Antisemitism, Zionism, and the Holocaust – Is There a Connection?
Tuesdays September 3 – October 8 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: The Holocaust significantly altered the trajectory of Zionism by accelerating the establishment of Israel and deepening the commitment to a Jewish state. While it temporarily subdued anti-Semitic expressions, anti-Semitism persisted and adapted, requiring ongoing vigilance and education to combat its various forms.
The Legend of Faust: An Iconic German Tale
Thursdays September 5 – September 26 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: Goethe’s “Faust” is important because it delves into fundamental human themes such as the quest for knowledge, the struggle between good and evil, and the pursuit of meaning in life. The work is a cornerstone of Western literature, offering deep philosophical insights and rich, complex characters. It reflects the intellectual and cultural currents of Goethe’s time while remaining relevant to contemporary readers.
Genesis from 40,000 Feet
Fridays September 6 – October 25 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: This course offers a broad and engaging overview of the Book of Genesis, a foundational text of the Hebrew Bible with rich cultural, theological, and literary significance. Traditionally attributed to Moses and composed over centuries from various oral traditions, Genesis provides an account of the world’s creation, early human history, and the origins of the Israelites. We will explore its narratives, from the creation of the world to the family of Israel relocating to Egypt to survive a famine, highlighting its role as a “prequel” to Israel’s foundational events like the exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan. Historians’ analyses of Genesis for its religious, social, political, and cosmological insights underscore its enduring influence on Judeo-Christian thought and Western cultural and ethical frameworks. Join us for a fascinating journey through this pivotal biblical text.
An Introduction to Tea, Afternoon Tea, and Etiquette
Tuesdays September 10 – 17 at 1 p.m.
Cost: $60 for CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Finding Real Faith Through Wrestling with Doubt
Wednesdays September 11 – October 2 at 10 a.m. (Possibly continuing to October 16)
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Wrestling with the Bible. Why do my prayers seem to go unanswered? In the end, the strongest faith is the one that can deal honestly with these tough questions.
AmeriCorps Senior
Monday September 16 at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: AmeriCorps Seniors provides older adults with meaningful volunteer opportunities that allow them to stay active, engaged, and connected to their communities. Through programs like the Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP, and the Senior Companion Program, seniors can share their experience and skills to mentor youth, support fellow seniors, and contribute to local projects. This not only enriches their lives but also fosters a sense of purpose and belonging, promoting mental and emotional well-being in their later years.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) offers seniors aged 55 and older a wide range of volunteer opportunities tailored to their interests and skills. By participating in RSVP, seniors can stay active, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and connect with others who share similar passions. Whether it’s tutoring children, assisting in disaster relief efforts, or supporting local non-profits, RSVP provides seniors with the flexibility to choose when and how they want to serve, enhancing their sense of purpose and well-being while making a positive impact.
Paint Party: Harvest Blue
Thursday September 19 at 2 p.m.
Cost: $29
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: It’s pumpkin painting time! Get ready to unleash your creativity at our upcoming paint party, where you’ll paint a beautiful blue pumpkin on an 11×14 pre-traced canvas! All supplies are provided, and with our easy, step-by-step instructions, even beginners can create a masterpiece. Best of all, we’re offering this event at a new lower price, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun and relaxing afternoon of painting with friends. Don’t miss out—reserve your spot today!
Learning from Lincoln
Monday, September 23 at 1 p.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: Abraham Lincoln’s approach to leadership remains a rich source of wisdom today. He masterfully blended humor and poignant storytelling, and knew precisely when to engage or remain silent. His strategic patience and adept use of persuasive techniques set him apart. Above all, Lincoln valued honesty and was open to changing his views. Join Louis Masur, esteemed author and professor, for an insightful exploration of Lincoln’s enduring legacy.
Stories of Stagville Women
Tuesday September 24 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: The stories of the enslaved women of Stagville Plantation in North Carolina reveal resilience, courage, and an enduring spirit despite the brutal conditions they faced. These women, whose lives were marked by grueling labor, family separations, and systemic oppression, found ways to resist and survive. They maintained cultural traditions, passed down oral histories, and supported one another in their struggles. Their contributions were vital to the plantation’s operations, and their stories, often overshadowed by history, highlight the profound strength and solidarity of enslaved women in the face of unimaginable adversity. Through their narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of the human capacity for endurance and the relentless pursuit of freedom and dignity.
Crafting Resin Pumpkins
Monday, September 30 at 10 a.m.
Cost: $8 for one pumpkin, $16 for two. Must register by September 23.
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Mark Pace’s 3-Part Series on Genealogy
Thursdays October 10 – 24 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Richard H. Thornton Library – 210 Main Street, Oxford
Learn to Play Disc Golf
Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members. There will be discs available to use. If you wish to purchase your own, see Russ Barberio in the CLL office for suggestions.
Granville Athletic Park – 4615 Belltown Road, Oxford
Course Description: Playing disc golf offers numerous benefits, including cardiovascular exercise, strength and flexibility improvement, and low-impact activity that’s easy on the joints. It enhances hand-eye coordination, reduces stress, and improves focus and concentration. The sport fosters social connections and community, is inexpensive and inclusive, and encourages spending time in nature with minimal environmental impact. Additionally, disc golf develops strategic thinking, precision, and accuracy while providing variety, fun, and enjoyment through unique courses and community events. Overall, it’s a versatile sport promoting physical health, mental well-being, and social interaction.
This course will cover the following:
- Basic rules of the game & history
- Standard etiquette
- Basic terminology
- Basic techniques of the game and the equipment
- Understanding disc types and shot selection
Once the basics have been covered, students will have a chance to start applying this knowledge into practice. The main focus will be on putting, then moving to approach shots, then to driving off the tee. Students will be given the tools to understand the game, how to play, and where to play.
How the NCDOI can Help You!
Wednesday October 23 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: Insurance can be confusing. One of our most important jobs is to help educate North Carolinians about insurance-related issues or Medicare issues so you can make informed decisions for you and your family. If you have questions about insurance, we can help.
How the North Carolina Department of Insurance can help you:
- Assist in understanding insurance policies
- File complaints or appeals with insurance companies
- Locate a lost insurance policy
- Check license status of insurance agents, companies
- Find contact info for insurance companies
- Report insurance fraud
Ancient Peruvian Mummification and Modern Ceremonial Worship
Thursday October 29 at 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: “It looked like he had died that very day, even though his death had occurred more than eighty years earlier.” Those are the words used by one Spaniard to describe seeing a mummified emperor. Join Oscar Oviedo Velasco, a native Peruvian and specialist in the archeology and history of Peru, this Halloween season to learn about mummification. He’ll share why this practice was not only a way of preserving bodies, but was of the utmost importance to Peruvians in assuring eternal life. Find out why the Inca culture kept the bodies of deceased emperors in the Temple of the Sun until the Catholic Church declared this worship practice pagan. And discover the Peruvian rituals used today to invoke the spirits of those who have departed and why human remains are occasionally used in their ceremonies.
Protestant Reformation and the Founding of the Modern West
Thursday November 14 at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Talkin’ Tar Heel
Thursday November 21 at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
Course Description: Talkin’ Tar Heel explores the rich linguistic diversity of North Carolina, highlighting how the state’s various dialects, accents, and languages reflect its cultural and historical complexity. From the Outer Banks to the Appalachian Mountains, the book examines how different communities—Native American, African American, Scots-Irish, and more—have shaped the state’s speech patterns. Through this lens, it reveals how language connects people to their heritage and identity, telling the broader story of North Carolina’s evolving social and cultural landscape.
Camp Butner 1941-1947: Created from a World at War
Thursday, December 5 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free to CLL Members
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford
The Attack on Pearl Harbor and Its Enduring Legacy
Thursday December 12 at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier Street, Oxford