Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List
   
HomeVillage Talks

Village Talks
Click the arrows below to view the talks that the Program & Events team has sponsored throughout the years for the enjoyment and education of the Greater Newburyport community.


Accordion Widget
2024 Village Talks
2024 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/


2/


3/    
4/    
5/          

6/      
7/      
8/      
9/      

10/      
11/
     

12/        


Accordion Widget
2023 Village Talks
2023 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/18
Afghanistan Culture  Susan Carnduff  Having lived and worked in the country for 2 and 1/2 years, Susan gives her perspective on Afghan culture, especially for women in urban and rural settings.
  
2/15
A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia Kelly McCarthy & Kathy Kodwyck of Avita The speakers discuss signs and symptoms of dementia and provide tips for supporting the caregiver and the loved one.

Kathy gives audience volunteers an opportunity to experience what it is like to have dementia through a segment entitled “Join My Journey.”
 

3/15 Alan Bull & His Art - A Retrospective and Look Forward Alan Bull
Bull presents a 30-year look-back of his work, with many scenes of Newburyport, some of which no longer exist. “What's going to be fun about this presentation,” says Bull, “is that it will show the transition of the work over time, the variety of subjects, the different media, the quality of the work, and how different pieces relate to each other.” He answered technical questions during his lecture.
 
4/19 Newburyport's Clock Towers Jack Santos Clock towers such as the one at City Hall are highlights of our local skyline.  Jack Santos will reveal each Newburyport clock's history and the role it played in keeping the community on time.
 
5/17 Elder Law Atty. Margo Birke Margo is a Newburyport attorney who has specialized in elder law for over 20 years. She will speak on wills vs. trusts, eligibility for mass health, and special needs trusts.
 

6/21 "My Year in Europe & Africa" Judy Tymon Judy looked back at her one-year journey, including getting a degree at Erasmus University, field work in Namibia, visits to world famous museums and an overview of Dutch transportation infrastructure.
 

7/19 Old Favorite Songs Charles Burnim Charles Burnim presents a concert of Old Favorites. Burnim is a solo vocalist whose repertoire ranges from the songs of Sinatra to those of John Denver and also includes Irish melodies, and show and movie tunes.
 
8/16 Travel in Chile Donna & Bill Franz The Franzes are Village members who recently journeyed south to visit their son in Chile. Through photographs and reminiscences they share their travels in this fascinating South American country.
 
9/20 Travels in India Ellen Golden Maine-based artist Ellen Golden recently visited India. Her illustrated talk focuses on the traditions and cultural practices she discovered.
 

10/18 Black History in Newburyport Ghlee Woodworth Local historian and popular speaker, Ghlee Woodworth, shares some of her recent research into the city’s historic Black community. Fascinating information presented about former slaves, business owners and others who contributed to the social and economic fabric of Newburyport.
  

11/15 Newburyport & the Civil War Bill Hallett Civil War re-enactor and historian, Bill Hallett, shares stories of the many roles Newburyporters played in this conflict. 

On the battlefield, on the home front, in the political arena, we learn about many of the war time personalities and events connected with Newburyport.
 

12/20 African Adventures Paula Wright Village member and world traveler, Paula Wright, shares her most recent trip to Africa. Paula went on safari and volunteered at a cheetah wildlife preserve, an “experience beyond compare.”


Accordion Widget
2022 Village Talks
2022 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/19
N/A N/A No Village Talk due to the virus.
 
2/16
N/A
N/A
No Village Talk due to the virus.
 
3/16 Lucy's Love Bus  Mike Wilson
Jackie Walker
 
Lucy's Love Bus helps children with cancer and their families. Learn about the charity from Jackie and how Mike raised funds by running across the country, from Santa Monica to the Newburyport boardwalk. 
 
4/20 Travels in Asia, Part II
 
Paula Wright Paula Wright shares her Asian Travelogue, including photos and commentary about Tibet, Thailand, and China. 
 
5/18 Maudslay State Park History Donna Sudak Donna Sudak, a Maudslay State Park interpreter, presents a talk on the history of Maudslay.
 
6/15 The "Opoidemic" Wane Pasanen, MD Dr. Pasanen speaks on the opiate use disorder that results in over 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S.  The talk focuses on the drugs and medications that cause this and the treatment programs currently in place.
 
7/20 No Village Talk due to Cancellation
 

 
8/17 Safety in the Home & Fall Protection
 
Kelly Crotty Occupational therapist Kelly Crotty talks about steps to take to avoid falls.
9/21 Sustaining the Monarch, One Yard at a Time Katie Banks Hone Katie Banks Hone lecture focuses on the biology and conservation of the monarch butterfly and reveals how to garden for monarchs and pollinators.
 
10/19 Newburyport, Then and Now Ghlee Woodworth Ghlee Woodworth presents old photos and fascinating historical tidbits about Newburyport.
 
11/16 Benin & Ghana: A Brief Look at History, Tradition & Culture
 
Ellen Golden Maine-based artist Ellen Golden shares images and experiences from a January 2022 trip to the West African countries of Benin and Ghana.
12/21 Merrill
Lewis, the “Moxie Man”
Merrill Lewis A narrated slide presentation on the history and mystique of New England’s distinctively different beverage and magic elixir known as
Moxie to learn how this beverage evolved from a 19th century herbal remedy to a
popular soft drink.


Accordion Widget
2021 Village Talks
2021 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/15



Boston's Molasses Flood

Lois Ascher

Boston's Molasses Flood: Municipal Planning in a Just SocietyA presentation and discussion of the flood and the cultural conditions that drove the catastrophe. 

2/17
Boston Bound Lois Ascher Boston Bound: Disrupting the Single Story - A discussion of the dangers of holding onto "a single story," of holding onto stereotypes we have learned since childhood. 
   
3/3
3/17
3/31
  Taking the Renaissance Apart   Lois Ascher   Part I: Sources of Modern Art
Part II: Demystifying Modern Art
Part III: The Feminine Vision
 
4/7   Beautiful Montana    Bill Gette   Enjoy Bill's travelog of Montana, along with his nature photos from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the Rocky Mountain Front, Freezeout Lake, and Glacier National Park.

4/21   Dickens & the Rise of the Novel   Bill Franz    Learn about Charles Dickens' life, his novels and their reception, literacy in nineteenth century England, and book publishing during Dickens' time.  Dickens and the Rise of the Novel
 
 5/5   Merrimack, Resilient River   Dyke Hendrickson   Beginning in central New Hampshire and flowing to the sea in Newburyport, MA, the Merrimack River continues to be an essential resource for the region.
 
6/16   Becoming A Successful Author After Age Sixty
 
  Edith Maxwell   Edith talks about her path toward publishing her twenty-four books currently in print. An Agatha award winner, her books include the Quaker Midwife Mysteries and the Local Foods Mysteries.
 
7/21   The Rise of the Novel: The Early Years   Bill Franz   Bill examines the lives and works of Charles Dickens' predecessors, including Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Frances Burney, and Ann  Radcliffe, who all contributed to the new literary form called the novel. The Rise of the Novel - The Early Years
 
8/18   Stay Healthy with Stamps   Henry Lukas
  Stamps can spread useful information; throughout the years thousands of stamps have celebrated medical accomplishments. Henry presents the history behind some of them. Stay Healthy with Stamps
 
9/15   C-10 Presentation   Natalie Hildt Treat   Concrete Degradation, Climate Resiliency, & the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station. C-10: Concrete Degradation, Climate Resiliency, & Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant
  
10/20   Food Insecurity   Jane Merrow   Jane Merrow, who represents the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry, talks about Food Insecurity in the Newburyport Area.
 
11/17   Theodore Roosevelt   Lee Thomas   An Afternoon with Theodore Roosevelt, as he was in 1919, as he muses on his eventful life.
 
12/15   Travels in Asia   Paula Wright   Part 1 of Travels in Asia includes photos and commentary on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bhutan.
 



Accordion Widget
2020 Village Talks
2020 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/15



Tanzania

Barbara Dowd,
Jane Tuohy,
Frances McLaughlin

Stories and photographs of adventures in Tanzania in support of Africa Asante Foundation (AAF), which assists young people in rural areas with educational and job opportunities. 

2/19
A Veteran's Walk Across America
   
William Shuttleworth Walking across America to heighten attention to veterans' needs, with a focus on veteran suicide, homelessness, and health care, the speaker also makes a plea for more veterans to run for office at all levels.
 
3/18 Canceled N/A Social activities canceled due to covid-19; the Village transitioned to online offerings.
  
4/15
Virtual Offering Documentary April's Virtual Village Talk: Newburyport: A Measure of Change
  
4/22
4/28
5/5
  
  3-part
course
  Lois
Ascher
  Public Space/Common Wealth 
The origins and importance of common space in a democracy.
  
 May   Video   Jean
Doyle
   
  Newburyport's French Canadian Community
  
5/13
Polar Opposites Paula
Wright
  
Polar Opposites: Antarctica & the Arctic
5/27
Nature Talk
 
Bill
Gette
Nature Near Home: Escape to the woodlands and open landscapes within ten miles of Newburyport.
 
6/24
  Southern
Africa
  Paula
Wright
  Journey across Southern Africa - Part I - Enjoy Paula's brilliant photos and lively tales of her excursions throughout southern Africa.
 
7/1
Boston's Molasses Flood
 
Lois
Ascher
Professor Ascher talks about Boston's Molasses Flood and municipal planning in a just society. 
7/15   Rebuild Shallop   Graham McKay   A boat builder, and the Director of Lowell's Boat Shop, talks about rebuilding a shallop for Plimouth Plantation.
 
7/29   Fungi   David
Moon
  Fungi - The Foundation of the Forest: David explains that the forest and other terrestrial ecosystems depend on fungi!
 
8/12
Southern Africa Paula
Wright

Journey across Southern Africa - Part lI - Enjoy the second part of Paula's excursions in southern Africa.
 
9/23
Deaf & Hearing Cultures Diana Mele Bridging the Gap: Deaf & Hearing Cultures
Diana explains how deaf and hearing cultures differ and how to respectfully bridge the gap.
 
10/7   Clipper Heritage Trail   Ghlee Woodworth   Newburyport Clipper Heritage Trail
Ghlee walks us through her newest book and highlights the mariners, shipbuilders, soldiers, artisans, philanthropists, and others who created the city.
 
10/21
Amesbury's
Industrial
Hiistory
John
Mayer
John explains that The Carriage Museum has expanded its focus to include the industrial history of Amesbury.
 
11/4
Crossing Bhutan Bill
Gette
Bill shares his wildlife adventures and photography from his three visits to this beautiful country.
 
11/18   The US Presidency   Lee
Thomas
  The United States Presidency: Where It's Come From & Where It's Headed; Lee explains how the Presidency has evolved.
 
12/2
History of the US Post Office Henry
Lukas
Henry, the Education Director at the Spellman Museum of Stamps, uses stamps to walk us through the History of the Post Office.


Accordion Widget
2019 Village Talks
2019 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/16



A Newbury-port Marine in World War I

Bethany Groff
Dorau

The life and legacy of Eben "Bunny" Bradbury, son of two historic Newburyport families. 

 
2/20



Exploring Alaska


Bill
Gette


A photographic adventure through the Seward Peninsula, Denali National Park, the Kenai Peninsula, and the fauna and flora of these areas.
  
3/20



Newburyport's Irish Community
  
Jean Doyle This one-hour film tells the story of Irish families in Newburyport from the mid 1800s through Bossy Gillis' terms as mayor from the 1020' to the 1940s.
     
4/17
Living Near Seabrook Nuclear Plant Natalie Tildt Treat, Chris topher Nord
  
Learn more about the C-10 Research and Educational Foundation and  safety issues related to the Seabrook Station Nuclear Plant.
5/15
Greenway Carousel and The Fox
   
Jeff Briggs Hear Newburyport sculptor, Jeff Briggs, explain the creative process used in the development of Boston's iconic Greenway Carousel.
6/19
If This House Could Talk Jack Santos Learn where the idea of "Talking Houses" came from and some of the program's challenges. 
   
7/17
Whaleboats and Whaling Graham McKay Learn about the history and evolution of whaleboats and whaling from a marine archeologist, boat builder, and Executive Director of Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury.

8/21
A Savvy Traveler's Tips
Paula Wright
Paula shares tips about traveling alone and on a budget, educational opportunities abroad and at home, and her experiences visiting 86 countries and seven continents!
   
9/18
Henry Coit Perkins Susan C.S. Edwards
Learn about this native son, Harvard educated country doctor, and experimental daguerrotype photographer.
   
10/16
Amesbury Women Edith Maxwell Learn about local women's daily lives at the turn of the 20th century from this Amesbury author.
    
11/20
Shady Talk: All About Trees Jean Berger,
Cris Miller
Newburyport trees in a nutshell and the organizations enhancing our urban forest.

    
12/18
Holiday Choral
Music
Children's Chorus & Sing-along An invitation to enjoy the delightful voices and spirit of the Newburyport Children's Chorus.



Accordion Widget
2018 Village Talks
2018 Village Talks
Date
Topic
Speaker
Description
1/17
 
Newburyport & HABS

Reginald W. Bacon             
Newburyport through the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).   

2/21



   

Newburyport's South End


     

Tom Horth



   
The history of Newburyport's South End between 1850 and 1950 when it was the poor fishing and clamming part of town, and learn of its local streetcars.
      

3/21



      
  Rounder Records


    
  Marion Leighton Levy &
Ken Irwin
                  

  Part III: The Studio - A conversation about the independent record business and an opportunity to get answers to your questions.

     

4/18



      
   Service Dogs



      
  Carlene White


         
  The founder of Service Dog Project, Inc. in Ipswich, MA, spoke about the inspiring and effective ways that service dogs serve veterans and patients with neurological challenges. Link: Service Dog Project
     
5/16


     
  Newburyport in World War II
     
  Jean Foley Doyle

    
  A two-hour documentary that examines World War II history as experienced by Newburyporters, both on the battlefield and on the home-front.
    
6/20



      
  Newburyport/ Bura Alliance


        
  Joanna Hammond & Ted Van Nahl    
      
  This talk is about the twenty-five year-long relationship between the greater Newburyport area and the people of Bura, Kenya. Twenty-Five Years: Greater Newburyport/Bura (Kenya) Alliance video
        
7/18



   
  101 Days Across America

    
  Kate Derrick & Tom Lochhaas
    
  The Joys of Retirement Camping: In January, Kate and Tom left Newburyport on a coast-to-coast camping trip that lasted 101 days and almost 10,000 miles. Click here to see the video.                 
              
8/15

   
  Urban Renewal
  
  Lois Ascher
  
       

 
A Tale of Two Cities - Urban Renewal, Newburyport, and Boston’s West End
 
9/19

   
       
  Stamps & History

          
  Henry Lukas

      
  Thinking Outside the Box: Stamps & History. Learn about the history of the U.S. postal system by viewing stamps issued since1847.
       
10/17


               
  The Life & Times of Abraham Lincoln    
         
  Lee
Thomas


    
  Presentation includes photographs and music from Lincoln's life (in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana), his family, and presidency. 

       
11/14

                
  Nautical Newburyport
    
          
  Dyke Hendrickson
    
      
  Popular speaker returns to Village Talks to speak about Newburyport and its relationship to the Coast Guard.
    
12/19

    
  The Village Sings!
          
  Children's Chorus
     
  The Village Talks turns to songs with the delightful voices and spirit of our own Greater Newburyport Children's Chorus.



Accordion Widget
2017 Village Talks
2017 Village Talks
Date
   
Topic
  
Speaker
  
Description
    
1/11   You CAN Keep Collecting!   Paula
Estey
  Repurposing Your Art Legacy from local artist and owner of Paula Estey Gallery.
     
1/25   Decluttering Can be Fun!
  Corinne McKeown   Certified Senior's Real Estate Specialist offers suggestions about how to approach decluttering your space and downsizing your belongings.
      
2/15   The Adventures of a Local
Jeopardy Champion
      
  Jill Santopietro
Panall
  This champion tells her story of applying and auditioning for Jeopardy and her February 2016 appearance on the show.
3/29   Tales of a Wildlife
Rehabilitator
        
  David
Taylor
  Wildlife rehabilitation shares his experiences and advice.
4/19   Pentucket Teachers Make
Poland Personal
     
  Cheryl Martin &
Janet Eppoliti
  Teachers share their experience of visiting Poland to learn about the Holocaust with the goal of sharing with their students.
5/17   Newburyport's Waterfront:
Industrialization, Decay,
& Rebirth
     
  Skip & Marge Motes
  Skip and Marge share the history of the waterfront.
6/21   Smart Phones
& Tablets
     
  Mike
Olson
  This Tech Guru addresses why we need these tools and gives us tricks for using them.
7/19   Dating Houses in Essex
County & Newbury
       
  John
Cole
  Talk from the "Old House Whisperer," former SPNEA (previously titled Historic New England) Property Manager.
8/18   Nautical Newburyport
        
  Dyke Hendrickson   Journalist and author shares "A History of Captains, Clipper Ships, and the Coast Guard."
9/20   Restoring the Coachman's
House at Maudslay
        
  Tom
Wester
  Curator shares the steps he has taken and where the project is going.
10/18   Emerging Trends, Resources,
and Living Options for Seniors 
      
  Corinne McKeown   Certified Senior's Real Estate Specialist discusses how to navigate later-in-life moves.
11/15   Nature in our Back Yard
       
  Bill
Gette
  Former Joppa Director shares how to awaken to what's only a few steps away. 
12/20   Sing-Along Entertainment   Barry
Spiro
  Good fun with old and new friends!

Accordion Widget
2016 Village Talks
2016 Village Talks
Date
  
Topic
  
Speaker
  
Description 
      
1/20 Mystery
on the Merrimack
Graham McKay Manager Master Boat Builder and Museum Curator at Lowell's Boat Shop asks "Is this the Wreck of Lightship No.17?"
     
1/27   How Records
Get Made: Rounder Returns
       
  Marian Leighton
&
Den Irwin
  A conversation with two of the three founders of Rounder Records.
2/17   Resiliency Planning for Sea-Level Rise   John W. Duggan
  Registered Environmental Engineer Commonwealth of MA and Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Civil Engineering & Technology at Wentworth Institute of Technology presents the roles and responsibilities for a proactive community.
       
2/24   U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Missions
     
  Travis L. Capps   Talk presented by Operations Petty Officer at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River.
3/16   The Tiny House Movement - Why Now?
      
  Vera
Struck
  Presented by Tiny House designer, builder, dweller, author, sustainability educator, mother, reclamation artist, and organic gardener.
3/23   Font Smart: Five Important Things Everyone Should Know about Type
        
  Allan
Haley
  Consulting Typographer, author, storyteller, and Director of Words and Letters at Monotype; Past positions: President of the Type Directors Club and Executive Vice President of the International Typeface Corporation.
       
4/20   What's the Buzz? It's All About Bees   Anita Deeley   Beekeeper, MA State Bee Inspector, Board Member for Essex County Beekeepers Association and MA Beekeepers Association.
        
4/27   Elephant Orphans: A Glimpse into the Power of Love
       
  Dr. Mary Baures   Author, artist, expert in treating trauma. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Antioch University; CAGS in Human Development from Harvard University.
5/18   Let the Colors Begin! Preparing your Lawn & Garden for Spring
      
  Tim Lamprey Founder of the Harbor Garden Center in Salisbury and author of "Tim's Tips" in the Daily News.
5/25
A Walk Through Newburyport History 
   
  Ghlee Woodworth   Local historian, author, and preservation award recipient.
6/15   Colonial Blacksmithing
     
  Peter Cassidy   Forging the Past & Present by Cassidy Brothers Forge in Rowley, MA.
6/22   Keeping the Past Alive - Meet Artist Richard Burke Jones
       
  Richard Burke
Jones
  Newburyport's City Clerk is a gifted artist who researches, designs, and paints historical scenes of many 19th century New England towns.
9/14   Get to Know the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
         
  Liz
Pease
  Executive Director of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society.
9/28   Elephant Orphans: A Glimpse into the Power of Love
        
  Dr. Mary Baures
  Author of "Love Heals Baby Elephants" is an expert in treating trauma. 
10/5   Scandal & Slander in the Quarterly Court
    
  Bethany Groff
Dorau
  Exploration of 17th century records of Essex County Quarterly Court from Historic New England.
10/26   Tour Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch   Barbara Dowd & Mike Prendergast
       
  Barbara and Mike share their experiences working as Volunteer Rangers on and around Cedar Mesa, Utah.
11/9   Port Family Sails to Turkey and Back   John & Lory Douglass   This pair of sailors and adventurers recount their family journey across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, to Turkey and beyond. 
      
11/16   The High Arctic: Research & Adventure   Lon E. Hachmeister   One of the first Oceanographers to do research in the High Arctic region when almost nothing was known about its physical geography.
         
12/7   Championing the History of Amesbury's Industry and People   John
Mayer
  John is the Executive Director of the Amesbury Carriage Museum. 

Accordion Widget
2015 Village Talks
2015 Village Talks
Date
  
Topic
  
Speaker
  
Description 
       
4/15 A Tour of Historic New England: Historic Homes and Preserved Properties
          
Bethany Groff
Dorau
      
Bethany represents Historic New England
4/20 Newburyport's South End in the 20th Century
        
Tom
Horth
Author presents this topic.

5/6   Whaleboats & Whaling in Local Industry 1650-1920
     
  Graham McKay   Speaker is from Lowell's Boat Shop. 
5/13   Multiple Intelligences: It's not how smart you are - it's how you're smart!
    
  Deidre Budzyna   Speaker is from Northern Essex Community College
5/20   Herd Around Town: My Life with Alpacas
       
  Dave Sanderson   Speaker is from Parker River Alpaca Farm.
5/27   Increasing your Energy and Focus through Yoga and Meditation
    
  Chris
Morton
  Chris: Med, RYT, Instructor
6/3   Birds of Western Cuba   David M. Larson,
Ph.D.
     
  Speaker represents MA Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center
           
6/10   Uprising: The Market Basket Crisis of 2014   Grant
Welker
  Speaker is from The Lowell Sun newspaper. 
          
9/30   A Flash from the Past: The History and People of the Former Mosley Family Estate
       
  Donna Sudak   Speaker is a Park Interpreter of Maudslay State Park
        
10/7   A Journalist's Insights into the Marathon Bomber Trial   G. Jeffrey MacDonald   Correspondent for USA Today and Pastor of the First Parish Church of Newbury
   
10/14   Where the Wild Things Are: New England's Diverse and Abundant Wildlife
        
  Bill
Gette
  By Director, MA Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center
       
10/21   Come All Ye Rounders: Journey into American Music   Marian Leighton Levy &
Ken Irwin 
      
  Presented by two of the three founders of Rounders Records
11/4   Around We Go with Jeff Briggs: The Carousel Man   Jeffrey Briggs   Sculptor and Carousel Designer presents
        
11/11   It's not how smart you are - it's how you're smart!    Deidre Budzyna 
  Professor, Northern Essex Community College and Co-owner, Acting Out Productions
        

11/18   The Grand Canyon, Lake Baikal, and the Concert for the Earth   Inga
Wennik
  The speaker links personal stories with cultural events.
       
12/2   The Triple Crown of Open Water: Tales of Swimming in the Ocean   David
Lee,
Ph.D. 
  Presented by this Nuclear Physicist and Master Swimmer.




Our Village is a member of the Village to Village Network,
a national organization which provides information, encouragement and peer support to
similar villages in 200+ communities across the country.