Storytelling & Historical Explorations   

This lecture and discussion will introduce an alternate view of England's King Richard III whose reputation was blackened by Henry Tudor and later, Shakespeare. Presented by Sally Kiel, who was in attendance at the King's reinterment in Leicester England and has first-hand photos and impressions. She also formed ‘The Missing Princes in America’ project, and participated in the search for the remains of King Richard III, finally found under a parking lot in Leicester England. Instructor Sally Keil brings history vividly to life for her students.

Prepare for Halloween by exploring classic characters and common tropes in their origins. In this six-session series, we’ll read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Washington Irving’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry and short stories, and other short, spooky tales. We’ll talk about prominent archetypal characters and settings, such as the Mad Scientist, the Monster, the Ghost, the Witch, the forest, the cemetery, the Gothic castle, and other elements that make up the macabre atmosphere of historical and modern-day Halloween. Come enjoy the fun parts of English class without essays or exams. Students will need to buy/borrow a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but the rest of the reading materials will be provided via PDF.

Prepare for Halloween by exploring classic characters and common tropes in their origins. In this six-session series, we’ll read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Washington Irving’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry and short stories, and other short, spooky tales. We’ll talk about prominent archetypal characters and settings, such as the Mad Scientist, the Monster, the Ghost, the Witch, the forest, the cemetery, the Gothic castle, and other elements that make up the macabre atmosphere of historical and modern-day Halloween. Come enjoy the fun parts of English class without essays or exams. Students will need to buy/borrow a copy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but the rest of the reading materials will be provided via PDF.

We will continue to look at the impact of the French Broad and Holston Rivers on life in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. We will learn some historical background as to how these rivers were the "interstate corridors" of settlement during pioneer times in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. We will see how the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency was involved in truly brave rescue operations during Hurricane Helene. A student-led travelogue into the upper French Broad watershed and a visit by TWRA staff will bring to life this region of mountains and water and its impact on the population that live here. We will visit through video, some of the landmarks in this watershed such Mt. Mitchell and Hot Springs, NC. It is not required, but would be beneficial to read Through the Mountains: The French Broad River and Time by John E. Ross. This class is the latest entry into the "Our Appalachia" series.

$15 materials fee payable to the instructor.

This lecture and discussion will introduce the 6 amazing women who married King Henry VIII and became (whether they wanted to or not) Queen of England. We’ll explore the hopes and dreams of these women before Henry Tudor took control of their lives. It did not end happily for any of them. Instructor Sally Keil brings history vividly to life for her students. She worked with Philippa Langley and her Missing Princes Project to scour libraries and archives for any clues to what happened to the two sons of King Edward IV, one of history’s great mysteries. She also formed ‘The Missing Princes in America’ project, and participated in the search for the remains of King Richard III, finally found under a parking lot in Leicester England.