5:30 PM |
Your Best Shot: Understanding Adult Vaccines |
Vaccines have dramatically reduced the burden of infectious diseases and continue to play a vital role in protecting health, especially as we age. This lecture explains how vaccines work, reviews their history and impact, and discusses current recommendations for influenza, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcal disease, and others. Common questions and misconceptions will also be addressed to help participants make informed decisions about vaccination.
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Shauna Zorich |
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6:00 PM |
Dark History: The Statler Hotel |
This class is a lecture on the creation of the Statler Hotel at 107 Delaware Avenue. To understand the hotel, you have to understand the man and the family curse. This topic has many dark undertones such as homicide, suicide, and strange deaths.
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Emily Jarnot |
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6:00 PM |
Why are so many things named Ellicott in WNY? Come meet the man in person. |
The name Ellicott is found in buildings, creeks, squares, towns and roads all over WNY. 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of Ellicott's death. This presentation will bring Ellicott back to life in a first person, costumed portrayal set in 1824 as he relates the details of his life and impact on our area including bringing the Erie Canal to WNY. History will be brought to life in this living depiction of one of WNY's founding fathers.
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Dennis Upton |
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10:00 AM |
Energy Savings Made Simple: Erie County's One-Stop Guide |
This class introduces seniors of all income levels to programs that can meaningfully reduce household energy costs. An Energy Affordability Specialist will explain federal, state, and local programs including HEAP, EAP, EEAP, ECLIPSE, and EmPower+. These programs can collectively provide hundreds to thousands of dollars in heating assistance, electric bill discounts, and home energy-efficiency improvements at little or no cost. After the class, attend an Erie County Energy Affordability Outreach event for personalized assistance completing and submitting applications for multiple programs in one visit. Check your senior center or local library schedule for an upcoming Energy Affordability Outreach event.
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Sarah Sanford, Senior Energy Development Specialist-ECLIPSE Coordinator & Adam Kowalyk, Aging & Disability Resource Representative
Erie County | Department For the Aging |
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10:00 AM |
Let's talk sports |
Join two long-time friends and veteran sports reporters from Western New York, Budd Bailey & Stu Boyar, as they answer all your questions about local sports - past and present. No subject is off-limits, and Budd and Stu have many stories to tell about their careers in journalism. Since there is no set lecture, every program is different. You're guaranteed to be learning & laughing during this session.
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Budd Bailey and Stu Boyar |
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12:00 PM |
Secrets of Voodoo, Revealed! |
Haitians today live in a violent, gang-ruled society. They find some comfort in their national religion, Vodou. This complex religious system has been widely misunderstood and sensationalized, largely due to false popular beliefs created about it during its suppression under the terrible century-long Code Noir of King Louis XIV, issued in 1685. In fact, Vodou is the premiere Afro-Caribbean religious system, offering comfort and protection to believers, which likely began among the African slaves transported to Hispaniola as early as 1505. It developed as a blending of various African beliefs with French Catholic and indigenous Taino beliefs. The port of New Orleans had been closed by its own code noir; the need for labor generated by the Louisiana Purchase of 1804 re-opened the port to the importation of slaves, and Vodou morphed into "Voodoo." This is the story of Haitian Vodou, and its role in that nation's exemplary and tragic history.
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Phil Stevens, Ph.D. |
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1:00 PM |
Bell Aircraft's Rosie the Riveter |
Step back to 1943 and imagine yourself reporting for your first shift at Bell Aircraft - overalls on, rivet gun in hand. During WW2 thousands of women took on rolls once reserved for men, drilling, riveting, and inspecting aircraft that would take flight overseas. In this session we'll explore their groundbreaking contributions through photos, stories, and even a hands-on look at the tools they used so that you can feel the weight of their work. Beyond the factory floor, we'll also consider what it meant for women to step into this world of heavy industry, and the lasting legacy they left behind when peace returned.
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David Faix |
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1:00 PM |
Everyday Money Basics for a More Secure Future |
This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to help you feel more confident and in control of your finances. Using clear language and real-life examples, we'll walk through the essentials of managing your money in retirement. You'll learn how to understand your monthly cash flow with a simple budgeting approach, explore practical strategies to help your money last, and gain a basic understanding of investing and protecting your savings. Whether you're newly retired or simply looking to strengthen your financial habits, this session offers straightforward guidance to support your financial well-being.
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Paul Hutchings |
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1:00 PM |
Winter Weather Hazards across Western New York |
Discover the basics of winter storm development, including lake effect snow, nor'easters, and snow squalls, and the preparedness actions you should take when faced with harsh winter weather conditions.
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Matthew Brothers |
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2:00 PM |
Keys for Vitality |
Whole fresh food, connecting to nature, sunshine, water, thoughts, daily energy cleansing. Diving into each of these topics with why they're important for our vitality. Also touching upon the importance of understanding we are spiritual & soulful beings, and their roles in our healing.
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Sherry Lyn Hartel |
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10:00 AM |
Intro to AI |
The White House is aLearn how artificial intelligence is shaping the world and how it influences everyday life - from voice assistants to personalized recommendations. This class introduces key AI concepts in simple, practical terms to help you feel confident using and understanding this evolving technology. (2 hour class)n enduring symbol of the United States. For more than 225 years, it has served U.S. presidents as a home, office, and stage. Learn about the history and roles of the White House and explore how the building has changed over time.
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Jacqueline Hovey |
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12:45 PM |
Western New York Amusement Parks |
Have you ever wondered what to do with different items that no longer work or you can't use anymore. What can be recycled and what can't. We will answer all your questions about the weirdest types of waste you can think of.
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Rose Ann Hirsch |
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1:00 PM |
Telehealth/Healthcare Portal Workshop |
Staying safe online is not as hard as you might think - This workshop includes understanding what a Patient Portal is, how to set one up and keep it secure, and how to use it to help manage your health. Learn how to make or modify appointments through the portal, understand how to access a virtual appointment, learn how to ask questions of your healthcare provider, and learn how to troubleshoot common problems. (2 hour class)
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Hex Kleinmartin |
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6:00 PM |
Rock N Roll Buffalo |
A review of the musicians, bands, DJ's, clubs, concert halls and personalities that brought rock music to WNY by the founder of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
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Rick Falkowski |
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6:00 PM |
Strange and Unusual Stories I Tell My Friends |
Join Tim Shaw for a Halloween-season evening of strange tales, unexplained encounters, unusual history, and wonderfully weird stories drawn from his life and work-and from his forthcoming book, Strange and Unusual Stories I Tell My Friends. As a paranormal investigator, author, filmmaker, and collector of the unusual, Tim brings a lifetime of curiosity and storytelling to an entertaining program that may leave you intrigued, amused, and just a little unsettled.
Attendees are encouraged to join the Halloween fun by wearing a costume. A costume contest will be held during the program, with prizes awarded for first, second, and third place.
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Tim Shaw |
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10:00 AM |
A Night Out on the Town |
This talk revives the exciting history of the entertainment community in Buffalo. Are you a movie buff? We will talk about the variety of theatres that would have shown everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Cary Grant to the original Star Wars. Is music more your speed? We will help you imagine where you would have sat to listen to the likes of Sinatra, Elvis, the Stones, and the Goo Goo Dolls. From vaudeville to live stage productions, Buffalo has been home to wondrous theatres and other venues which are no longer physically with us but, through this talk, can once again be part of our collective memory.
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Christine Campbell |
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11:45 AM |
Therapy, Service, and Support Dogs: The Range of Man's Best Friend |
Many wonder what the difference is between a therapy, support, or service animal; some think they're all the same.This class discusses the differences between the three areas, what training and requirements look like, and the benefits of animal companionship. Disclaimer: presentation may contain dogs.
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Kae Savar |
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12:30 PM |
Graycliff: Then & Now...100 Years in the Making |
Experienced Docents will take you on a journey through time with the Martin Family, the Piarist Fathers, and the Graycliff Conservancy. The focus of this program will be on revision, restoration, and preservation accomplishments throughout the buildings and grounds over the past 100 years.
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Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff |
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1:00 PM |
Banana Bread and Budget Building |
Join the Center for Elder Law and Justice for a tasty treat while we explore practical strategies for creating, adjusting, and maintaining a budget on a fixed income. We'll also discuss ways to save money, stretch your resources, and protect yourself when using person-to-person cash transfer apps. Participants will learn about the free services offered by the Center for Elder Law & Justice and leave with a budget template, helpful resources, and connections to community services that can support their financial well-being.
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Renee Pratt |
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1:00 PM |
Dying: Embracing the Last Frontier |
Birth and death used to occur in our homes. It was intimate, but all too familiar. Today, much of the dying process is considered part of health care, and less personal. Most of us will have days, weeks or months to manage the end of our life. We can do things the way we want them done. This seminar will provide a practical guide to death's patterns and expectations, though it won't stop our yearning for visiting hours in heaven. Dr. Cyrenius Chapin (1769-1838) purchased the first lot sold in downtown Buffalo (then New Amsterdam) in 1803. His home was the sixteenth frame house in the village, and he was Buffalo's first doctor. During the war of 1812 he led a New York Militia in a desperate effort to prevent the British army from burning Buffalo. After the war, he helped found the area's first almshouse, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, County Medical Society, and the Erie County Agricultural Society. Forever certain in his belief that Canada wanted to join with the United States, he fought hard, drank hard, told bawdy tales, and rode his horse forty miles a day to care for his WNY neighbors.
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Thomas Rosenthal MD |
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1:30 PM |
Secrets of Voodoo, Revealed! |
Haitians today live in a violent, gang-ruled society. They find some comfort in their national religion, Vodou. This complex religious system has been widely misunderstood and sensationalized, largely due to false popular beliefs created about it during its suppression under the terrible century-long Code Noir of King Louis XIV, issued in 1685. In fact, Vodou is the premiere Afro-Caribbean religious system, offering comfort and protection to believers, which likely began among the African slaves transported to Hispaniola as early as 1505. It developed as a blending of various African beliefs with French Catholic and indigenous Taino beliefs. The port of New Orleans had been closed by its own code noir; the need for labor generated by the Louisiana Purchase of 1804 re-opened the port to the importation of slaves, and Vodou morphed into "Voodoo." This is the story of Haitian Vodou, and its role in that nation's exemplary and tragic history.
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Phil Stevens, Ph.D. |
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10:00 AM |
Recipe Makeover |
Do you want to enjoy the foods you love, but believe eating healthier means boring or yucky? If so, this class is for you! Tell the instructor your favorite dish and she will tell you what to do to keep the taste, but with less carbs and fat. Learn great substitutes and how to eat within the macronutrient limits you need so you can enjoy your meals and still be lean, strong, and healthy.
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Jennifer Stanek |
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12:00 PM |
Stay Safe: Protect Yourself from Identity Theft |
Every day, Americans are losing millions of dollars to scammers. Older adults are particularly targeted, and the effects of scams can be catastrophic, both financially and emotionally. Technology is making it easier for scammers to target more people and it makes their schemes harder to detect. But there are things we can do to stay safe. This course will focus on identity theft, but techniques covered can be used against any type of scam. It will examine how scammers select their targets, the techniques they use to manipulate us, and what we can do to protect ourselves. The interactive format allows participants to practice protective behaviors and begin to develop habits that will keep them safe from scams. Participants will also have access to supplemental online resources to continue to refine their scam-safety skills.
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Cynthia Stewart, PhD |
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1:00 PM |
17 Deadly Days: How Gerald Ford Cheated Death Twice |
California, 1975. 17 days apart. Two women. Each with a gun. Both tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford. One was a disgruntled housewife who only recently passed away. The other was a follower of Charles Manson. This is the fascinating story of Ford's brief presidency, the fallout from the attempted assassinations, and how the president got lucky - twice.
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Jeff Schober |
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2:30 PM |
A Review of Iconic Horror Stories |
From a horror author's perspective, this class will review both written and cinematic horror stories. We will read scenes from books and watch clips of movies analyzing what makes them so scary! This is the perfect class to set the atmosphere for Halloween!
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Jennifer Stanek |
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