hard work, sacrifices and effort. What are these achievements and accomplishments and by whom? Find out? Art work by the instructor will be presented. Afterward, discussion time will be provided for questions and answers.

Lincoln was the rising star of the Republican Party. He had proven himself over and over, while he was debating Stephan Douglas, as someone with a gift of speech who could move crowds. The Republican convention, at which he might be nominated as the candidate for the highest office in the land, was fast approaching. He is asked to be one of the trial lawyers in a contentious murder trial in support of a young man who killed an intern who had worked in his very office. If he lost this case it could cost him - because the nation was watching.

Two ancient languages were deciphered in the last half of the twentieth century.  The first was Linear B, which was first found in 1900 on clay tablets during the excavation of the magnificent palace of King Minos at Knossos on the island of Crete.  It resisted all the efforts of experts until it yielded its surprising answer in 1953 to a flash of genius by a British architect, Michael Ventris.  The second is the decipherment of the inscriptions written with the intricate, ornate Mayan glyphs, which were found in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and in Guatemala.  In contrast to Linear B, it yielded gradually to the decades long cumulative effort of many scholars, and its decipherment completely changed our understanding of the Mayan civilization.  This class tells these two very different, but equally interesting, stories of decipherment.

Grab your hat and catch net as we travel with the first naturalists to the Amazon. Hear about their adventures and see the rare and often bazaar creatures, plants and medicines they introduced to the world.

Courage is where you find it. High in the skies over the Pacific. Or, slogging in the muddy mountains of Italy.

West Palm Beach graduate Commander David McCampbell was the US Navy’s most famous "Ace" in the Pacific in WWII, shooting down 34 Japanese planes and Commander of the Air Group on the carrier Essex. He set a record for shooting down 9 in one day.

James Henry Mills, born near Mulberry Florida, was often called the "Sargent York of WWII." His single-handed exploits in a battle defy any movie writer's duplication. When called to be decorated, his fear was he would be court-martialed for losing his rifle during the battle. His life of hardship is a sobering tale of how some of our bravest fare.

General James Van Fleet commanded units in battle in the 1st, and 2nd World Wars and in Korea. His career included being the head football coach at University of Florida. He commanded the 8th Infantry regiment on D-day at Utah beach.

Marine General Roy Stanley Geiger is best known as the only Marine General to command an army sized force in battle. That battle was one of the best known and famous for its ferocity, Okinawa. Few know he was the father of the Marine air arm during his 40 years of distinguished service.

This panhandle born girl rose from obscurity to be a giant in aviation and in business. Though not receiving the publicity that Amelia Earhart is accorded, she accomplished much, much more in a life filled with triumphs and heart break. At one point she held every woman's aviation record, was instrumental in forming the WAAC (Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps), the WASP (Woman's Airforce Service Pilots), was an acclaimed test pilot, was the first woman pilot to break the sound barrier, and was the driving force in forming the first woman's astronaut group.

In recognition for the anniversary of his assassination, this talk will highlight the life and lasting legacy of the great Gaius Julius Caesar. As a personality, political actor and military genius, he left an indelible mark on western civilization and proves of lasting influence across the world today. Join us for a fun and fascinating look at the man and the legend which is his lasting legacy.

General George Washington was America's first Spymaster. Elizabeth Van Lew was America's second. This Virginia born aristocrat, educated in Philadelphia, abhorred slavery and when the war broke out, she hated to see the Union broken apart. She followed all the protocols that a CIA Case Officer does today, but did it 150 years ago, all in a courageous effort to bring resolution to this bloody, tumultuous page in American history. To honor her, she is enshrined in the United States Military Intelligence Hall of Fame for her many deeds in this fratricidal war.

Women were not thought of as possible spies, they were too shy and sweet to do that dirty, distasteful, disreputable work. However, the Civil War was not the first time that females were employed in that occupation and will not be the last.

This program shows who did what, and for whom, on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. Some were more successful than others, some were captured after a short run, and two of them were highly successful and never caught throughout the entire war.

Join us as we celebrate Earth Day 2022 with a program exploring the fascinating life of conservationist Marjorie Harris Carr (1915-1997) - who used the power of the pen and grassroots activism to protect and preserve many of north central Florida's ecological treasures. Carr launched her conservation career in the 1950s while raising five children. She is best known for leading the fight against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cross Florida Barge Canal.

The back-story about famous, or infamous, people seldom reveals the truth about their 'Mommy Dearest.' This program uses examples such as Ma Barker, Pauline Einstein, and Gladys Presley to answer questions such as: can a 'Tiger Mom' change a dullard into a genius; does smothering a child with constant attention produce a totally dependent, dysfunctional adult; or can maternal influence create a future criminal? Also included in the program are some surprising quotes from famous/infamous people regarding their 'Mommy Dearest.'

This course explores the life of Galileo Galilei, an Italian natural philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, who made fundamental contributions to the sciences of motion, astronomy, and more. His discoveries revolutionized astronomy, some of which eventually resulted in an Inquisition process against him. We'll start with his early childhood, examine his amazing inventions, discoveries, and his trial for heresy.

From his very first dance show in 1906 with sister Adele, to the long string of 2,000 performances in America and England ending in 1932, Fred had no other partner. But when he did, he partnered with some of the most beautiful and talented women on stage, in movies, and on television. He could do it all- tap, Jazz, soft shoe and Ballroom and had one song hit after another. Not bad for a guy judged on his screen test: "Can’'t act, can't sing, slightly balding, can dance a little."

These are stories of four top Native American leaders with similar upbringings, but very different lives. Some were of mixed blood, great warriors fighting to save their homeland and their tribes, sage and holy men, keepers of the flame of knowledge of Indian rituals. A leader and founder of a Native American church, entrepreneurs, statesmen, hunting buddies of U.S. presidents, great orators, who gave assistance and saved many of the white "European visitors." Yet, in the end, were usually betrayed as their reward.

Discover the history, legends and cultures of the Emerald Isle from when the first settlers rowed their tiny, skin boats across wild seas from England. Centuries of Druid, Celt, and Viking settlements have left Ireland with a rich and permanent collection of myths and legends. Learn the true stories behind the legends of leprechauns, fairies, changelings, pookas, banshees, and the Blarney Stone.

This presentation includes stories of four additional leaders. It can be taken either as a continuation from Part 1, or taken independently. These four Native American leaders had similar upbringings, but very different lives. All were fighting to preserve their way of life as it had been for millennia. Some were warriors, some holy men, preserver of the sacred rituals, an entrepreneur, great orator, even hunting buddy of a President. Betrayal was the usual outcome.

Courage is where you find it. High in the skies over the Pacific. Or, slogging in the muddy mountains of Italy.

West Palm Beach graduate Commander David McCampbell was the US Navy’s most famous "Ace" in the Pacific in WWII, shooting down 34 Japanese planes and Commander of the Air Group on the carrier Essex. He set a record for shooting down 9 in one day.

James Henry Mills, born near Mulberry Florida, was often called the "Sargent York of WWII." His single-handed exploits in a battle defy any movie writer's duplication. When called to be decorated, his fear was he would be court-martialed for losing his rifle during the battle. His life of hardship is a sobering tale of how some of our bravest fare.