March

For this potpourri, each presenter will discuss a poem or a passage from a poem that has had significance or meaning in their lives, and tell us a little bit about the poet.

Jan Petroski joined ICL in 2019
Rebecca Miller-Moe joined in 2017
Betty Kasoff former member
Eunice Porter joined in 2004
Lois Rosen joined in 2005
Ruth Crowley joined in 2022
Helen Beckman joined in 2021
Paul Rice joined in 2008
Ann Boss joined in 2021

Giulio Romano (1499-1546) is the only artist mentioned by Shakespeare. In The Winter’s Tale (5.2), He is described as the “rare Italian master” who creates a statue so lifelike that — in the final act — it actually does come to life, reuniting a long-lost character with her family. The real Giulio Romano was a highly respected 15th century Italian artist whose work is less well-known to Americans than that of his contemporaries. But why was he, of the many famous Italian artists of his day, singled out a century later by Shakespeare for special recognition in one of his last plays?

In the first hour of the presentation, we will get acquainted with Giulio’s work as a painter and an architect, and see how he transformed the city of Mantua, where he spent much of his life.
In the second hour, we will leap forward a century to the court of James I of England. We will discover more about one of Shakespeare’s last plays, see how its first performance contributed to James’ efforts to present his court as one of the most cultivated in Europe, and learn how Giulio’s work fit into the Stuart cultural agenda.

Originally from Chicago, I earned a B.A. in History from Harvard College (Radcliffe at the time). I went on to earn an M.A. in French from Stanford and after some years of teaching, a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. I taught at Linfield College for a few years and eventually moved into administering off-campus and international programs. In addition to some overseas teaching opportunities, I managed programs at the University of Oregon, the Great Lakes Colleges Association in Ann Arbor, MI, the College of William and Mary, and also taught at Hampton University in Virginia. After retiring, I plunged full time into painting and happily returned to Oregon with my husband, Tom Ellis, when he retired in 2017. We’ve been married for 36 years, but we somehow manage to have as much fun together as if we were just beginning to date.
Ann Moore joined ICL in September 2023.

Learn about birds and owls during a presentation entitled “Exploring the Lives and Habitats of Birds.” During the first hour we will explore several birding topics including the evolution of birds, bird migration, bird behavior, environmental impacts on birds, and bird habitats. In the second hour we delve into owls of the Pacific Northwest including the Barred Owl which has become infamous in Salem.

Mike has been birdwatching for over 11 years. He discovered his passion for birds while spending his winters in southeast Arizona, one of the premier bird watching areas in the nation. With a background in administration and training and years of taking birding and nature classes, he not only has a wide knowledge of birds, but an understanding and appreciation for the natural world at large.

Mike is a Salem Audubon Society (SAS) volunteer who has been leading bird walks and teaching classes on birds and nature for over eight years. He also coordinates the SAS bird survey program that conducts surveys throughout the Willamette Valley. Mike is a member of Salem and Tucson Audubon Societies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Black Swamp Bird Observatory, American Bird Conservancy, and Hawkwatch International.