Holiday Brunch Online Registration
2020 is a historic milestone for The English-Speaking Union. Both the U.S. headquarters in New York City and the Kansas City Branch were founded in 1920. We are excited to celebrate our 100th birthday throughout 2020 and our first program pays tribute to Lt. Col. Marvin H. Gates who founded the Kansas City Branch of the ESU in 1920 and was our first Branch president.
Join fellow ESU members and guests for our annual Holiday Brunch and Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 12 noon and learn how this distinguished World War I officer learned about the ESU and had a passion to expand ESU's mission to Kansas City.
Our special guest speaker is Dr. Jon Taylor, professor of history at the University of Central Missouri, where he teaches courses in American history. He is a scholar on Harry Truman and has written four books on the life, political career, and legacy of Truman. He is currently working on a book about the significance of Truman's Senate career.
Dr. Taylor's presentation focuses on Truman's military service in World War I which was a turning point in his life and later political career. Taylor examines Truman's decision to enter military service in 1917, tracks his command of the 129th field artillery as it traversed the fields of France during the war, and assesses the significance of his military service on his political career. We will learn the role Lt. Col. Marvin H. Gates played during Truman's military service in France.
Our program will also include our First Place Shakespeare Competition winner, Matthew Grigoratos, a Junior at Blue Valley High School, performing his Shakespeare monologue of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice and Sonnet 102. Matthew competed with 55 other semi-finalists in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition Finals at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 29, 2019.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this special occasion held again at The Grand Street Café. This is a festive gathering where we feast on award-winning food and even celebrate with traditional British crackers.
When: Sunday, January 19, 2020, 12 noon. Please arrive by 11:45 for seating
Where: Grand Street Café, 4740 Grand Avenue,
Kansas City, Mo.
Price: $38.00 per person all-inclusive including gratuity
Please make your reservations no later than January 13, 2020, or earlier, if possible so we have a good count for the restaurant.
This Sunday Brunch has been acclaimed by food critics as one of the best in Kansas City. The buffet-style brunch will include your choice of two entrees, a selection of appetizers, salads, Grand Street's famous mini cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies and your choice of coffee, iced tea or soda (a cash bar for other beverages is optional).
Please join us as we launch a memorable 100th birthday celebration of year-long events in 2020.We hope to see all Kansas City members at our Holiday Brunch and, of course, friends and spouses are welcome to join.
Our Holiday Brunch is a convenient time to hold our ESU Annual Meeting. It will be brief and first on our agenda. See the official notice of our Annual Meeting. Click here.
We hope to see you on January 19, 2020! Please call Jeff Schnabel at (816) 878-1239 if you have any questions. The entire ESU Board wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please check our website frequently for exciting programs coming in 2020.
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