October Program
2024-10-08 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
What really caused the American Civil War?

An objective look at the forces that led to state secession and war.

Jim Grefer

In a recent Presidential campaign press conference, a reporter asked candidate Nikki Haley“What caused the Civil War.” This was her reply, “The cause was basically how the governmentwas going to run… the freedoms in what people could and couldn’t do.” If this answer seemedpurposely vague, it was likely due to the political ramifications of a more specific answer.Perhaps it was an unfair question in a press conference. But, more than a century and a halfafter the American Civil War, our country is still heatedly debating its cause. What we teachchildren and adults about its cause varies widely among regions of the country. And the result iswide disagreement and discord about it—much the result of emotional judgements attached tothe theories; some due to the desire for an overly-simple answer.In surveys by Pew and Gallop, the two overwhelmingly popular theories are states’ rights, andslavery. But what exactly are states’ rights? Could this abstract concept lead to war? If U.S.leaders were not pushing to end slavery in the 15 slave states, how would slavery have causedthe war?This will be our discussion at Blue Ridge Torch Club’s October Dinner Event. Using detailedhistorical narratives, data, and charts, Jim will delve into these theories and provide evidencewe can use to judge what was—and what was not—the real cause of the War. The answersmay surprise you.Jim is a retired economist who, with his wife Helena, moved to Potomac Ridge three years ago.He studies history and employs economic methods to get to the core truths of historical issues.

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The Battle for Women's Suffrage and the League of Women Voters
2024-11-12 17:30 - 20:30
Speakers: Kathleen Hughes and Ann Schmitt

Ann Schmitt and Kathleen Hughes, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Loudoun, will describe the long history of the struggle for American women’s suffrage and the lives of some of the brave women who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Discover how the League of Women Voters that emerged from the suffragist movement is still working to register and educate voters, get them to the polls, and protect their voting rights.

Members Only Holiday Party
2024-12-10 17:30 - 20:30
Open to Members and Spouses (or significant other)

Each household is encouraged to bring a wrapped book for our book swap. Please write your name, a brief description about the book and why you selected it and put the writeup in envelope attached to the book. We are trying to make the book swap go more quickly with this new method.

Menu: Grilled Peach Salad, Choice of Filet Au Poivre or Mediterranean Sea Bass or Vegetarian, Green Beans Almandine, Twice Baked Potatoes, Apple Cranberry Pie with Ice Cream

Lansdowne Woods: Backyard Stories
2025-01-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker, Dave ThomasFor twenty-four years, the speaker has experienced the backyards, gardens, woods, and life (wild and otherwise) behind our condo buildings, and he has collected hundreds of photos and many (very short) stories. He promises to select some of the most interesting to prove the old adage that there is “more-than-meets-the-eye” along the perimeter trail of our 46-acre tract. You will also get a glimpse of our transition to Lansdowne Woods in 2016. As many know, we started as Leisure World long before that, in 1997.

David Alden Thomas (yes, one of the millions of descendants of Mayflower pilgrims, namely John Alden and Priscilla Mullins) grew up in Indianapolis, studied metallurgical engineering at Cornell University, and then earned an Sc.D. from MIT. His career was mainly in teaching and research at Lehigh University, after five more years at MIT and five years in industrial research as well. He began learning photography in the darkrooms of microscopy laboratories in academia and now continues as an enthusiastic (but low-tech) digital photographer. Still, family comes first, with his wife Anne of sixty-eight years, children andgrandchildren, and finally the first great-grandchild in 2024.

Integrating Russia into the Western World: Successes and Failures: A Personal Account
2025-03-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: Stephen Creskoff

I spent my career as an international trade lawyer, both in private law practice and working for US Government and international organizations such as USAID, the World Bank and the United Nations, in more than 50 countries. Between September 2004 and February 2006, I was Chief of Party for a World Bank consulting project in Moscow, Russia, designed to help Russia change its laws to conform with requirements of World Trade Organization and World Customs Organization agreements. My talk, illustrated with photos, will cover some of the revealing and amusing experiences I had working in Russia and then briefly discuss where we are today in US-Russia relations.

History & Culture of Zionism
2025-04-08 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: – Mike Leavitt

The history of Zionism spans thousands of years, from its roots in ancient biblical texts through its continuous appearance in Jewish prayer books to its modern manifestation as a political movement in the late 19th century and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This talk will trace the development of Zionist ideas and aspirations from biblical times through key historical periods, culminating in the creation of Israel and ongoing debates surrounding Zionism today.

Entree Choices: Beef Fajitas or Glazed Salmon w/ Creamed Spinach or Vegan Option

$40 members $45 guests

Register for this Month’s Event

Plastic Journey – From Crude Oil to Nano Particles in our Organs
2025-05-13 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: Hosny Khordagui

Register for this Month’s Event

How are plastics manufactured?

Who are the main Global producers and consumers of plastics?

What is the fate of plastics in the environment?

What are the impacts of plastics on marine and terrestrial ecology?

What are the sources of Micro & Nano plastics?

What are the detected levels of Micro & Nano plastics in air, water and food?

Do Micro & Nano plastics accumulate in our bodies & organs?

What are the potential detrimental health effects of Micro and Nano plastics?

How to reduce Micro & Nano plastics exposure with emphasis on drinking water?

$40 Members – $45 Guests

Members Only Picnic
2025-06-10 17:30 - 20:00
Register for this Month’s Event

Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
2025-09-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Dennis Spriggs

Most people have heard of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which the Hutus in an attempt to eradicate the hated Tutsis, killed over 80,000 people over a span of 100 days — mostly hacked to death by machetes. There is even a 2005 movie, “Hotel Rwanda, describing that killing spree. Alice and I visited Rwanda in 2006 where we visited the Genocide Museum and observed bullet holes in Hotel Rwanda. The other reason for Rwanda was to climb one of the mountains in Volcanos National Park to find the critically endangered mountain gorillas. These gorillas themselves faced a sort of genocide. The Rwandan authorities made plans to convert much of the Volcanos National Park into cattle farming, hastening the demise of the entire gorilla population. Luckily, this never happened when it was realized that gorillas were worth more alive than dead and worth more than the cattle they were planning to raise. The talk will touch on both topics — genocide and the life-alternating experience of visiting the magnificent gorillas in their natural habitat. One of these experiences was when an adult gorilla grabbed me by the leg intent on understanding the fur of this strange ape-like creature. Lots of pictures will be worked into the talk.

https://ambianceva.com/

Hypnosis and the Power of Suggestion
2025-10-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, Virginia, 201747
We are all susceptible to the power of suggestion. Suggestion might be overt, “I’d like you to turn down the TV volume.” It might. But it might be subtle by calling up an idea in your mind by associating it with something else. We can even respond physically without conscious intention to verbal or visual suggestion. If you see someone bite into a lemon, you salivate more. Even reading about someone biting a lemon may increase salivation. If you see someone yawn, you yawn.

Hypnosis is often described as a state of relaxation marked by focused attention and greater responsiveness to suggestion. As a therapeutic tool it has been used to treat anxiety, compulsions and addictions among other problems. In sports psychology, it is used to overcome barriers or focus more strongly on a desired action. In pain management, the selective focused attention may lessen awareness of pain and suggestions may elicit the body’s own endorphins. Stage hypnosis involves some of the same elements, but also brings in factors like role playing, peer pressure and even occasionally some cheating.

$45 Members – $50 Guests

“What Can We Expect From the Administration’s U.S. Tariff Policies?”
2025-11-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, Virginia, 201747
Jim will discuss the economics of tariffs and tariff policies. He will describehow tariff taxes work, who pays the taxes, and how the tax-costs filter

through the economy. He will describe the effects of tariffs on the econo-mies of the countries that charge the tariff and the countries on which the

tariff is charged. Along the way, he will explore why economists do not liketariffs and why politicians do like them.Steve will discuss the administration’s tariff policies and their potential

effects on international trade and trade relations with its allies and adver-saries. He will explore the complexities of measuring imports, especially

with respect to intermediate goods, and the difficulty of forecasting re-sponses, and perhaps retaliation, by U.S. trading partners.

Steve spent his career as an international trade lawyer in more than fifty

countries. He worked in private law practice, US Government, and for in-ternational organizations such as USAID, World Bank and United Nations.

Steve and his partner Kathleen Hughes live in Magnolia North.Jim is a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired economist, who spent most of hiscareer doing economic research for the Navy as a defense contractor.Since retiring, he has pursued his interest in U.S. economic history andeconomic policy. Jim and his wife Helena live in Potomac Ridge.

Torch Club Members Only Holiday Party
2025-12-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
The dinner buffet will be catered by La Villa Roma and include:

Green and Caesar salads; Chicken Parmesan;

Meatballs in Sauce; Pasta Marinara; Pasta Alfredo; Garlic knots and rolls,

with Cannoli for dessert. The meal cost is $40 and drinks are BYOB.

Price is $40 for members and guests. Please leave a check with your build-

ing representative, or pay with check or cash at the door.

Technology in Cardiac Surgery
2026-01-13 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker Dr. Ahmed Sayed

Menu:

Caesar Salad

Chicken Marsala with shallots, mushrooms, in creamy Marsala wine sauce

or

Roasted Salmon with tomatoes, garlic, basil lemon sauce

Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus

Vegetarian available with protein.

My Father’s Experiences in World War II
2026-02-10 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Page Bradley

Menu: Arugula Salad with gorgonzola cheese, pear, toasted walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette

Glazed boneless pork chops with brown sugar, garlic sauce

or

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Mediterranean spices

Basmati Rice, Mixed seasonal veggies

Vegetarian available with protein.

Analysis of The Way We Live Now --1975 and 2025
2026-03-10 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Hugh Sockett

Menu:

ChickPea Salad(Romaine, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, ChickPeas, Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette).

Grilled Beef Chunks with Garlic Butter and Mushrooms or Grilled Chicken with Lemon Caper Sauce

Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Brussels sprouts.

Vegetarian Option

Dessert Assortment

Climate Change Skepticism
2026-04-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Michael Leavitt

Climate skepticism isn’t a single, uniform viewpoint — it spans a wide spectrum. At one end are those who question whether warming is even happening;at the other are people who accept the science but doubt the scale of human influence. While there’s a strong scientific consensus that human activity is driving major changes to our climate, people arrive at their doubts in very different ways. Some challenge the underlying data, others are skeptical of climate models, and still others dispute how serious the projected impacts will actually be. Recognizing this diversity matters. It helps us pinpoint where the real disagreements lie — and, more importantly, it creates space for more honest and constructive conversations about solutions, policy, and how we engage with the public on this issue.

Menu:

House Salad: Mixed Greens, Tomato, Onion, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Lemon Vinaigrette

Shrimp Scampi Penne Pasta with Lemon and White Wine Sauce or Boneless Pork Chops with Olives, Basil and Tomatoes

Vegetarian Option

Seasonal Vegetables & Basmati Rice

Dessert Assortment

The Evolution of Chiropracty
2026-05-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Joe Dockery

Beginning with a dramatic spinal adjustment in 1895, chiropractic has grown to become the largest drugless healing profession in the world. In his May 12 talk, 46 year Chiropractor, Joe Dockery, D.C., will lecture on the history and benefits of chiropractic, along with stories relati ng to his personal experience in the field. Dr. Dockery will also focus on the scientific efficacy of spinal manipulation, chiropractic’s often tumultuous relationship with the American Medical Association, and its ultimate acceptance into the world’s overall health care universe. He will also present his personal views as to where Chiropractic went right, and where Chiropractic may have missed an opportunity to add significantly to the public Interest in alternative care.

June Members Only Picnic
2026-06-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Member Only Picnic

25th Anniversary of 9-11
2026-09-08 17:30 - 20:30
September marks the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the WorldTrade Center. Torch member and Membership Commitee Chair Christina Caldwell will presenther knowledge on how the attack affected National and International travel policies andactivities, all based on her experience with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Biogenetics
2026-10-13 08:00 - 17:00
Joyce Mitchell
