Let’s start with some timeless observations on the value of flexing our brains, human beings’ most important organ.

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and only cease at death.” – Albert Einstein

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

And perhaps the most appropriate for today’s topic: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin, whose storied American life is the opening act of the Lake Geneva Humanities Festival’s debut edition, scheduled September 24-27.

Author Richard Munson’s presentation titled, “Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist,” will kick off the Humanities Festival’s first evening starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at the Lake Geneva Public Library, 918 W. Main St. Franklin, who has been called “the first American,” achieved worldwide fame as a scientist, which Munson believes helped open doors and secure critical French support for this nation’s independence.

The Humanities Festival also will feature three other stellar presentations on successive nights:

• Co-Editors David Samuels and Ryan Baesemann talk about how their 20-page broadsheet newspaper has managed to thrive in an era when publications face tall challenges. They also will read from “250 Great American Things,” their tribute to America’s 250th birthday. – 7 p.m. Friday, September 25 at the Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva.
• Mezzo-soprano Louisa Waycott will perform with Lake Geneva-favorite pianist Tom Stanfield in a program titled “The Great American Songbook.” Ms. Waycott, a six-season veteran of the Washington National Opera, will be performing standards from the 1920s-50s. – 7 p.m. Saturday, September 26, Church of the Holy Communion.
• Noted Chicago-based architectural author Robert Sharoff, joined by William Zbaren and Tim Samuelson, will present a program on “The Wrigley Building: The Making of an Icon.” One of Chicago’s most famous buildings – a collaboration of William Wrigley Jr. and architect Charles Beersman – opened in 1921, a terra-cotta palazzo that remains one of the city’s most emblematic structures. – 2 p.m. Sunday, September 27, at the Riviera Ballroom, fittingly located at 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva.

We sat down recently with the co-presidents of the Lake Geneva Humanities Festival, Cathy Koch and Mary Kilmer. They are two accomplished women, actively working in various ways to improve life in the Lake Geneva region, true believers in the concept that learning is a transformative endeavor that benefits both individuals and communities.

They are quick to give credit to others – the Humanities Festival has been a group effort – while explaining the overall purpose is not complicated, intended simply to bring people together through the power of curiosity and ideas.

“We’re hoping this will bring people from across the area, not just Lake Geneva proper, to learn and get excited about different ideas, and to exchange ideas,” Mary told us. “(It will) Introduce interesting ideas and interesting people. To learn about our architecture. To learn about who lived here and how they influenced what we’re doing.”

“We would love to draw people from Chicago, Rockford, Madison, the whole area, to come,” Cathy said. “Not just go to the beach, not just go shopping, but to see there are so many other things to do here to spend their time with their kids and families. I hope this is the beginning of something really great for Lake Geneva.”

The founding group plans to make the Humanities Festival a growing annual event. To that end, it has been formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 capable of accepting tax-deductible donations to support the cause.

It also has lined up an impressive list of supporting partners including Yerkes Observatory, Gage Marine, Women’s Leadership Center, Black Point Estate and Gardens, Tito’s, Town Bank, Seip Brewing, Lake Geneva Country Meats, Lake Geneva Food Pantry, Lake Geneva Women’s Association and the Rotary Club.

Planning already is under way for subsequent years, with the organization actively soliciting ideas for future presentations. We were asked for our ideas. We won’t divulge who we suggested as presenters but suffice to say we’re excited and hopeful. Bring your own thoughts to pass on. These folks love ideas and they’re eager to listen.

As Cathy put it, they want “all sorts of ideas of what makes us human together.”

Added Mary, “Think of it as something kids will enjoy. Something grandparents will enjoy. Something that will stimulate their minds. Lake Geneva is a destination, and it has energy and it’s alive. It has great ideas. Come for that.”

Tickets are free. For more information go the website (lghumanities.org) and follow Lake Geneva Humanities on Facebook.