Technology User Group (TUG) Discussions for all users at all levels via hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom) after the plenary meeting, at about 11:45 a.m. (first and fourth Tuesdays of the month).
- Jan 6 – Planning the agenda for 2026 meetings.
- Jan 27 – WSJ's technology predictions for 2026.
Timely Topics Discussion in-person and via Zoom, with participation encouraged from all in attendance. Around 11:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
- Jan 13 – The topic will be “Plastics in the Environment." Plastics pose a significant global environmental threat due to their persistence, low recycling rates, and widespread pollution of land, oceans, and even the food chain.
Trips Scheduled (For Old Guard members and their guests)
This group needs a chair. Any volunteers?
Walkers Group walks or hikes are once again feasible – but this group also needs a chair or coordinator. Volunteers welcome.
January Program Chair - Rich Lander
- Jan 6 - U.S. Civil War: Causes and Comparisons to Today – Rich Lander Old Guard member Rich Lander is a great grandson of John R. Lander, a Union soldier. John emigrated from Germany,enlisted with an Illinois regiment at age 14, and was a soldier for the duration of the war. Generations of the Lander family since then have been interested in and studied the Civil War and have been members of the SUVCW (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War). His presentation will describe the events leading to the Civil War, including cultural, political, economic, and military. Attendees may recognize parallels to current events. [video to appear]
January Birthday emcee: Colin Fowlis
- Jan 13 - A Brief, Selective, Personal View of the Apollo Program: What Did We Do? How Did We Do It? – Dr. Dean Eppler The Apollo Program was one of the seminal engineering and science achievements of the 20th century, one which completely changed our perception of the history of our planet, and what it was possible to do with space travel. However, many of the achievements and difficulties have fallen into the “fog of history,” are poorly remembered and often inaccurately portrayed in popular media. Dr. Dean Eppler will concentrate on the areas he thinks are key to the success of the missions and discuss Apollo’s accomplishments and continuing contribution to human spaceflight. Dr. Eppler is a retired NASA scientist with over 35 years of experience in human spaceflight. He has a broad background, including Apollo Program history, advanced space suit systems engineering and testing, facility development for the International Space Station, training the astronaut group in field geology, and making the astronaut selection in 1990,1996, and 1998. [in-person and on Zoom -- for access: [email protected]]
- Jan 20 - New Jersey Volunteer EMS: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Howard Meyer is a past president of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Council of New Jersey, the largest association of volunteer squads in the country. Prior to that he served as volunteer legislative director for the council for over 20 years. Among the offices he has held in his squad are president and chief. He has served with volunteer squads in rural, suburban, and urban environments in NJ since 1971. Howard will describe how the volunteer EMS system began, the changes and advances made through the years, and the volunteers’ importance to the New Jersey EMS system. He will cover some of the most notable state and local events, as well as the challenges local volunteer squads face moving forward. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Jan 27 - The Forgotten Victory Trail: The Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms – Bob Gula is a trustee of the Forgotten Victory Trail Association and is the education officer of the West Fields Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is also the patriotic instructor of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and is a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The Forgotten Victory Trail explores one of America's most overlooked Revolutionary chapters in the brutal campaigns of 1780 in NJ, when burning towns, secret networks, and fierce local resistance helped turn the tide of the war. The Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms in June 1780 were critical in the defense of New Jersey (and Washington’s forces in Morristown) and in the weakening of the British forces ahead of the Battle of Yorktown. [in-person and on Zoom]
February Birthday emcee: Mort O'Shea
February Program Chair - Alberto Paredes-Diaz
- Feb 3 - How to Make a Better Hip Implant – Prof. Matthew Libera Biomedical implants such as hip and knee prostheses have had a huge impact on human health and have improved the quality of life for millions of patients. However, in addition to their wonderful healing properties, these and other tissue-contacting biomedical devices can also catalyze infection. Infection rates vary from about 1- 5% but can be as high as 50%, which can be a life-changing complication. Matthew Libera, professor of materials science at Stevens Institute of Technology, will give an overview using hips as a prime example, and will focus on soft matter, including hydrogels and microgels, with a particular interest in infection-resisting biomaterials, i.e., how to create surfaces that resist infection while promoting healing. Prof. Libera has a doctorate in materials science from MIT. He has held visiting scientist and research positions and has received several awards and recognition for exemplary research and outstanding teaching. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 10 - Nature as Inspiration for Art – Nancy J. Ori has been respected internationally for over 35 years as a photographer and video producer for Ciba-Geigy and Novartis Pharmaceuticals in East Hanover, NJ and is owner of New Jersey Media Center, LLC in Berkeley Heights, NJ. She enjoys teaching photography and mixed media workshops each year internationally. Nancy studied with Ansel Adams and was a teaching assistant for many years with the Ansel Adams Workshop in California. Since then, she has taught at numerous art centers and museums throughout New Jersey. In 1994 she established the NJ Photography Forum, a group of professional and serious amateur photographers that meet regularly to discuss their work as well as exhibit within the state. Under Nancy’s direction, the Forum has grown to be the largest group of exhibiting fine art photographers in the state. A spin-off group has now evolved called the Digital Arts Group at the Visual Art Center of NJ in Summit. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 17 - The Environmental Defense Fund and Its People – Steve Nisberg is associate vice president, Environmental Defense Fund. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University at Buffalo School of Management. He also completed the Executive Business Finance Program at Harvard Business School. Steve will pull back the curtain of this global non-governmental organization (NGO) and share its history, the work that it does around the world to stabilize the climate, strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive, and support people's health through eight key areas of focus. He’ll also share how it gets results, and the people that make it all happen. [in-person and on Zoom]
- Feb 24 - Embracing Artificial Intelligence: Today and Tomorrow – Ken Cavanagh has a 30-plus year career as a global executive in Fortune 500 IT leadership, working for many companies, including Cisco, Dell, Verizon, and the NBA, and 20 years in cybersecurity. He earned his MS in information technology from Stevens Institute of Technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a part of everyone’s lives. Ken will review the various elements of AI and how they affect our daily experiences, including debunking common misconceptions and highlighting ways AI is used today, such as virtual assistants, healthcare, recommendation, systems, safety and security, transportation, communication, and daily assistance. [in-person and on Zoom]
March Birthday emcee: Steve Waddell
