Academia Hernando
Fall 2025 Lecture Series / Excursion
When
The series begins Friday, September 12, 2025
at 10am
Where
The Welcome Om Center
4260 Lake in the Woods Drive
Spring Hill, FL
Cost
$ 90
Lectures begin promptly at 10:00 AM and lasts for 2 hours. There is a 15 minute intermission.
Donations /Gifts
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Donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a donation to Academia Hernando, please send a check to Ramona Des Lauriers, 15417 Sunora Dr., Brooksville, FL 34604
How to Register
Print the registration form below and mail with your check for $90 payable to Academia Hernando, Inc.
and mail to:
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Ramona Des Lauriers
15417 Sunora Dr.
Brooksville, FL 34604
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Important: The Registration Form must be included with your Check.
Your cancelled check is your receipt.
Fall 2025 Presentations
The True Story of Blackbeard the Pirate
Friday
Sept. 12 - 10am
Discover the fascinating theories about his real identity and the whereabouts of his treasure. With the new release of Robert Jacob's thoroughly researched book, we have the most accurate account of Blackbeard's life.
Presenter Bio:
Robert Jacob
With a lifelong passion for history, Robert Jacob has been heavily involved in living history interpretation and reenacting for over 40 years.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Duquesne University and a Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and served in the United States Marine Corps for 31 years.
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Robert lectures on a variety of history subjects, especially pirates. He has regularly presented topics on pirates at the Tampa Bay History Center, for the Other Lifelong Learning Institute, and for the Academia Hernando. He has also appeared on the History Channel’s series “Beyond Oak Island” as an expert on pirates.
Museum Stroll in Philadelphia
Friday
Sept. 19 - 10am
Philadelphia is home to treasured historical sites and also iconic and diverse museums. We will stroll down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation, Academy of Natural Sciences, and Franklin Institute
Presenter Bio:
Beth Davey
Beth Davey has been an OLLI instructor in Asheville and Tampa for the past eight years. Her love of movie musicals has inspired classes that explore this film genre through its development, its composers and its dancers. A native of Philadelphia, Beth has also taught classes on the city’s museums. She is a retired writer and marketing communications’ professional.
Is Travel the New Fountain of Youth?
Friday
Sept. 26 - 10am
Presenter Bio:
Evelyn Kelly & Natalie Kelly
Can exploring the world slow aging, sharpen the mind, and boost happiness? Science says yes! Join Evelyn and Natalie Kelly, a mother-daughter travel due who have explored seven continents, 88 countries, and all 50 states, as they unveil the profound connection between travel, mental wellness, and longevity.
Evelyn Kelly, a resident of Ocala, Florida, is a writer, speaker, and teacher. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in religion, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee. Her education and interests are diverse. Her undergraduate studies included microbiology, English, and history. Evelyn has written 22 books on such topics as Stem Cells and a two-volume encyclopedia of Genetics. Evelyn has taught at four Universities. She speaks and writes on history and travel topics, including a popular series called Armchair Adventures.
Natalie Kelly, a resident of Tallahassee, Florida, is a writer and Chief Executive Officer of a state organization. She holds an M.S. in Communications from Florida State University and a B.S. in Visual Arts and Communications from FSU, which includes a concentration on art and art history. She has worked in government affairs for 35 years, including being the youngest female director in the Florida Senate, Director in Washington, DC, state CEO, and public relations and lobbying firm owner. She writes op-eds for newspapers and speaks on a variety of topics.
The History & Intrigue of the CIA
Friday
Oct. 3 - 10am
Our speaker, a CIA retiree, was recently given a special tour and exclusive permission to create a PowerPoint presentation of the CIA museum. This tour includes espionage artifacts, top secret intelligence operations, and identifies some of the brave people who went of these missions.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Don Wyman
Dr. Don Wyman is an author, US Army veteran, and a retiree of 22 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. His “History of Intelligence” presentation at the request of the Director of the CIA was viewed b
over 10,000 visitors to the Langley Headquarters. He has created and presented 90 different multi-media programs on Historical Personalities and Events, Spies, Codes, Ciphers, Cryptograms, Secret Writing, Espionage and Tradecraft in venues across the country for government organizations, educational institutions, professional associations, Veteran conventions, and many clubs in the Villages. To date, he has created a total of 218 PowerPoint programs and has no intention of stopping. His list includes 90 Games, such as, Who Am I,
Where Am I, Rebus Puzzles and more.
Among his many affiliations he is a Past President of Toastmasters International of both foreign and domestic chapters and a 12-time Best Speaker Award winner, a member of the Patriotic Sons of America, President Emeritus of The Villages Chapter of the Sons of the American
Revolution, current President of the S.K.I.L.L. Club and of the former CIA Retirees Club for the past twelve years and an Advisory Board Member of the Civil War Study Group, substituting as Acting-President when needed.
Don’s research into the science of code breaking, relying on his career of iintelligence work, is incorporated into many of his historical presentations and writings. He is also an Author, Watercolor Portrait Painter and a solver of four “Mysteries of History!” Don is a 7-year competitive Ballroom Dance
Winner, a Board- Certified Ballroom Dance Teacher, has taught Ballroom Social Dancing in the Villages, Florida for the past 17 years and on many ocean cruises. In March, he became an official Enrichment Presenter for the Viking Ocean Cruise Line, presenting nine different programs on a 15-day voyage to
Portugal and Spain, which included two nights of Rebus Puzzles!
Hernando County Sheriff's and Fire Departments Safety and Security Tips
Friday
Oct. 10 - 10am
The Sheriff's Department will provide insight on how to avoid scams, as well as safety and security tips.
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Hernando County Fire Rescue will discuss fire safety in the home such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire escape plans. Fall prevention, safe cooking practices, and a clear exit path in case of emergencies will be emphasized.
Presenter Bio:
Police:
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Fire/Rescue:
Bios to Come.
Downton Abbey
Friday
Oct. 17 - 10am
The aristocratic Crawley family had been at the top of the social hierarchy for centuries. In this period of tremendous change, we see the beginnings of a modern society as we know it today. Who were the dollar princesses? What was a servant's life like? What became of those magnificent Mansions? Who was the real Crawley family and are they still around today?
Presenter Bio:
Barbara Goldstein
Bio to come
Florida's Highwaymen Artists
Friday
Oct. 24 - 10am
In the 1950's, 26 African Americans broke convention to paint beautiful iconic scenes of Florida's disappearing landscape. They created a body of work that has become a timeless collection of Florida's natural environment. They peddled their art from car trunks along Florida's east coast roadways and by going door to door in white neighborhoods. Their success is credited to determination despite the prejudices of their time.
Presenter Bio:
Dedee Aleccia
Bio to Come.
Samhain to Halloween, and Things That Go Bump in the Night!
Friday
Oct. 31 - 10am
Travel back in time to the pre-Christian world of northern Europe. Explore solstices, bonfires, and festivals, and their impact on pagan beliefs of ghosts and apparitions. As the church came into the area and people converted from pagan ways, the importance of seasonal recognition remained, becoming the three day observance of Allhallowtide, the time dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and the faithful departed. Today, is Halloween about the departed, or simply the reason for wearing costumes and collecting candy?
Presenter Bio:
Gretchen Vaughn
Having learned to sew as an Ohio farm kid in 4-H, Gretchen Vaughn turned this hobby into her
career as a Costume Designer and Historian. With M.F.A in Theatre Design and M.A. in
Clothing/Textiles from Syracuse University, she taught at Viterbo University in LaCrosse,
Wisconsin, and gained tenure at Northern Kentucky University, across the river from Cincinnati.
While at NKU she served as Professor or Program Director for 14 Study Abroad programs
based in London. She retired as Professor Emeritus in 2022 and moved to Florida.
An abiding interest in Comparative Arts and all aspects of Social History has allowed Gretchen
to offer presentations at OLLI (Eckerd College) and Academia Hernando.
Bus Trip
Friday
Nov.7
Bus trip to Winter Haven, FL to the Morse Museum (with a large collection of Tiffany pieces).