Daytime Speakers

The History of Costume Jewelry

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | 11:00-12:00pm

Leslie Krukowski, Black Dog Vintage, LLC

Join us as Leslie Krukowski takes us through a brief history of costume jewelry, dating back to the 1700s. She will also bring in some of her personal vintage pieces and explain the process and tools she uses to identify and date costume jewelry. Attendees are invited to bring one or two of their own pieces of costume jewelry to have them evaluated by Leslie in front of the entire group. Leslie Krukowski grew up in Southfield and has always been interested in vintage jewelry and clothing. In high school, she used to buy vintage ‘50s dresses and wear them with denim jackets decorated with vintage brooches. (She was THAT kid!) Over the years, her collections have grown and she buys and sells online. This past year, she took an early retirement to pursue her love for vintage jewelry, full time.

Spanish Conversation for Cognitive Well-being

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 3:30-4:30pm

September 11 - October 16, 3:30 - 4:30 pm 

This course is open to students who have completed earlier sessions with Senora Barlett, as well as those individuals who have had some exposure to the Spanish language in the past. The class is designed to provide a stimulating and engaging environment for individuals interested in learning Spanish while promoting cognitive health. Through interactive conversation activities, this course aims to enhance mental agility, memory and linguistic skills, all while fostering social connections and cultural understanding. In this 6-week course, participants will explore daily conversational topics. Your instructor, Señora Bartlett, will guide you through various activities and exercises designed to challenge your brain, improve language proficiency and keep your cognitive abilities sharp.

Señora Carla Bartlett is a native Spanish speaker and also fluent in Italian. She has been teaching for over 30 years at the high school and Adult Education levels. She holds a B.A. from U of M-Ann Arbor and a MASTERS Art of Teaching. 

Emily Dickinson's Letter to the World

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Jane Eberwein, author, retired Professor from Oakland University

In this introduction to America’s most recognized woman poet, who is also paradoxically our patron saint of unacknowledged genius, we’ll focus on the 1862 self-introduction Dickinson mailed to writer-editor-Abolitionist Thomas Wentworth Higginson. (Handout provided.) We’ll consider her distinctive literary characteristics and consider the still-debated question of whether she intended to publish her poems. Jane Eberwein retired as Distinguished Professor Emerita from Oakland University. She is the author of Dickinson: Strategies of Limitation, editor of An Emily Dickinson Encyclopedia, co-editor of Reading Emily Dickinson’s Letters and Dickinson in Her Own Time.

Resolve to End Chronic Pain

Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 12:00-1:00pm

While at the Health Expo, join us for our feature speaker, Aaron Wallace, owner of Balance Your Fitness. Take home priceless strategies and a risk free opportunity to change your life. 

The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Window

Thursday, October 10, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Jeremy Caverly, Owner, Backyard Birds of Bloomfield Hills 

Explore the joys of feeding wild birds. Jeremy Caverly, and his wife Diana, are the owners of Backyard Birds of Bloomfield Hills. Having grown up along the shores of Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, Jeremy brings his lifelong appreciation for wildlife to the Great Lakes Region, promoting the hobby of wild bird feeding. Whether you're an avid birder or just looking to attract feathered friends to your backyard oasis, you will enjoy Jeremy’s expert tips and advice. Join us!

Hamtramck Then & Now

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Greg Kowalski, Executive Director, Hamtramck Historical Museum

What was it like to live in Hamtramck in 1890? In 1900? 1910? 1922? 1933? 1945? 1959? This program takes an in-depth look at how Hamtramck transformed from a farming village to an industrial city in the space of 10 years and became the fastest growing town in the nation in 1915. Greg Kowalski was born in Hamtramck in 1950 and has lived there ever since. A graduate of Wayne State University, he spent more than 40 years as a journalist writing for and editing newspapers and magazines, including the Birmingham Eccentric. Since 2013, he has been the executive director of the Hamtramck Historical Museum. He is author of 13 books, including 11 on Hamtramck and two on Detroit

The Importance of Sleep

Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 12:00-1:00pm

Ashley Houghteling, Nurse Practitioner

According to the National Council on Aging, an estimated 75% of older U.S. adults experience the effects of poor sleep. Join Henry Ford Health Nurse Practitioner Ashley Houghteling, as she discusses the science and stages of sleep, the benefits of sleep and good sleep hygiene practices, with tips to improve sleep quality and quantity. A light lunch will be served.

Thank you Henry Ford Health, our Health and Wellness Partner!

Prescription Drug Disposal

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Nadli Arabo, MPH: Oakland County Health Division 

Nadli Arabo, Oakland County Health Educator, will share how to dispose of medications safely and properly. Learn which stores in Oakland County accept medications and provide safe medication disposal kiosks. Nadli will also talk about opioids, the Opioid Crisis, statistics on opioid misuse in Oakland County and how to access Narcan and Fentanyl/Xylazine testing strips.

Navigating Aging with Laughter

Thursday, October 24, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Mildred Matlock, Storyteller, Humorist 

If laughter is the best medicine, why just talk about laughing? Let’s do it! If after listening to Mildred’s real-life stories your funny bone is tickled and you can’t catch your breath, attribute it to the invigorating intervention of laughing out loud. While there’s no giggle guarantee, Mildred does her best to kindle a few chuckles and chortles. Mildred has been the keynoter of Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology’s annual conference, “Art of Aging Successfully.” 

Exercises to Help Prevent Falls & Improve Balance

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 1:00-2:00pm

Raj Thangamuthu, Physical Therapist and Owner of Empower Physical Therapy

Fact: One of every three persons age 65 and older falls each year. Fact: Falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in those over the age of 85. Join Raj as he takes us through a variety of exercises to help improve our balance and help reduce the chance of falls. Raj is passionate about working with people to improve balance and coordination as they age. Wear comfortable clothing and good shoes!