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I Heart You
Humans are unique from most other species out there in that we create and use symbols to express ourselves. Since the dawn of humanity, we have found ways to take shortcuts in saying what we want to say. It’s that time of year when one of my favorite symbols gets the spotlight. Instead of using an anatomically correct image of a heart, chambers and all, we share our sentiments of love using the age-old symbol of the heart. It’s not exactly clear when we started using the heart shape to symbolize our romantic emotions. Over time, we’ve evolved to create chalky candy hearts with messages like “Kiss Me” and “Be Mine”. Each February, I remember back to my childhood when it was mandatory to give Valentine’s Day cards to our classmates. Each child circumnavigated the classroom depositing small white envelopes containing tiny, mass-produced Valentine’s cards individually addressed into “mailboxes” made of paper plates taped to the fronts of our desks. My mother bought a box of cards that featured barnyard animals and woodland creatures imploring the recipient to be their Valentine. There were several of each style and I created a hierarchy of which cards I would bestow to my fellow classmates. The deer and bunny rabbit cards went to my pals and the skunk cards went to kids like Dennis and Ricky that I didn’t want to get the wrong impression. Nothing says I don’t heart you like a skunk! (If you aren’t going to be passive-aggressive in elementary school, then are you ever going to become really good at it?) Once the cards were all distributed, we celebrated with cupcakes and spent time opening the cards we received. At that point, I realized there must have been some mistake. I opened the corner of an envelope from one of the other kids. There it was: the black and white skunk staring right at me—and I knew just what the sender was saying. Wishing everyone a skunk-free Happy Valentine’s Day!
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. at TU Arena
Up to four free tickets per Osher member.
Join your fellow Osher members and invited guests as we come out to cheer on the TU Men’s Basketball team as they play Monmouth University. Osher members can receive four free tickets for this game—Osher has a block of seats together and advanced registration required. We will be honoring three of our long-time instructors Father Bob Albright, Joseph Cassar, and Jonathan Palevsky and recognizing our 25 years as a lifelong learning program at TU!
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Wednesday, March 13, 4-5 p.m.
Get to know Towson University's new president, Dr. Mark R. Ginsberg, and help inform his agenda with your feedback. Local leaders, businesses and neighbors are invited to join President Ginsberg for coffee and a conversation about the university's role in the community.
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Free Winter Lecture Series—February
The Winter Lecture Series is open to Osher members as well as non-members.
- Ruth Handler: The Woman Behind Barbie (online)
- The Shame of Satire (online)
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Maryland Humanities invites you to serve as a judge in Baltimore County as students showcase their History Day projects focused on the theme of Turning Points in History.
Each year more than 25,000 middle and high school students in classrooms throughout Maryland immerse themselves in in-depth research and create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites exploring a breadth of historical topics within the annual theme. As they progress through competitions at the school, district, state, and national levels, students rely on volunteers like you to evaluate their projects and help them improve skills they have developed throughout the process.
This year, the Baltimore County contest will be held in-person at Towson University’s College of Liberal Arts on the morning of Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Contest Held Virtually on Saturday, March 16 if a Weather Event Occurs)
Sign Up to Become a History Day Judge
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The Osher Advisory Council would like to add a couple more members. The Advisory Council members serve as a sounding board for Osher staff. Meetings occur every other month with some additional meetings scheduled as necessary. For more information on how to nominate yourself or another Osher member, please find information at the link below.
OSHER ADVISORY COUNCIL NOMINATION FORM
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The Charm of the Amalfi Coast
June 12 – 20, 2024
Join TU alumni and Osher members for an amazing trip to Italy.
Imagine a land where rugged coastlines melt into butter-soft sands and sinuous cobblestones lead to dreamy vistas. Where the remnants of ancient civilizations hum with history and villages are graced with artistic inspiration. From your base in Vietri sul Mare, treat yourself to the indelible spirit of the Amalfi Coast. Amid soothing, lemon-scented breezes, you'll fall into a relaxed rhythm, filling your days with archeological treasures, authentic Italian cuisine and the region's unforgettable wonders. On the Amalfi Coast, the possibilities are endless!
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Support Osher at Towson University. Your tax-deductible contribution helps to provide a rich experience for our members and a vibrant, affordable program for years to come.
Donate online through the link below. If you prefer to donate by check, please make check payable to “Towson University Foundation, Inc.” and note Osher fund in the memo line. Mail to: Towson University Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219.
If you would like to honor a friend or loved one with a donation in their memory, please consider supporting Osher at Towson University with a gift to the Osher Excellence Fund.
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In this section of our newsletter, we remember Osher members that have passed away recently. While we work hard to provide accurate updates, please let us know if you are aware of an Osher friend’s passing by contacting osher@towson.edu.
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