Local Discussion Group is off to a Great Start

Ellicottville, NY - A local discussion group, Great Challenges, is off to a great start, having held two very informative meetings so far this year. The February meeting focused on “Conspicuous Consumption” while the March meeting zeroed in on the “Benefits of Being Married”.

Great Challenges was created by Jack Bares, in hopes to form a group of individuals who are interested in discussing current world issues. The present focus of the group is on economic issues, which seems to be a very timely topic. While no solutions to the current economic crisis will be uncovered during the monthly meetings, Jack feels it is important to keep local citizens informed.
Currently the group meets once per month at the Ellicottville Library. Another local go-getter, Lois Zendarski, is the moderator of the group. Lois’ job is to ensure that each person in attendance has time to express his or her opinion. Many know Lois from her writings in Special Efects, The Mercury Gazette and as President of the Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County.

Great Challenges opens each meeting with a short, 20 – 30 minute video lecture regarding the month’s topic. Afterwards, Lois will begin a discussion amongst the attendees on the speaker and if the audience agrees with his/her point of view. Using this format, attendees do not need to be experts on the topic and can actually have time to form their own opinion during the video. Suggestions for further reading or viewing material is always welcomed at the meetings.

The April Great Challenges meeting will take place on April 16th, 5 – 6:30pm at the Ellicottville Memorial Library, Maples Road, Ellicottville. The topic will be “The Upsides and Downsides of Urban Sprawl”. Urban sprawl is defined as the uncontrolled spread of urban development in neighboring regions. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated, and can be made by calling 699-6657.

The response has been so overwhelming that Jack is currently in the process of expanding the group to the Hamburg area. The group will continue to hold meetings in Ellicottville, but a second monthly meeting would take place near Hamburg.

Jack Bares’ foundation, Circle Solutions, is a non-profit public foundation with 501(c)3 status. Circle Solutions operates the Tool Circle, which collects and distributes hand tools to training schools around the world.