Presenters
F1 Birding & Gardening by Hans Kunze
Hans Kunze is a graduate of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell where he majored in banking and enjoyed courses in agriculture and horticulture. He has been a farm and commercial loan officer for the last 37 years and has been with Steuben Trust Company in Warsaw over the last 12 years. His lifelong hobbies include farming, birding, and gardening among several other things. He and his wife, Leslie, have 3 children all in college who also thoroughly enjoy the outdoors. Hans and Leslie operate a bird feeding shop and retail greenhouse at their home and enjoy doing plenty of their own birding and gardening. They are active in the Wyoming County master gardener program and do some landscaping on the side. They enjoy sharing their love of nature and gardening with numerous other groups. Hans has been a nature columnist for several local newspapers over the last 30+ years and enjoys leading bird, nature, and garden walks. Hans and Leslie have been wonderful presenters for SLE since 2015.
F2 Daily Devotion by Rev. Sue Russell
Sue is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She spent over 20 years in the local church as a youth pastor and has been the Director at Asbury Retreat Center since 2016. She loves welcoming all people to the sacred grounds of Asbury. Sue enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and being outdoors where she experiences spiritual renewal through God’s creation.
F3 Painting on Glass by Bonnie Bright
Bonnie Bright is a year round resident of Silver Lake who is a Master Gardener from the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension. She enjoys crafting and painting and learning new techniques. Painting on glass is a unique art form and involves a curing process. This is a repeat program with new designs painted on a votive with tea lights.
F4 Joseph Ellicott (of Holland Land Co) Portrayal by Dennis Upton
Dennis Upton is a retired elementary teacher. For the past 20 years he has performed improvisational comedy, worked with colleges and Roswell Park Hospital as a simulated patient, and entertained countless numbers of families as Santa Claus at the Buffalo Zoo and with the Buffalo Sabres. His passion for learning and sharing information led to his development of a living portrayal of one of WNY’s most influential yet unknown citizens - Joseph Ellicott.
F5 English Paper Piercing (Hexies) by Sarah Ballinger
Shortly after returning to her native Castile, NY, Sarah Ballinger learned how to English Paper Piece, AKA hexies. Thirteen years later, it is by far her favorite hobby and travels with her everywhere from the couch to quilt retreats with friends to Adirondack mountaintops! Sarah also leads a monthly hexie group at The Quilter’s Daughter in Perry Center on the first Friday of the month.
F6 Warrior House Tour and Presentation by Susan Zeliff
Warrior House Camp: Looking toward the future, I am actively involved in planning and developing a retreat camp designed specifically for veterans. This project seeks to create a holistic space where veterans can find respite, engage in therapeutic activities, and build lasting connections with fellow service members. The retreat camp represents our commitment to addressing not only the immediate needs of veterans but also their overall physical and mental well-being.
Warrior House of WNY Inc. is a testament to the belief that supporting veterans requires comprehensive and compassionate efforts. As a co-founder and operations director, I am dedicated to building a foundation where veterans feel empowered, supported, and valued. Together with our team, volunteers, and the veterans we serve, we strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed for our country.
F7 Plant Based Foods That Taste Good by Linda Franke
Linda Franke is an educator, teaching artist, rural advocate and mindfulness and integrative Nutrition health coach living and working in a small town in Western New York. She is currently working on a children’s book and building up her health coaching business, all while exploring the wonder and magic of the world with her family.
F8 Mary Jemison, White Woman of the Genesee by Gretchen Sepik
Gretchen was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania and was raised in the country. "I guess I'm the result of my father's storytelling and my mother's unrestrictive imagination," says Gretchen. Her father, Michael, worked in a mill and could tell the best stories about the Pennsylvania coal mines, railroads and horses. Her mother, Jinny, was a singer and encouraged her to sing songs, learn nursery rhymes and she always had a box of old clothes for Gretchen to dress up in. "My mother was the greatest influence in my life and was responsible for guiding me toward my life's work. She was my best friend. Before I was old enough to go to school my mother would ask me each morning who I wanted to be for the day. I could be anybody." Gretchen jokingly says that she never knew her real name until she started the first grade. "I've always loved to play 'dress up' and by doing theatrical characterizations I can play 'dress up' for the rest of my life."
Gretchen says her husband, photographer and designer, Walter A. Jakubowski, is her source of strength as he has supported her in all of her crazy ideas; some successful and some not. He also suggests programs which she should develop, including "Mary Jemison" and "Susan B. Anthony". "Walt is always saying things that make me laugh. I tell him I'm going to write a book entitled, "The World According to Walt", or "How to Achieve a Waltered State of Consciousness". He's my reservoir of ideas for material and programs."
Ms. Sepik majored in dance at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she also studied acting. She has performed with the Paddy Toon Modern Ensemble in Pittsburgh, with the Rochester Philharmonic's "Phil Revue" and the mime troupe, Flash in the Pan. Gretchen studied with the Bottom of the Bucket, but, currently Garth Fagan Dance, and worked with the company as a rookie. Her dance career ended with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the early eighties. "My storytelling started when a teacher's aide asked me to come into her school and do storytelling. I was too shy to tell stories as myself so I developed Naomi Brown from the Blue Ridge Mountains to tell the stories of Brer Rabbit for me. Storytelling helped me overcome my shyness."
Gretchen does her form of storytelling across New York State and into Pennsylvania and was the co-founder of the Flight of Fancy Experimental Theatre (F.O.F.) and worked with Young Audiences Rochester, Inc. and Young Audiences of Western New York in Buffalo for twenty-four years. In 2004 she was honored by Young Audiences of Western New York for her work with young people and commitment to learning through the arts. In 2017 Gretchen was awarded the Orleans County Heritage Heroes Award for her contribution in advocating for the preservation of local history through her performances.
Gretchen lives in Swain, New York with her husband, Walter, golden retriever/great pyrenees, Bud, Labradoodle, Riggley and cats, Tig, and Willy. Her house is located on a dirt road on the Allegheny Plateau surrounded by woods. ” I have a great love and respect for nature and I hope that through some of my storytelling I might be able to awaken that love in others."
Along with Naomi Brown and Mary Jemison, Gretchen also portrays much loved children's author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter and narrates "The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and “The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse"; Sal McMurray, an Irish cook working on a packet boat on the Erie Canal in the year 1835. Sal weaves Irish Folk Tales from the canal through her life's story based on facts about the canal. The audience learns as it laughs. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council awarded Gretchen a grant in 2009 to adapt her script of, “Erie Canal Sal”, into a children’s book, which she also illustrated. Also on her list of programs is temperance leader, abolitionist and women's rights activist, Susan B. Anthony.
"I think storytelling is one of the most wonderful creative art forms because it allows each person to be who they are and use what talents they have to tell a story." Gretchen believes that if too many restrictions are put upon a child or adult when doing storytelling then the spirit of creativity is destroyed. " If a person can sing, let them sing, if a person can dance, let them dance, if a person can juggle, let them juggle; as each storyteller weaves a story, their own unique individuality adds to the tapestry of the tale each person tells."
Gretchen's new project is 'Mother Nature' who will be dispelling the myths and misconceptions that have plagued humanity for centuries. This program will be done in a stand-up comedic style for adult audiences as is a work-in-progress.
F9 Watercolor by Sandra Tyler
I have had many years painting experience in both watercolor and oils, loving them both. I have taught watercolor classes at the Art Store in Rochester, the Village Hall and BF Bungalow in Wyoming NY and my art studio in Perry NY. I'm a member of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society and have participated in many of their shows and attended numerous workshops featuring nationally known artists. I have also shown at the Corn Hill and Clothesline Art Festivals in Rochester. I love everything about painting and find great satisfaction in introducing or reintroducing this to others!
F10 Pursuing a Passion by John Kucko
For 30 years John realized his childhood dream of working as a TV sports anchor. John anchored sports in Rochester from 1989 to 2016, extensively covering the Buffalo Bills. Additionally, John provided “corporate coverage” to dozens of stations across America, covering 19 Super Bowls, among countless other events. Discovering a new passion, John left full-time sports coverage in 2016 to pursue a digital career but remained at WROC-TV in Rochester in a part-time role, anchoring a daily broadcast there. In 2022, John's oldest daughter Natalie joined him to co-anchor the 4 PM news, becoming one of the only father-daughter anchor teams in the country. John continued to grow his digital presence with a number of viral sensations via his Facebook Live broadcasts and frequent social media posts. In December 2023, he left television news to pursue John Kucko Digital full time (although his Kucko's Camera spots continue twice a week on WROC-TV).
F11. Chair Yoga by Amanda Ganguly
Amanda Ganguly, from Rochester, New York, discovered the transformative power of yoga in 2015 and has been devoted to her practice ever since. Graduating from TRU Yoga’s Teacher Training in May of 2023 with her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certificate, Amanda is passionate about sharing the profound benefits of yoga with others. She firmly believes that yoga is for every body and every soul, and her inclusive teaching style reflects this belief. For Amanda, yoga has been a life-changing journey that has not only brought her physical and mental well-being but also led her to meet her husband at a local studio, making her connection to yoga even more profound. Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as you join Amanda on the mat.
F12 Impressionism by Dr. Patrick McGrady
Patrick J. McGrady is the Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator at Penn State's Palmer Museum of Art. He is responsible for the museum's European collections and specializes in works on paper with a particular concentration on European and American prints. He has organized more than eighty exhibitions, ranging in content from 15th-century woodcuts to 21st-century paintings and including monographic presentations of artists such as Edouard Manet, Honor Daumier, Lyonel Feininger, George Gershwin, Will Barnet, and Betye Saar. MoGrady oversees the Palmer Museum's print study room and directs its Print and Drawing Study Club. He currently is working on a digital prolegomena to Wassily Kandinsky's 1911 book Concerning the Spiritual in Art.
F13 Self-Discovery Through Journaling by Kate Stanford
Kate Stanford LMHC, CCCTP, is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Certified Clinical Complex Trauma Professional. She works with individuals who are struggling with mental health issues by helping them take a holistic view of their journey to wellness. She has a special focus on working with people recovering from interpersonal/intimate partner abuse so that they can live happy fulfilling lives. Kate uses a variety of techniques when working with people and focuses on meeting people where they are at and helping them to grow into who they wish to be. In addition, she is a Reiki master and focuses on alternative healing options to help people on their path. Kate lives and works in Rochester and has had the privilege to have spent many happy summers at her family’s cottage on Silver Lake.
F14 Kayaking by Asbury Staff
F15 Pioneer Cabin History Tour by Bob Murphy
Bob grew up in the Silver Lake Institute so he has a very long history of stories of this historical area. He is considered the SLI Historian and takes great pride in both his personal photo collection and being the steward of the Institute's vast black and white photograph collection. Bob is also one of the founding members of the Silver Lake Experience and offers a wide variety of workshops. If anyone has a question about the history of the Silver Lake Institute. Bob will probably have the answer or know how.
F16 Introduction To Artists’ Way by Sally Steinwachs
Sally Steinwachs has been painting since her 20’s. An artist now, her professional background is as City Planner. A Rochester Katie, Sally bought a house o n Lake Ontario which serves as her studio and inspiration for her art. Her main media is watercolor and has enjoyed using wc on different papers. She studied with local artists Jean Premo, David Braun, Steve Carpenter and Wendy Gwirtzman. She has been a member of Irondequoit Art Club (IAC) for many years and has won many ribbons through the Club’s exhibits, including Best of Show. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron influenced Sally to keep a daily journal in which many of her painting ideas start.
A great deal of Sally’s artistic energy has gone into community-building efforts to create opportunities to empower and assist people. She has taught art on Jefferson Avenue and Genesee Street in SWAN after-school programs, for Irondequoit Community Education and the Rochester City School District. She has exhibited art work in parade floats such as the SWAN Band, St. Patrick’s Day, and St. Salome’s Centennial. Sally has supported community and charitable organizations such as the Sisters of Mercy, House of Mercy and most recently RocMaiden (to benefit humanitarian and medical expenses for the people of Ukraine) by donating many paintings for fundraisers. Through the pandemic to retain camaraderie among artist friends, Sally adopted a weekly artists’ sharing of work to the Zoom platform.
Besides the IAC, she exhibits through Rochester Contemporary Art Center and the Artists’ Cave. She has also exhibited work at the Artists’ Breakfast Group and Irondequoit Farmers Market. Recently she has learned how to make I-Movies and her subjects have included ads for local art shows, interviews with local artists and her painting and poem, “The Hidden Tiger”. Sally can be contacted at 585-230-1436. Find and comment on her work on Facebook (Sally Steinwachs); she has a Google listing as “Sally’s Shop by the Sea”.
F17 Drum Circle by Jackie Swaby
Jacqueline Swaby (Jackie) is the Executive Director and gallery curator of the Arts Council for Wyoming County(ACWC) located in Perry, Now York. She has served in this capacity since 2008 and for 20 years prior, was the director of the Cordelia A. Greene Library located in Castile, New York. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, she was trained as an art and social studies high school teacher. During her time at the Westwood all girls high school, she formed the first folk music group that won several competitions at the regional and national level in the Island. Jackie now administers the only art services organization in Wyoming County. which includes two professional art galleries , and 12 satellite galleries around the county. She also coordinates the music and dance programs presented by the ACWC, and administers the youth scholarship
programs. In her role as an art administrator, Jackie believes it is critical to foster, and help create opportunities that promote cultural diversity. She has been supporting that work in rural Western New York since she moved to the area in 1988, and has participated in or presented art exhibitions. classical concerts, and multicultural concerts for all ages. She has conducted drum circles and workshops for multi-aged groups. and introduced liturgical dance and drumming in a few traditional church settings. She views her contributions as essential to fostering the understanding of Ethnic and Cultural diversity. Jackie has been the recipient of several awards including :
- L. Marion Moshier /Asa Wynkoo Award, for Distinguished Librarianship, New York Library Association.
- Outstanding Adult Career Service to Youth, Wyoming County Youth Board.
- First recipient of the Pioneer Award for dedicated service to the Cordelia A.Greene Library and the Pioneer Library System
Jackie has conducted several panel discussions, and served as a grants panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts
F18 Introduction to Pickleball by Mark Emmerson
Hi, I’m Mark Emmerson and I’m really excited about introducing you to this great sport that is the hottest thing in town!! First, a little bit about me. I’ve been a year-round Silver Lake resident since retiring in 2010 and was President of the Silver Lake Association from 2013 to 2020. Coincidentally, 2010 was the year I started playing this crazy game called “Pickleball.” Since then, I’ve brought dozens of new people into pickleball, mostly through my connection at the Warsaw YMCA, where I learned to play. For 14 years I’ve been associated with a growing group of great people that get together nearly every day, to enjoy this game, improve their skills, make new friends, and generally have a great time. I am truly in love with this sport that is a combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton. My goal for this session is to make you feel the same.
F19 Unlocking Your Dreams by Rev. Cory Keyes
Corey S Keyes is the Director of Operations and a mentor of The Haden Institute, which since 1994 has offered training in Spiritual Direction and Dream Work in the Jungian Mystical Christian tradition. He also served as Pastor of West Bloomfield (NY) United Church of Christ for 28 years, and maintains a private Spiritual Direction practice. He can be reached at revcskeyes@gmail.com
F20 Dish Garden Floral Arranging by Lisa Seewaldt
Lisa Seewaldt is a long time business woman and florist from Warsaw, NY. She owns the Artisan Villa at 140 N. Main Street, Warsaw which is a "unique one stop place for all your wedding needs" Lisa is returning once again to the Silver Lake Experience by popular demand!!
F21 Lunch
F22 European Romanesque and Gothic Style Churches: A Reflection of Medieval Christianity by Dennis Wimer, PhD
Dennis is a retired secondary teacher in language arts, Latin, Greek, and the humanities in Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond, VA. He has continued his love of educating others by being an adjunct professor in the following schools and disciplines: the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
in the classics department at University of Richmond, Richmond, VA in the humanities discipline at HACC, Central Pennsylvania Community College,
Lancaster and Lebanon. VA
Adjunct Humanities Professor; HACC, Central Pennsylvania Community College, Lancaster and Lebanon Campuses
His presentations at the 2022 SLE were very very well received!!!
F23 Fashion Plates & Costume Rendering by Mara Rooney
Mara has been painting in various mediums all her life and especially enjoys watercolors which she has begun to focus on more professionally in the last six years. Along with watercolor painting she also enjoys fiber arts, particularly, knit and crochet. She enjoyed fiber art so much she opened Dancing Goat Yarn Shop in Warsaw in 2010 and closed after 5 years of operation so she could once again pursue a career in painting for the theatre and entertainment industry. She worked as a Scenic Artist at The Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, PA for three years before freelancing at various theatres in Maine, New York, and more. She is currently the Charge Scenic Artist and Paint Dept. Lead for Atomic Design located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. She has painted scenery for The Academy Awards, The Tony Awards, The Grammy Awards, Wrestlemania, and more including various rock and roll tours such as the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
F24 Metal Detecting by Dan Baker
Dan is a retired Perry history teacher who has a passion for archaeology and rediscovering lost artifacts. He has spent countless hours searching fields for Indian artifacts. He has been metal detecting in England, at Civil War sites in the south and at local home sites and parks for lost items.
F25 Introduction to Line Dancing by Pam Fiegl
Pam Fiegl - How it all started for me: I had seen line dancing and was intrigued by it - but couldn't get any of my friends to give it a try with me. One day I saw a pennysaver ad for a local class and decided I was going to just try it by myself. It was intimidating, but I loved it and stuck with it and never looked back. I've been dancing now close to 20 years. About 10 years ago, I was between jobs for about 6 months and I filled my time with practicing line dancing at home. The following year, with encouragement from a friend, I started teaching a class in Warsaw. I now have classes three nights a week. I also danced with a team based out of Lockport for about 4 years - doing demonstration performances several times a week throughout the year. I've also started a Facebook group for sharing line dance opportunities and communicating class information with my dancers throughout Wyoming, Genesee and Livingston Counties. Come to my session and I will share my passion with you!
F26 Walk About Architectural Tour by Sharon Pratt & Cynthia Howk
Sharon grew up in the Perry, NY area and remembers swimming in Silver Lake and attending Asbury (Camp) as a teenager. She is a 30 year resident of Silver Lake Institute where she has been a member of the SLI Board of Trustees, served as steward (chairperson) of Epworth Hall, and is a founding member of The Silver Lake Experience. Sharon has had a lifelong interest in history and architecture. She has retired from the Landmark Society of Western New York.
F27 Discovering History of Leroy Through Its Barn Quilts by Lynn Belluscia
Lynne Belluscia grew up in Rochester and moved with her family to LeRoy in 1969. She is a former industrial arts teacher, and spent several years at Genesee Country Museum as their special events coordinator. Her published works include research on brick bread ovens, “Recipes From the Genesee Farmer”, and “Heirloom Vegetables.” She was the author of a weekly historical column in the LeRoy Pennysaver from 1988 to 2023. She is now writing historical columns for the Batavia Daily News. She is the former Director of the LeRoy Historical Society and is now serving as the LeRoy Municipal Historian. She has painted over 50 barn quilts, and the barn quilt on her horse barn is taken from a quilt that she completed for her granddaughter. Lynne is quick to point out that although she had sewn several quilts, she does not consider herself to be a quilter.
F28 Crazy Grandma Stories and Activities by Mary Ramerman & Kathy Schaefer
Mary Ramerman is the happy grandmother of Jace(10), Julia(7), and Baby (due March, 2024). After a full career pastoring Spiritus Christi Church, "Marmee" now delights in play-doh picnics, building forts, baseball games, and scavenger hunts. She listens carefully to the spiritual direction her grandchildren offer her and delights in the fun they have together. "Being with them," she says, "is perhaps the most important work I will do in my life"
Kathy Schaefer is a retired educator and Service Learning Coordinator from Gates Chili High School in Rochester. She has been a summer resident of Silver Lake Institute for 22 years where she is a co-coordinator of The Silver Lake Experience, a steward of Stoody Hall and coordinator of Saturday Morning Cafes. Her favorite role is being "Nana" (which now spans over 19 years!) to Sophie (19), Ellie (16), Abby (11), and twins Aidan and Emory (5). She loves creating fun memories for them through baking sessions, "Nana Monster" hide and seek, unexepected scavenger hunts, family vacations, and surprise "damage days". They have rejuvenated her during difficult times and bring light and happiness to her world.
F29 Boat Tour of Silver Lake by Asbury Staff
F30 “The Potter’s Wheel Let’s Give It a Spin” by Ed Green
In 1981, I was introduced to the potter's wheel by chance in High School. Pottery wasn't part of the art curriculum but the art teacher was throwing in her off time. I happened to walk into the art room and was fascinated by the process. The following day I asked if I could give it a try. I was instantly hooked and spent every minute I could throwing on the wheel. By the time I graduated, I found myself teaching the class as our new art teacher knew nothing about pottery. After High School, I married my High School sweetheart and we started our family. Together we raised four beautiful, talented girls. Also after High School, my dad and I put our heads together and came up with plans for a wheel. He was a talented welder and was able to build it for me. I used that wheel for the next twenty years before buying a commercially made one. I have always worked full-time. Pottery was just a hobby. First, for fifteen years as an outside sales rep selling auto parts. I specialized in agricultural and heavy-duty truck parts. My second job lasted twenty years. I started off as a bus driver for a non-profit organization serving the mentally and physically challenged population in our area. I became the transportation manager for several years, but stepped back to bus driving as I found that job to be much more rewarding. The busing ended when COVID hit and I lost my job. I looked at this as an opportunity to go after my dream of becoming a potter full-time. Although I have had offers to instruct, at this point I have decided to put my work in galleries and juried art shows. I also really enjoy setting up at local Farm Markets on occasion.
F31 Open Swim
F32 Manor Porch Chat by Dr. Patrick McGrady
Patrick J. McGrady is the Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator at Penn State's Palmer Museum of Art. He is responsible for the museum's European collections and specializes in works on paper with a particular concentration on European and American prints. He has organized more than eighty exhibitions, ranging in content from 15th-century woodcuts to 21st-century paintings and including monographic presentations of artists such as Edouard Manet, Honor Daumier, Lyonel Feininger, George Gershwin, Will Barnet, and Betye Saar. McGrady oversees the Palmer Museum's print study room and directs its Print and Drawing Study Club. He currently is working on a digital prolegomena to Wassily Kandinsky's 1911 book Concerning the Spiritual in Art.
F33 Porch Chat: An Informal Discussion on SLI by Bill Schaefer
Bill Schaefer is a retired school counselor from East Irondequoit School District. Before that, he worked as a rehabilitation coordinator at the NYS Industry Division for Youth. He has been a cottage owner in SLI for 22 years. During that time, he has acted as vice president and president of the Silver Lake Institute Board of Trustees including during the separation of the Institute from the Upper New York Annual Conference. He is still actively involved with the board as well as being a steward of Stoody Hall and a chairperson of the Silver Lake Experience Logistics committee. He enjoys spending time with his family including his 5 grandchildren and also enjoys golf and building things.
F34 Boat Houses and Lakefront Gardens Tour by Chuck Dusel and Tina Turner
Tina and Chuck are seasonal residents of the Silver Lake Institute. Chuck has been coming to his original cottage since he was a baby and has many stories of times past. Tina are Chuck neighbors at the institute and have forged a wonderful friendship over the years. Together, they will take you on a tour of the historic boathouses and lakefront gardens of the Silver Lake Institute.
F35 Basic Herbal Remedies by Linda Franke
Linda Franke is an educator, teaching artist, rural advocate and mindfulness and integrative Nutrition health coach living and working in a small town in Western New York. She is currently on a children’s book and building up her Health coaching business, all while exploring the wonder and magic of the world with her family.
F36 Porch Chat with Mary Ramerman and Kathy Schaefer
Mary Ramerman is the happy grandmother of Jace(10), Julia(7), and Baby (due March, 2024). After a full career pastoring Spiritus Christi Church, "Marmee" now delights in play-doh picnics, building forts, baseball games, and scavenger hunts. She listens carefully to the spiritual direction her grandchildren offer her and delights in the fun they have together. "Being with them," she says, "is perhaps the most important work I will do in my life"
Kathy Schaefer is a retired educator and Service Learning Coordinator from Gates Chili High School in Rochester. She has been a summer resident of Silver Lake Institute for 22 years where she is a co-coordinator of The Silver Lake Experience, a steward of Stoody Hall and coordinator of Saturday Morning Cafes. Her favorite role is being "Nana" (which now spans over 19 years!) to Sophie (19), Ellie (16), Abby (11), and twins Aidan and Emory (5). She loves creating fun memories for them through baking sessions, "Nana Monster" hide and seek, unexpected scavenger hunts, family vacations, and surprise "damage days". They have rejuvenated her during difficult times and bring light and happiness to her world.
F37 What is Creativity and Do I Want To Get Any on Me? By Barbara Bruce
Barbara Bruce is a nationally known author and speaker. She teaches many aspects of aging well and living well at the district conference, and national level. Barbara has co-taught "Celebrating Aging" at the Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School and has served two quadrenium as the North East Jurisdictional Representative to the Discipleship Ministry on the Committee on Aging and Older Adult Ministry. Barbara has a BS in Education, an MS in Creative Studies, and a Certificate in Gerontology.
F38 “My Free Time” Walk Along The Lake/Visit the SLE Store
F39. Colorful Canvas: A Tie Dye Adventure by Kaelyn and Brandon Phillips
Kaelyn and Brandon are both teachers in the Churchville Chili School District after teaching for over 10 years in Baltimore County, Maryland. Kaelyn teaches 7th grade Health and has coached girls JV and varsity volleyball, tennis, and is currently the modified boys and girls swim coach. Brandon teaches Honors Geometry and 9th grade Algebra. He is currently the JV Baseball Coach for Churchville. They reside in Chili with their 5 year old twin sons.
F40 Ice Cream Sundaes and Milkshakes: Snack Shack and Epworth Cafe
F41 Concert: Trio Amusen with Susan Shuman/piano, Loren Silvertrust/violin, Amelie Fradette/cello
Canadian-American cellist Amélie Fradette was born in Saguenay, Quebec. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at le Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she was awarded le Prix avec Grande Distinction, then continued her studies at Cleveland Institute of Music and Yale University. Amélie joined the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2001 and enjoys frequent solo and chamber performances across western NY and Canada.
Susan Schuman is a frequent performer in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chautauqua Symphony and has been Director of Music at Kenmore United Methodist Church since 2018. One of the most sought-after accompanists and coaches in the Western New York area, she is known for her work with both instrumental and vocal soloists.
Originally from Chicago, Loren made Buffalo her home in 2010, when she joined the orchestra's first violin section. Before this she was studying at Williams College and Indiana University, playing with the New World Symphony in Miami, and hiking mountains in Colorado.
F42 Lantern Walk with Lisa Schiske
Lisa and her husband have been cottage owners here at Silver Lake Institute for the past 17 years, feeling Blessed to live here at the Institute all summer long. Lisa is very passionate about community supported events and even more grateful that her husband of 37 years just smiles and nods his head as she runs out the door again to tend to another 'crazy idea she had in her head to be facilitated in their Silver Lake Community or back at home in Pavilion NY. Silver Lake is a magical place and Lisa is excited to share her love for fairies, angels, and lantern walks with all of those who sign up for the Silver Lake Experience. Lisa is back by popular demand after a wonderful 2022 SLE!
Friday, August 2nd
2024 SILVER LAKE EXPERIENCE PRESENTER INFORMATION