Mini Golf and Orchard "Pick-Your-Own Fruit" Outing

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On July 24, 2021, on a sunny day, PBK's enjoyed good company while playing a round at Boulder Hills Mini Golf in Downingtown, PA, and proceeded to nearby Highland Farm & Orchard for a group pay-your-own outdoor lunch with good conversation in the Beer Garden grove, followed by heading to the orchard for "pick-your-own" fruit in season.  Finally, participants headed back to the farm market to purchase fresh sweet corn and other fresh farm products to take home. 

Movie Club - "There Will Be Blood"

 

On July 8, 2021, Jeff Jones led a virtual discussion of the film "There Will Be Blood", starring the iconic Daniel Day Lewis, who won an Academy Award and 5 other acting awards for this performance. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this 2007 film was listed on 37 critics' "Best 10 Films of the Year", and #1 by 20 of them. Described as "a riveting epic of greed, capitalism, religion, and family", related to early unregulated oil exploration.

Phillies Triple-A vs. Blue Jays Triple-A Baseball Game + Fireworks

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On July 2, 2021, PBK's enjoyed connecting at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark, along the Delaware River in Trenton, NJ, at a double-header for Triple A baseball games between Lehigh Valley "Iron Pigs" (Phillies) vs. the Buffalo "Bisons" (Toronto Blue Jays), along with some fireworks. 

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by Summer Trivia.

 

On June 24, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jamey Harman & Matt Stetz, enjoyed good conversation, followed by 3 lively rounds of Summer Trivia. The Happy Hour was preceded by a 30 min. program planning session where in-person events were planned for August & September.

Virtual Mini TED-like talks - "What I Care About"

 

On June 17, 2021, Shea Sandifer hosted and moderated this event, where three members shared insights about topics they are engaged with.Shea Sandifer spoke about "Quantum Computing", Tasha Hutnick spoke about "Theatrical Superstitions", and John Faulhaber spoke on "Star Formation & Virtual Particles".  Each speaker took questions after their talk from the engaged and appreciative audience. 

Book Club - "The Sympathizer"

 

On June 10, 2021, Jeff Jones and Jamey Harman led a very engaged group in a virtual discussion of the best seller and 2016 Pulitzer Prize and Andrew Carnegie Medal winner, "The Sympathizer", by noted California author, Phi Beta Kappa member, and Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Viet Thanh Nguyen.  The narrator is an undercover communist spy acting as a captain in the South Vietnamese army, and reveals his actions during the end of the war, the fall of Vietnam, and later in the US, spying among the immigrant community.  Part historical fiction, part spy narrative, part satire of US involvement overseas. 

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by Scattergories Game Night.

 

On May 27, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by YP Tasha Hutnick, enjoyed two brief breakout rooms to chat and connect, followed by 3 lively rounds of Scattergories. The Happy Hour was preceded by a 30 min. program planning sessino where outdoor, in-person events were planned for the summer.

Distinguished Speaker Series - Craig Santoro - WHYY

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On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Craig Santoro, WHYY Director of Educational Programs, gave an inspiring presentation about the WHYY Media Labs project, where WHYY staff work in 45 diverse schools in the Delaware Valley region to teach middle and high school students media skills as life-building experiences, and provide teachers with professional development as well. Mr. Santoro explained that the students learn to research, create, and prepare media presentations and to tell stories that are important to them, while the program reinforces/supports other classroom learning, STEM skills, etc., to make a difference in students' lives.

Day Hike - Ridley Creek State Park - "Southern Trails Loop"

 

On Saturday, May 15, 2021, Young Professional PBK's Caroline Amodeo and R. Alan Mason led a very enjoyable 2 hr. moderate hike (half flat, half small hills) with other PBK's, at Ridley Creek State Park on a beautiful sunny day. The group stopped for a "bring your own" outdoor lunch towards the end of the hike and had a great time socializing together, including a few family, friends, and one pet dog on a leash. 

Movie Club - "Philomena"

 

On May 13, 2021, Jamey Harman led a virtual discussion of the film "Philomena", directed by Stephen Frears, based on a true story, starring Judi Dench, as Philomena Lee, an Irishwoman who, as a teenager, was sent away for an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, searching for her son who had been adopted away to an American couple without her consent.helped by an out-of-work reporter (Steve Coogan). Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, 4 BAFTA's.

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by Environmental Trivia.

 

On April 22, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by YP leaders Jamey Harman, Alan Mason, Gina DeRosa, Matt Stetz, Caroline Amodeo, Shea Sandifer, John Faulhaber, and Tasha Hutnick, enjoyed two brief breakout rooms to chat and connect, followed by 3 lively rounds of Environmental Trivia for Earth Day on Kahoot, with questions created by Jamey Harman. 

Book Club - "A Promised Land"

 

On April 8, 2021, Jeff Jones and Jamey Harman led a very engaged group in a virtual discussion of "A Promised Land", the first volume of Barack Obama's memoir, covering up to May 2011.  A very introspective book and with the benefit of hindsight, the 44th President opens up about his thinking behind decisions large and small. A best seller and NY Times "Notable Book of 2020". 

Virtual Mini TED-like talks - What I Care About - Environmental Impact Issues.

 

On April 1, 2021, R. Alan Mason hosted and moderated this event, where three members shared insights about their professional work that has an impact on the environment in various ways.  Anthony Vecchio, PE, spoke on "Sustainability/longevity of Water Infrastructure"; Julia Madey spoke on "Sustainable Development Economics Relating to Green Roofs", and R. Alan Mason spoke on "Ocean Plastics Near and Far".  Each speaker took questions after their talk from the very engaged and appreciative audience. 

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by optional Game Night.

 

On March 25, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jamey Harman, Alan Mason, Gina DeRosa, Matt Stetz, Caroline Amodeo, Julia Wright, and Shea Sandifer, enjoyed an interactive virtual casual Happy Hour with rotating peer-moderatied breakout groups to converse, share and connect with other early career PBK's.  The Happy Hour was followed by an optional game night where the group played several rounds of Codenames. 

Movie Club - "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

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On March 11, 2021, Jeff Jones and Jamey Harman led a virtual discussion of the impactful film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", (the Black Bottom was a music/dance craze), from the play of the same name by acclaimed playwright August Wilson, based on the life of talented vocalist and entertainer Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, known as the "Mother of the Blues" (Blues Foundation Hall of Fame 1983; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1990).  True to its theatrical roots, the film depicted a recording session in the late 1920's, in which Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) has conflicts with an ambitious horn player in her band (Chadwick Boseman - said to perhaps be his best film before his untimely death), as well as with the management who 

wanted to control her work.

Distinguished Speaker Series - Rachel Valletta, PhD - Environmental Scientist, Franklin Institute

 

On March 2, 2021, Rachel Valletta, PhD, Environmental Scientist, Franklin Institute and director of the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP), gave a wonderful virtual presentation, on  "COVID, Climate Change, and Communication: How Can We Learn from One Crisis to Address Another?"  Dr. Valletta discussed how both of these crises have consequences for public health, the global economy, and our cultural traditions.  She applied insights from the global COVID-19 response to describe how we can become more resilient in the face of climate change. In addition to her planned presentation, participants enjoyed a lively and detailed Q&A with Dr. Valletta. 

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by optional Game Night.

 

On February 25, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jamey Harman, Jeff Jones, Tasha Hutnick, Alan Mason, Gina DeRosa, Matt Stetz, John Faulhaber, Karla Feeley, Melinda Rossi, and Shea Sandifer, enjoyed an interactive virtual casual Happy Hour with rotating peer-moderatied breakout groups to converse, share and connect with other early career PBK's.  The Happy Hour was followed by an optional game night where the group engaged in lively games of Among Us. 

Book Club - "Archeology From Space"

 

On February 11, 2021, Jeff Jones led a lively virtual discussion of "Archaeology From Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past", written by National Geographic Explorer and TED prize winner, Sarah Parcak, about the intriguing story of the evoluton of modern archaeology, interwoven with how high-resolution images from space have changed our conception of many past events and past civilizations.  The book was the winner of the 2020 Phi Beta Kappa Book Award for Science, and a top Ten Book of 2019 by the esteemed journal Nature.  

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by optional Game Night.

 

On January 28, 2021, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jamey Harman, Tasha Hutnick, Alan Mason, Gina DeRosa, Matt Stetz, , Caroline Amodeo, John Faulhaber, Karla Feeley, and Shea Sandifer, enjoyed an interactive virtual casual Happy Hour with rotating peer-moderatied breakout groups to converse, share and connect with other early career PBK's.  The Happy Hour was followed by an optional game night where the group engaged in lively games of Skribbl.io.  

Distinguished Speaker Series - "Frank Furness and George Hewitt - Architects of the Moment"

 

On January 26, 2021, Monica Zimmerman, Vice President for Public Education and Engagement at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), came back after her great talk in Nov., to discuss what was going on in post-Civil War Philadelphia in terms of the social and industrial revolution elements contributing to the creation and execution of PAFA's iconic Landmark Building at 118 N. Broad St., a towering fortress filled with radical design elements that awed citizens at the time and still engages and intrigues vistors to this day. Ms. Zimmerman explored other contemporaneous major buildings arising in the city, as well as the civic forces involved in commissioning the building and sourcing its materials, and the intertwining design motifs of the American landscape and the American industrial revolution that wind through its galleries.    

Movie Club - "I Am Mother"

 

On January 14, 2021, Jeff Jones and Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the Australian futuristic Sci-Fi film, "I am Mother", starring Hilary Swank, as a female survivor in the future, confronting an AI robot who is raising humans after a planetary catastrophe, with conflict and interesting moral dimensions. Selected for the Sundance Film Festival.  

Young Professionals Winter Holiday Party & Trivia Game

 

On December 18, 2020, Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual gathering to meet, converse, share and connect among PBK Young Professionals for winter holiday cheer followed by trivia covering three themes of January Facts, Winter, and New Years Around the World.  Three teams competed for fun and Kahoot was used very successfully to display the trivia questions and tally the answers.  

Book Club - "The Dutch House"

 

On December 3, 2020, Jeff Jones and Jamey Harman led an interactive virtual discussion of the novel, "The Dutch House", written by Ann Patchett.  The novel explores a 5-decade family saga of a brother & sister who cannot overcome their past, related to a mansion in the Philadelphia area, as told by the brother.  A 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 Washington Post. 

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by optional Game Night

 

On November 19, 2020, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jeff Jones, Tasha Hutnick, Alan Mason, Gina DeRosa, Matt Stetz, Stephen Cupschalk, Caroline Amodeo, and Alexandra Guffey, enjoyed an interactive virtual casual Happy Hour with rotating peer-moderatied breakout groups to converse, share and connect with other early career PBK's.  The Happy Hour was followed by an optional game night where the group engaged in lively games of Among Us.  

Distinguished Speaker Series - "Philly Firsts - History of Philadelphia through Art at PAFA"

 

On November 17, 2020, this fascinating presentation was given by Monica Zimmerman, Vice President of Public Education and Engagement at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts., relating history to art works in PAFA's outstanding collection which portray iconic moments and individuals key to the history of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley region, in politics, civic accomplishments, science, medicine, and culture.  Ms. Zimmerman has a most engaging presentation style and shared little known background "gossip" as she put it, as part of her lively descriptions of the artists and art works, as well as providing the context of the historical moments portrayed in PAFA's collection.

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Movie Club - "The Farewell"

 

On November 12, 2020,  Jamey Harman and Jeff Jones led an interactive virtual discussion of the film, "The Farewell", by filmmaker Lulu Wang, who has been named by Variety Magazine as a top 10 "Director to Watch".  The film sensitively portrays the nuances of how Chinese and American cultures handle complex and heartfelt family issues, with humor and empathy, without taking sides on which culture is "correct".  Lauded at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and winner of an American Film Institute award, an Independent Spirit Best Feature Film Award, and a Golden Globe Best Female Actor award for the lead, Akwafina, who plays against type in a serious role.

Young Professionals Happy Hour followed by optional Game Night

 

On October 29, 2020, PBK Young Professionals from SE PA, So. Jersey, and No. Delaware, led by Jamey Harman, Jeff Jones, Gina DeRosa, Alan Mason, Tasha Hutnick, and Matt Stetz, enjoyed an interactive virutal casual Happy Hour with rotating peer-moderatied breakout groups to converse, share and connect with other early career PBK's.  The Happy Hour was followed by an optional game night where the group engaged in lively games of Quiplash!  

Book Club - "Soul of America"

 

On October 22, 2020, Jamey Harman, Jeff Jones, and Bill Howard led an interactive virtual discussion of the 2019 book, "Soul of America", written by Jon Meacham. Through portraits of presidents and citizen activists, the book explores turning points in American history, and how hope overcame division and fear, in a timely manner vis a vis our upcoming elections. NY Times bestseller; named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR and Christian Science Monitor. 

Movie Club - "John Lewis - Good Trouble"

 

On October 8, 2020, Jeff Jones led an interactive virtual discussion of the documentary film, "John Lewis - Good Trouble" by filmmaker and Swarthmore alum, Dawn Porter, which traces the arc of civil rights giant, Congressman John Lewis', life and career, along with how his struggle for civil and voting rights continued up to the time of his passing, and is still unfinished for the nation today. 

"Key Connections" 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. 

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.

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.  

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, "Amercan 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.     

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.    

Distinguished Speaker Series - "Current Political Winds for the Fall General Election"

 

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 of the American Revolution'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.