Weekly Presentations

Join us for Monday presentations at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a social break in between sessions. We meet at Park Circle in the:

  • Charleston Atlantic Presbytery (CAP) building
    4701 Park Place W
    North Charleston, SC 29405
    View Map

Be Our Guest

Come to any Monday afternoon meeting as our guest to see if CCR is for you. Just check in for free at the front registration desk.

Fall 2025 Weekly Presentations

September 8

1 p.m.

Professional headshot of Deborah Blalock with curly hair wearing glasses and a black blazer against a wooden background.Deborah Blalock
Deputy Director, Community Mental Health Services, SCDMH

Your SC Department of Mental Health

Today’s Department of Mental Health is not your Momma’s Bull Street!  Dr. Blalock will tell us about the easy access to evidence based out patient care from cradle to grave!

2:30 p.m.

Headshot ofRaphael James smiling with glasses, wearing a suit and tie, in a professional newsroom setting.Raphael James
News Anchor, WCSC-TV Live 5 News

I Don’t Want To Talk About It

Raphael James in his memoir “I Don’t Want To Talk About It: A Journalist’s Essays on Autism, Dementia, Religion, and God” discusses the challenges of being a good son to a father diagnosed with dementia and being a good father to a son diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Raphael James has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: I Don’t Want To Talk About It: A Journalist’s Essays on Autism, Dementia, Religion, and God.

 

September 15

1 p.m.

Headshot of Virginia Theerman with long brown hair and crossed arms stands in front of greenery.Virginia Theerman
Curator of Historic Textiles, The Charleston Museum

Behind the Seams: Charleston’s Fashion and Textile History

Virginia Theerman will present highlights from The Charleston Museum's Historic Textiles Collection and discuss the methods of preserving objects while presenting their unique stories to the public including the preservation of important pieces like Eliza Lucas Pinckney's gown and shoes.

Virginia Theerman has graciously provided a copy of her presentation: Behind the Seams: Charleston’s Fashion and Textile History.

2:30 p.m.

Headshot of Michael Lee in a suit with a slightly disheveled tie, posing outdoors with greenery in the background.Michael Lee
Director of the Civility Initiative, CofC

Finding Common Ground in a Divided World

Michael Lee will offer tips for better disagreements. Many of us avoid conflict hoping to protect ourselves and our connections. Conflict is a paradox, if done constructively and handled with care, disagreements can help us learn and strengthen our relationships.  They can even be fun.

September 22 

1 p.m.

Professional headshot of Caroline Sawyer with long brown hair and glasses, smiling warmly in a casual setting.Caroline E. Sawyer
Producer, By The River & Associate Professor, Communication Studies, USCB

Behind the Scenes of By The River

Caroline Sawyer and some of the students that work on the show will take us behind the scenes of the award-winning national public television show By The River to learn how this production is used to educate the next generation of public media makers.

Caroline Sawyer has graciously provided a copy of her presentation: Behind the Scenes of By The River

2:30 p.m.

Headshot of Scott Persons wearing a hat and glasses standing in front of a dinosaur skeleton display.Scott Persons
Associate professor of paleobiology and curator of The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, CofC

Flying Dinosaurs: The Origin of Birds

New life has been breathed into an old theory: that modern birds are the last surviving dinosaurs. Paleontologists now have the feathered specimens to prove this evolutionary connection. Dr. Scott Persons will explore the science and the scientific controversies that led to our current understanding of how dinosaurs took to the air.

Scott Persons has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: Flying Dinosaurs: The Origin of Birds

September 29 

1 p.m.

Headshot of Wojciech Milewski in a black shirt, sitting with his hands clasped and surrounded by vibrant flowers.Wojciech Milewski
Music Director, Summerville Orchestra

The End

Wojciech Milewski explores the most epic and strangest endings in symphonic music.  What makes a successful ending of a symphony?  From Mahler 2 to Sibelius 5, we'll take a look at some epic and colossal finales and explore some of the oddest symphonic endings in the repertoire to see if there is a common idea to link them all.

2:30 p.m.

CCR’s C.A.L.L. Teachers

Preview Fall 2025 C.A.L.L. Classes

October 6 

1 p.m.

Head shot of Gil Jacobs smiling, wearing a yellow polo shirt, seated and enjoying a relaxed moment.Gil Jacobs
Docent Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

History of the Jewish Community in Charleston

Gil Jacobs will discuss Jewish immigration to Charleston and how that effected Judaism in America. An emphasis will be on Charleston's Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue, the site of the oldest continuous place of Jewish worship in America.


2:30 p.m.

Headshot of Michael Lyons with glasses and short gray hair, wearing a blue shirt.Michael W. Lyons
Member of the Lowcountry Stargazers

What’s Going On Up There?

Space science has achieved amazing advances in recent years.  Mike Lyons, a long-time amateur astronomer and a member of the Lowcountry Stargazers, will update us on recent discoveries, particularly focusing on missions to the planets in our solar system.

Mike Lyons has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: What’s Going On Up There?

October 13

1 p.m.

Headshot of Bert Keller smiling and wearing a plaid shirt, portrayed in soft lighting.Bert Keller
Professor Emeritus, MUSC, Post & Courier, Columnist

Aging for Amateurs: On Making the Best of It

We normally move into retirement and old age with anxiety if not dread. As accomplished as we may have been in a career, raising a family, and public life, we are amateurs when it comes to aging. Bert Keller thinks looking at it with a “beginner’s mind,” opens us to new creativity, self-understanding, contribution and dignity.

2:30 p.m.

Portrait of Pat Dillon with red hair, wearing a purple cardigan and green necklace.Pat Dillon
Professor, Art and Architectural History , CofC

Not Just Stuff!  Thoughtful Options for Your Treasures

We all accumulate material possessions. Thinking about what to do with them is overwhelming. Pat Dillon will discuss the options available to find your treasures’ new homes. When should you appraise, keep, sell, donate, or force your treasures on the kids?

October 20

1 p.m.

Portrait of Dr. Reshma Khan wearing a hijab and scrubs, representing healthcare professionalism.Dr. Reshma Khan
Founder of Shifa Free Clinics 

The Establishment of the Shifa Free Medical Clinics

Dr. Khan will share how Shifa Free Clinics provide essential medical care and hunger prevention services to uninsured families in our community. She will also highlight meaningful ways individuals can contribute their time, skills, or resources to support the clinic.


2:30 p.m.

Portrait of Latosha Jenkins Fludd with long black hair and large earrings, wearing a white top.Latosha Jenkins Fludd
Director of HOPE CENTER, City of Charleston

An Update on Homelessness in the Charleston Area

Latosha Jenkins Fludd will offer an update on homelessness in the Charleston area.

October 27 

1 p.m.

Headshot of Brunce Landsberg wearing a hard hat and reflective vest, representing the NTSB, at a safety inspection site.Bruce Landsberg
Vice Chairman (Retired), National Transportation Safety Board

The NTSB and Learning From Icarus

Bruce Landsberg will provide an overview of the NTSB, how investigations are done and some personal experiences as a Board member-on-scene at major crashes. As an active pilot, he will also discuss the recurring efforts to privatize our Air Traffic Control System.

 
2:30 p.m.

headshot of Richard Hatcher III with silver hair and a beard wearing a suit, standing in front of a wooden background.Richard Hatcher, III
Retired Historian, Fort Sumter Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Fort Sumter is the Key to the Entrance to this Harbor

In April 1861, CS forces bombarded the US garrison at Fort Sumter resulting in it’s surrender. The event marked the beginning of the Civil War. Fort Sumter and the city remained a focal point in the war. Fort Sumter was modified over the years and was decommissioned by the US Army in 1947. In 1948 it was transferred to the National Park Service.


November 3 

1 p.m.

Portrait of a Sergeant Joshua Quick in police officer uniform, standing in front of a police department backdrop.Sergeant Joshua Quick
SWAT Commander, North Charleston Police Department

North Charleston Police Units and Crime Prevention

Sergeant Joshua Quick will discuss the various types of units that the North Charleston Police Department has and some of the unique responsibilities of those units. He will discuss some ways of preventing crimes; such as using caution with online sales, phone scams, and making your household a less desirable target.

Sergeant Quick has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: North Charleston Police Units and Crime Prevention
 
2:30 p.m.

Professional headshot of a Jeff Taylor with short blonde hair, wearing a dark blue shirt.Jeff Taylor
Executive Editor and Vice President for news, Post and Courier

The Post and Courier: Past, Present, and Future 

Many newspapers are closing. Jeff Taylor will discuss the future of print journalism and newspapers across the country.  Newspapers are changing and the Post and Courier must change with to stay successful. Newspapers need to continue investigative reporting to inform the public about what is happening in our world today.

Jeff Taylor has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: The Post and Courier: Past, Present, and Future

November 10

1 p.m.

Headshot of Bill Cosgrove with short gray hair wearing a teal collared shirt.Bill Cosgrove
retired US-EPA

Sgt. York: Most Decorated World War I Hero 

Sgt Alvin York's  journey from a rough backwoods country boy to religious pacifist and finally an American icon is both fascinating and tragic. Bill Cosgrove will guide us on a journey from a Tennessee hollow to the horrors of the Meuse-Argonne Battle that ended the "Great War"!

Bill Cosgrove has graciously provided a copy of his presentation: Sgt. York: Most Decorated World War I Hero

2:30 p.m.

Headshot of Jamie Klinger Host, a smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair and wearing earrings.Jayme Klinger Host
Dean, School of the Arts, CofC

Choreographing Change: Dance Research and Arts Leadership at the CofC

Jayme Klinger Host will explore the transformative journey from professional dance artist to higher education leadership. She draws on her experiences as a performer, choreographer, Artistic Director, and Producer to reshape arts education by integrating multidisciplinary thinking.

November 17

1 p.m.

Professional portrait of Andrew Gowder Jr. with gray hair, wearing a suit and tie, smiling in a well-lit environment with greenery in the background.W. Andrew Gowder, Jr.
Partner, Austen & Gowder, LLC

Citizen Engagement in Land Use

Andrew Gowder, Jr. will discuss citizen participation and engagement in land planning, environmental conservation and restoration, and historic preservation

2:30 p.m.


Sara Perry, Executive Director, Respite Care Charleston  *

I Can’t Remember!: Promoting Brain Health, Preventing Dementia and Recognizing Symptoms

Ever misplace your keys or forget where you parked your car? Worry about what that means for your memory? Sara Perry with Respite Care Charleston will share tips on how to maintain brain health, how to prevent cognitive impairment or memory loss, and what signs and symptoms require a doctor’s care.

* Change from originally scheduled presentation

November 24

No CCR – Thanksgiving

December 1

1 p.m.
Russ T. Hutchins, OSHER Lecturer, CALL teacher, retired Topeka Public School Administrator*

The Founding Ladies of the American Revolution and Our Country

Join us for a historical account of the founder’s wives: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Martha (Patsy) Jefferson, Dolley Madison, and Elizabeth Monroe as well as some of the wives of the other 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Russ Hutchins will also talk about women soldiers and nurses in the American Revolution.
* Change from originally scheduled presentation


2:30 p.m.

Professional portrait of Gibbs Knotts in a suit and tie, set against a blurred outdoor background.Gibbs Knotts
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Coastal Carolina University

What Exactly is a Provost?

Gibbs Knotts will discuss his move to Coastal Carolina University and his new position as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.  He will talk about the role of Provost and discuss the challenges facing higher education leaders in the current environment.

 

December 8

Noon
CCR Member Luncheon

Abbreviated list of presentations to put on your refrigerator.