ESU Indianapolis Branch

Welcome to the Indianapolis Branch of The English-Speaking Union

We are a non-profit, non-political membership organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. We sponsor and organize educational and cultural programs for students and teachers as well as provide lectures, social events, and travel opportunities for our members. The Indianapolis Branch is one of 68 located throughout the United States and is part of a global network of ESUs promoting educational opportunities in over 50 countries around the world. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about who we are and what we do.

News And Events

President's Report 2021 - 2022


A September 2nd, "Meet and Greet" was hosted by Jim and Sally Fadely in their lovely home and garden. Several guests attended whom we were most happy to see. Jim gave a presentation on the many educational programs sponsored by ESU around the world.

Kathryn Lerch spoke about our Book Club, this year's schedule, and gave out copies of the books scheduled for this year.

The first Book Club discussion, "Digging for Richard III", was held at Woodstock on a Saturday afternoon, October 2nd, 2021.

On November 14th, 2021 we enjoyed the  Woodstock Brunch in the East Room and our speaker was ESU member and Vice President, Toni Morris, PhD. Her topic, "Trends in the Development of English: New vocabulary and changes in grammar and usage". Toni is the retired Chair of the English Department at University of Indianapolis. All those attending were asked to consider the correctness of several sentences and it led to a very enthusiastic and length discussion.....much fun!

The Woodstock Club's Annual Dicken's Brunch and Dicken's Carolers' presentation provided us with a wonderful start to the holiday season on December 5, 2021. This was followed by a brief board meeting.

February 6, 2022, saw the Book Club met again in time to coincide with the anniversary of the Yalta Conference. The book, "Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War". This was a fascinating book.

Toni Morris invited our next speaker, Dr. William Watts from Butler University to speak on "'The Dream of the Rood' and the Ruthwell Cross". The Dream of the Rood, Old English lyric, the earliest dream poem and one of the finest religious poems in the English language. The Ruthwell Cross is a stone Anglo-Saxon cross probably dating from the 8th century.

Jim Fadely invited Dr. Jason Kelly IUPUI Arts & Humanities & History Department Chair to speak at our April 24, 2022 Brunch. His presentation was based on his book, "The Society of the Dilettanti." It was well received and followed by a lengthy period of Q & A.

To round out this most interesting year, our Annual Meeting is being held in the Jens Jenson Garden at Marian University to be followed by the Queen's Tea at the Allen Whitehill Clowes Oriental Garden and Tea House.

In closing, I would like to share a point of pride. Our branch is invited to participate in the ESU's 'HAPPY HOUR' programming. On Wednesday, June 8th, our own Nancy Kriplen, and her daughter, Madelyn, will give an interview style presentation of Nancy's book, "The Eccentric Billionaire". Be sure to sign up before the 8th.

One last note of appreciation to my board members. They have been so helpful in so many ways and willing to help pull me out of my frequent computer mishaps.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Patricia Warneke

President 2021 – 2022

Toast to Queen Elizabeth - "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN"
Toast to President Biden - " MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE"

 

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Reminder of Events for 2021-2022

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Book Club: The Daughters of Yalta

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Dickens Christmas Brunch

Photo from left front: President Mary-Patricia Warneke, down the left side of table (red jacket) Dr. James Fadely (Past President), standing far right, Keith Lerch (Past President)

Photo from left to right: Rosanna Hall, standing Toni Morris (1st VP), Keith Lerch (treasurer), Holly Day (Past President)

 

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Book Club: Digging for Richard III

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The English-Speaking Union

Indianapolis Branch

Welcome to the ESU

The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.

To find out more about our programs click here.