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September 2023  
FGCU Academy Happy Labor Day  

Greetings, Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer for many Americans.
Simply put, Labor Day celebrates Americans who labor. It is a day to appreciate the economic
and societal impact of hardworking Americans and to reflect on the progress our country has
made as a result of the American workforce. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of
September every year. It has been a national holiday since June 28, 1894.  

A labor movement began as a result of poor working conditions post Civil War. It was the
heyday of the Industrial Revolution, and it was not uncommon for employees to work over
80 hours a week on a regular basis. The five-day, 40-hour work week that most Americans
experience today didn’t become commonplace until the 1940s.  

President Grover Cleveland signed a law passed by Congress establishing Labor Day as a
national holiday on June 28, 1894. By this time, many states already recognized the holiday.
In fact, the first unofficial Labor Day parade took place in New York City on September 5,
1882. On this day an estimated 10,000 New Yorkers did not show up to work and instead
marched from New York’s City Hall to Union Square in protest of poor working conditions.  

Our Fall program guide is near completion. We have some exciting new classes for you. It
should be available online in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes on the lookout for it.  

Everyone is invited and welcome to take classes at ANY of our locations. Make sure to
register early as space can be limited.  

For assistance with registration – call our office (239) 434-4737, and we will be more than
happy to assist you.
 

PROGRAM GUIDE  

VIEW SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE NOW!  

View September Daily Calendar  

Register Online    

We are available to assist with registration – 239.434.4737

FEATURE CLASSES   COURSE BEGINS THIS WEEK

Supervised Mah Jongg Play
@ Naples Center |September 7, 14, 21, 28 |
1:30 – 4 pm  

Wouldn’t it be great to have someone looking over your shoulder while playing Mah
Jongg to help you decide your next move? Well, now you can! Come join others while
a Mah Jongg pro is readily available to assist you when you just don’t know what to do!
This is not an instruction class, but supervised play with expert guidance and strategy
when asked for. You will play with people of similar ability, make new friends, and
improve your game all under the watchful eye of a Mah Jongg expert.  

This is a great opportunity to get your game ready to play at the next level!



Remember the Lusitania
@ Brooks Commons Club |
September 12 |
1:30 – 3pm  

“Remember the Lusitania!” became the cry in May 1915 after this fast and luxurious
ocean liner was sunk by a solo German torpedo. Approximately 1,200 passengers
perished (including about 128 Americans), unwitting victims of a struggle between
England and Germany in the Great War (World War I). Join Dr. Franz in exploring
this epic tragedy, as he stays close to the human stories and individual decisions
surrounding the RMS Lusitania’s fateful voyage.  

LOOKING AHEAD  

See a sample of what is coming over the next weeks
click on any title below for more information    

Tuesday September 5
Writers Collaborative Workshop (4-part series)  

Wednesday September 6
Western Defectors – Greener Grass?  

Thursday September 7
Great Discussions Group (2-part sessions)
To Russia with Love  

Friday September 8
Alva Vanderbilt Belmont – Slave to Ambition or Champion of Freedom?
Indonesia: Land of Volcanoes and Dragons  

Monday September 11
The Great Silk Road: A Caravan of Cultures
Overcoming Grief and Loss
The Apollo Space Program  

Tuesday September 12
Apple Watch Tips, Tricks & Secrets of the New Watch OS9
Macintosh Tips, Tricks & Secrets: MacOS Ventura
Nuclear Fusion…Harnessing the Power of the Sun on Earth  

Wednesday September 13
iPhone/iPad Settings: iCloud, Notifications, Apple Pay, Emergency
SOS and More  

Thursday September 14
iPhone/iPad Apps: Safari
Pages Word Processor for the iPhone/iPad/Mac  

Friday September 15
Balance University  

Summer Movie Series

 

International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (4 films)
 
Sundays at Naples Center – 2:00 pm

Retrograde – September 17 (2022, Documentary, 94 minutes, Rated R)  

Bring FGCU Academy to Your Community    

If you would like to have FGCU Academy provide programs at your community,
click below and send us an email with your information: who the contact person is,
their email and phone number along with name of your community. We will be happy
to reach out and discuss the possibilities with them.  

Schedule a Private Education Session for Your Community!    

Travel The World With FGCU Academy
Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living  

View our Pre-Recorded Travel Open House Presentation Now
   


ACROSS SPAIN & PORTUGALView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 10 – 26, 2023 | 17 days
Fortified cities and tiny fishing villages, rugged Atlantic coastline and commanding
Pyrenees peaks, iconic shrines to both religion and fine art, and intimate lodgings in
historic paradores and pousadas – it all awaits on this singular small group journey
from Lisbon across the north of Spain, ending in vibrant Barcelona.


SICILY IN DEPTHView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 28 – October 9, 2023 | 12 days
Crossroads of the Mediterranean … the “toe” in Italy’s boot … “God’s Kitchen” …
Sicily is all this, and much more, as we see on our stellar small group journey
around this Italian island. It’s lively cities and ancient ruins, temples of man –
and of nature, hospitable people and delectable cuisine … a feast for all the senses.      

FGCU Academy Travel 2024 
Call for More Info – 239-434-4838 
Travel Brochures will be available Summer 2023


Moroccan Discovery, May 12-27, 2024
   
This land of dramatic contrasts invites us to encounter its ancient ruins and
sacred mosques, endless desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and
spirited souks. As we travel from the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech
to the High Atlas and vast Sahara, we open our eyes, and hearts, to a truly foreign
land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people.


Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, August 13-28, 2024   

“On safari” … it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya
and Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As our
small group travels from grasslands to highlands, to reserves and national parks,
we enjoy intimate game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent
accommodations, and meet gracious local people.


Exploring Iceland, August 15-25, 2024    

It’s a surprising, even astonishing land; one of massive glaciers and rumbling
volcanoes, bubbling mud holes and powerful waterfalls; hugely abundant bird
life and just 340,000 people; and where the sun never sets for six splendid weeks.
It’s also perfect for exploring in a small group, as we discover traveling the breadth
of the country and getting an up-close view of this natural “wonderland.” 


Southern Italy & Sicily, September 4-18, 2024    

Delight in a special exploration of Italy’s southern climes, from striking Sicily
and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, the alluring “boot heel”
where a vivid history, unique architecture, and bountiful plains join the sun and
sea in creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Add Italian hospitality, outstand-
ing cuisine, and notable lodgings for la dolce vita, small-group style.


Scotland: Highlands & Islands, September 9-20, 2024      

“My heart’s in the Highlands,” said Robert Burns – as will you, as we travel
from city to country, mainland to island, on this sweet journey. From loch to
loch and glen to glen, we encounter stunning natural beauty and welcoming
clans, while city life serves up the colorful past – and cosmopolitan present.


Provincial French Countryside, September 27-October 11, 2024   

Experience the beauty, allure, and hospi­tality of provincial France, at an
easy pace and in a unique style. Anchored by stays in vibrant Toulouse
and enchanting Paris, the journey ­features diverse Languedoc, the remote
Dordogne, the lovely Loire Valley, and historic Normandy as we stay in
charming rural inns and small country hotels. It’s a small group tour de force!


New Zealand Adventure, October 10-25, 2024    

It’s a tale of two islands as our small group journeys from New Zealand’s North
to its South, through lively cities and pristine fiords, past lush farmland and
enchanted forests in a land where the outdoors is the national shrine. Add engaging
“Kiwis” and intriguing indigenous cultures – it’s a pure New Zealand experience.


Southeast Asia Odysseys, October 31-November 18, 2024   

Engaging, diverse, intriguing … This just begins to describe Southeast Asia
and our small group odyssey. We cruise the Mekong through Laos; explore
the spectacular – Angkor Wat – and the sublime – Ha Long Bay; and engage
with local farmers and hill tribespeople on this comprehensive, well-paced
adventure.    

DONATE NOW    

FGCU Academy Needs Your Support Today to Ensure that Our
Critical Mission of Senior Education and Enrichment Continues!  

FGCU Academy is ready to serve the SWFL community for the 2023 Season—
Learning, Growing, Sharing, Socializing. I am excited to welcome you this year
to the new FGCU Naples Center, which is located at 704 Goodlette Frank Rd N,
Suite 330 in Naples. Also, we have two new locations in Lee County, Pelican
Landing in Bonita Springs and the FGCU Kleist Center on main campus. As always,
both locations are open to all our students.  

Our passion keeps us moving forward and your donations will do the same.
Please take a few minutes to consider donating to ensure our continued success.
All amounts make a difference in strengthening the work we do in the community.  

Your gift will allow the Academy to offer more than 1,500 diverse and fascinating
programs at more than fifteen locations throughout SWFL. Please visit our website 
to review the rich and varied programmatic offerings that are available this year.
Through our mission we promise to enrich the lives, minds and social well-being of
more than 10,000 SWFL adults and seniors during our 2023 season.  

Donate online at https://www.fgcu.edu/academy/givenow  

I am grateful for your consideration to support this vital community outreach
program this year.  

I look forward to seeing you at a FGCU Academy program soon. Please contact
me directly at [email protected] or 239-434-4838 with questions or to learn more.  

In gratitude, John J. Guerra Director of FGCU Academy              

FGCU Academy Collier / Lee / Charlotte

FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER
704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330
Naples, FL 34102  

239-434-4737   [email protected]
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