Daytime Speakers

Travelogue on Colombia

Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

Travel to Colombia in South America with Maureen Field. We will visit the high-altitude capital Bogota; the tranquil area of Pereira in the coffee zone; Medellin, once one of the most dangerous cities in the world and now a thriving tourist destination; and Cartagena, a beautiful Caribbean port city with lots of history. In addition, we will get a glimpse of home life in Colombia.

Spanish Conversation for Cognitive Well-Being: Beginner Class

Monday, September 8, 2025 | 4:00-5:30pm

This is a 6 week series, September 8 - October 13  

This course 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 BA from U of M-Ann Arbor and a MASTERS Art of Teaching.

Medication Management

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 12:00-1:30pm

Nikkie Karana, RPh and Jevon Sharrak, Pharm. D.

Medication management ensures a patient's medications are used safely, effectively and appropriately. Older adults are more likely to experience age-related changes in drug metabolism and are often on multiple medications, making them particularly vulnerable to medication-related problems. Join Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital pharmacists, Nikkie Karana and Jevon Sharrak, as they discuss medication management and answer your questions. A light lunch will be served.

Thank you to Henry Ford Health, our Health & Wellness Partner

Spanish Conversation for Cognitive Well-Being: Advanced Class

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:00-5:00pm

Advance Class - 6 week class. Wednesdays March 5 - April 9

This course 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 BA from U of M-Ann Arbor and a MASTERS Art of Teaching.

Classic Michigan Food & Drink: The Story Behind the Brand

Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

Jon Milan and Gail Offen, Local Authors and Michigan Enthusiasts

Did you know the Ritz Cracker was invented in Jackson? Frozen garlic bread was invented in Grand Rapids? John and Gail’s new book, Classic Michigan Food and Drink: The Stories Behind The Brands (published in November) is full of stories and pictures about the many Michigan food and drink brands we all know and love. Sure, Michigan invented ready-to-eat cereal (Kelloggs) and baby food (Gerber) --but there are stories most Michiganders don't know! If you’re a fan of brands like Sanders, Better Made, Faygo, Vernors, Ryba’s, Guernsey, Jiffy and Vlasic—or have fond memories of brands like Awrey’s and Twin Pines—you’ll eat up this show!

The Birmingham City Commission Candidate Forum

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 6:00-7:30pm

All politics are local! Next is hosting a candidate forum for the upcoming City of Birmingham Commission election this November. This is a wonderful opportunity to speak directly to potential candidates about the issues you find important, and to hear from the candidates on how they will represent Birmingham, especially on topics impacting seniors. Please join us at Next for this important evening.

Medicare Educational Workshop

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

Julia Muraj Bruceti, Licensed Insurance Agent 

Join us for a complimentary, no-obligation educational event designed to help you better understand your Medicare options. Whether you’re already enrolled or will soon be eligible, this session will provide clear, easy-to-understand information about how Medicare works, what benefits you may be entitled to, and how to review or make changes to your current plan. This is a CMS*-regulated educational event — no specific plans or companies will be marketed, and there is no obligation to enroll. Our goal is to give you the knowledge you need to feel confident about your healthcare choices.

Julia M. Bruceti has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in Medicare, under-65 health insurance, life insurance, and supplemental coverage. Her approachable style and dedication to leaving no questions unanswered have earned her a strong reputation as a trusted advisor.

*CMS stands for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Tea Around the World

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

TRACING THE GLOBAL JOURNEY AND CULTURAL IMPACT OF TEA Barbara Gulley, Owner, Barb’s Tea Service

As tea journeyed from its Asian roots to Europe and the Americas, it became more than just a beverage—it became a cultural cornerstone. Many societies held it in such high esteem that they developed intricate ceremonies to honor it. This presentation will explore the Chinese and Japanese tea ceremonies, as well as the beginnings of British afternoon tea. We'll also delve into the first European nations to import tea, its pivotal role in global trade, the expansion of tea cultivation to India, and the rich traditions that blossomed along the way. Once reserved for royalty and the elite, tea eventually found its way into everyday life, with each culture leaving its distinctive mark on how it is prepared, served and savored

Comparative World Religions

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 1:00-3:00pm

Part One - September 30, Part Two - October 21, sign up for one or both sessions.

Gus Mondalek, Religious Scholar & International Affairs Expert

This two-part presentation is an exploration of major world religions, viewed as complex systems of philosophy, ethics, and culture. We will examine the 'how' and 'why' of religious worldviews, rather than debating their theological truths. Our survey will cover the foundational ideas of the Abrahamic (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), Dharmic (Hinduism, Buddhism), and Taoic traditions.

Fireside Chat with Birmingham's Fire Marshal

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 11:00-12:30pm

Jeff Scaife, Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal, City of Birmingham Fire Department T

Fire Prevention Week runs October 5 – 11, and to get everyone thinking of fire safety, we have invited Jeff Scaife, the Assistant Chief/ Fire Marshal for the City of Birmingham Fire Department, to join us for coffee, doughnuts and conversation. Jeff will give a brief introduction to the Birmingham Fire Department, review current community risk reduction efforts you need to know and practice, and he will talk about fire prevention efforts throughout the city.  

Pathways to a Fulfilling and Healthy Aging Experience

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 11:00-12:30pm

Peter A. Lichtenberg, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, former Director of the Wayne State Institute of Gerontology, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Gerontology.

 Dr. Lichtenberg is a specialist in both Rehabilitation Psychology and Clinical Geropsychology. He is a post-doctorally trained Geriatric Neuropsychologist. Dr. Lichtenberg is also a national expert in financial capacity assessment and financial exploitation of older adults. He has made contributions to the practice of psychology across a variety of areas including in Alzheimer’s disease, medical rehabilitation and with those suffering from late life depression. Dr. Lichtenberg is the author of seven books, and has authored or co-authored over 220 peer review journal articles and book chapters. He is coming to Next to speak about aging successfully, with strategies for finding fulfillment and staying healthy, and data based on his decades of research and clinical practice.

Walk the Path of Dementia- an Interactive Dementia Experience

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 12:30-2:00pm

Kyra Jackman, Memory Care Advisor, Arden Courts Bingham Farms T

“Walk the Path of Dementia” is a powerful and engaging onehour presentation provided by Kyra Jackman, designed to raise awareness and understanding of dementia within the community. This program has been used in the training of local first responders, receiving positive feedback for its educational and interactive approach. The presentation provides a clear overview of dementia, including the most common types, key symptoms, and how it impacts individuals and their loved ones. Attendees will also learn practical ways to offer better support to those living with dementia in everyday situations. What sets this session apart is its hands-on, sensory-based experience. Through interactive components, participants will temporarily experience the sensory and cognitive challenges faced by individuals with dementia—building empathy and deeper understanding. 

The Exotic and Different

Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

PLACES YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T THOUGHT ABOUT TRAVELING TO: Mel Chudnof, Ph.D., World Traveler

In the 50+ years Mel Chudnof and his wife have been traveling, some of their 83 international destinations were quite unusual for most American travelers. It is these experiences that became some of the most rewarding for them. Chudnof will share slides and stories about cross-cultural experiences in The Republic of Georgia and Belarus, and adventures in the exotic and more rarely visited Islands of Australia: Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and Heron Island. Chudnof will round out his talk by sharing a few very unusual places you will want to add to your “bucket list.” Mel Chudnof, Ph.D, retired psychology professor at Oakland Community College for 43 years and private clinician. In his leisure time, Chudnof enjoys extensive travel, road biking, swimming, volunteering and being an advocate for social justice. 

Vascular Care

Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 12:00-1:30pm

Dr. Syed Ahsan, MD

Vascular medicine is a field that focuses on specialized diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases outside of the heart. Dr. Syed Ahsan is a vascular medicine specialist and currently serves as the Medical Director of the Lymphedema Program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He is also the Section Head for Vascular Medicine at the institution and a hypertension specialist, where he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on improving outcomes for patients with complex vascular and lymphatic disorders. He will speak on vascular care, including the lymphatic system which helps to get rid of waste and other toxins, along with related causes of swelling. A light lunch will be served. 

Thank you to Henry Ford Health - our Health and Wellness Partner