June 15–20
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
A Jew Looks at Jesus
To what extent did the teachings of Jesus accord with those of contemporary
Jewish teachers? We will compare New Testament writings with Midrash
(Rabbinic parables). Please bring a Bible to class. This seminar is made possible,
in part, by the Robert L. Berner Memorial Endowment for Björklunden.
Jay R. Brickman is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Sinai. He is a former president of the Milwaukee Interfaith Conference and recipient of the Frank Zeidler award. Rabbi Brickman has studied Jungian psychology at Zurich, Switzerland, and Evanston, Illinois. He teaches courses in dream interpretation for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education. He is the author of Reflections in a Pumpkin Field and Reflections on a Lily Pond.
June 15–20
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Bird Ecology of Door County
Meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and shorelines are our classroom for discovering
the bird life that calls Door County home. We will venture out each day to search
for the hundreds of species that frequent Door County. What better time to do
this than during the peak of territorial advertising? There will be supplementary
classroom workshops on song, behavior, and ecology. Participants will also have the
opportunity to canoe into the famous Mink River Estuary on a half day outing.
No bird or canoe experience is necessary.
Don Quintez, director of education and director of land management at Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee, has been teaching environmental education since 1967. He previously worked with the Milwaukee Public Schools as an environmental specialist and before that was with the Wisconsin Humane Society as an environmental educator. Because he is so familiar with the native flora and fauna, he has a wonderful ability to excite people about the natural world.
June 15–20
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: A Discussion and Analysis
of Their Interpretive Traditions, Personalities, and Style
A representative cross-section of some of history’s greatest classical pianists
(e.g., Vladimir Horowitz, William Kapell, Rudolf Serkin, and Sviatoslav
Richter) will be explored in-depth throughout the week. Their lives, sense of
style and interpretation, and aspects that distinguish their phrasing, sound, and
technical approach will be examined in detail, with rare audio recordings and
video footage used to supplement lectures and in-class discussion. The course
will also discuss the trials and tribulations of a classical pianist’s life.
Michael Kim, Lawrence University associate professor of music and chair of the keyboard department, holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School. With orchestras around the world, he has performed more than 60 concerti ranging from the keyboard concerti of J.S. Bach to Stravinsky’s Capriccio. As a recitalist and chamber musician, Kim has performed repeatedly in every major Canadian city, and throughout the U.S., U.K., South America, and Asia. He can be heard on critically acclaimed recordings for the Arktos, CRI, Summit, and Orpheum Masters labels. In demand as an adjudicator and masterclass clinician, he also collaborates with his wife, pianist Kyung Ran Kim, in performances throughout the Midwest, Canada, and Korea.
June 22–27
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Enhancing Your Digital Photographs with Photoshop®
Now that you have taken digital photographs, learn how to use Photoshop to
enhance and apply effects to them. This seminar will not only address digital
photography, but what can be done with those images in editing. Assignments
will include: color and exposure correction, pasting one photograph into
another, incorporating text, creating digital panoramas, and applying filters.
Students will use ink jet printers to make enlargements of their work. Philip
Krejcarek’s book An Introduction to Digital Imaging will be used during the class.
Philip Krejcarek is a professor of art at Carroll College where he has taught for the past 31 years. His work has been exhibited nationally and included in collections at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Denver Art Museum, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, and the Haggerty Museum of Art.
July 6–11
Sunday–Friday; Family Week/Grandparents-Grandchild Week,
Resident $460 adult, $310 youth (7-15); Commuter $325 adult,
$145 youth (7-15)
Natural Rhythms: Bells, Shakers, Drums, and Percussion
in Nature
Nature is full of sound: stones on the beach, wind in the trees, the crackle of
thunder. Percussion can be delicate and quiet or loud and booming, and
everything in between. Join Tom Gill, from Rhythm for Unity, and David
Stokes, naturalist educator, for a week of sharing rhythms. Tom will bring a
variety of authentic African drums (djembe, bougarabou, dundun) and other
percussion instruments (bells, shakers, wood blocks, etc.). We will use these
instruments to unleash the natural musician inside us while we create and
celebrate commUNITY! Then we will make and decorate frame drums using
common materials and also use "found sounds" as we explore natural rhythms.
Tom stresses that listening is the most important tool in drumming together
and, as it turns out, listening is an important aspect of nature study as well.
David will lead us through the wilds of Björklunden in search of everything
natural from the beetles to rock (and roll). We will meet "up close and personal"
various frogs, turtles, and snakes. Get ready with your family to immerse
yourself in natural rhythms.
Tom Gill is a teacher, workshop presenter, and rhythm facilitator who shares his love of drumming and community building with people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and abilities. Since 1998, Tom has presented his programs at schools, camps, festivals, senior centers, businesses, and family gatherings. Each circle is a unique experience and is viewed by Tom as a gift exchange. You can find out more about the drum circle experience at www.rfunity.com.
David Stokes is a nationally known naturalist, educator, and entertainer who lives with his family in New Berlin, Wisconsin. David "gets down" with his audience and makes learning fun—from live animal investigations to exploring the habitats at Björklunden, we will come face to face with nature. This is David’s 14th Björklunden seminar (including three Elderhostels). Visit his web site at www.dwstokes.com.
July 13–18
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Israel and America
The relationship between the United States and Israel is arguably America’s
most important bilateral linkage in the Middle East. It is also one of the most
contentious. Indeed, very few other foreign policy debates are characterized
by greater acrimony or polarization. Supporters of a close American-Israel tie
maintain that the United States should have a special relationship with the
Jewish state for moral, political, and strategic reasons. Critics question all three
rationales, arguing instead that the United States should treat Israel like any
other state. Nevertheless, everyone agrees that Israel is inextricably tied to the
United States’ relationships with the other states of the region and that Israel
is a major part of U.S. foreign policy. This seminar will explore the evolution of
Israel’s place in America’s consciousness and look in-depth at the various bases
of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Michael Desch is the founding director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs. In 2004, he was named the first holder of the Robert M. Gates Chair in Intelligence and National Security Decision-Making at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Prior to that, he was professor and director of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky. He received his B.A. in political science from Marquette University, and his A.M. in international relations and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. He has worked on the staff of a U.S. senator, in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the Department of State, and in the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division of the Congressional Research Service. He has traveled extensively in Europe, the Former Soviet Union, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
July 13–18
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Woods in the Morning, Wine in the Afternoon
Spend your mornings learning to read the landscape, understand its past, live
its present, and anticipate its future in the rich ecosystems of Door County,
where natural phenomena seduce your spirit and transfix your mind. Field
walks, plant identifications, and stimulating discussions heighten your appreciation
of nature. Then, enjoy leisurely afternoons discussing the scientific and
cultural dimensions of wine while indulging in some delectable wine tasting
sessions. Participants from previous summers are welcome to repeat this class.
Nicholas Maravolo has published widely in botany during his 40-year tenure as professor of biology at Lawrence University. He has taught a wide range of environmental concerns. His fieldwork has taken him to the Pacific Rim, Central and South America, and Europe, as well as the American West. He has taught wine science and appreciation to a variety of audiences and has traveled the world to experience the ambience and tastes of various wine countries.
July 13–18
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Nature in Film: Landscape as Character
Join Campbell Scott in an exploration of nature in world cinema. Watch a
number of American and international features, including works by Kurosawa,
Malick, Ballard, Roeg, and Scott’s own Off the Map, and examine how writers,
directors, and cinematographers attempt to capture the mystery and power
of the natural world in order to tell their stories and widen the audience’s
experience.
Campbell Scott ’83 is an actor, director, and producer who lives in New York. He has appeared in plays on and off Broadway and around the country. His film appearances include: Longtime Companion, The Sheltering Sky, Dying Young, Singles, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, Big Night, Roger Dodger, The Secret Lives of Dentists and The Dying Gaul. He co-directed Big Night with Stanley Tucci and Hamlet with Eric Simonson ’82, and directed Final and Off the Map.
July 27–August 2
Sunday–Saturday; $750 dbl occ; $1050 single; $325 commuter
Performances to Remember
Over the past decade, Grammy® winning lyric baritone Dale Duesing has
held us in thrall as he illuminated the world of opera through its texts and
composers. Now he would like to share with the Björklunden audience his
favorite performances of his favorite works for voices: opera, oratorio, and song.
The days will feature composers such as Bach, Mozart, Bellini, Verdi, Wagner,
Puccini, Strauss, Debussy, and Britten. Voices include the well-known like
Callas and Pavarotti, Bjoerling and de los Angeles, as well as lesser-known
artists who are Dale’s particular favorites. As always, the week will conclude
with a Friday evening performance to remember by Dale himself.
Dale Duesing ’67 received a Grammy® in 1993 for his recording of Samuel Barber’s The Lovers with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, was designated Singer of the Year by Opernwelt magazine in 1994, and has been described by Le Monde de la Musique magazine as a singer who transformed opera, turning it "upside down" with his performances of Alban Berg’s Wozzek. In addition to his singing, Duesing has been described as "one of the greatest actors on the opera scene" by Die Welt.
July 27–August 2
Sunday–Saturday; $750 dbl occ; $1050 single; $325 commuter
Writing Our Lives through Fact and Fiction
Ideal for memoirists and fiction writers alike, this course uses well-chosen
readings, innovative writing exercises, and in-depth workshop/critique of
student work to explore the similarities and differences between the two
popular genres. You’ll learn how to write a memoir that has the drama, detail,
and narrative thrust of the best fiction, as well as how to write narrative fiction
that embodies and expresses authentic truths of the human experience.
Paul McComas ’83 is the author of three critically acclaimed books: the novels Planet of the Dates (2008, The Permanent Press) and Unplugged (2002, John Daniel & Co.) and the short story collection Twenty Questions (1998, Daniel & Daniel). He is also the editor of two fiction anthologies published by iUniverse: First Person Imperfect (2003) and Further Persons Imperfect (2007). Paul teaches graduate-level writing at Chicago’s National-Louis University; in the continuing education program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. (where he received his master’s degree in film), through the News & Views speakers’ bureau, and through his own private Advanced Fiction Writing workshop. His award-winning film and video work has been screened at festivals worldwide and honored by the American Film Institute. As a performance artist and monologist, Paul has been featured at 80-plus venues nationwide. Paul founded and ran the teen suicide prevention program Rock Against Depression (1995–2000) and is a recipient of the Mental Health Association’s Distinguished Service Award. A Wisconsin native, Paul is thrilled to be teaching "back home"—and back at Lawrence!
August 3–8
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth
One of the most fascinating deities known to us from the past is the goddess
Inanna, revered in ancient Sumer as queen of heaven and earth. She was the
protector of kings, patron of temples and cities, powerful consort of the god
Dumuzi, and the jealous goddess of love and life, anger and destruction. The
Semitic population in Mesopotamia worshiped her as Ishtar, while she was
known as Astarte by Canaanites and Israelites. Her star, which still shines
brightly in the sky, is known to us as the planet Venus.
In this seminar we will read and discuss some delightful recent translations
of major texts (some dating to the 4th millennium BCE) that present some of
Inanna’s many faces and roles. These include hymns that praise her and narrative
texts that tell of her coming of age, her sacred marriage to Dumuzi, and her
perilous descent to the underworld. Also, we will read the famous "Epic of
Gilgamesh," in which she plays a pivotal role in her Semitic guise as Ishtar.
Writers and poets, students of ancient cultures, and all who enjoy love
songs and stories of adventure will be right at home in this seminar!
Bill Urbrock holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University in ancient Near Eastern literature and civilizations. He is professor emeritus of religious studies at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he was awarded the honorary Rosebush Professorship for teaching excellence and professional achievement. Over the years, he has taught three National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminars and has presented a variety of week-long summer courses, one-day seminars, and lecture series for educational, civic, and church groups in Door County (including Björklunden), around Wisconsin, and elsewhere. His most recent publications were for the Earth Bible project.
August 3–8
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Baseball and American Society
The game of baseball has impacted American culture more than any other
sport. In this series we will explore the origins of the great national pastime,
the stars of the early game, Babe Ruth and his impact on baseball and American
culture in the 1920s, Jackie Robinson and the breaking of the color barrier,
other noteworthy players and owners, and the modern game itself. Particular
attention will also be paid to the role that American culture had on baseball.
Tim Crain received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Marquette University and the Ph.D. in modern European and modern Jewish history from Arizona State University. His area of specialization is conflict studies, particularly in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. Crain is employed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Department of History and the Center for Jewish Studies. He has received numerous distinguished teaching awards from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin System. His research interests include anti-Semitism in Britain and Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
August 3–9
Sunday–Saturday; $750 dbl occ; $1050 single; $325 commuter
Watercolor: The Expressive Medium
This seminar is for novice through experienced watercolor painters who wish
to explore watercolor as an expressive medium in the beauty of the Björklunden
landscape. Drawing skills are useful but not required, and you do not need
experience using watercolor to participate. Participants will explore a wide
range of traditional and experimental techniques in transparent and opaque
watercolors while they explore the possibilities of this expressive painting
medium. Whether you enjoy painting from nature or you are ready to explore
your own imagination, this course will give you the tools and direction you
need to create strong statements in watercolor. Participants from previous
summers are welcome to repeat this class.
Helen R. Klebesadel was a member of the Lawrence University faculty from 1990 to 2000 and currently is an independent artist, and director of the Women’s Studies Consortium of the University of Wisconsin System. She was appointed the Wisconsin State Arts Board by Governor Jim Doyle in 2005. Watercolor painting is her specialty. She exhibits her work nationally and internationally, with recent exhibitions in New York, San Francisco, and, of course, Wisconsin. She is a featured artist in the online gallery at www.portalwisconsin.org. Learn more about her artwork at http://klebesadel.com.
August 10–16
Sunday–Saturday; $1,500 tuition, room & board (dbl occ); $1,045 tuition
and meals, $845 tuition only*
Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camp
Enjoy a high-quality, fun, participational experience for adult jazz musicians
of all levels, from rank beginner to semi-pro. The week’s musical activities
include playing and performance opportunities in combos and large ensembles,
jazz master classes, jazz improvisation/theory classes, special-topics sessions,
individual lessons, open jam sessions, and performances with professional jazz
artists. Summer 2008 will be Tritone’s 10th consecutive year at Björklunden.
Tritone faculty and management includes Fred Sturm ‘73, who returned to
Lawrence University as chair of the jazz and improvised music department in
2002, after a decade as faculty member of the Eastman School of Music, where
he directed the award-winning Eastman Jazz Ensemble. He previously taught
at Lawrence from 1977 to 1991. Jim Doser served on the Eastman jazz faculty
from 1986 to 2000 and is now music chairperson at a large suburban school
district near Rochester, New York.
Other faculty members include John Harmon ’57, D.F.A.’05 (piano),
Lawrence jazz director 1971-74, Wisconsin composer, performer, and educator;
Mike Hale ’74 (trumpet and ensembles), Lawrence University and UW-Oshkosh
jazz faculties; Dane Richeson (drums and percussion), current Lawrence
faculty; Janet Planet (voice), renowned Wisconsin jazz/pop vocal soloist; and
Ike Sturm (bass). Special guest artist is Gene Bertoncini, former guitarist
with the NBC Tonight Show band and the Benny Goodman Orchestra and a
renowned recording artist.
*To register, contact Bob DeRosa at Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps, P.O. Box 297, Penfield, N.Y. 14526, 585-218-9950, bob@tritonejazz.com.
August 17–22
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
World War II: Allies on the Offensive, 1942-45
World War II was the most destructive event in human history. In this lecture
series we will explore the Second World War from Pearl Harbor in December
of 1941 through the surrender of Adolf Hitler and the Axis powers in 1945.
Particular attention will be paid to the military campaigns and diplomacy of the
three major Allied powers: the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union.
The war witnessed the ultimate triumph of good over evil and opened the door
for the political and military domination of the United States throughout the
remainder of the Twentieth Century.
Tim Crain received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Marquette University and the Ph.D. in modern European and modern Jewish history from Arizona State University. His area of specialization is conflict studies, particularly in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. Crain is employed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Department of History and the Center for Jewish Studies. He has received numerous distinguished teaching awards from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin System. His research interests include anti-Semitism in Britain and Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
August 17–22
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Our Favorite French Flicks
We have selected French films for this year’s offerings from among our very
favorites. Each one is rich, evocative, surprising, and profound in its own way.
And each will compel us to explore a wide range of issues: love and war, childhood,
fear of aging, colonization and its legacy of race relations, and improbable
encounters. For those film aficionados we’ll divulge our first four titles (we’re
keeping our last choice in reserve): La Classe de neige, Chocolat, Hiroshima Mon
Amour, and Invasions Barbares. Join us this summer at the movies!
Eilene Hoft-March holds the B.A. in English and French from Carroll College and the Ph.D. in French literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She has been teaching French, Freshman Studies, and gender studies at Lawrence University since 1988. Most of her publications are on autobiographies by late 20th and 21st century authors; her list includes Barthes, Beauvoir, Butor, Cardinal, Cixous, Kofman, Nimier, and Perec. She is currently experimenting with life writing to see what it’s like from the other side. This seminar is the fourth one she will teach with her good friend, Judy Sarnecki; Eilene will be looking forward all winter long to teaching at Björklunden.
Judy Sarnecki received her Ph.D. in French from the University of Wisconsin– Madison and her B.A. from Knox College. She has written on topics as diverse as French women writers, Caribbean theater and tattoos. Her current research passion is the cinema of the Occupation years in France. She loves teaching at Lawrence where she teaches gender studies as well as all levels of French and Francophone language and literature. She edited a collection of articles on Marguerite Yourcenar that was published in book form in 2004. Now she is collaborating with her favorite colleague and co-author, Eilene Hoft March, on a new book that highlights recent francophone women writers.
August 17–22
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Radicals, Realists, Regionalists, and Reactionaries:
American Art from 1915 to 1945
Illustrated lectures and discussions will address the diverse styles of art that
developed in the rapidly changing United States during this tumultuous period.
Artists discussed will include the groundbreaking modernists: Georgia O’Keeffe,
Marsden Hartley, Alfred Stieglitz, and Edward Steichen; the regionalists:
Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood; social realist photographers: Lewis
W. Hine, Walker Evans, and Dorothea Lange; and artists of the Harlem
Renaissance: Aaron Douglas, Jacob Lawrence, and Lois Mailou Jones. The
contributions of Walt Kuhn, Edward Hopper, and Alexander Calder will also
be considered. The course will close with a look at the influence of European
surrealists on the young artists, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Adolph
Gottlieb, better known as the abstract expressionists.
Sheila McGuire is director of Museum Guide Programs at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, where she has worked since 1988. She received her M.A. in art history from the University of Minnesota and her B.A. in art history from the State University of New York at Purchase. She has taught adults and young people on a wide variety of subjects over the last 25 years at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, University of Minnesota Art Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She co-authored the book First Impressions: Early Prints by 46 Contemporary Artists.
September 14–19
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Mushrooms, Ferns, Lichens, and Mosses: The World of
Non-flowering Plants
Door County has a wealth of wonderful habitats to find mushrooms and other
spore-producing plants. Some class time will introduce the students to this
fascinating group of vegetation with the use of PowerPoint presentations.
Each day will include trips to find the plants in their natural habitats and learn
field identification. If edible mushrooms are found, we may bring some back
to the class to cook and savor as a special treat before dinner. Be prepared for
extensive hiking on uneven trails.
Roy and Charlotte Lukes are leading their 14th seminar at Björklunden and have worked as a team for 36 years. Roy was the manager and chief naturalist at The Ridges Sanctuary for 27 years. He has written weekly nature stories for the Door County Advocate since 1968 and still writes biweekly nature columns for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, accompanied by his photographs. Roy also writes for Door County Magazine and the Key to the Door. Roy received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Lawrence University in 2003. Charlotte’s specialty is mushrooms and she has a database of 540 species identified in Door County. She organizes annual bird counts for Door County and both are now local coordinators for BRAW, the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin.
September 14–19
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Superconductors: The "Beat" Generations
Participants in this course will experience, through films and recordings, the
ways great conductors work with their orchestras, and the unique ways they
reveal "the message of the music." Expanded coverage, where appropriate,
will include philosophies and approaches to music-making as observed in
conductor’s writings and quotations. A partial list of conductors observed
includes: Wilhelm Furtwangler, Fritz Reiner, Carlos Kleiber, George Szell,
Georg Solti, Leonard Bernstein, Bernard Haitink, Leonard Slatkin, and the
newest sensation on the podium, Gustavo Dudamel.
James Grine, professor emeritus of music at the University of Wisconsin– Oshkosh, has taught courses in music history and literature for 40 years. In addition to his university work, the Oshkosh Symphony and the UWOshkosh- based Learning in Retirement Community have also engaged him for lectures on special topics. A well-known performing flutist and teacher, he has served as principal flutist and associate conductor of the Oshkosh Symphony; principal flutist and soloist, Green Lake Festival; and principal flutist, soloist and guest conductor, Victoria Bach Festival. Other engagements have included a solo appearance with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and three years as conductor of Oshkosh Messiah performances.
September 14–19
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Sketching/Painting the Portrait and Figure
During the first half of the class, participants will concentrate on head analysis,
the second on the head with clothed figure. Non-beginners may use a media of
their choice. For beginners, charcoals are recommended. Portrait references will
come from a variety of sources, including photographs (bring a digital camera
if available) and volunteers from student staff. Instruction on lighting and
photographing will be provided. Along with the elements and principles of
design, other topics to be covered include poses, mood, and the draping of
folds. The goal is to expand one’s representational skills. A list of required
supplies will be mailed to all participants.
Sandra Wagner ‘65 is a commercial and fine artist, as well as a certified teacher. She has studied at the University of Mexico, Mount Mary College, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She earned a B.F.A. in drawing and painting with teaching certification from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has spent 36 years doing commercial art, 18 years as a continuingeducation teacher in art for Waukesha County Technical College, and four years as a continuing-education teacher in art for the University of Wisconsin- Waukesha. Sandra has also been a federal court artist. Some of her art highlights include having a watercolor selected for Watercolor Wisconsin 2005 at the Wustum Art Museum, Racine, and participating in juried shows for the Milwaukee Art Teachers Association, the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee alumni.
September 21–26
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Improve Your Bridge
Bridge is a fascinating, intellectually stimulating, and never-boring game.
Whether you play social or duplicate style, there’s always that lure to learn
more and play better. This class is designed for players who know most of the
basics, but want to improve their skills in bidding and playing. Topics will
include the various kinds of doubles, forcing vs. non-forcing bids, cue bids,
leads, slam interest bids, and strategies for defense. The lessons will be handson,
and most of the class time will be spent in play. Ample time for questions
and discussion will be provided, and students will receive appropriate handouts
to support the lessons.
Carolyn Kimbell is a professional teacher licensed by the American Bridge Teachers Association and the American Contract Bridge League. Her lessons are interesting and entertaining and do not intimidate the less-experienced player. She teaches bridge at The Clearing on a regular basis and has done classes and workshops at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club and other locations in Door County. Most of all, Carolyn loves the game and is an inspiring and stimulating teacher.
September 21–26
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Tippecanoe and Who? Looking Through the Lens of History/
Seeing the 2008 Presidential Election
Grab your torch! The great American presidential campaign parade comes to
Björklunden. How was the campaign button born? Why did Zachary Taylor
say, "Shut up and drink your whiskey!"? What were the origins of "O.K.,"
"Nasty," and "Keep the ball rolling"? What was Nathaniel Hawthorne’s
campaign role? And Pablo Neruda’s? What if Bill Clinton had followed
Grover Cleveland’s advice? And what ever happened to "majority rules" 1824,
1876, 1888, and 2000? Join Judge Schudson and his collection of presidential
campaign memorabilia for a wonderful, one-week parade from the past to the
2008 election. While looking through the lens of history at all our presidential
campaigns, we’ll focus on special subjects: campaign techniques and technology;
sex scandals and scatology; cartooning and satire; and the pivotal third parties
of 1860, 1912, 1948, 1992, and, of course, 2000. Add telescopic power by
viewing the presidential process from far south of the border—the 2006 election
of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
In this "please do touch" seminar, you’ll feel history—hold a Lincoln
campaign medal, blow a McKinley kazoo, hear Bryan’s "cross of gold" speech,
and wear a Harrison top hat. And, with the help of stimulating summer readings
and a few good movies, forecast the 2008 election. Hop on…the bandwagon’s
rolling!
Charles B. Schudson is president of Keynoteseminars, LLC., and a Wisconsin reserve judge. He served as a state and federal prosecutor, circuit judge, appellate judge, and senior counsel at a major law firm. He is the author of numerous published works including On Trial: America’s Courts and Their Treatment of Sexually Abused Children, and has been a featured guest on many shows including "MacNeil/Lehrer" and "Oprah." A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Wisconsin Law School, he serves on the faculties of the U. W. Law School, where he teaches Trial Advocacy, and the Marquette Law School, where he teaches Preparing Lawyers for Life. He teaches throughout the world and, in recent years, has served as Scholar-in-Residence at the Universidad Diego Portales Law School in Chile, and at Lawrence University. He has presented Björklunden seminars in 2004, 2005, and 2007. Joining Judge Schudson for a special presentation will be Steve Bruemmer and his superb collection of original political cartoons. Chair of the history department at the University School of Milwaukee, Bruemmer is an entertaining teacher and one of America’s foremost scholars of political cartooning.
September 21–26
Sunday–Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Getting a Word in Edgewise: A Poetry Workshop
"Poetry is the best words in the best order." Samuel Taylor Coleridge said
it first, back in the early 1800s—and even now, 200 years later, poets would
undoubtedly agree that this definition is as true as it ever was. They’re aware,
like Coleridge was, that a genuinely successful poem has far less to do with an
"interesting idea" or a "good premise" than it does with choosing exactly the
right words for expressing it.
This poetry workshop will focus on finding and using those very words—
the ones that will help us build our most unforgettable poems to date.
Interesting and very revealing exercises will help us reach deeply into our
vocabularies, and take advantage of the astonishing clusters of synonyms that
the English language provides. We’ll also try playing a little fast-and-loose
with syntax (word-order), to make certain our words are making the best
impression possible on our readers. We’ll be creating new poems in the process,
of course, and trying out a few makeovers for our old ones, too. You are invited
to come with your good ideas. It’s a good bet that the unforgettable poem
you’ve been thinking about for so long is about to be written!
Marilyn L. Taylor, Ph.D., Milwaukee’s Poet Laureate for 2004 and 2005, teaches poetry and poetics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Redbird Studio in Milwaukee, and many other venues in Wisconsin and around the country. She is the author of five collections of poetry; a sixth, titled Going Wrong, will be published in early 2009. Marilyn’s poetry has appeared in many anthologies and journals, including The American Scholar, Smartish Pace, The Formalist, and Poetry magazine’s 90th Anniversary Anthology. She took first place in recent contests sponsored by The Atlanta Review, Dogwood, The Ledge, and GSU Review magazines. She is a contributing editor for The Writer magazine, where her articles on craft appear regularly. The recipient of three Pushcart Prize nominations, her collection titled Subject to Change was also nominated for the nationally recognized Poets Prize. This is Marilyn’s fifth year as a Björklunden seminar leader.
October 12–17
Sunday-Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Play Better Bridge: Lessons for the Intermediate and Advanced
Bridge is a competitive, challenging, fun, and exciting game. While
knowledge of the game and experience are mandatory for this seminar, this
hands-on instructional workshop will provide information and techniques
to help you improve your bidding, play, and defense. Simple guidelines are
included that will help reduce your errors, and thereby help increase your
confidence in competitive situations.
The Standard American Yellow Card, a user-friendly system, is the basis
for instruction and play. Topics that will be covered include bidding over an
opponent’s opening no trump bids, balancing bids, competitive bids, and much
more. Students will play pre-arranged hands in a friendly class environment.
Norma Hammerberg has taught Björklunden seminars for 11 years. An American Contract Bridge League-certified star teacher and director, she teaches classes at the Ephraim Yacht Club, The Clearing, and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, and gives private group lessons.
October 12–17
Sunday-Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Winter Warmers! Knitting Hats and Scarves
The class includes instruction in creating two hats and two scarves. All four
items will have special techniques and tricks that the student will find
helpful in future knitting projects. As in the past, there will be a surprise or
two! Advanced beginners and beyond will find this class informative and fun.
Liz Pfeifer is a lifelong knitter and a knitting instructor certified by the Craft Yarn Council of America. She has taken knitting lessons in Scotland, England, and Norway, as well as many workshops in the U.S. She has attended and conducted numerous Knit Camps in Door County. This is her fourth knitting seminar at Björklunden.
October 19–24
Sunday-Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Mysteries of the Middle Ages
Thomas Cahill has done it again. The fifth volume in his Hinges of History
series, Mysteries of the Middle Ages, is another fascinating and intellectually
challenging read, arguably as exciting as How the Irish Saved Civilization.
Cahill’s unique perspectives on history, his inimitable and engaging prose
style, and his effervescent sense of humor are on full display in this riveting
exposition of the medieval world. The subtitle—The Rise of Feminism, Science,
and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe—implies a thesis, however, and we
may wish to challenge some of Cahill’s arguments and assumptions in what
promises to be an exceptionally lively seminar.
Daniel J. Taylor ’63 is the Hiram A. Jones Professor Emeritus of Classics at his alma mater. Author of three books and dozens of articles, he was named Lawrence’s Outstanding Teacher in 1998 and Wisconsin’s Distinguished Foreign Language Educator in 1990. He was nationally acclaimed for Excellence in Teaching the Classics in 1983, a two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellow, and a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Italy. "Dr. Dan" revels in the Björklunden experience and is looking forward to his 19th seminar.
October 19–24
Sunday-Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Dalmalning—Björklunden's Swedish Accent
Dalmalning, or "Bloomstermaling" will be in full bloom as students enjoy
sessions featuring painting instruction, history, period artifacts, and discussions
of Björklunden’s own examples of this unique Scandinavian heritage art.
Bible stories were important in Swedish rural society from which this art is
drawn, and painted panels (1700–1870) depicting major biblical events were
didactic and decorative. The growing plant, or kurbit, added to the scenes
was a reminder that nature itself depicts resurrection. Students will learn basic
brush strokes and paint a functional wood item in this Swedish style.
Instruction about traditional color, regional styles, wood preparation, and
finishing techniques will also be covered. Slide, book, artifact, and music
resources will complement the seminar. Class participants will receive
notebooks with color copies of the project, patterns, and other supportive
material. Beginning and advanced painters welcome.
Christina Keune, a professional craftswoman since 1983, has demonstrated and taught rosemaling in Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. She holds a B.F.A. from George Washington University and has pursued independent studies with master painters of rosemaling in Norway and the United States. She has attended nine work-study tours to Norway sponsored by Vesterheim, the Norwegian American Museum (Decorah, Iowa), and has toured Sweden repeatedly to research 19th century painted wall hangings. She is the recipient of the Crystal Award from Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia, Minn., and earned the Gold Medal for rosemaling from Vesterheim
October 19–24
Sunday-Friday; $690 dbl occ; $925 single; $325 commuter
Watching Women Change Politics
In 1920, after decades of struggle, American women "got the vote." Eightyeight
years later, American women are ready, willing, and able to use the vote.
Women in politics have been called "the biggest little minority in the world"
because they comprise more than 50 percent of the voting public but until the
historic 1992 election of Bill Clinton, they did not effectively exercise the power
of their numbers at the polls. In order to help us understand, appreciate,
and more actively participate in this important moment in the history of
women's struggle for full equality, this women’s studies seminar will review
the historical background of the suffrage movement, the "second wave of
feminism," and examine current election issues, candidates, political organizations,
visions, and predictions.
http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/bjork/italy/2007/Marjorie Meyers Graham, M.A., taught college English, humanities and women's studies for 23 years. She is the granddaughter of Donald and Winifred Boynton, and currently teaches watercolor workshops in Wilmette, Illinois, and at the Peninsula Art School (July 2008) in Fish Creek.
2008 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
April 12-23
Björklunden Seminar in Italy
Dan Taylor ’63 and his wife, Donna, will lead a seminar in Florence and Rome,
Italy, for travelers who are eager to do some things with a group and other things
on their own with guidance from knowledgeable sources. In Florence, participants
will spend five nights at the Hotel Brunelleschi, take a walking tour of the city’s
main sites with the Taylors, and visit the Uffizi Museum and the Accademia
Museum that houses Michelangelo’s David. They will spend a day sightseeing,
wine tasting, and shopping in Tuscany—including visits to Siena and San Gimignano.
In Rome, they will stay in the Ponte Sisto Colonna Palace Hotel, visit Orvieto
and its cathedral, and take a nighttime walking tour with the Taylors. Participants
will tour the Forum, Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel, visit
St. Peter’s, and spend a day touring Pompeii and the Naples Museum.
Costs include accommodations, selected meals, deluxe motorcoach transportation
when required, and entrance fees for group functions. Group airfare will be
available. For an itinerary and registration material, visit http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/bjork/italy. For more information, contact Mark Breseman, director of
Björklunden, at 920-839-2216, or e-mail bresemam@lawrence.edu. Space is limited.
ELDERHOSTEL PROGRAM
October 5–10
The Nature of Door County, Don Quintenz, instructor
To register, call Elderhostel at 877-426-8056 or visit www.elderhostel.org.
DOOR SHAKESPEARE PERFORMS
July 10 - August 24
Enjoy lively, professional classical theatre for the entire family. From July 10
through August 24, this acclaimed company celebrates its tenth anniversary
with the immortal magic of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
and the heroic comedy of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac. Performances
are Wednesday through Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening
of beauty, wit, and outstanding poetry under the stars. For more information,
visit www.doorshakespeare.com or call 920-839-1500.