3815 - Lunch & Learn - The Oregon Trail: Voices from the Journey (Mark Randle, Gerald Flinchum)
Course Description
Instructors: Mark Randle, Gerald Flinchum
The Oregon Trail: A Lunch & Learn
Travel back in time as we explore the history of the Oregon Trail through the words of those who experienced it firsthand. This engaging Lunch & Learn examines why thousands of settlers headed west, the challenges they faced along the journey, and how their experiences helped shape the nation.
Through diary entries and personal accounts, participants will gain a vivid glimpse into the hopes, hardships, triumphs, and tragedies of life on the trail while discovering what daily life was really like for families traveling by covered wagon.
Lunch will be part of the journey! As we learn about life on the Oregon Trail, participants will enjoy a light lunch inspired by the simple foods pioneers might have eaten along the way. It’s a fun and memorable way to experience a small taste of trail life while learning, connecting, and discussing one of America’s most remarkable westward migrations
Bios: Mark Randle: Native Atlantan. Retried in 2022 10+ years with WFM & commercial printing Industry as a graphic designer. Starting in 2016 worked on my first TV production as a background actor. I’ve worked in hundreds of production as a BG actor, and a stand-in, worked on buddies “short film” called “Detention”, portraying a detention hall teacher, telling really bad dad jokes. Currently belong to 2 cowboy/western re-enactment groups performing historical events like the Gun Fight near the OK Corral and other wild west shoot outs, entertaining crowds from kids-seniors. The kids love the photo ops.
Interests include music, (a loud guitar player, not great, just loud), movie and TV buff.
History nerd too especially in the American Civil War on through the Western expansion.
Now retired, work as a part-time actor (background & occasional video short). Involved in reenactment as well (Western & Civil War).
Gerald Flinchum: History instructor in the Kennesaw and Emory University Olli Programs. Teach up to 21 different history courses to include two music history classes with a third in the planning stage.