Virtual Classes

This class talks about the canal's role in Buffalo's early
growth and its economic impact.

Return to those chaotic days when music and new fashions
ruled as the threat of the Vietnam War was beginning.

Learn how to secure your family's financial future with this
focused class on investing for the next generation. We'll
explore practical strategies for your current investment
portfolios while also looking at building new investment
accounts tailored for children and grandchildren, including
custodial accounts, 529 college savings plans, trusts, and
gifting techniques. Discover how to leverage tax advantages,
set clear financial goals, and instill smart money habits in
young beneficiaries.

We'll learn how to be aware of our surroundings and
techniques to help protect ourselves. Our instructor Sister
Judith achieved her black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 60!

When the US Mail took weeks, even months to reach
California from the east, the Pony Express filled that period
in record time. Travel with the Pony Express and its riders
and experience the dangers of the isolated Western United
States.

Freedom is a broad concept that expresses through art,
imagination, examples, and moments in history. This
presentation selects visual images done by famous and
unknown artists to portray Freedom. Beyond the expected
'Statue of Liberty' origin, what other images come to mind
when you think of 'freedom'? This colorful and exciting
collection of slides even includes some art activities to inspire
your own journey.

A look at how 10 films changed the way movies were made.

Witches, black cats, goblins and bats all contribute to this
most enjoyable of holidays. But where did it begin?? ...this
trick or treat, and Jack o Lantern? We will look back to the
beginning of Halloween and its traditions which continue to
influence our society.

Using art, videos, and music, we will take a trip BACK 100
years to the amazing decade of innovation: highs of motorized
travel and flight and lows of economic crash in this lively piece
of American history. While big topics like 'sound' movies and
Prohibition occurred, everyday life was also affected. New
inventions on farms and cities are still 'basics' today! *This
popular topic is a 'must' for any site which did not book it five
years ago! Kick up your heels!

Why is the story of a ship tragedy on Lake Erie known to every
German school child? From weather to history to heroics, join
Erie County historian, Doug Kohler, for a look at the impact of
the Great Lakes on WNY.

This overview of Van Gogh's life and many of his works,
from drawings to the famous 'splashy' expressionist style,
goes even deeper. It's an exploration of his difficulties being
accepted during his lifetime, while so revered posthumously.

Tired of being tired? This session demystifies how stress,
poor sleep, and inflammation sabotage your mood,
metabolism, and memory. Learn about evidence-based tools
like Alpha-Stim cranial therapy and red-light treatments that
improve brain and body function - naturally.

Why is the story of a ship tragedy on Lake Erie known to every
German school child? From weather to history to heroics, join
Erie County historian, Doug Kohler, for a look at the impact of
the Great Lakes on WNY.

Learn how to protect your identity and why it's important to
review your credit report regularly.

What Good Are Insects? Join us to find out!

When Mark Twain lived and worked in Buffalo from 1869 to
1871, he hung out mostly in the downtown and waterfront
area, the Delaware district, and the Niagara Falls region.
This illustrated presentation describes places and people
that Twain knew well during his time in Western New York.
Several entertaining anecdotes will be shared from the
instructor's new book, The Illustrated Mark Twain and the
Buffalo Express.

Riley Street in Buffalo and Fort Riley in Kansas are named
for him. A major political party offered him (but he turned
down) their nomination for President of the United States in
1852. He achieved national fame during his 40-year military
career, which included several years as commanding officer
of the Buffalo Barracks, now the site of the Theodore
Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Yet today, few remember General
Bennet Riley. Learn more about his life and career during a
multi-media presentation by Thomas Schobert, author of
Hush the Cannon's Roar - The Life & Times of Bennet
Riley: Defender of Buffalo.

Story of early female detective writers. We also pay homage to the
goddess of mystery Agatha Christie.

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. Since
there is no set lecture, every program is different. You're
guaranteed to be learning & laughing during this session. .
(Budd's newly released book "One Bills Drive - The Buffalo
Bills' Greatest Home Games, 1973-2025," will be
available at these classes. The book has a summary of
the top 50 games played in the Orchard Park stadium.)

The 20th century highlighted several unique artists. This
presentation presented four, but is now expanded to more,
including architect John Brent who designed the Buffalo Zoo.
All are part of our rich American Arts heritage - we'll see the
context of influence such as Cubism, Harlem Jazz, and social
issues that impacted lives and expression of all Americans.
Romare Bearden said, "You should always respect what you
are and your culture, because if your art is going to mean
anything, that is where it comes from!".

Witches, black cats, goblins and bats all contribute to this
most enjoyable of holidays. But where did it begin?? ...this
trick or treat, and Jack o Lantern? We will look back to the
beginning of Halloween and its traditions which continue to
influence our society.

Groceries delivered to your door? Yes, please! Learn how
to shop for fresh food and household items online with
Instacart, saving time and hassle.

Presidents have an unusual place in American history and
life. How did seven of them spend their post-presidency? To
what extent did they use their previous power to influence
the next chapters of their lives and what can we learn from
them?

Taste delicious vegetarian recipes and explore the benefits of
incorporating vegetarian cooking into your eating routine.

As part of District Attorney Mike Keane's ongoing effort
to protect and educate Erie County residents, lawyers
will discuss the role of the District Attorney's Office in the
investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime. The
Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau handles cases
involving embezzlements, fraud, identity theft, tax evasion,
and other white-collar crimes. Financial exploitation is the
most frequent form of elder abuse reported to the Erie
County DA's Office. Prosecutors will share information on the
latest scam trends, warning signs of abuse, tips on protecting
your personal information, and how to report suspected
crimes to law enforcement.

Rachelle became fascinated with presidential history, and specifically the Fillmore family history, when the Fillmore Museum opened in 1979, quickly becoming a docent there and later his biographer. This year her double biography of "The Two Wives of Millard Fillmore" was published. As social studies instructional leader for the OP elementary schools, she wrote curriculum for both local and statewide distribution, as well as five books on local history with her history club. She is also a fiber artist, avid gardener, traveler and frequent Chautauqua presenter.

Join us for a lively discussion about rechargeable batteries
and how to safely charge, use, and dispose of them.

This overview of Van Gogh's life and many of his works,
from drawings to the famous 'splashy' expressionist style,
goes even deeper. It's an exploration of his difficulties being
accepted during his lifetime, while so revered posthumously.

Learn how to identify scams and the red flags to watch for.

Curious about how your electric bill works - and how to reduce
it? We'll break down how to read and understand your electric
utility bill, your rights as a residential electric customer, community
solar and how it can help you save money ( - without installing
panels on your home!) and the Erie County ECLIPSE Program
which helps residents reduce electricity costs. Please bring a recent
electric bill with you! We'll use it as a hands-on example so you
can leave feeling informed and confident.

Learn about the BFAA, its history, and its influence on
Buffalo and beyond, including the Monuments Men's
efforts to recover Nazi-looted art during WWII.

This class focuses on the women behind Presidents Fillmore
and Cleveland and the important roles they played in
American history.

Explore the return of feature-length storytelling and Walt
Disney's influence on TV and theme parks.

Gain insight into living with a positive attitude after
challenging and life changing events.

This talk will discuss the prospects for peace, if any, in the
ongoing conflict from February 2022 until today.

Why is the story of a ship tragedy on Lake Erie known to every
German school child? From weather to history to heroics, join
Erie County historian, Doug Kohler, for a look at the impact of
the Great Lakes on WNY.

The Civil War produced an appalling loss of life. The three
Union surgeons presented here helped stem this tragedy. The
advances they made saved many lives and echo down to our
modern medical practices.

Learn tricks to encourage wildlife into your backyard! Do's
and don'ts, best species to attract, and why they matter.

Graycliff is a story about a wealthy businessman's ambition
of building a breezy summer retreat for his family, a woman's
steadfast influence, and an architect on the downward slope of
his career. This fascinating story is one you won't want to miss!

Learn 4 key behaviors to lock down your online accounts and
keep your data safe.

Join us for our November UE The Book Club meeting!
Our discussion will be on the book "Nobody Will Tell
You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story," by Bess
Kalb. Join us this one time, or come to join our Book
Club, which meets monthly. All are welcome! Book
Summary: Nobody Will Tell You This But Me showcases
the close relationship between a grandmother and her
granddaughter. Bess recounts her family history through
the unique perspective of her hilariously blunt grandma.
This memoir packs all the feels.

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. Since
there is no set lecture, every program is different. You're
guaranteed to be learning & laughing during this session. .
(Budd's newly released book "One Bills Drive - The Buffalo
Bills' Greatest Home Games, 1973-2025," will be
available at these classes. The book has a summary of
the top 50 games played in the Orchard Park stadium.)

A look at how 10 films changed the way movies were made.

This class is intended to discuss common issues seniors may
face regarding their medications. Topics will include tips for
medication adherence, minimizing common side effects,
and general medication issues.

Turn your TV into a smart entertainment hub! Get to know
the basics of streaming, apps, and connecting your smart TV
to the internet easily.

Many people have heard the term "dry dock" but many of
those same individuals may not have a full understanding
of what it is. In this presentation, Shane will review the
process of what it means to dry dock a ship. Included will
be the many steps involved, the kind of work that may be
done, and how the ship will be saved for many years with
this work.

Meet the invisible yet powerful cloud that lets you store
photos, documents, and more securely online. Learn how
the cloud works and how to use it to keep your digital life
organized and safe.

Harness the power of artificial intelligence for genealogy
research using FamilySearch Full-Text Search.

Learn about the rapid evolution of AI and its impact. Discuss
exciting developments and potential pitfalls in AI and how it's
shaping our future.

The Reach Out to 911 program educates the public on when
and how to call 9-1-1. Instructors present proper emergency
response protocols, enhancing community preparedness
and reducing anxiety associated with emergency calls. It also
guides people on when to call 911 versus using other services
like 211 (for basic needs), 988 (for people experiencing
thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis) or 1-800-222-
1222 (for the Upstate New York Poison Center), helping to
prevent misuse of 9-1-1 in non-emergency situations. This
is a groundbreaking program inspired by interactions with
the public. Erie County schools, businesses, and community
groups are encouraged to engage with this training program.
By participating, you contribute to a safer and more prepared
community, ready to act effectively in emergencies.

Your library card just got smarter! Discover how to download
ebooks, audiobooks, and more from your local library
straight to your device - no need to leave home.

Learn to grow native plants and vegetables through winter
sowing using recycled milk jugs.

Of the four canonical Gospels, only Matthew writes about
the marvelous Star which guided three Median astrologers
over more than 1000 miles to that stable in Bethlehem. Only
they, the "Magi," see it. Herod doesn't see it. The writings of
the great Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, produced
only a few decades after Jesus, contain no mention of it.
Many modern writers have spent a lot of time and energy
offering speculation. But all interpretations have ignored
what the Magi meant to 1st-century Jews. This talk offers a
new explanation for the Star.