Upcoming Events | The Institute for Retired Persons (IRP)
Monday October 16th, 2023 * 9:00 AM (ZOOM)
Patricia Harman, Certified Nurse Midwife and Author, Ms. Harman will discuss her award-winning debut novel, The Midwife of Hope River, which explores the joys and challenges of a rural lay midwife in depression-era West Virginia.
The book deals with poverty, racial prejudice and often primitive birthing conditions.
For those whose grandparents were delivered by midwives, the novel is thought-provoking.
Ms. Harman drew upon her own considerable skills and experience as a midwife to tell the story while painting a vivid image of the hard times endured by West Virginians during this bleak period in U.S. history.
Tuesday October 17th, 2023 * 9:00 AM | In Person at Menno Haven Life Center
The Battle of the Bulge: The Relief of Bastogne Leon Reed, Author, Retired Senate Staffer and U.S. History Teacher
The World War II Battle of the Bulge was the largest battle ever for the American army: six weeks of brutal combat against the Germans and the weather.
Mr. Reed will tell the story of one critical part of that battle — the relief of Bastogne — through the eyes of three U.S. soldiers.
10:30 AM Yellow Hill and the Quaker Valley: Stories of the Underground Railroad
Debra McCauslin, Historian and Author
Decades before the Civil War, abolitionists and sympathizers were active north of Gettysburg in the Quaker Valley and Yellow Hill areas.
Here, just a few miles north of the Mason Dixon line, members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) worked with local freedmen Edward Mathews and Basil Biggs to bring escaping slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.
The Quaker Valley and Yellow Hill areas also provided safe haven for the local African American community during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Today the only evidence of this once-thriving African American community is the abandoned Yellow Hill cemetery.
Wednesday October 18th, 2023 * 9:00 AM (ZOOM)
An American Success Story: Poor Irish Immigrant Becomes Hotelier to U.S. Presidents and Celebrities
Ann Calkins, Assistant Librarian, Fendrick Library, Mercersburg, PA.
Ms. Calkins will describe the amazing life of her grandfather, Michael J. Croghan, who was “poor as a church mouse” when he arrived in the U.S. in 1908.
Through hard work and determination, he came to own or operate 5 resort hotels in Harper’s Ferry, WV; Braddock Heights, MD; and Frederick, MD.
By the time of his death in 1960, Mike and his wife, Hilda, had hosted numerous politicians and diplomats including Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. Poet Carl Sandburg, author Pearl Buck and Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, also visited.
Ms. Calkins will share some of her grandparents’ stories.
Thursday October 19th, 2023 * 9:00 AM | In-Person Menno Haven Life Center
Issues with Iran: Nuclear Arms Agreement, Support to Russia & Funding Terrorism
John Ricca, Weapons of Mass Destruction & Counter-Terrorism Analyst.
Mr. Ricca will discuss Iran’s nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka the Iran Agreement, the U.S. snap-back sanctions, Iran’s support to Russia, funding terrorism, and the actions of U.S. Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden.
10:30 AM Members Meeting
Dr. Kathy Worthington, Director, The Institute for Retired Persons.
This members meeting will provide information about IRP finances, program, membership, committees, and allow time for questions, answers and discussion.
