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| Hundreds of courses. Knowledgeable instructors. Have it your way, online or in-person.  October 2023 FGCU Academy Where did Halloween come from? Greetings, Halloween’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which was held on November 1 in contemporary calendars. It was believed that on that day, the souls of the dead returned to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. The term “witch” actually means “wise woman” in Old English. If somebody ever refers to you as “witchy,” don’t forget to thank them! They’re saying that you’re super smart. Let your friends and family know how witchy you are by sharing with them about FGCU Academy. Forward this email newsletter to any friends or family and introduce them to us. Our best recommendation is word of mouth. They will realize how super smart you are. Below are a few highlights of what is being offered this coming week. Scroll down to see everything that is available for the week. -Tuesday learn about Cloud Computing for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iPad -Wednesday Ed Grace will be discussing Voyage to Mars -Friday Steve Valdespino will enlighten you about Pirates of the Golden Age: 1630-1730 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.  Click Below to view any topic FGCU Academy Website View Fall Program Guide DONATE October Daily Calendar Register Online November Daily Calendar TRAVEL 2024 Day Trips & Special Events For assistance with registration – Call 239.434.4737 FEATURE CLASSES  Cloud Computing for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iPad @ Commons Club at The Brooks | October 31 | 10 – 11:30 am This useful and practical introduction to cloud computing explores what clouds are, who provides them, how they function and why you should use them. Microsoft, Google, Apple and many others offer cloud solutions. Most of them are free and easy to use! We explore the various cloud alternatives available, how to set them up and use them, and the benefits they offer for file storage and security and the syncing of data across all of your devices. This lecture is appropriate and useful for Windows, Android and Apple users.  Voyage to Mars @ FGCU Main Campus | November 1 | 10 – 11:30 am Water School (BLDG AB9) Room 106 In 2020, three missions were launched from Earth with the destination of Mars. All three missions arrived at Mars in February 2021. The first Mission was by United Arab Emirates named the Hope Probe. The second was by China named the Tianwen-1 Mission. The third was by NASA named the Perseverance. The Hope Probe will remain in orbit and analyze the Mars weather patterns. The Tianwen-1 Probe has an orbiter, a lander and a rover. Perseverance has a lander, rover and helicopter drone. We will examine the objectives of each mission and provide updates on their accomplishments to date. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the forefront of space travel and exploration in the 21st century. Our Speaker was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on the Apollo 13 mission which safely returned the 3 astronauts to earth after an explosion occurred in their Service Module 200,000 miles from earth on its way to the moon.  FGCU Academy 2024 Travel Open Houses @ Moorings Park Original Campus | November 3 | 10 – 11:30 am @ Naples Center or Online via Zoom | November 6 | 10:30 – 12pm @ FGCU Main Campus | November 8 | 1:30 – 3 pm Water School (BLDG AB9) Room 106 @ Cypress Cove | November 17 | 10 – 11:30 am @ TwinEagles | November 20 | 4 – 5:30 pm Pre-registration required Join FGCU Academy as we formally unveil our 2024 travel excursions including our Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania, Exploring Iceland, Southern Italy & Sicily, Scotland: Highlands & Islands, Provincial French Countryside, New Zealand Adventure, Southeast Asia, Sensations of Lyon and Provence and Jewels of the Rhine. Nine exciting and luxurious tours are planned for our upcoming travel season starting in May 2024, and we invite you to learn about them all. Through unique and interesting itineraries, participants have the opportunity to experience life outside the classroom, visit historic sites with local guides, experience another culture – its customs, cuisine, language and history – and delight in conversation and laughter with fellow explorers who share a love of travel and a sense of adventure.  iPhone/iPad: Tips, Tricks & Secrets of Apple’s Newest Operating System in iOS 17 @ Bentley Village | November 14 | 1:30 – 3 pm Join this lecture-style presentation to learn all the new features, upgrades and enhancements of Apple’s newest operating system for iPhone and iPad, iOS 17. We will explore tips, tricks and secrets that make using your device easier, more powerful and efficient. All levels from beginner to advanced users will benefit from this informative and interesting program. SPECIAL EVENTS  Appetizers with Wine Pairing Social Event at Mare Terra @ Mare Terra Restaurant – Bonita Springs November 7 | 4:30 – 6 pm Pre-registration is required. Make new friends and enjoy several delectable samplings of wonderful Italian appetizers at Mare Terra Restaurant in Bonita Springs. Your guide for this food and wine experience is with a sommelier who has personally chosen the wine pairings for each appetizer. Eat, laugh and be merry at the Academy’s Appetizers and Wine Pairing social event!  Miami’s Little Havana Culinary, Artistic and Cultural Tour @ Miami | November 14 | 8 am – 6 pm Join us as we explore the rich history and culinary delights of a vibrant neighborhood. Little Havana was recently listed as an official “national treasure” of the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The neighborhood is well-known for its many historical, political, culinary, and artistic contributions to our Miami culture. Nestled in the heart of the city’s downtown area and only a short drive from Miami’s famed South Beach, the neighborhood is full of interesting cultural landmarks which we visit including a cigar factory, Domino Park, Cuban Memorial Blvd., the Tower Theater, artist workshops and the Damas De Blanco Mural. Enjoy delicious cuisine including empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, mojitos, guayaba, croquetas, churros and more at a diverse range of establishments; from 5-star gourmet to hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to the trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure.  Miami Millionaire’s Row™ Boat Cruise & Bayside Marketplace @ Miami | December 12 | 8 am – 6 pm Enjoy a fully-narrated 90-minute cruise and enjoy spectacular views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami Skyline, Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and Millionaire’s Row™ – the Homes of the Rich and Famous™. Soft drinks, cocktails and light snacks are available for purchase. A modern yacht offers the utmost comfort and style. Each vessel features an air- conditioned lower salon enclosed in picture windows, as well as an upper- deck where you can take in the fresh ocean breeze and an awning that will protect you from direct sunlight and light seasonal showers. After the cruise, enjoy time for some lunch and shopping at the Bayside Marketplace, one of Miami’s most popular destinations. Departure information will be emailed 3 days prior to trip. Itineraries are subject to change. No refunds within 10 business days of departure. LOOKING AHEAD See a sample of what is coming over the next weeks click on any title below for more information Monday October 30 –A Different Look at Florida –Military Tribunals in U.S. History Wednesday November 1 –Women in Western Music Thursday November 2 –FISA Courts and Warrants Friday November 3 –Balance University: Improve Balance, Posture and Flexibility (3-part series) –Peter the Great: A Czar Larger Than Life –Pirates of the Golden Age: 1630-1730 –Northern India: The Heart of a Culture Monday November 6 –Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Queen Elizabeth I – Gloriana Tuesday November 7 –Who Really Discovered America? Wednesday November 8 –Bhutan and Sri Lanka – India’s Unknown Neighbors –Are You an Informed Collier County Voter? Thursday November 9 –Cuba: A Nation Frozen in Time –iPhone/iPad Apps: Apple Mail Friday November 10 –“The Letter” by Former Intelligence Officials on the Hunter Biden Laptop FALL Movie Series   International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (3 films) 2:00 pm – Sundays at Naples Center International Film and Documentary Discussion Series (3 films) Tell No One – November 12 – (France, 2008, Drama, Not Rated, 125 min) Margot was murdered by a serial killer eight years ago, and her husband, Alexandre, continues to mourn her death. One day, the police discover two dead bodies near Alexandre’s home, along with a cache of evidence implicating him in the crime. On the same day, Alexandre receives an email with a video showing his wife alive and well, along with a simple message: “Tell no one.” With the police breathing down his neck, Alexandre goes on the run. About Elly – December 10 – (Iran, 2009, Drama, Rated PG, 119 min) A young teacher on a vacation to northern Iran with three middle-class families goes missing before she is able to be introduced to a suitor. 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  FGCU Academy Travel 2024 Call for More Info – 239-434-4838 Travel Brochures Coming Soon  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.  Sensations of Lyon & Provence 2024 River Cruise September 17 – 28, 2024 It is no surprise that the South of France is recognized as the birthplace of photography, its unrivaled beauty includes the finest examples of French 15th-century architecture, with Roman ruins and sun-soaked vineyards nestled at the foot of colossal mountain ranges. Spend three nights in Nice along the stunning French Riviera and enjoy a visit to Monte Carlo, playground of the rich and famous. Sail the Rhône and Saône Rivers while exploring ports of call in Chalon-sur-Saône, Lyon, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon and Arles, all the while experiencing the rich history and picturesque beauty of Southern France. View Brochure  Jewels of the Rhine, 2024 River Cruise September 20 – 30, 2024 Enjoy a cruise on the romantic Rhine River where UNESCO World Heritage sites, gothic cathedrals in Cologne and Strasbourg, historic fortresses, and picturesque canals greet you in the various ports of call. Sail through the scenic Rhine Gorge and experience the beauty and splendor of the Rhine. Along with the two-night stay in Lucerne, Switzerland, set against the dramatic Swiss Alps, you’ll have an amazing holiday on this adventure with Mayflower Cruises and Tours. View Brochure  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] |