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April 2023
 
FGCU Academy
What is April 16 known for?  

Greetings, On this day: 1867 
– Wilbur Wright, American pilot, inventor, engineer and along with his brother Orville Wright,
founded the Wright Company and built the world’s first successful airplane (d. 1912)

This week (Friday April 21) Dr. Jerry Franz will be talking to you about the Wright Brothers
flights and works of life. (See Below for more info)  

1818 – The US border with Canada is established when the US Senate ratifies the Rush-Bagot Treaty.
1862 – A bill known as the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, ending slavery
in the District of Columbia becomes law.
1881 – Bat Masterson fights his last gun battle in Dodge City, Kansas
1908 – Utah establishes the Natural Bridges National Monument.
1912 – The first woman to fly an airplane across the English Channel is Harriet Quimby.
1943 – Albert Hofmann discovers the hallucinogenic effects of LSD
1961 – Cuban leader Fidel Castro declares that Cuba is going to adopt Communism.
1972 NASA launches Apollo 16
2003 Michael Jordan plays his last NBA game
2007 Gunman kills 32 students at Virginia Tech
2010 SEC charges Goldman Sachs with fraud
2016 – A 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Muisne and Pedernales, Ecuador  

Today is also National Orchid Day: Do you know orchids are one of the two largest families of
flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species? They are colorful,
beautiful, give off good fragrance, and grow in abundance across the world.  

Coincidentally, Gayle Dorio will be instructing a class on Orchids Friday April 21. Join her to learn why so
many people love this delicate flowering plant!    

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



The Invisibility of Social Issues in Southwest Florida
@ Pelican Landing
April 18 | 1:30 – 3:00 pm  

The COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian magnified just how close many individuals and families
live on the edge of financial peril. Many were faced not only with a medical crisis but also multiple
social issues, it also exacerbated the same. This session examines how social issues are often overlooked
in Southwest Florida, particularly among the older adult population. Data, maps, and case studies are
provided to illustrate the invisibility of certain social issues including food insecurity, homelessness and
poverty. Participants also learn about many local and regional resources that are available to assist individuals
who are in need.



Northern India: The Heart of a Culture
@ The Commons Club at The Brooks
April 19 | 10 – 11:30 am  

Explore Northern India, where every moment brings new stimulation! Wander through a non-tourist
bazaar. Join thousands of Hindu pilgrims descending the ghats into the holy Ganges. Explore the
“Golden Triangle” cities of Delhi, Agra (the home of the Taj Mahal) and the Pink City of Jaipur.
Marvel at Varanasi, aflame with cremations fires! When you think things cannot be more amazing,
we travel back in time to the Camel Fair in Pushkar, where thousands of camels and horses from
all over India are bought and sold just as they were in ancient days.


The Wright Brothers
@ The Commons Club at The Brooks
April 21 | 10 – 11:30 am  

People have fantasized about flying since the ancient world, but in the first and second industrial
revolutions in Europe and the U.S., we saw the first serious efforts for human flight. This includes
hot air and gas balloons, then gliders and finally, motorized aircraft. Dr. Franz takes us on this
journey of the pursuit of human flight, and especially focuses upon the successful work of Orville
and Wilbur Wright.


How the Modern Bible Came to Be
@ Pelican Landing
April 21 | 1:30 – 3 pm  

In 2007, Time magazine asserted that the Bible “has done more to shape literature, history,
entertainment and culture than any book ever written.” It’s a bold claim, but one that’s hard to
refute. But if the Bible’s standing as a cultural behemoth is beyond doubt, its history is anything
but. For centuries, some of the world’s greatest thinkers have puzzled over the origins and
evolution of this remarkable document. Who wrote it? When? And why? These are the thorniest
of questions, made all the more tangled by the Bible’s great age. Join us as we explore the origins
of the bible as we know it today.

 
PROGRAM GUIDE  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE 2023 PROGRAM GUIDE  

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS ONLINE  

CLICK HERE – April Daily Calendar  

CLICK HERE – May Daily Calendar  

Call us for assistance with registration – 239.434.4737


    Free Gift with Purchase of a Membership  
When you purchase a membership, you are supporting lifelong learning in the SWFL community.
As a token of our appreciation, we have a free gift for all those who Moviepurchase a membership,
in-person or online. Visit the FGCU Naples Center at 704 Goodlette Frank Rd North to receive your
free gift.  

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!  


SUNDAY MOVIES @ FGCU Academy
 

 
International Film and Documentary Discussion
(All movies begin at 2pm)
Viewing held at Naples Center – 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd. N. – 3rd floor, Naples  

TODAY’S MOVIE…..

* April 16 – Pain and Glory   

* April 23 – A Sun   

Join FGCU Academy for a casual afternoon enjoying the above movies and
participating in open discussion afterwards with our moderator – John Guerra

Register early

Advanced registration is strongly recommended      

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

Monday April 17
Mah Jongg for Beginners
The Versailles Settlement
What Happened to the Ink on My Fingers – From Traditional to Social Media  

Tuesday
The Crimean War  

Friday
Presidential Wives: Remember the First Ladies
Beautiful, Flowering Orchids: How to Make Yours Thrive and Grow!  

Monday April 24
Advanced Mah Jongg Strategies (3-part series)
Religion, Power, Dynasty, and the Crown –
The Civil Wars of France
Unraveling IranRussian-American Paradox  

Tuesday
The Constitution and the New “Imperial Presidency”
Introduction to Microsoft Word
iPhone/iPad: Tips, Tricks & SecretsAll Users Should Know in iOS 16
Human Trafficking in SWFL
The Crusades
The Purloined Life of Edgar Alan Poe  

Wednesday
Bird Basics and Beyond (2-part series)
Postcards from Cuba
iPhone/iPad Settings: iCloud, Notifications, Apple Pay, Emergency SOS and More    


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

   

 
INSIDER’S JAPAN View Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
May 20 – June 1, 2023 | 13 days
It’s a land of delicate art and bustling commerce, of rich traditions and dizzying modernity;
a jumble of sights, sounds, and tastes that for visitors are truly foreign – and truly fascinating.
This well-crafted tour features the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, engages us in local life,
and takes us off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa.


LEGENDARY TURKEYView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 1 – 15, 2023 | 15 days
Exotic sights, scents, and sounds reign in this fascinating land where Europe and Asia meet.
From Istanbul, magnificent “Empress of the World,” to ancient ruins, stunning landscapes,
and the dramatic – and legendary – Turquoise Coast, Turkey engages and beguiles, offering
us an unparalleled small group experience.


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.

PEARLS OF DALMATIAView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
September 14 – 28, 2023 | 15 days 
Independent, democratic Croatia welcomes visitors eager to absorb its remarkable history and
culture– and its beautiful and unspoiled Dalmatian coastline. As our small group travels from
historic Zagreb and beautiful Lake Bled to the Habsburg resort of Opatija, the island of Hvar,
and beloved Dubrovnik, we see why this cherished region lays such a claim on the hearts of
all who visit.


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.


ISRAEL: TIMELESS WONDERSView Full Itinerary/Travel Brochure
October 14 – 25, 2023 | 12 days 
Encounter a land of extraordinary beauty and belief, of spirit and story, history and hospitality.
From modern Tel Aviv to scen­ic Upper Galilee, ancient Tiberias and storied Nazareth to Jerusalem,
“City of Gold,” we engage all our senses in a small group encounter with this extraordinary and
holy land, with a five-night stay in Jerusalem at the legendary King David hotel.    

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, outstanding 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]
FGCU Academy | 704 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 330, Naples, FL 34102
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