Fall 2026 Lecture Series & Excursion

When

The series begins Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Where

The WellCome OM Center
4260 Lake in the Woods Drive
Spring Hill, FL

Cost

$90
Lectures begin promptly at 10:00 AM and last for 2 hours. There is a 15-minute intermission.

How to Register

Print the registration form below and mail it with your check for $90 payable to Academia Hernando, Inc. and mail to:

Ramona Des Lauriers
15417 Sonora Dr.
Brooksville, FL 34604

Important: The Registration Form must be included with your check.
Your cancelled check is your receipt.
A graphic of a document icon with a folded corner, featuring the red Adobe Acrobat logo and the word "Adobe," with a red "PDF" label at the top left.
Download Registration Form

Itinerary Coming Soon!

Mars Exploration

Wednesday, January 28th
10:00 AM

A close-up view of a reddish planet, partially in shadow, with a glowing outline and visible surface details, set against a dark starry space background.
The planet Mars is one of the most unique objects in the night sky, appearing as a red light and has enticed human curiosity for millennia. Starting with telescopes developed by Galileo humans started to explore this planet. In the 20th Century, using rockets and unmanned vehicles, Mars has become the target of an incredible adventure of exploration by machine, and eventually, by humans. We will explore how and what we’ve learned about Mars, and delve into the future.

Presenter Bio: Paul Sutton

Bio to come.

Mancini’s Musical Majesty: A Grand Centennial

Wednesday, February 4th
10:00 AM

A vinyl record partially out of its cover, which features the Pink Panther cartoon character and text: "The Pink Panther, Music from the Film Score Composed and Conducted by Henry Mancini.
75 years ago, the iconic Peter Gunn Theme brought the talents of Henry Mancini to the world’s attention for his nomination for a first Emmy and two Grammys. It was only the beginning of a monumental career that brought an unprecedented 72 Grammy and 18 Oscar nominations. Whether writing, arranging, conducting or concertizing the likes of Mr. Lucky, The Pink Panther, Charade, Moon River, The Baby Elephant Walk, and Days of Wine and Roses, Mancini transformed both small and large screen events, characters and emotions with timeless musical foundation. It is no wonder we continue to celebrate his musical majesty in this centennial year of his birth.

Presenter Bio: Joy Katzen-Guthrie

Joy’s worship services, concerts, and 13 published recordings are dedicated to joy, healing, and creativity. She has served as Music Director and composer/pianist/vocalist for Unity of Today from 1995 to 2005, Unity of Palm Harbor from 2005 to 2024, and has been a frequent guest worship and music leader for Unity and other congregations throughout Florida and beyond. A Jewish congregational Cantorial Leader and Artist/Scholar in Residence since 1985, she has served on the High Holy Day and part-time pulpits of Florida Reform and Conservative congregations, in addition to guest worship and concert appearances. Since 2021, she has been an accompanist and music specialist for Temple Ahavat Shalom of Palm Harbor, and since 2019, a programmer/host of Tampa Bay’s longtime (44 years) community radio broadcast, The Sunday Simcha on WMNF 88.5 FM. For 25 years (since 1999) Joy has been an instructor for Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) and OLLI—Osher Lifelong Learning Programs for Eckerd College of St. Petersburg (She is the longest-serving member of Eckerd’s lifelong learning team) in addition to other learning series for decades.

Since 2020, Joy has served the Palm Harbor Historical Society and Museum as Administrative Associate/Programmer, producing the museum’s monthly virtual and on-site historical and cultural programs, bringing presenters to the museum, and promoting the museum and its programs through social networks, the museum website, and news/video platforms.

Between 2000 and 2008, Joy served as a Scholar in Residence for Jewish Heritage Tours to China and Turkey, and developed heritage tours to Cuba, Alaska, Argentina, and Australia/New Zealand. A contributing writer to the Encyclopedia Judaica, she has had her photographs published globally.

Route 66-The Mother Road

Wednesday, February 18th
10:00 AM

A vintage roadside motel with a large neon sign reading "Roy's Motel Café" sits beside Route 66. The road, desert landscape, and mountains are visible under a clear blue sky.

April 30, 2026, will mark the 100th birthday of “The Main Street of America” – U.S. Route 66. This Chicago-to-Pacific route was one of the earliest numbered U.S. Highways and became the first completely paved transcontinental route. For decades, it served as a vital link for Americans traveling east and west until its decommissioning in the mid 1980’s. But the highway refused to die, and Route 66 associations sprang up in the states it passed through, all of them celebrating its impact on the formation of modern America. Known for its colorful, kitschy attractions, the roadway has been celebrated in stories and songs, especially for its important role during the Great Depression. It remains alive today by those who maintain the legacy of this storied “Mother Road,” the name bestowed upon it by John Steinbeck in his classic work The Grapes of Wrath.

Presenter Bio: Rick Kistner

Bio to come.

Introduction to Commercial Beekeeping and Honey Production

Wednesday, February 25th
10:00 AM

A gloved hand holds a honeycomb frame covered with honeybees during beekeeping. The bees are clustered on the yellow hexagonal cells of the honeycomb.

Matthew will discuss his growth from beekeeping as a hobby to a full-time commercial business. There will be a hands-on demonstration of equipment and basic bee biology, plus tips on becoming a beekeeper. He will cover the honey supply chain, imports that harm farmers, how to support American beekeepers, and the value of pollinators.

Presenter Bio: Matthew Beck

Bio to come.

The Gershwins - A S’Wonderful Soiree

Wednesday, March 4th
10:00 AM

Two men in suits pose closely together for a formal black-and-white portrait. One has neatly combed hair and a tie, while the other wears round glasses and a suit with a bow tie. Both look directly at the camera.

A melodic look at the 100-year-plus legacy of George and Ira Gershwin, celebrating their Broadway and Hollywood hits with stories, songs, and video clips. From the early 1920’s until George’s untimely passing, these songwriting brothers had dozens and dozens of hits that are still performed today. From the Man I Love to They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Biding My Time to Someone to Watch Over Me …their songs topped the charts in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and beyond.

Presenter Bio: Jason Fortner

Bio to come.

1960s: The Years That Shaped a Generation

Wednesday, March 11th
10:00 AM

A group of people march, holding signs demanding equal rights, integrated schools, freedom, and decent housing. The scene appears to be from a civil rights protest in the 1960s.

The 1960’s was a decade of profound change in America. The 60’s was packed with challenges to traditional values and how we viewed ourselves and others. It was an exciting decade and a painful one at times. Topics we may explore are the Space Race, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the JFK Assassination, 60’s Pop Culture, 60’s TV, Feminism, Civil Rights, the MLK Assassination, the Vietnam War, LBJ and the Great Society, Woodstock, and Politics.

Presenter Bio: James Goeb

Bio to come.

Bus Trip

Wednesday, November 11th

View from the back of a bus showing passengers seated in rows, some facing forward. The focus is on a person wearing a colorful floral bucket hat. The atmosphere appears relaxed and casual.

Excursion information coming soon!