Virtual Classes

Thinking about writing historical fiction-or just love reading it? This class explores how a nonfiction writer transformed her fascination with a 1900 Buffalo apartment building into FRED: Buffalo Building of Dreams after nine years of research with her team, "Fred's Friends."

You'll also discover FRED II, set in the late 1930s and '40s, where the building comes alive through tenants' stories shaped by the Great Depression and World War II-and see how research and imagination can turn a place into a character.

Get ready to step into the ring for Roosevelt Rumble: FDR vs. TR! Join us for a lively and thought-provoking showdown between two of America's most influential presidents as we celebrate the start of the Spring 2026 University Express semester! In this spirited debate, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz faces off against City of Buffalo Historian Lindsey Lauren Visser, each making the case for their favorite Roosevelt. Poloncarz champions Franklin D. Roosevelt for his transformative leadership through the New Deal and World War II. Visser steps into the corner for Theodore Roosevelt, highlighting his daring reforms, dynamic presidency, and larger-than-life personality. Blending humor, history, and friendly competition, this program promises insight, laughter, and maybe even a new presidential favorite. Come ready to learn, cheer, and decide which Roosevelt reigns supreme!

Get ready to step into the ring for Roosevelt Rumble: FDR vs. TR! Join us for a lively and thought-provoking showdown between two of America's most influential presidents as we celebrate the start of the Spring 2026 University Express semester! In this spirited debate, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz faces off against City of Buffalo Historian Lindsey Lauren Visser, each making the case for their favorite Roosevelt. Poloncarz champions Franklin D. Roosevelt for his transformative leadership through the New Deal and World War II. Visser steps into the corner for Theodore Roosevelt, highlighting his daring reforms, dynamic presidency, and larger-than-life personality. Blending humor, history, and friendly competition, this program promises insight, laughter, and maybe even a new presidential favorite. Come ready to learn, cheer, and decide which Roosevelt reigns supreme!

Learn about how crystals can be used to enhance your own healing journey! Learn about the most common crystals used in energy healing (reiki), what they represent, and how you can use them daily! Free Crystals to all who attend!

Stay safe while staying social! This class covers the essentials of protecting your privacy, recognizing scams, and using Facebook confidently and securely.

Energy is fundamental to everything we experience. It's why our bodies need food, what we must expend to lose weight, what we feel when we walk into a room, what we sense when no one says a word. Energy is the essence of our being. We will explore the questions: What is energy? Can we see energy? How do I know if I'm seeing energy?

This presentation will focus on the importance of Estate Planning for purposes of avoiding probate and to protect assets from future long-term care costs, such as nursing homes, and to assist with qualifying for Medicaid.

Exclusive, narrowly-focused social groups with aberrant social and/or theological ideologies are surprisingly common throughout American history. Some are psychologically damaging, a very few are violent (and many of the worst are imaginary!), but most are benign. All require sacrifice of some things of personal value, like family relationships and material wealth. Why do people join such organizations? Describing some representative groups from different historical periods, this talk provides some answers to that question.

Step back into Buffalo's golden age of nightlife with historian and author Susan Fenster as she shares the story of Harry Altman, the showman who brought world-class entertainment to Western New York. As operator of the Town Casino in downtown Buffalo and the Glen Casino in Williamsville, Altman reshaped Western New York's cultural landscape, presenting vaudeville favorites alongside chart-topping performers such as Sammy Davis Jr. and elevating the region into a premier entertainment destination.
Drawing from her new book, "Harry Altman: Buffalo's Master Showman, Fenster will explore Altman's rise as an impresario, the glitz and glamour of his venues, and the challenges that came with keeping Buffalo in the national spotlight. The presentation blends history, show business, and local memory to illuminate one of Buffalo's most colorful figures and the legacy he left behind.

Accomplished artist Jozef S_awinski came from Poland to Buffalo in the 1960s and made the Niagara Frontier his home until his death in 1983. In those two decades S_awin ski created artwork both reflecting and helping to inspire the civic, historical, architectural, religious, natural, and cultural heritage of the WNY community. In this talk we will consider both S_awinski's artistic vision as well as his versatility and skill in using varied materials and labor-intensive processes, such as hammered copper portraits or layered cement murals known as sgraffito which was his favorite medium. Although S_awin ski's work is found elsewhere, his richest body of work is in the Buffalo Niagara region. Join us for a virtual tour of his art, so that his work - as the artist hoped - would be "open for everyone's enjoyment" and "create a lasting tribute to the idea of peace."

Our mission is simple: we read books that move us, challenge our thinking and spark great conversations. The UE Book Club is for anyone who loves reading, talking about books or just wants to read more. Join us to share your thoughts or simply listen and learn from others. Along the way, you’ll discover new perspectives, make friends, and reconnect with the joy of reading.

May’s Book: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
May’s Moderator: Katie Earl, Erie County DFA Project Administrator - Recreation and Wellness
Monday, May 18 2:00 PM
Location: The Amherst Senior Center

June’s Book: Accidental Gangster by Harriet Grayson
June’s Moderator: Harriet Grayson, Author
Friday, June 5 10:30 AM
Location: The Town of Tonawanda Senior Center

From Wilkeson to the Thruway, the Erie Canal has had an indelible influence on Western New York. Let's celebrate the 200th anniversary of its opening with lots of visuals and a song or two!

The historic Battle of the Alamo that took place in Texas in 1836 has inspired generations of Americans. It is a story of courage and selfless dedication in the face of overwhelming odds. Did you know that a Western New York man was one of the key participants at the Alamo? John Hubbard Forsyth from Avon NY stood shoulder to shoulder with legendary figures like David Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis. Haunted by personal tragedy that transformed him, Forsyth's path led him toward an extraordinary legacy as one of the immortal defenders of the Alamo. You will hear his life story and see the battle of the Alamo through his eyes during a multi-media presentation by Thomas Schobert, author of "From Avon to the Alamo - The Saga of Captain John Hubbard Forsyth"

Learning about the history of Tarot and Oracle cards and how they can be used to enhance intuition! Please feel free to bring your own cards (even a normal deck of cards will work!) - limited decks will be available for purchase on site.

Let's examine the men who served as president before and after the Turn of the Century, including Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, with visits to presidential homes, not for the political details, but for human interest stories and surprising observations. This will include an extensive book and media list.

Based on family history, this class looks at how organized crime got its start during Prohibition. Meet the gangsters of the day through the teacher's grandfather. He was a fisherman and gangster Dutch Schultz wanted his boats to get the Canadian booze to the US. Goldy is the accidental gangster but in 1920 he starts a relationship with Schultz that lasts for 13 years. This gets him access to the most important figures of the times including law enforcement.

Most superstitions are examples of basic patterns of thinking, which postulate mystical interconnections and causations in nature. In this talk such patterns of thinking are explored, shown to be based in six distinct principles, and explained with reference to a number of different superstitions collected by Dr. Stevens - and provided by the audience (bring along your favorites!). Such principles are universal, found in all cultures and periods of history and prehistory, which suggests that they represent fundamental ways the brain works.

This class will outline various issues seniors may face regarding common medications and disease states. We will discuss medication adherence, tips for minimizing side effects, best practices for taking medications, and common drug interactions.

In 1801, the United States had only been a country for a quarter century and was trying to find its own identity. The European influence was still great, especially when it came to art. But the 19th century would bring about a new voice, as artists in a variety of media would begin to be noticed. Come along as we explore the start of the art culture in the United States, from the first colonial painters & architects, first art school to the Hudson River School and the American Romantics.

The Pan-American Exposition was intended to showcase Buffalo's prominence in 1901. Planners expected over 20 million visitors to come to the Pan-Am, but instead, the fair is largely remembered for the assassination of President McKinley. Join Erie County Historian Douglas Kohler for a look at Buffalo's world's fair as we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Pan-American Exposition.

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

In this class I teach awareness, prevention and simple moves to get away if someone grabs you.

Our mission is simple: we read books that move us, challenge our thinking and spark great conversations. The UE Book Club is for anyone who loves reading, talking about books or just wants to read more. Join us to share your thoughts or simply listen and learn from others. Along the way, you’ll discover new perspectives, make friends, and reconnect with the joy of reading.

May’s Book: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
May’s Moderator: Katie Earl, Erie County DFA Project Administrator - Recreation and Wellness
Monday, May 18 2:00 PM
Location: The Amherst Senior Center

June’s Book: Accidental Gangster by Harriet Grayson
June’s Moderator: Harriet Grayson, Author
Friday, June 5 10:30 AM
Location: The Town of Tonawanda Senior Center

Learn what lower back pain is, how to help prevent it, and which treatment options may offer relief.

The Pan-American Exposition was intended to showcase Buffalo's prominence in 1901. Planners expected over 20 million visitors to come to the Pan-Am, but instead, the fair is largely remembered for the assassination of President McKinley. Join Erie County Historian Douglas Kohler for a look at Buffalo's world's fair as we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Pan-American Exposition.

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. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or guardian, this class will equip you with the tools to create a lasting legacy and empower your loved ones for lifelong financial success

A hands on class illustrating techniques for writing a eulogy.

The Most Common Podiatric Conditions and How to Prevent Them

This class explores how military records can deepen your understanding of your family's place in the nation's history, even if your ancestor was not a soldier. Participants will learn to navigate military collections to uncover details about ancestors who served and the stories of the families connected to them.

This is an initiative that Preservation Buffalo Niagara has been working on for the past 2 years in response to the Buffalo Diocese Road to Renewal, which has closed countless churches in our area. Not only will we explain the process of how preservation tools can benefit these sites, but also how we have been helping congregations through this very difficult time.

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).

Let's talk about ways to ensure your identity is protected, how to avoid identity theft and why it is important to review your credit report on a regular basis. Have you reviewed your credit report recently? Should you freeze your credit?

Gardening is a wonderful hobby, but popular potting mixes have sustainability problems. Peat moss, vermiculite and perlite are finite. Finding renewable resources and sustainable practices can help those finite resources become more sustainable

A unique individual whose dedication to law and order in the volatile western territories in the nineteenth century commanded respect and dedication. This presentation will reveal a man of the law whose reputation is unblemished.

Running out of space on your smartphone can be frustrating, but it's usually an easy fix! In this class, we'll walk through how to check what's taking up space, delete unnecessary photos and apps, clear cache, and explore simple storage-saving tips.

Cindy took some watercolor lessons and found that watercolor is a fun and calming outlet for creativity. When asked if anyone wants to try art, they usually respond that they can't draw stick people. But you don't need to be a professional artist to try your hand at art. The classes Cindy has had in the past provided seniors with a sketch, direction and Watercolor supplies. Time to try something new. Cindy will give you a supply list so you can get your own supplies and continue to paint on your own. Paint the flowers in your garden, paint a beautiful landscape, paint from your vacation photos. You can be artistic, you just need to try.

This session will simplify this process by breaking down this significant life challenge into seven more manageable pieces. Decision making -how to know when it's time to go/what do I need to be concerned about/how do I organize my ideas? Personal property - donate/sell/give to family? Financial and legal - who to talk to/what to talk about? Timeline for moving - what is this and how does it work best? What about repairs and municipal requirements - can I sell "as is" or is it better to do some things? Areas of worry that frequently accompany real estate will be identified and simple solutions will be presented. Participants will walk away with tools to successfully handle all aspects of this potentially thorny real life problem.

This class dives into the chaos and wonder of the 1960's, one of the most monumental eras of our times. There are four major elements of the 1960's discussed in the class starting with the music explosion and the Beatles. The second element overshadowing everything was the Vietnam War. There were rallies for and against. It was also a time of political violence including the assassination of President Kennedy. During the 1960s the country also lived through the sometimes-bloody civil rights movement with its degree of violence. Enjoy the fun and heart ache of the Crazy 1960's.

Discussion of historic locations, buildings, homes and places in the WNY area. This talk will feature an overview of the 250 locations included in the book Historic Places of Buffalo & WNY, including photos and history of the properties discussed.

Format: Lecture + Simple Drawing Activity
Description:Participants embark on a visual journey through the architectural wonders of the Islamic world-from Moroccan mosques to Persian madrasas. The session highlights how geometric design expresses spirituality and balance.
Key Activities:
Visual slideshow of architectural gems
Pattern drawing on large, easy-to-see worksheet

The latest research indicates that on average, every American receives communication from scammers more than daily. Scammers are clever, new technology makes their schemes harder to detect, and we are all targets. In this course you will: Master the key concepts of grandparent scams, from foundational principles to advanced techniques.
Apply your knowledge through hands-on practical exercises designed to build real skills and practice those skills in a safe environment.
Evaluate your understanding with comprehensive assessments to solidify your learning.
Learn about free tools that can help you keep your scam-protection skills sharp and your level of vigilance high.

Get introduced to the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in this beginner-friendly class. We'll cover creating simple documents in Word, organizing information and basic formulas in Excel, and building easy presentations in PowerPoint.

Polish immigration to Buffalo began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The Poles came from a region divided among three empires in the 18th century. The Poland that we know of today did not exist until after WWI. Still, those who came were fierce in their tenacity to hold onto their cultural identity. One of the best examples of this is the Polish enclave that formed in the east side of Buffalo known as "Polonia". Drawn to migrate to Buffalo with the promise of Catholic parish communities, the first of which was St. Stan's, the Polish began coming in earnest in the 1870s.
The Polish culture is still going strong in Buffalo today. With the many festivals, foods, dance and singing, we can celebrate the Polish culture that has been preserved by the descendants of the original immigrants.

Hardly a day goes by that we are not bombarded by statistics. Clever advertisers and policy advocates use them to sell us something or get us to back a policy they are pushing. This course presents a number of examples and suggests ways to detect the inappropriate use of statistics.

Buffalo's Gilded Age: The Beauty, The People In the Mansions and What is their Present Use

This course covers basic info on Alzheimer's and dementia, stages, risk factors, research and FDA-approved treatments.

Walt Disney had dreams of creating a theme park that explored many of his own dreams and wishes. Learn of his inspirations, the construction and completion of the "Happiest Place on Earth", along with many of the inventions that changed the industry.

Just because a plant is for sale doesn't mean it should be planted in your garden. Let's take a look at some plants that you will regret ever planting!

This class offers a tour of the Statler, highlighting the hotel's significance in Buffalo's history, the details of how it was built, and the remarkable legacy of Ellsworth Statler, and the almost Kennedy_like mystery that surrounds the Statler family. This class covers some darker topics.

Health care today shields us from the processes of death once so familiar in the parlors of our forefathers. Chronic illness is our most common challenge, and it places new emotional demands on the end of life. Patients and families can be empowered to manage their own dying experience while respecting the dignity of personhood. This seminar will describe death's patterns and expectations, though it won't stop our yearning for visiting hours in heaven.

Hear the story of how the 4th largest steel plant in the country came to the shores of Lake Erie and explore the legacy of Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna.

On a warm, breezy summer day, that sweet aroma wafting over the city will tell you they're making Cheerios. But why here in Buffalo? And how did breakfast become a thing, what is the connection to health sanitariums? Hear the story of how Cheerios came to be made in Buffalo and how dry, ready to eat cereal right out of the box began in central New York, and even cereal's connection to Mar-a-Lago!

Thinking of a Hip Replacement? Learn what to expect before, during and after surgery.