This winter marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the last major military battle on the Western Front of Europe in World War II. We will examine how the German Wehrmacht incredibly amassed a major Panzer Army without being detected by the Allies under Dwight D. Eisenhower after it had been essentially wiped out in the previous seven months of running battles across France. Why did the Germans pick this site for the attack? What were their objectives; their initial successes? We will explore the Allied Forces' initial responses and retreat, including the defense of Bastogne; and the counterattacks by the British and American Armies, particularly Patton's 90-degree pivot of his Third Army to blunt the attack and then collapse the salient.

Explore the news in NH, the US and the world with focus on the interest of the attendees. In a combination of multimedia presentations, participant contribution and discussion, we will look at the issues of the day including historical perspectives and their implications for the future. There may be guest speakers to add depth to some of our topics. Please note there are two sections of this course. The first dates occur in February and March. The second dates are in April through June. You may sign up for either or both.

In this class we will discuss Dave Ramsey, the financial guru and author of “Total Money Makeover” and his “baby steps” which are a money management plan designed to help you get out of debt, save money and build wealth. We will talk about Dave’s budgeting tips for your daily life and review “money scripts,” our unconscious beliefs about money that can be rooted from childhood and ultimately shape our financial behaviors.

How much money does it take to make a household happy? After basic needs for food and shelter have been met, more than $75,000 per year does not buy that much more happiness according to a Gallup survey. The US has one of the highest Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the world, yet people in countries like Canada and Germany with lower per capita GDP are happier, according to the UN Index. These counties have more income equality. Climate change, and now COVID-19 have been amplifying inequality. This talk, with accompanying PowerPoint slides, will explore ways of making more people happy today.

Developed by the Foreign Policy Association to promote understanding of American Foreign Relations, "Great Decisions" provides the perfect opportunity to learn about issues concerning U.S. policy-makers today and pose foreign policy challenges for tomorrow. Read, watch and join the discussion. The current topics for this year can be explored at https://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_topics. Please note, you must obtain the Great Decisions Book 2021 on your own. Can be purchased online from Foreign Policy Association greatdecisions.org.

Unlike Lenin and the Bolsheviks in Russia, Castro in Cuba and so many other autocrats and dictators in modern times on both the right and left, Hitler and the Nazis actually came to power through the democratic process in Wiemar, Germany. The stage for Hitler's rise was set by Germany's defeat in World War I and the crippling, punitive terms imposed on Germany by the Allies in the Versailles Peace Treaty. But social, economic and political events which followed contributed significant fuel to a German society in disarray, paving the way for the rise of this charismatic speaker. We will explore all of these events and how they were exploited by the Nazis, culminating in their electoral success in 1932, and followed by Hitler's seizure of absolute dictatorial powers shortly thereafter. We will examine whether that confluence of people and events was essentially unique historically; or whether it could indeed happen again, here or elsewhere.

Judge Charles Benjamin Schudson knows how judges really make their decisions. He brings us behind the bench to probe judicial minds, analyzing actual trials and sentencings – of abortion protesters, murderers, sex predators, white supremacists and others. He takes us into chambers to hear judges forging appellate decisions about life and death, corporate crime, multimillion-dollar damages and priceless civil rights. Most significantly, Judge Schudson exposes the financial, political, personal, and professional pressures threatening judicial integrity. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to read in advance "Independence Corrupted / How America's Judges Make Their Decisions" (University of Wisconsin Press, 2018), IBSN 9780299320300.

This talk traces the inspiring life of John G. Winant (1889-1947) from his years as a student and teacher at St. Paul’s School in Concord, to his service as a reconnaissance pilot in France in World War I, to his remarkable career in politics. He served three terms as Governor of New Hampshire and, after helping the state face the challenges of the Great Depression, he headed the new U.S. Social Security system, assuring its successful launch. He later led the International Labor Organization and was the Ambassador to Great Britain during World War II.

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubery, and Breonna Taylor, incidents in NH, such as the arrest of Jean Roland Saint Preux, and numerous slights in our own communities have caused many of us to examine our beliefs about discrimination and racial justice. After having elected an African American as President, many people thought racism was behind us. Yet recent events seem to prove otherwise. This three-part series will examine concepts of systemic racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, microaggressions, white privilege, reconciliation and reparations in this post-George Floyd time. Session 1: Key Concepts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Session 2: Reconciliation: Personal Benefits of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Session 3: Why Reparations Now? No required reading but the presenter suggests the following reading that might be of interest: “Waking Up White” by Debbie Irving, IBSN 978-0-9913313-0-7 and “My Grandmother's Hands” by Resmaa Menakem, IBSN 9781942094470.