"Key Connections" Virtual Happy Hour & Networking Event

On September 24, 2020,  Laura Buenzle, along with Jeff Jones, Jamey Harman, and Stephen Cupschalk of the PBK Delaware Valley Young Professionals section and PBK-DV LinkedIn group, hosted the 2020 Key Connections virtual Happy Hour & Networking event for recent PBK Inductees residing/working in tri-state region of SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware. After an intro in a Zoom "main room", participants split out into rotating moderated break-out rooms to enjoy conversation and personal/career connections with other recent PBK's, followed by a return to the "main room" for a summary wrap-up and the opportunity for participants to post their contact info in the Chat to connect with each other after the very enjoyable meeting. 

Virtual Movie Club - "Clemency" 

On September 10, 2020,  Jeff Jones & Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize-winning film, "Clemency".  Written & directed by Temple University Film School alum, Chinonye Chukwu, the film explores how a female prison warden in a male prison, played by Alfre Woodard, tries to come to terms with the demands of her position.

Virtual Book Club - "Empire of the Summer Moon" 

On August 13, 2020,  Jeff Jones & Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the book, "Empire of the Summer Moon", written by S.C. Gwynne  (319 pages). The stunning story of the 40 year battle between the Comanches and the settlers for control of the American West, centering on Quanah Parker, son of a Comanche chief and wife who had been abducted from a settlement as a young girl.  Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Literature; NY Times bestseller; NY Times Notable Book; named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR and the Washington Post.  

Virtual Movie Club - "American Factory" 

On July 16, 2020,  Jeff Jones & Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Movie, "Amercian Factory", which piercingly explores the cultural interplay and conflicts between American workers whose idled GM factory in Dayton, OH, has been revived by new Chinese management.  This was the first film released by the Obamas' production company.     

Virtual Book Club - "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Amichie

On June 11, 2020,  Jeff Jones & Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the best selling novel, "Americanah", writen by Chimamanda Ngozi Amichie, which tells two intertwined tales of the immigrant experience in the United States and Britain, and the pull of home in contemporary Nigeria. The novel was named by the NY Times as one of the 10 Best Books of 2013.    

Virtual talk & discussion with Terry Madonna, PhD

On May 12, 2020, Terry Madonna, PhD, Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs, Professor of Public Affairs, and Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll , engaged in a virtual talk & discussion on "Current Political Winds for the Fall General Election. Dr. Madonna's specialties are the American Presidency, and American Political Parties and Political Behavior.  He founded the Keystone Poll in 1992, which was renamed the Franklin & Marshall College Poll in 2008.  He is the "pollster" for numerous Pennsylvania newspapers, TV, and radio stations, as well as national polls in concert with Hearst publications.  Members greatly appreciated hearing Dr. Madonna's encyclopedic knowledge of the present & past political landscape, along with his insightful analysis of current political developments and their portents for the upcoming elections

Dinner and Lecture by Howard Neukrug, PE, BCEE

On March 10, 2020, Howard Neukrug, PE, BCEE, Professor of Practice in Water Leadership & Innovation in the U. Penn Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences and former CEO and Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Dept., discussed "Is the water safe to drink?  An overview of Flint, Philadelphia, and America's water infrastructure."  Members gained important insights into the progress as well as challenges facing the country in maintaining healthy and safe drinking water systems for all of us.

Dinner and Lecture by Roderick G. Eckenhoff, MD

On January 21, 2020, Roderick Eckenhoff, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of U. Penn Perelman School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and leader of a national multi-specialty Brain Health Initiative, discussed "Is your brain health influenced by anesthesia and surgery?"  Dr. Eckenhoff, and expert in this field, addressed questions such as:  How common are mental changes after surgery? What causes this and is it reversible?  What questions should family members and patients ask their surgeons and anesthesiologists?

Visit to the National Constitution Center

On December 7, 2019, PBK members toured the National Constitution Center in center city Philadelphia, and saw the live presentation "Freedom Rising", had a private tour of the main exhibit, enjoyed lunch with the NCC historian presenting a talk on leadership strategies of influential Americans, followed by a private tour and discussion in Signers' Hallof the impact of various of the Constitution's signersl.  Members could follow with a self-guided tour of the special exhibit, "Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality".

Dinner and Lecture with Dr. Steven Hecksher

On October 1, 2019, PBK members came together for a dinner and lecture presented by Dr. Stevens Hecksher, who received his PhD in Mathematics from Harvard University. Using the internet to access and control telescopes from around the world, Dr. Heckscher showed breathtaking images of deep sky objects. 

Dinner and Lecture with Susan Talbott, Museum Director

On May 14, 2019, PBK members welcomed Susan Talbott, Executive Director of the internationally acclaimed Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, for dinner and a lecture.  Members heard the history and mission of the Fabric Workshop, as well as the impact of the then current exhibit on a flag constructed of daily work fabric reflecting the struggles of those who perform this work. 

Tour of the Museum of the American Revolution

On a March 2019 Saturday, PBK members enjoyed a guided tour of the museum's galleries, as well as admission into the new limited edition "Hamilton was Here" exhibit. Lunch was accompanied by a special "Hamilton was Here" lecture provided by the museum's staff.