SUNDAY OCTOBER 8, 11AM-1 PM

ANATOMY OF A PHOTOGRAPH
HOBBY BUILDING EVENTS ROOM

 

 

In Anatomy of a Photograph, our own Domenica Genovese asks the question every photographer has to answer: why am I taking this shot? Through light, composition, rhythm, and pacing, she looks at what separates a powerful image from a casual snapshot. Whether you want to improve your own photos or simply deepen your appreciation for the art, this talk will help you notice what you used to walk right past.

Domenica holds a fine arts degree from the Accademia di Belle Arti in Perugia, Italy, and has been making photographs for over 40 years. As art director at her own design firm, she worked closely with professional photographers throughout her career.

 

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19, 6:30-8 PM
SOCRATES CAFE'
HOBBY BUILDING EVENTS ROOM

 

 

Our topic, Can Freethinkers Fix The United States? will be hosted by our own Roland Campbell.  Let’s watch a video and discuss the interesting and viable ways freethinking ideas can change conversations and outcomes.

 

FRIENDSGIVING!

Sunday, November 22, 11 am - 1 pm,

THE LODGE AT CANDLER HILLS

8875 SW 87th CIRCLE IN OTOW

It’s time for all freethinkers to gather together for food and fellowship. Freethinkers Florida will provide the turkeys—lovingly roasted by our excellent freethinking chef, Debby Levy and the rest of us will bring sides, salads, and desserts. Since we will be holding  Friendsgiving at The Lodge in Candler, we will have round tables, a much larger room, and more convenient parking. You can sign up at any Sunday meeting, and you are welcome to bring a “+ 1” non-member as a guest. Thanks to Debby and Karen Henkel-Reeves for hosting this annual event. We’ll have plenty of time to chat and get to know other freethinkers!

LOOKING AHEAD TO DECEMBER

 

3D X-RAYS, 3-D PRINTING, AND ROBOTIC SURGERY: REVOLUTIONIZING MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Sunday, December 13, 11 am-1 pm, Hobby Building Event Room  

Our own Frank Magnarelli will take us through the history of robotic surgery from 2001 when a team of surgeons in New York successfully removed the gall bladder of a patient in France over 3,000 miles away! We will learn about what makes remote robotic surgery possible as well as look at the three-dimensional printing of body parts and the use of 3D x-rays that helped revolutionize surgery and healthcare in general. You know you want to know this...see you there!

Frank is a retired engineer having worked over 45 years in the manufacture and service of medical devices. His experience includes consulting in the U.S. and internationally with physicians, nurses and researchers to design devices to improve patient outcomes. His teaching experience includes webinars, engineering conferences and Osher Lifelong Learning Centers.

   

BANNED AND WOKE BOOK CLUB

Monday, December 14, 6:30–8 pm, Hobby Building Event Room

There is a dark side to revolutionizing medical technology. We will be reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Published in 2010, this non-fiction book is about Henrietta Lacks, an African-American tobacco farmer whose cervical cancer cells (HeLa) were taken in 1951 without her consent to become the first immortal human cell line, driving major medical breakthroughs while her family remained unaware and uncompensated. Is this a case of racial inequality in bioethics? Let's talk about this woke book and the lawsuit led by civil rights attorney Ben Crump that challenged the medico-legal decision makers at Johns Hopkins and three pharmaceutical companies to recognize Henrietta's contribution to science and compensate her descendants. The last two settlements took place recently in February and March 2026. The fight for justice for Henrietta took 75 years. You are welcome to come to discuss the book or just want to discuss bioethics and human rights.

 

2027 UPDATE
As is our custom, Freethinkers will be taking an end-of-year break from December 12 until our first meeting in January on the 10th. We will have new meeting rooms in 2027 (the Hobby Building Event Room is going to become part of the Woodshop), and we will give you all the info in our December newsletter.

 

 

 

 

DOING GOOD

We received a note from Alison Vazquez of Lotus Marion who spoke to us about domestic violence and sexual assault intervention on October 25:  

"I truly enjoyed speaking with your group and appreciated the opportunity to share information about Lotus Marion and the resources available to survivors in our community. It was wonderful to see how engaged everyone was and how interested they were in learning more about domestic violence and the support services available in Marion County.

I am also incredibly grateful for the generous donations. Yes, we were able to fit everything into two cars, and I can assure you that these items will make a meaningful difference for the survivors we serve. Your group's generosity, compassion, and commitment to supporting the community are truly inspiring.

Thank you again for your warm welcome, your support, and the opportunity to connect with such a caring group of individuals. Please know how much we appreciate your partnership.”

 

DOING MORE GOOD

 

Donations of the following are welcome at any Sunday meeting:

1)  Used camping gear, clothing, shoes, towels and blankets for the homeless downtown and in the forest. Text/call Debby Levy 561-346-7401 for info.

2)  Brown paper for mailing packages and new/used bubble wrap for Freedom Library's EBay book sales,  proceeds support children's programs. Text/call Pat MacMurray 352-807-5664 for questions and info.

3) And if you have some time and inclination:  On Wednesday October 7 and 21 you can learn how to crochet water resistant sleeping mats for the homeless using recycled grocery bags. They have enough bags right now, but you can support the crocheters by cutting bags into strips that are used in the process. Both the crocheting and the cutting can easily be done at home as well. Join Freethinker Karen Henkel-Reeves at 9:30 am in the Art Room in the Hobby Building for a lesson. For more info call Karen at 352-854-9954 (no text).

 

 

The Freethinkers Florida Club at On Top of the World meets twice a month in the Hobby Building Event Room for presentations, discussions, and social time. If you are coming from outside On Top of the World, please email  FreethinkersFlorida@gmail.com for information on entry through the gate.