June 21, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Barbara Wexler
Affiliation: Wexler Artworks
Title of Talk: “The History of American Impressionism”
About the Program:
About three thousand Americans studied in Paris from 1860 to 1880.
They came back to show their work at the Columbia Exposition of 1893 -
Think “Devil in the White City”. America only knew French
Impressionist Artists but not the likes of: Frank Benson, William
Merritt Chase, Frederick Frieseke and J. Alden Weir. You’re in for a
real visual awakening.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Barbara Wexler
Affiliation: Wexler Artworks
Title of Talk: “The History of American Impressionism”
About the Program:
About three thousand Americans studied in Paris from 1860 to 1880.
They came back to show their work at the Columbia Exposition of 1893 -
Think “Devil in the White City”. America only knew French
Impressionist Artists but not the likes of: Frank Benson, William
Merritt Chase, Frederick Frieseke and J. Alden Weir. You’re in for a
real visual awakening.

June 14, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Georgette Gouveia
Affiliation: Editor in Chief, WAG magazine
White Plains, NY
Title of Talk: "Alexander the Great"
About the Program:
Georgette Gouveia is responsible for the vision, planning and production of a monthly publication affiliated with the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals. In addition to her role as the Editor in Chief of WAG magazine, she is the chef writer of the magazine. She is also author of a series of novels. One of these is an historical novel entitled: “Damon: A Novel of Alexander the Great” which focuses on her historical research on the life of this great general of the ancient world. Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Northeastern Africa. His leadership accomplishments and military achievements are still used as a basis for teaching lessons in diverse educational settings today and Ms. Gouveia will share some of what she learned in historical research for her novel based on his life.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Georgette Gouveia
Affiliation: Editor in Chief, WAG magazine
White Plains, NY
Title of Talk: "Alexander the Great"
About the Program:
Georgette Gouveia is responsible for the vision, planning and production of a monthly publication affiliated with the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals. In addition to her role as the Editor in Chief of WAG magazine, she is the chef writer of the magazine. She is also author of a series of novels. One of these is an historical novel entitled: “Damon: A Novel of Alexander the Great” which focuses on her historical research on the life of this great general of the ancient world. Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his ruling years conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Northeastern Africa. His leadership accomplishments and military achievements are still used as a basis for teaching lessons in diverse educational settings today and Ms. Gouveia will share some of what she learned in historical research for her novel based on his life.
June 7, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Frank Baker
Alan Stern
Affiliation: Old Guard Members
Title of Talk: "Electric Vehicles in New York"
About the Program:
Transportation is responsible for almost 30% of NYC's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), with most of these emissions coming from passenger cars. Increasing the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the five boroughs is an important part of the city’s effort to fight climate change by reducing GHG emission 80% by 2050. Compared to conventional vehicles, EVs have: lower emissions, less noise, and discounts on tolls. There are three different charging levels for EVs: Level 1 Charge (Up to 5 miles of range per hour of charging, Standard household outlet, Low voltage); Level 2 Charge (Up to 20 miles of range per hour of charge, Mid-level voltage (240v), commonly used in large appliances like dryers); Level 3 Charge:
(Over 30 miles of range per 10 minutes of charge, DC Fast Charging, the fastest charging option (over 480v). New York City is creating PlugNYC, a comprehensive network of publicly accessible Level 2 Chargers and DC fast chargers. Level 2 charging stations allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked at home, at work, or curbside. DC fast chargers offer a charging experience comparable to a gas station.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Frank Baker
Alan Stern
Affiliation: Old Guard Members
Title of Talk: "Electric Vehicles in New York"
About the Program:
Transportation is responsible for almost 30% of NYC's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), with most of these emissions coming from passenger cars. Increasing the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the five boroughs is an important part of the city’s effort to fight climate change by reducing GHG emission 80% by 2050. Compared to conventional vehicles, EVs have: lower emissions, less noise, and discounts on tolls. There are three different charging levels for EVs: Level 1 Charge (Up to 5 miles of range per hour of charging, Standard household outlet, Low voltage); Level 2 Charge (Up to 20 miles of range per hour of charge, Mid-level voltage (240v), commonly used in large appliances like dryers); Level 3 Charge:
(Over 30 miles of range per 10 minutes of charge, DC Fast Charging, the fastest charging option (over 480v). New York City is creating PlugNYC, a comprehensive network of publicly accessible Level 2 Chargers and DC fast chargers. Level 2 charging stations allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked at home, at work, or curbside. DC fast chargers offer a charging experience comparable to a gas station.
June 2022
May 31, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Sydney Dreasky Affiliation: Senior Special Agent United States Secret Service Title of Talk: "Exploring the Secret Service" About the Program: Sydney Dreasky will speak about the history and various responsibilities of the United States Secret Service. She has served as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service since 1997. She is currently assigned to the White Plains Resident Office, White Plains, NY. where she is responsible for recruiting, background investigations, protective missions and criminal investigations involving bank fraud, credit card fraud and counterfeit money. |

May 24, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Faith Ann Butcher
Affiliation: Chief Impact Officer, United Way of
Westchester and Putnam
Title of Talk: "United Way Programs
About the Program
United Way of Westchester & Putnam helps residents with pressing needs get connected through services. Ms. Butcher will describe some of the key programs of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam in serving the community. Among these are a program to deal with the transportation gap, "Ride United Transportation" and a program focused on providing grants for "Emergency Food and Shelter."
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Faith Ann Butcher
Affiliation: Chief Impact Officer, United Way of
Westchester and Putnam
Title of Talk: "United Way Programs
About the Program
United Way of Westchester & Putnam helps residents with pressing needs get connected through services. Ms. Butcher will describe some of the key programs of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam in serving the community. Among these are a program to deal with the transportation gap, "Ride United Transportation" and a program focused on providing grants for "Emergency Food and Shelter."
May 17, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Anahaita N. Kotval Affiliation: Chief Executive Officer, Lifting Up of Westchester Title of Talk: "Homelessness in Westchester County: Breaking The Cycle" About the Program Lifting Up Westchester (LUW) has for four decades been one of Westchester County’s largest social service nonprofits. It seeks to make sure that all of the neighborhoods of the County flourish and it is here to repair well-being when some area starts to break down. It also attempts to construct a strong foundation to maintain community well-being over time. This talk discusses homelessness which is a challenging problem that the agency is focusing its efforts on that is caused by multiple factors, the top three of which are addiction, job loss, and mental health issues. |
May 10, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Paul Freedman, Ph.D. Affiliation: Professor, Department of History, Yale University Title of Talk: "Is There Such a Thing as American Cuisine" About the Program Is there such a thing as American cuisine? You know before seeing the menu that an Italian restaurant will have pasta, or that an Indian restaurant will feature curry. But an “American” restaurant could offer anything, from farm-to-table to fajitas. We’ll try to identify how American food took shape over the past two hundred years. |
May 3, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Jessica Flores Affiliation: Community Engagement Manager & Diversity Specialist Alzheimer's Association - Hudson Valley Chapter Title of Talk: "Understanding Alzheimers's & Dementia" About the Program Alzheimer's is not normal aging, it's a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Join us to learn about: The impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, Alzheimer's disease stages and risk factors, current research, treatments available to address some symptoms and Alzheimer’s Association resources. |
May 2022
Apr 26, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Jean Newton, Ph.D, Executive Director Douglas Bish, DMA, Dean of Students and Faculty Title of Talk: The Music Conservatory of Westchester About the Program: Drs. Newton and Bish will describe the programs of The Music Conservatory of Westchester. This non-profit community music school in White Plains, NY provides quality music education for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances. |
Apr. 19, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speakers: Tejash Sanchala, Esq. Executive Director Joshua Levin Fair Housing Director Affiliation: Human Rights Commission of Westchester County Title of Talk: "Discrimination under Westchester County's Human Rights Law and An Overview of the County's Fair Housing Law" About the Program The Westchester County Human Rights Commission administers the Westchester County Human Rights Law which protects the rights and privileges of county inhabitants against discrimination in practices of, employment, in places of public accommodation, and approval of credit. It also prohibits any person involved in housing transactions from engaging in unlawful discrimination in those transactions based on a person's actual or perceived group identity. Fair housing means that houses, apartments. co-ops, and condos must be made available under the same terms and conditions for all qualified applicants. |
Apr. 12, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Captain Lada Simek Affiliation: Senior Director, Beneath the Sea, Inc. Title of Talk: The Oceans "Above and Below" About the program Captain Lada Simek will share with us some of what he has learned in his over fifty years of diving in Long Island Sound and throughout the word. His presentation will include information on how one can breathe and survive under water and the equipment needed to go under water. His talk will include photographs of the oceans from space, how our understanding of the coral reef was developed, how fish can breathe water, information about light penetrating the water, pictures of living creatures thought to be extinct, and he will show some various irreplaceable specimens that he has acquired. |
Apr 5, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Vaughn Mosley (NY Connects Specialist)
Marie Kernizan (EPIC Program)
Affiliation: Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and
Services
Title of Talk: "Programs and Services for Seniors in Westchester
County"
About the Program:
Twenty percent of Westchester residents are ages 60 and older. The rich value of this population subset does not go unnoticed in Westchester County. Recognizing the different and varying needs of its senior citizen community, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers a wide range of programs and services throughout the year. Ongoing programs and services will be described as well as annual events.
The elderly Pharmeceutical Insurance Coveerage (EPIC) is a New York State program that provides secondary drug coverage for members who are enrolled in Medicare Part D drug plans. The program helps more than 370.000 income eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. This results in additional savings for members to purchase needed medications.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Vaughn Mosley (NY Connects Specialist)
Marie Kernizan (EPIC Program)
Affiliation: Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and
Services
Title of Talk: "Programs and Services for Seniors in Westchester
County"
About the Program:
Twenty percent of Westchester residents are ages 60 and older. The rich value of this population subset does not go unnoticed in Westchester County. Recognizing the different and varying needs of its senior citizen community, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers a wide range of programs and services throughout the year. Ongoing programs and services will be described as well as annual events.
The elderly Pharmeceutical Insurance Coveerage (EPIC) is a New York State program that provides secondary drug coverage for members who are enrolled in Medicare Part D drug plans. The program helps more than 370.000 income eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. This results in additional savings for members to purchase needed medications.
April 2022
Mar 29, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Scott Richman Affiliation: Regional Directorof ADL New York/New Jersey Title of Talk: "The Rise of Antisemitism and Hate: A Conversation With Scott Richman" About Program: Join us for an important conversation about the troubling rise of antisemitism and hate over the past few years in the United States. The Director of ADL’s (Anti-Defamation League’s) Regional Office covering New York and New Jersey will offer us an overview of the situation, both locally and nationally; he will discuss how antisemitism and hate manifest itself both in the real world and online; he will posit reasons for the concerning trend; and he will discuss ways that we can all play a role in fighting this rising tide. |

Mar 22, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Marikay Capasso
Affiliation: Program Administrator,
Westchester County
Department of Senior Programs
and Services
Title of Talk: "Spring into Healthy Living"
About Program:
About 91% of those of us over the age of 60 have one or more chronic conditions and 77% have at least two. This can have a big impact on our quality of life and our ability to “age in place”. Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers this free evidence- based workshop developed by Stanford University to older adult residents in the county. The Health for Life Program (HeLP), helps you take charge of your health if you have a chronic condition or are caring for someone with a chronic condition. The workshop meets(virtually) once a week for six weeks and focuses on good health habits like getting a good night’s sleep, healthy eating, physical activity, goal setting, problem solving and breathing techniques. It is highly interactive, educational and enjoyable. The presentation will feature some the activities covered in the workshop and provides an opportunity to learn something new to better manage our health.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Marikay Capasso
Affiliation: Program Administrator,
Westchester County
Department of Senior Programs
and Services
Title of Talk: "Spring into Healthy Living"
About Program:
About 91% of those of us over the age of 60 have one or more chronic conditions and 77% have at least two. This can have a big impact on our quality of life and our ability to “age in place”. Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers this free evidence- based workshop developed by Stanford University to older adult residents in the county. The Health for Life Program (HeLP), helps you take charge of your health if you have a chronic condition or are caring for someone with a chronic condition. The workshop meets(virtually) once a week for six weeks and focuses on good health habits like getting a good night’s sleep, healthy eating, physical activity, goal setting, problem solving and breathing techniques. It is highly interactive, educational and enjoyable. The presentation will feature some the activities covered in the workshop and provides an opportunity to learn something new to better manage our health.
Mar 15,2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Charlotte Mouquin Affiliation: Executive Director of Pelham Art Center Title of Talk: : "Pelham Art Center and Community Connections" About the Program The Pelham Art Center in Pelham, NY is a non-profit educational and cultural institution committed to providing public access to see, study, and experience the arts. It strives to be a vibrant and engaging arts space that provides unique opportunities to learn and enhance artistic skills and practices. With community at its core, it welcomes participants of diverse backgrounds to foster connections and encourage the open exchange of ideas. |

Mar 8, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Scott Summerville
Affiliation: Retired United Methodist pastor
Title of Talk: "Engage Conflict Well"
About the Program
Conflict is an essential aspect of all relationships, including personal, group, and organizational relationships. Conflict is necessary for generating healthy change and for overcoming injustice. Rev. Summerville will discuss the typical dynamics of conflict and the mediation process. Additionally, the experience of conflict and the wisdom that can be gained and applied to our current lives will be explored.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Scott Summerville
Affiliation: Retired United Methodist pastor
Title of Talk: "Engage Conflict Well"
About the Program
Conflict is an essential aspect of all relationships, including personal, group, and organizational relationships. Conflict is necessary for generating healthy change and for overcoming injustice. Rev. Summerville will discuss the typical dynamics of conflict and the mediation process. Additionally, the experience of conflict and the wisdom that can be gained and applied to our current lives will be explored.

Mar 1, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speakers: Robin Goldberg, Director of
Volunteers
11 am Program
Name of Speakers: Robin Goldberg, Director of
Volunteers

Sarah Ohiorhenuan, Outpatient
Physical Therapy Department
Affiliation: Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Title of Talk: Volunteer and Auxiliary Programs
About the Program
Robin Goldberg will discuss how volunteers can enhance patient experience and present information about becoming a Burke volunteer. Sarah Ohiorhenuan, who is the primary Physical Therapist overseeing the Burke Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Program, will discuss fall prevention, fall risks, and options post-fall (including how to get a referral to outpatient therapy).
Physical Therapy Department
Affiliation: Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Title of Talk: Volunteer and Auxiliary Programs
About the Program
Robin Goldberg will discuss how volunteers can enhance patient experience and present information about becoming a Burke volunteer. Sarah Ohiorhenuan, who is the primary Physical Therapist overseeing the Burke Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Program, will discuss fall prevention, fall risks, and options post-fall (including how to get a referral to outpatient therapy).
March 2022

Feb 22, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Penny Liberatos, Ph.D.
Affiliation: New York Medical College
School of Health Sciences & Practice
Title of Talk: Growing Skepticism about Vaccination and Public
Health: "How Did We Get Here?"
About the Program
Despite the fact that public health has had many successes in the past and saved countless lives through vaccinations, public health has recently been thrust into the spotlight and put on the defensive through a movement of opposition. This opposition has become so concerning that the World Health Organization now considers vaccine hesitancy as one of the ten leading threats to global health. How did this happen?
This talk will focus on how resistance to childhood vaccinations (for diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough) and other public health measures has grown, especially recently with the COVID vaccines, and how this resistance may potentially have serious impacts on all of us. Specifically, we will review the history of vaccines and hesitancy, the reasons for vaccine hesitancy, the challenges of effective public health messaging and the role that state governments may play.
Brief Bio
Dr. Penny Liberatos is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Community Health at New York Medical College, School of Health Sciences & Practice. Her academic training and research bridge the fields of social science and public health. Prior to entering academia, she was a public health practitioner working on many projects in the area of maternal and child health with the New York City Department of Health and other non-profits in New York City.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Penny Liberatos, Ph.D.
Affiliation: New York Medical College
School of Health Sciences & Practice
Title of Talk: Growing Skepticism about Vaccination and Public
Health: "How Did We Get Here?"
About the Program
Despite the fact that public health has had many successes in the past and saved countless lives through vaccinations, public health has recently been thrust into the spotlight and put on the defensive through a movement of opposition. This opposition has become so concerning that the World Health Organization now considers vaccine hesitancy as one of the ten leading threats to global health. How did this happen?
This talk will focus on how resistance to childhood vaccinations (for diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough) and other public health measures has grown, especially recently with the COVID vaccines, and how this resistance may potentially have serious impacts on all of us. Specifically, we will review the history of vaccines and hesitancy, the reasons for vaccine hesitancy, the challenges of effective public health messaging and the role that state governments may play.
Brief Bio
Dr. Penny Liberatos is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Community Health at New York Medical College, School of Health Sciences & Practice. Her academic training and research bridge the fields of social science and public health. Prior to entering academia, she was a public health practitioner working on many projects in the area of maternal and child health with the New York City Department of Health and other non-profits in New York City.

Feb 8, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Barbara Davis
Affiliation: Co-Director of the Westchester County
Historical Society
Title of Talk: "Norman Rockwell's Westchester
About The Program
The images of America’s most popular illustrator, Norman Rockwell, have been reproduced more than any other artist. His perfectly detailed portrayals of Americana illustrated 322 Saturday Evening Post covers, 49 Boy Scout calendars, and dozens of other periodicals, children’s books and advertisements. He was the master illustrator of life in America. For the first 25 years of his formidable career, his America was New Rochelle, where he lived and worked. In an illustrated digital presentation, Barbara Davis will discuss the great illustrator’s early years in Mamaroneck, and the two and half decades he spent in New Rochelle.
Feb 1, 2022
11 am Program Name of Speaker: Paul Lakis Affiliation: EB Computing Title of Talk: "Introduction to the Digital Age" About the Program An overview of the types of problems older people tend to have with common digital tools including I-phones, laptops, computer software, the internet tools, etc. will be presented by this expert computer consultant. He will also answer both specific and general questions from the audience about issues they have in coping with moving from analogue tools and procedures to those required by the digital age |
February 2022
Jan 25, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Krishna Brodigan
Affilation: Outreach Services, Westchester Library System
Title of Talk: "Reading and Learning Activities for Older Adults"
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Krishna Brodigan
Affilation: Outreach Services, Westchester Library System
Title of Talk: "Reading and Learning Activities for Older Adults"

Jan 18, 2022
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Michael Holstein
Title of Talk: "Photography as Art"
About the Program
Photography is more than just pressing a button. This presentation deals with the aesthetics of photography and presents practical techniques for enhancing photographic images to produce a more artistic outcome.
11 am Program
Name of Speaker: Michael Holstein
Title of Talk: "Photography as Art"
About the Program
Photography is more than just pressing a button. This presentation deals with the aesthetics of photography and presents practical techniques for enhancing photographic images to produce a more artistic outcome.
Jan 11, 2022
January 2022