Whether you wish to learn more about the history of Motown or the origins of Hernando landmarks, historical heroes or hysterical comic luminaries, environmental sights or chocolate delights, everyone should find something to like–and learn–about the newest season of Academia Hernando.
Drawing its origins more than a decade ago from the popular Mondays in Brooksville program, Academia Hernando–the not-for-profit lifelong learning organization providing quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County and beyond–is returning in grand fashion for the Fall 2021 season, as sponsored by The Hernando Sun, Kenjo’s Tree Service and The Residence at Timber Pines.
“Our goal is to inform, educate and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics,” reads a mission statement found at https://www.academiahernando.org/about.
This goal, says Sharon Printz, board member of Academia Hernando, is the guiding mission of this and every season of Academia Hernando sessions.
“We make an effort to feature a wide variety of topics,” said Printz, who conducts Academia booking duties with board member Mickey Mandel. “We like to present topics that will make people want to dig deeper and learn more.”
All sessions will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. Lectures begin promptly at 10 AM and last for 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Face maks are required for attendance.
“We enjoy the process of booking these sessions,” said Printz, “just as much as our guests enjoy seeing them.”
The fall season of Academia Hernando kicks off at 10 a.m. Sept. 17 with The History of Chinsegut Hill, a Hernando landmark.
“Chinsegut Hill Historic Site has a human history that spans millennia. Prehistoric people, Seminole Indians, wealthy American planters, enslaved individuals, political crusaders and more inhabited this ground,” reads the program website. “We interpret this history thematically as the ‘Persistent Florida Frontier” as the Hill has come to hold different meanings for people over time.”
Presenting the history of Chinsegut through the eras is Brian Buttafuoco, who has served as the Curator of Education for the education department at the Tampa Bay History Center since 2015, and more recently for Chinsegut Hill Historic Site.
History of a more musical variety will be presented at The Birth of Motown, Friday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m.
“Take a trip with Angela Birdsong to the Land of Motown!” read an event description. “Angela will take us through the history and joy that is Motown music from its creation by founder Berry Gordy to the landmark site of “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, Michigan, where groups like The Temptations, The Jackson Five, and The Supremes all began their careers. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a rockin’ ride!”
Musician Angela Clarke married Edwin Birdsong, a recording artist and Cindy Birdsong’s cousin–also the best friend of Stevie Wonder. Now a member of the Motown family, “Angela wants to keep the legacy of Berry Gordy and Motown alive forever.”
Hernando Sun will bring you further details on the programs scheduled for October in an upcoming issue.
