Join us for lunch and a great historic presentation. Deadline for these programs will be one week prior or until all seats are sold. There will be limited seating and registration is required for these presentations. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Menu is subject to change.
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: Ellenwood Center Gymnasium
Fee: Free to Bedford Senior Club members
$15 for non-members
*Please note that member discounts will be applied during checkout*
The Articles of Confederation: America’s First Government
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Presented by Carl Quatraro, Speaking on Q.
Join us for an informative Lunch & Learn exploring America’s first experiment in self-government. From 1781 to 1789, the Articles of Confederation guided a young nation as it worked to balance independence with unity. This presentation examines the successes and challenges of this early governing framework and how it ultimately shaped the creation of the United States Constitution and the republic that followed. Guests will enjoy a colonial comfort lunch featuring pot roast, root vegetables (carrots and potatoes), a dinner roll, and molasses cookies.
Hometown Heroes: Celebrating Ohio’s Famous Figures
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Presented by Susan Cannavino with Presentations with Pizzazz
Discover the inspiring stories of remarkable Ohioans who left their mark on history. Explore the enduring Olympic friendship between Jesse Owens and Luz Long, a powerful testament to sportsmanship and humanity. Celebrate the lasting contributions of Paul Newman and Erma Bombeck, whose talents enriched lives through film, philanthropy, and humor. Be captivated by the astonishing interview between Dorothy Fuldheim and Adolf Hitler, and uncover fascinating facts about other notable hometown heroes who shaped our world. We’ll enjoy a Cleveland-style lunch featuring a classic Polish Boy (grilled kielbasa sausage in a bun, loaded with French fries, sweet BBQ sauce, and creamy coleslaw), mac and cheese and kolaczkis (jam-filled cookies).
Lunch & Learn: The Dreamlike Art of Richard Sedlon
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Presented by Rick Backo, Bedford Historical Society.
Program co-sponsored by the Friends of Bedford Library.
Step into the imaginative world of Richard Sedlon (1900–1992), one of Northeast Ohio’s most unique and whimsical artists. A longtime resident of Bedford, Sedlon was known for his dreamlike paintings, playful “Pooka” characters, expressive murals, wood carvings, and vibrant artistic spirit that helped shape the region’s cultural identity. Explore Sedlon’s life and artistic journey—from his early years as a lithographer in Cleveland’s famed Morgan Lithography studios to his later years creating fantastical works from the historic Hezekiah Dunham House in Bedford. Discover how Sedlon blended folklore, fantasy, music, nature, and community into a body of work that continues to inspire local artists and historians. A colorful “Pooka Picnic” spread for lunch: mini sandwiches, rainbow pasta salad, fruit salad, chips, and sugar cookies. After the presentation, buy a limited edition, autographed print of the “Pooka Library” for $30. Cash and checks payable to Friends of the Bedford Library.
American Traitor: Benedict Arnold
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Presented by Carl Quatraro, Speaking on Q.
Once hailed as one of Colonial America’s most brilliant battlefield generals, Benedict Arnold became the most infamous traitor in American history. This Lunch & Learn explores the rise, fall, and lasting legacy of a man driven by ambition, pride, and resentment. Examine how Arnold’s quest for honor and recognition led to betrayal—and how his story reflects the complexities and personal conflicts of America’s fight for independence. Enjoy a “Colonial Fare” meal of herb-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and apple crisp.