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 Book Club - "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Amichie

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

Virtual talk & discussion with Terry Madonna, PhD

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 Howard Neukrug, PE, BCEE

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?

Dinner and Lecture by Roderick G. Eckenhoff, MD

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".

Visit to the National Constitution Center

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 Dr. Steven Hecksher

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. 

Dinner and Lecture with Susan Talbott, Museum Director

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.

Tour of the Museum of the American Revolution