SUNDAY OCTOBER 11, 1-3 PM

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
HOBBY BUILDING EVENTS ROOM

 

 

We're pleased to welcome two guests who will help us get ready for the all-important mid-term election. In the first hour, Wesley Wilcox, Marion County Supervisor of Elections, will take your questions about the elections process. Wesley knows a lot about voter demographics, mail-in ballots, early voting, provisional voting, poll watchers, the current state of political issues around voting, and our rights. He prefers to simply interact with the audience, so bring your questions. He's a straightforward guy who believes the job of the Marion County Elections Office is to help all citizens vote.

In the second hour, Judy Johnson from the League of Women Voters returns to outline the pros and cons of the three amendments on the November ballot.

     Voting may be one of the most important activities we undertake this year. Let’s get as much info as we can to make informed choices.

 

 

MONDAY OCTOBER 12, 6:30-8 PM
BANED AND WOKE BOOK CLUB
HOBBY BUILDING EVENTS ROOM

 

 

The Banned and Woke Book Club will reconvene to discuss Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America by Andrew Weismann. Many of us know Andrew, a former Assistant US Attorney and professor at NYU, from his regular commentary on MSNOW. Plan to join us for an evening of thought-provoking discussion. Weissmann proposes legislation that punishes election deniers.

 

NOTE NEW TIME! 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25, 11 AM-1 PM
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND OUR DUTY OF CARE
HOBBY BUILDING EVENTS ROOM

 

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we welcome Alison Vazquez, Director of Outreach and Prevention at Casa Lotus, our local DV shelter and intervention center, to present Domestic Violence: Causes, Consequences, and Our Duty of Care.

     Domestic violence often confounds the uninitiated. Why would someone enter into a violent relationship, let alone stay in one? This presentation will share research on the scope, causes, and consequences of domestic violence, along with stories that let the audience inhabit the perspective of victims—people who turn to CASA Marion because they're facing a false choice between safety and security. Life shouldn't mean choosing between food, shelter, and companionship on one hand, and living violence-free on the other. Because domestic violence touches so many households, we'll learn how to safely help family, friends, and neighbors, and more broadly, how to promote peace

LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER

 

ANATOMY OF A PHOTOGRAPH

 

Sunday, November 8, 11 am - 1 pm in the Hobby Building Event Room

A great photograph starts with seeing clearly and trusting what you see. In Anatomy of a Photograph, Domenica Genovese explores the principles that separate a snapshot from a picture that stops you cold: light, composition, rhythm, pacing, and the question every photographer has to answer: why am I taking this shot? Whether you want to improve your own photos or simply deepen your appreciation for the art, this talk will give you a fresh way of seeing.

      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.

 

FRIENDSGIVING!

Sunday, November 22, 11 am - 1 pm, the LODGE at Candler Hill

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!

 

DOING GOOD FOR GOOD’S SAKE

 

ON OCTOBER 25 ONLY, WE WILL COLLECT DONATIONS TO SUPPORT CASA LOTUS, OUR LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER We will be taking donations of “recycled” cleaning products — opened packages you might have bought that you stopped using but don’t have the heart to dispose of and are just taking up space under your sink or in a cupboard. This includes laundry products too. If we bring in our recycled cleaning products, this will help the center’s budget. In case anyone is interested in helping out with other items, this is their current wish list for the shelter:
Hygiene products
-Full-size shampoo and conditioner
-Full-size body wash (children’s and regular)
-Toothbrushes and toothpaste
-Deodorants and body sprays
-Brushes, hair gel, hair detangle spray
-Ethnic hair supplies
Gift cards

-Walmart gift card, Gas gift card, Publix gift card, Amazon gift card ($10-$30)
-Uber gift card ($30-$50)
Food/Snacks:
-Variety Chip boxes, Granola Bars, Kids applesauce & yogurt pouches, Slim Jims
-Individual microwaveable food items ( Mac & Cheese, mashed potatoes, vegetables)
-Grab & Go Foods (Lunchables, cheese sticks, etc.)

Other

-Small backpacks and drawstring packpacks, new toys, new board games. underwear and socks (all sizes and genders)

-Baby accessories (bibs, pacifiers, bottles, blankets

-Twin bedding

-Journals and fidgit/sensory items

 

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.