Dr. Ksepka’s topic, “Flight of the World’s Largest Bird” will detail the discovery, reconstruction and computer modeling of flight  style in Pelagornis sandersi, an extinct bird he described in 2014.  This species had a wing span of approximately 20 feet, making it the largest flying bird that ever lived.  He studied the fossil, unearthed in Charleston SC, while he was a fellow at NESCent (a research center on Duke campus) in NC.

There is a life-size model of the bird in the Bruce Museum’s rotunda at the moment, on loan from the Smithsonian.

To get an idea how large this bird was, compare the drawing below to California Condor, below left, and the Wandering Albatross, below right. 

Dr. Daniel T. Ksepka, Ph.D., Curator Bruce Museum

Museums are my home, and I am broadly interested in building natural history collections, museum-based outreach and education, and presenting compelling topics in exhibitions.  My research centers on the evolution of birds, with particular interests in phylogeny, divergence dating, and the transition to wing-propelled diving in penguins.

Current Research Projects

• Modeling the flight patterns of the largest flying bird ever to have lived, Pelagornis sandersi.
• Reconstructing patterns of brain size expansion in dinosaurs and birds. This project was initiated during a Catalysis Meeting funded by NESCent (NSF EF 0905606) titled “A Deeper Look into the Avian Brian: Using Modern Imaging to Unlock Ancient Endocasts”, with Amy Balanoff and N. Adam Smith.
• Inferring phylogeny and patterns of morphological change in the best group of birds: penguins!This research is currently funded by NSF award DEB: 1556615 “Collaborative Research: Advancing Bayesian Phylogenetic Methods for Synthesizing Paleontological and Neontological Data” with Tracy Heath and Rob Meredith.
• Assembling a full species level tree for all 10,000+ species of birds. As a paleontologist I am particularly interested in using fossil data to accurately reconstruct the timing of the modern bird radiation in order to better understand how events like extinctions, climate change, and plate tectonic events influenced avian evolution.This research is currently funded by NSF award DEB 1655736 “All Birds: A Time-scaled Avian Tree from Integrated Phylogenomic and Fossil Data” with Brian Smith, F. Keith Barker, Edward Braun, Robb Brumfield, Terry Chesser, Brant Faircloth, Rebecca Kimball.

Education

• PhD, Columbia University (2007)
• MS, Columbia University (2005)
• BS, Rutgers University (2002)

Arranged by Robin & Charles Salmans

Here is his presentation: Pelagornis

Dr. Ksepka recommended these two sites:

https://www.newbrucescience.org

https://www.undertheskinexhibition.com

Moses built an empire and lived like an emperor. He was held in fear – his dossiers could disgorge the dark secrets of anyone who opposed him. He was, he claimed, above politics, above deals; and through decade after decade, the newspapers and the public believed.

Meanwhile, he was developing his public authorities into a fourth branch of government known as “Triborough” – a government whose records were closed to the public, whose policies and plans were decided not by voters or elected officials but solely by Moses – an immense economic force directing pressure on labor unions, on banks, on all the city’s political and economic institutions, and on the press, and on the Church. He doled out millions of dollars’ worth of legal fees, insurance commissions, lucrative contracts on the basis of who could best pay him back in the only coin he coveted: power. He dominated the politics and politicians of his time – without ever having been elected to any office. He was, in essence, above our democratic system.

Robert Moses held power in the state for 44 years, through the governorships of Smith, Roosevelt, Lehman, Dewey, Harriman, and Rockefeller, and in the city for 34 years, through the mayoralties of La Guardia, O’Dwyer, Impellitteri, Wagner, and Lindsay. He personally conceived and carried through public works costing $27 billion – he was undoubtedly America’s greatest builder.

Mark Nunan was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1953. At an early age, he moved to Homewood and then Hoover, Ala. He graduated from Indian Springs High School in 1971, where he was editor of the school newspaper and literary magazine, member of the Student Judiciary group and member of the soccer team. Mark graduated from the University of Alabama in 1976. He continued his education at Stanford University, where he was awarded a master’s in 1979 and a Ph.D. in 1983. During that same period, he was a George Lurcy Fellow at L’ENS normale supérieure and at the University of Paris-Sorbonne in Paris as part of his Ph.D. program. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi academic honor society and participated in medical research in one of the largest blood pressure and cardiovascular disease research studies in the United States. Mark started his career with COS, Inc in 1982 in Palo Alto, Calif., and then transferred to Paris and New York City in 1980, where he retired as a senior vice president in 2018. COS is a private firm that provides business and economic development services, assisting companies and governments in researching, developing and implementing new business expansion opportunities, mainly in North America and Europe. Mark and his partner Isabelle live in Darien and have one son and a daughter-in-law and two grandsons living in Europe. He belongs to the Stanford Alumni Association, A-Ulm: Association des Anciens Eleves de I’Ecole normale supérieure and Phi Kappa Phi. His leisure activities include reading, investing, walking, hiking, travel, music and spectator sports; specifically, soccer and college football. Sponsored by Tom Haack

Slide presentation: DMA_RMOSES_MARKNUNAN_Final

Peter Igoe – Nuclear Submarine Operations

At our regular Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Peter Igoe (Tom Igoe’s brother) will lead a discussion on US nuclear submarine operations in the ’60s. This period was a tense time when our country and Russia were engaged as fierce competitors below the surface of the Atlantic.

Peter, who served as a Naval officer on two nuclear boats in that era, will describe operation of the main elements of the submarine’s nuclear propulsion system (including design and management of the reactor on board), the central role of Admiral Hyman Rickover in the development and oversight of strict nuclear safety standards for the US sub fleet, the command structure on board ship, the rules of engagement for a nuclear missile launch, and key advances in nuclear submarine technology that have taken place since the decade of the’60s.

**************

Peter was born in St. Louis, MO, in the summer of ’42. He attended college at Yale and was accepted into the US Navy “Regular” ROTC program. Peter graduated in 1964 from Yale with an AB in economics and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Regular Navy with a 5-year active duty commitment. He was immediately accepted into the US Navy nuclear submarine program and, after 18 months of training, served on two boats, the USS John Adams, SSBN 620 (5 Polaris patrols), and the USS Haddo, SSN 603 (special operations).

Following his service in the Navy, Peter obtained an MBA in finance from Stamford and went to work for Xerox, becoming Senior Vice President and CFO of Xerox Publications/Field Publications. Thereafter, he held the position of VP, Worldwide Operations, for Rodale Press.

Peter is married, with 3 children, 5 grandchildren and an 8-week old yellow lab who arrives home on May 2. He and his wife Ruth reside in Amelia Island, FL, and have a summer place on Beaver Island, in northern Lake Michigan.

Here is his presentation: Submarine Igoe

“Professor” Hester will lead a discussion of last week’s viewing of  “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.

You can view the documentary it at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI

Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?

Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program.  He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year.  Harris’s CV Hester, Harris

The meeting will be held virtually.  Logon credentials will be sent separately.

“Professor” Hester will introduce the documentary “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.

Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?

This is the first of a two part presentation. The documentary that we will see in Part 1, is 26 minutes long.  You can view it at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI  Next week, Harris will discuss the questions raised above and take your comments and questions. Credentials for the meeting will be sent by email.

Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program.  He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year.  Harris’s CV Hester, Harris

Charles Salmans will speak on production of the B-24 bomber at Willow Run, MI.  It is an inspiring story of American industrial might focused on defeating an existential foe.

Tim Pettee is President of the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society Inc., a 501©3 entity whose mission is to restore and preserve the Greens Ledge Lighthouse in Long Island Sound.  We all know the light as a scenic landmark.  It seems very strongly built but it is at risk without repair and maintenance.   Tim will talk to us about the fascinating history of the light what his organization is doing to preserve it.

See: https://www.savegreensledge.org/

Tim grew up in Westport, raised four children with his wife Sheila in New Canaan and has been a Rowayton resident since 2014. In addition to his work with Greens Ledge Tim is on the board and chair of the finance committee for the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk and on the Athletics Directors Council at Boston University, his alma mater. When not at the light, Tim is Chief Investment Officer of AIG Sun America Asset Management.

Arranged by Peter Tombros

Anne Keefe, Associate Artist, and Bruce Miller, Company Manager, will speak to the DMA about the history and future of the Westport Country Playhouse, a 90-year old non-profit institution that is by far the largest and most prestigious professional theater in Fairfield County. The mission of the Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about. Their presentations will include insights on the upcoming season, including a string of five riveting plays and Script in Hand play readings that are intended to deepen relationships with audiences and artists.

The Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse is a 90-year-old LORT “B” theater in Westport, Connecticut. With a $5MM operating budget, the Playhouse is by far the largest and most prestigious professional theater in Fairfield County. 

The mission of the Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, WCP’s resident conservatory program; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round.

The Playhouse Person

The Playhouse Person takes pride in what occurs on the stage. They feel a part of it, an ownership. They develop an “I can do that” attitude in taking on new and challenging tasks that support that work. They care, and they pay attention to detail and presentation. They are organized. They work smart, communicate, and take initiative. They are proactive. They follow through, and follow up, without being asked. They are self-motivated, yet they work with their colleagues with trust and ease. They think outside of the box, pull up innovative ideas, and go above and beyond expectations. They are fiscally responsible and have an impact on the bottom-line. They are respected and appreciated for their endeavors. They are happy. And happy employees make for happy artists, donors, and patrons. We are collectively committed to a constant expansion and reimagining of who can be a Playhouse Person.

Anne Keefe, Associate Artist

Currently an Associate Artist at Westport Country Playhouse, Annie served as Playhouse Artistic Director, with Joanne Woodward, in 2008 and as associate artistic director from 2000-2006, also with Ms. Woodward.  At Westport Country Playhouse, she co-directed with Ms. Woodward a production of David Copperfield, directed readings of And Then There Were None, Harvey, Bedroom Farce, A Song at Twilight, Chapter Two and many more, as part of the popular Script in Hand program which she curates.  She appeared in A Holiday Garland and a reading of Arsenic and Old Lace with Ms. Woodward and Christopher Walken.  In the fall of 2007 she served as assistant director to Gregory Boyd on the Hartford Stage production of Our Town with Hal Holbrook.  Formerly she stage managed both at Long Wharf Theatre (27 years) and at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.  Broadway transfers she stage managed include: The Changing Room (with John Lithgow), The National Health (with Rita Moreno), Spokesong (with John Lithgow), Watch on the Rhine (with George Hearn and Jan Miner) and the Off-Broadway transfer of American Buffalo (with Al Pacino).  Other Broadway credits include: Death and the Maiden (with Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfuss, and Gene Hackman, directed by Mike Nichols), Hamlet (with Ralph Fiennes) and Night Must Fall (with Matthew Broderick).

She has been involved over the last 25 years with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Gala, directing both the 2018 and 2019 events.  Ms. Keefe has served on the board of the Westport Country Playhouse and on the board of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.  She has taught the third year stage managers at the Yale School of Drama. She was awarded the Del Hughes Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Stage Managers’ Association. In October of 2012, she was honored by the Connecticut Women’s’ Hall of Fame as one of 10 Women of Distinction as well as receiving the Westport Arts Award for Theatre. In 2016 she received the Tom Killan Award from the Connecticut Critics Circle. She lives in Weston with her husband, writer/playwright David Wiltse and has three accomplished daughters as well as four beautiful grandchildren.

Bruce Miller, Company Manager 

Bruce is a graduate of Marietta College. He spent six years teaching elementary and middle school social studies and English in rural Ohio. After a brief stint as an historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, he spent 22 years running his family’s hardware business in Milford. Bruce managed the Stamford regional office of the US Census in 2000 before joining the Playhouse as house manager. He became Operations Manager in 2001, served on the construction committee during renovations, and has been Company Manager for 18 years. His wife, Beth, is a retired teacher, certified Master Gardener, and an ever-present Playhouse volunteer. Their daughter, Sarah, is a personal trainer working in Manhattan.

2020 Shows     90th Anniversary Season

Next to Normal
music by Tom Kitt
book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey
directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana

April 14 – May 2, 2020

This 2009 Tony Award-winning hit musical and winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama gives a groundbreaking look at a family in crisis, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary musical theater. From the director/choreographer of the Playhouse’s 2019 hit, In the Heights.

“…brave, breathtaking…a feel-everything musical…”

THE NEW YORK TIMES

 Tiny House
a new comedy fresh from its world premiere by Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players
by Michael Gotch
directed by Mark Lamos

June 9 – 27, 2020

Fireworks fly in this new comedy when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a July 4th barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple. 

“Zippy, breezy comedy…”
BROADSTREETREVIEW.COM

 Ain’t Misbehavin’
conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. & Murray Horwitz 
directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown

July 14 – August 1, 2020

The 1978 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical as you’ve never seen it before! A dance-filled, reimagined, sassy, and sultry musical celebration of legendary jazz great Fats Waller from director/choreographer Camille A. Brown (2019 Tony Nominee for Best Choreography, Choir Boy).

“…zing and sparkle…”
THE NEW YORK TIMES

 Antigone
by Sophocles
a world premiere translation and adaptation by Kenneth Cavander
directed by David Kennedy

September 29 – October 17, 2020

A determined young woman bravely defies a king in this thrilling drama about the nature of power and resistance. This classic play speaks across centuries to those living in a climate of fear and polarization.

“A drama that wants hearing and heeding.”
VARIETY

Blues for an Alabama Sky
by Pearl Cleage
directed by LA Williams

November 3 – 21, 2020

As the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance succumbs to the harsh realities of The Great Depression, a community of friends resolves to keep their hopes and dreams alive.

“…an extraordinary achievement…”
VARIETY

Arranged by Tom Igoe

Art Gottlieb

One of our most popular speakers returns to talk about WWII submarines and the men who sailed them.

DARIEN MEN’S ASSOCIATION

Announces a Special Presentation by:

Arthur N. Gottlieb, LCSW, CSA

US Pacific Fleet Subs   

of World War II

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, US submarines made the hazardous journey to the shipping lanes off the coast of Japan, only to have their torpedoes bounce harmlessly off the sides of enemy ships without exploding.  Only after two years of bureaucratic wrangling was the “Silent Service” finally supplied with reliable torpedoes that would lead to the virtual elimination of Japanese shipping.

Josh Geballe is the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for the state of CT.

DAS houses a number of distinct programs that comprise the business functions of state government, including information technology, human resources, procurement, facilities and real estate, construction services, fleet, workers compensation and the state’s website ct.gov.

Our divisions are united in a common mission:

• Support Connecticut’s Growth – To serve our citizens, businesses, state agencies and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.

• Drive Continuous Innovation – To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government using best practices from the public and private sectors.

• Provide Rewarding Careers – To attract and retain a workforce of talented, dedicated public servants committed to leading our great state forward.

BIOGRAPHY

Josh Geballe brings 18 years of experience in the technology industry as a business executive, investor, advisor and teacher. He was most recently Vice President and General Manager of Digital Science at Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), a global scientific technology company. His business unit provided a cloud-based software platform that helped scientists generate insights that improve human health and our quality of life, and helped lead the company’s overall digital strategy.

Josh joined Thermo Fisher when it acquired his software company, Core Informatics, LLC, in March 2017. As CEO, he led that company through a period of substantial growth, investment and value creation for its stakeholders. Under Josh’s leadership the company was recognized multiple times as one of Connecticut’s fastest growing companies and best places to work.

Josh joined Core Informatics in 2013 after 11 years at IBM, where he held multiple international executive roles spanning general management, finance and strategy. Josh served as Vice President of a market-leading division of IBM Global Technology Services, with full responsibility for a half billion dollar business. Earlier in his IBM career Josh served as Chief Financial Officer for two multi-billion dollar IBM business units, including serving as Vice President and CFO for IBM’s Global Technology business in Europe.

Josh has served on the Board of Directors of the Guilford Savings Bank, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), the United Way of Greater New Haven, the Connecticut Technology Council, and the State of Connecticut Tech Talent Advisory Committee. He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, where he has also served as a visiting lecturer, and a BA from Yale University. Born and raised in Branford, CT, Josh currently lives in Guilford, CT with his wife and two children.

Arranged by Gary Banks

For those familiar with the television direct response mega-hit Smart Spin, Warren Tuttle was the person behind the scenes helping to orchestrate its overnight success. Teaming with a Boston based inventor, Tuttle selected an explosive path to market. With almost 10 million units sold so far, SmartSpin continues to be prominently featured at major retailers throughout America. Warren also teamed to initiate the market launch of several other innovative kitchen products including MISTO, The Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer, which has sold over 5 million units around the world to date, and The Toss and Turn Pan, one of the best selling cookware frypans in the US in 2005. Warren has also helped numerous housewares product patent holders obtain licensing agreements with major U.S. manufacturers and has counseled many inventors who went on to start their own small businesses.

Warren currently serves as the President of the United Inventors Association, the nation’s largest 501c3 non-profit dedicated to inventor education and advocacy.

Warren focuses on external product development for Lifetime Brands of Garden City, New York, the world’s largest manufacturer of kitchen utensils and a major supplier of food prep and tabletop products to America’s major retailers. Lifetime Brands manufactures and markets over 30,000 products under multiple brand names including Farberware, Kitchen Aid, Cuisinart, Pedrini, Mikasa, Towle and Pfaltzgraff; introducing over 4,000 new products each year. There is great enthusiasm for looking outside the company for innovation, particularly patented new products. Warren has initiated almost 100 new product licensing agreements with Lifetime Brands.

Additionally, Warren helps with the Open Innovation program at Techtronic Industries NA of Anderson,South Carolina, manufacturers of Ridgid and Ryobi power tools and Hart hand tools. As an outside contractor, he screens and serves as a liaison for innovative external product submissions for the mutual benefit of both the companies and inventors. He also works closely with Direct Response Television stalwart Merchant Media of Marlborough, MA who has launched many successful TV products over the past 20 years.

Prior to developing and marketing products for the housewares industry, Warren owned 5 of his own gourmet specialty kitchenware stores (The Complete Kitchen of Southern CT), a prepared food and catering business (The Good Food Store of Darien, CT), a nationally recognized cooking school and a partnership in a kitchen design business. Food and Wine magazine once described The Complete Kitchen as “one of the finest gourmet stores in America”. Warren began his career as a department store buyer of cookware and small appliances in New York City (Abraham and Straus of Brooklyn, NY).

Arranged by Bob Howe

Video of his presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVDuyB_sQI

Arranged by Gary Banks

Video of his presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwfg0L9FKYA&t=18s