Exploring film, politics, music & more

The Friends of Snow Library’s fall Lifetime Learning session closes with a last round of courses next week in the Craine Room. Topics include film, politics, history, photography, and the Great American Songbook. Some classes are new, some continuing, and many are offered via Zoom as well as in person.

Leigh and David Fisher wrap up their “Political Potpourri” film series with a screening of “Casablanca” from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14. The classic 1942 movie stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and is set against a background of political intrigue in North Africa as World War II begins. A discussion follows the screening. The course is available through Zoom only; unlike other Lifetime Learning offerings, it will not be recorded.

Political science professor Russ Leng considers “Russian-American Relations After the Ukraine War” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15. He’ll lead the class in a discussion probing whether the two countries can find a workable way forward or whether they’ll launch into another Cold War, using, for perspective, the history of Russian-American relations since the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. This course is also Zoom-only.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, learn the story of photojournalist and ecologist Sebastiao Salgado. Salgado rose to the top echelon of photojournalists—until he had seen too much war, famine and despair. To heal himself, in 1998 he returned to the forests of his native Brazil and rebuilt the devastation of his family’s farm, plant by plant. His effort became a model of ecological reclamation. Renewed, he again set out, this time to document the beauty and humanity of planet Earth. The class is led by Gordon Talley, graduate of the Yale School of Drama and coordinator of an ad hoc culture group in Cambridge, and will include images from Salgado’s photobook “Genesis” (2013).

Later on Wednesday, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., John Whelan, former host of the “Oldies” Rock ‘n’ Roll program on WOMR, continues his study of the careers of Cole Porter and Meredith Willson. This final class in his series focuses on Willson’s musical “The Music Man.”

Rick Francolini, Orleans community activist and agricultural advocate, leads an informal discussion of “Putnam Farm: Realizing the Vision,” from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 17. He’ll talk about what has been accomplished at the conservation area, its impact, and upcoming plans. Also on Thursday, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Richard Finnegan, poli sci and international studies professor at Stonehill College, concludes his course on “Our Torn Supreme Court” with an analysis of the outcome of the 2022 midterms and what it may mean for the 2024 elections.

Brochures and registration forms are available at Snow Library, 67 Main Street, Orleans, or online at www.friendsofsnowlibrary.org/lifetime-learning-program. You may register online, by mail, or at the library. The suggested donation is $10 per course. Registration is ongoing, but please register at least 24 hours before the class.