Oakland Town Hall was formed February, 1959 to support the Pontiac Oakland Symphony. Fifty-one years later it’s still going.
‘At that time, back 50 years ago, we had about 1,100 ticket holders and therefore our support for the symphony was much greater than it is today because people’s lifetimes changed, Women went back to work and we’ve dropped down to about 300,? said Independence Township resident Joy Power, group recording secretary.
“However, many, many town halls around us dissolved, they weren’t able to maintain, which we feel very proud that we have.?
Every year Oakland Town Hall offers a lecture series which promotes and supports non-profit education and cultural organization in the Oakland area.
This year’s series includes Elliot Engel, College professor who speaks on the life and classic works of American Author Mark Twain, Oct. 13; Ross Moore, folk musician who plays 12 different instruments, Nov. 10; Anne Thompson, NBC Environmental and Financial Correspondent, April 13; Kate Adamson, tells her journey of overcoming Locked-in Syndrome after having a double brain stroke, May 11.
‘We try to set up very diversified programs for the year, so that things are not repetitious,? Power said.
Other speakers of the past include the pilot in charge of Air Force One, FBI agent, White House Chef, symphony conductors, and Steve Ford, son of President Gerald Ford.
‘You have an opportunity to ask the speaker questions afterwards and it just makes it so much more personal,? said this year’s president Louise Bisogni.
Power agreed.
‘You get a different impression totally than what you would if they were just on TV or appearing on a radio show, they’re very gracious,? she said. ‘Sometimes you learn more from the Q&A than you do from their lecture.?
Bisogni said she is looking forward to her tenure as president.
‘The thing I’m very confident about is the people I have working with me,? she said. ‘They are all so confident and really they’re the ones that make the president’s job easy.?
Lecture and luncheon series is $123. Lecture series only is $65; luncheons only, $58 or $14.50 individually.
The lectures are held in Bloomfield Hills at St. George Cultural Center located at 43816 Woodward Avenue For more information, call Becky Hahn 248-625-5844.
‘It’s the only cultural event providing a lecture and lunch,? said Barbara Richards, corresponding secretary. ‘We didn’t stress lunch, but it’s a high point.?