REACH Speakers Bureau

General Washington had a salt supply for food preservation and medicine at the time of the Revolution, and the British wanted it. Meanwhile, Yankee entrepreneurs in New England saw a golden opportunity for salt making and earning a living in the battle for independence. Find out how salt played a role in Americans winning their independence.

In the early 19th century, the Governor of New York was desperate to make the port of New York an international trading hub. All the natural resources of the Wild West (Ohio) would ensure that. In an age before industrial earth-moving equipment, the idea of digging a canal over 300 miles seemed crazy. Luckily, all the recent Irish immigrants to the United States were up to the task!

It may seem odd that saltworks in both the North and the South were considered "military targets," yet that is exactly what happened as it was needed for horses to move military equipment. Lincoln's naval blockade of Southern ports effectively cut the South off from international trade, forcing the civilian population into the unthinkable.

An examination of the relationship between our brains and our minds and how memory works (or sometimes doesn't) between both. We'll explore some of the shocking discoveries of neuroscience in the last 50 years.

On October 20, 1944, a liquefied natural gas storage tank ruptured at the East Ohio Gas facility on Cleveland's East 55th Street near St. Clair Avenue. Once released, the liquid gas vaporized and ignited, resulting in one of the worst fires in Cleveland history. The fire covered a one-square-mile area bordered by the Shoreway to the north, East 67th St. to the east, St. Clair Avenue to the south and East 53rd Street to the west. 130 people died, including 73 East Ohio Gas employees. This presentation will provide the background of how it happened and tell the stories of some of the survivors. Rare on-site footage will be shown.

Although Alfred Hitchcock had been making cameo appearances in his films since 1927, the first time most people heard his voice was on the evening of October 2, 1955, when he introduced "Revenge," the very first episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Elsa, played by Vera Miles, is assaulted by an unknown attacker. When her husband (Ralph Meeker) arrives home, he notices that she seems somewhat disoriented. Nonetheless, he seeks revenge by driving her around town in search of the culprit. We will begin with a brief introduction and then view the full half-hour episode. After the screening, we will share our reactions.

"The Glass Eye"is about a woman who falls in love with a famous ventriloquist and finally gets a chance to meet him. It stars Jessica Tandy, Tom Conway and a young William Shatner. Hitchcock and a ventriloquist? What could go wrong? Although Hitchcock had been making cameo appearances in his films since 1927, the first time most people heard his voice was on the evening of October 2, 1955, when he introduced the first episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. We will begin with a brief introduction and then view the full half-hour episode. After the screening, we will share our reactions.

"The Right Kind of House" is about a man driving through a town and seeing a home for sales that seems just perfect for him. If the price is right, he just might spend the rest of his days there. But she want $50,000! It's only worth $9,000! Starring Robert Emhardt and Jeanette Nolan. Although Hitchcock has been making cameo appearances in his films since 1927, the first time most people heard his voice was on the evening of October 2, 1955, when he introduced the first episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. we will begin with a brief introduction and then view the full half-hour episode. After the screening, we will share our reactions.

"Lamb to the Slaughter" is about a happy housewife, (Barbara Bel Geddes) who is getting ready to serve her husband a nice leg of lamb when he gets home from work. Sounds quite pleasant, but you may have noticed the word "slaughter" in the title. The episode was directed by Mr. Hitchcock himself and written by Roald Dahl. Although Hitchcock had been making cameo appearances in his films since 1927, the first time most people heard his voice was on the evening of October 2, 1955, when he introduced the first episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. We will begin with a brief introduction and then view the full half-hour episode. After the screening, we will share our reactions.

In "Man from the South", a creepy character played by Peter Lorre, proposes a bizarre bet to an overconfident gambler played by Steve McQueen. The woman with the dangling dress shoe is played by Neile Adams, who was married to McQueen at the time. From a story by Roald Dahl. Although Hitchcock had been making cameo appearances in his films since 1927, the first time most people heard his voice was on the evening of October 2, 1955, when he introduced the first episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. We will begin with a brief introduction and then view the full half-hour episode. After the screening, we will share our reactions.

The earliest days of space exploration (1950 - 1970) were characterized by a spirited competition between the Soviet Union and the United States. This talk explores the "space race" between the two countries. The Soviets had an early lead in rocketry and spacecraft, including Sputnik and the first man in space. President Kennedy decided to answer that challenge with a bold decision to go to the Moon. The Gemini and Apollo programs lead to the eventual American triumph. Finally, we will look at the immediate aftermath of the race for both countries and why we have not returned to the Moon in the last half-century.

Humans have been continuously living in space on board the International Space Station since November of 2000. Crews routinely visit the station for 6-month assignments. But living on the station is anything but routine. Working, eating, sleeping, bathing and exercising are all affected by the weightless environment. This talk will explore and explain these changes using on-orbit video clips featuring Cleveland native astronaut Suni Williams.

Proudly emblazoned on our Ohio automobile license plates is the phrase "Birthplace of Aviation". Most people associate that phrase with the Wright Brothers from Dayton, Ohio, who are credited with the invention of the airplane. But many other Ohio residents made important contributions to the early development of the aircraft industry. This talk will present these other aviation pioneers and their accomplishments.

Mr. Wilbur Wright of Dayton, Ohio, will present results from experiments concerning the development of a practical, piloted flying machine. The experiments were conducted between 1899 and 1905 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and Dayton, Ohio, with his brother, Orville Wright. He will explain and demonstrate many of the technical aspects of their invention by using models and actual photographs of the experiments. The unique flight control system will be discussed in some detail, along with the propulsion system and supporting wind tunnel experiments. Wilbur Wright will be presented by Tom Benson, who is a retired aeronautical engineer from the NASA Glenn Research Center.

Discover how World War II didn't just shape world history - it reshaped America. This eye-opening session reveals how the U.S. became the "arsenal of democracy," with factories roaring to life as industries pivoted from toasters to tanks. Learn how this dramatic shift sparked an economic boom, skyrocketed productivity and opened doors for women and minorities to enter the workforce like never before. A fascinating look at how war changed the home front -- and the American identity -- forever.

In a world overflowing with headlines, hashtags and "breaking news", how do you know what's real? This empowering session teaches you how to separate fact from fiction online. Learn how to spot trustworthy sources, evaluate authority and accuracy and recognize bias -- before you click "share." With practical tools and real-world examples, you'll gain the confidence to navigate the digital world with a sharper eye and a critical mind.

In this fun, interactive session, participants will learn the basics of ASL through role play and other engaging activities. We'll start with the alphabet and numbers 1-10, building fingerspelling skills to help you communicate. With continued practice, you'll be able to spell your name, sign common words, greet others, enjoy songs, and even tell short stories. The focus is on having fun while learning and sharing what you learn with family and friends. No experience necessary - just bring your hands and your curiosity!

According to the World History Encyclopedia, music has been part of human life as far back as 2000 BC. Over the centuries, it's been said that music can do many things: keep us company, soothe our worries, help us sleep, boost our memory, and bring us joy. In my home, music was always playing. . To this day, music remains close to my heart. What about you? Have you ever gone to a concert just to hear that one song you love? Now is your chance. Join us for a joyful Sing-Along featuring some of your favorite tunes - from Big Band and Classical, to Country, Inspirational, Jazz, R&B, Theater and more. Let's celebrate the power of music together!

In this presentation we explore stress management, examining what stress truly is, its impact on us, and practical strategies for managing it effectively. The goal is for a better understanding of how to recognize stress, manage and build resilience for the challenges faced.

How carbohydrates impact blood sugar? Different types of Diabetes Signs/Symptoms of Prediabetes/Diabetes Overview of lifestyle Management of Prediabetes/Diabetes.