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Greetings from the NRC Sep 2017
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This month marks a milestone for a person we consider the epitome of lifelong learning. Our most ardent supporter, friend, and benefactor, Bernard Osher turns 90 in September. Of course, most of you reading this newsletter are familiar with his extraordinary business and charitable
 successes. But do you know this fellow is an avid fly-fisherman? That he took a surfing lesson to celebrate his 88th birthday? Or that he is a serious student of opera and of mid-19th to mid-20th century American art? His curiosity in the world around us is matched only by his generosity.
Those reading this from the beautiful state of Maine, know well how this native son has given back to his home state in myriad ways. But he extended his strategic and focused philanthropy to the other 49 states by supporting the often underfunded educational interests of adult learners. Through just two of his Foundation's primary interests, Osher Scholarship Programs at hundreds of US colleges and universities, and the unparalleled network of the 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, his support has literally improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people - including each of us.
As you enjoy your fall courses, or derive satisfaction from your mission-oriented work, think about this inquisitive fellow. Send out a prayer, a wish, or a bit of positive karma to celebrate the 90th birthday of a man who embodies the phrase, "learning keeps you young".
Sending best wishes for a terrific fall semester from the Osher NRC team,
Steve Thaxton, Executive Director
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OLLI at University of Nevada, Reno
5th Annual Holocaust Rememberance
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OLLI at the University of Nevada, Reno was proud to join forces with Honor Flight Nevada on April 25, 2017 to present "Holocaust Remembrance: Survivors & Liberators," an evening to honor those whose lives were forever altered by the Holocaust and World War II. Albert Garih, a Frenchman who survived the Holocaust as a hidden child outside Paris, inspired this year's
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Survivors Esther Basch, Shirley Weiss, Albert Garih and Stephen Nasser |
theme. At the Remembrance, three concentration camp survivors including Esther Basch, Shirley Weiss, and Stephen Nasser told their liberation stories. They were joined by four World War II veterans, one of whom was Robert McHaney who took part in liberating Dachau.
For many years, neither survivors nor veterans talked of their experiences. But this evening there was talk of murdered families, the smell from the camps as the soldiers approached, and how help came at Liberation. Veterans talked about D-day, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Survivors mentioned how grateful they are to be alive. Total silence in the room spoke to how deeply people were moved.
The event was free and open to the public, with more than 800 in attendance. Because the survivors and WWII veterans are now in their late 80s and early 90s, this may be the last time people will hear first-hand, in-person accounts of the liberation from survivors and liberators.
Submitted by:
Julia Berg, OLLI Holocaust Remembrance Coordinator, OLLI at University of Nevada, Reno
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OLLI at University of Kentucky
OLLI and the Arts Concert and Art Exhibit
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The OLLI Chorus Performing at the Concert |
The Osher Institute at University of Kentucky held its annual Arts Concert and Art Exhibit at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. The event began with a performance by the OLLI chorus and featured such musical numbers as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Memory," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," as well as many more. There were more than 400 people in attendance and a great time was had by all.
The event also featured an OLLI Art Exhibit showcasing the artwork and photography of the OLLI Scholars. The evening was capped off with a light reception of desserts and beverages.
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OLLI at Bradley University
All Illinois Event at Ravinia a Success
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Members of all three OLLIs in Illinois - Bradley University, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - spent a delightful August evening at Ravinia Festival, North America's oldest music festival, learning about and listening to an "All Russian Evening" concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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Illinois Osher Institute Directors Christine Catanzarite, Kirsty Montgomery and Michelle Riggio |
This inaugural event was highlighted by a private, pre-concert lecture by Dr. Stephen Alltop, the director of music for Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University. Steve Thaxton, Executive Director of the Osher NRC, also attended and greeted the group of more than 150 OLLI members from throughout the state.
The three OLLIs had a delightful time socializing during dinner under a private tent, then walked to the pavilion for a performance featuring Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 & Shostakovish: Symphony No. 10, Krzysztof Urbanski, Conductor; Garrick Ohlsson, Piano.
The evening was such a success, the OLLI directors have already discussed planning another event in 2018!
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OLLI at George Mason University
Tom and Gerry Show Offers Insight into Partisan Divide
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The Tom and Gerry Show came to OLLI at George Mason University in July, though it provided no "cat and mouse" program on political gamesmanship.
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Rep. Connolly, OLLI Executive Director Jennifer Disano and former Rep. Davis
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Instead, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and former Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) came together for a refreshingly respectful and constructive discussion on the current issues before the 115th Congress. The event was a revival of their old cable network show and demonstrated that civility can still be found in political discourse today.
Representative Davis, who also serves as rector for George Mason University, launched the program with an insightful presentation on linking gerrymandering and the increased partisan divide in Congress. "The parties have never been more polarized," he said. Representative Connolly suggested that these divisions can be overcome by reaching across the aisle to colleagues, particularly on less controversial issues like technology or infrastructure. Having worked together at the local level, Representatives Davis and Connolly have been able to transcend the partisan fray because, as Connolly joked, "there is no such thing as a Republican or Democratic pothole" in Northern Virginia.
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OLLI Member Susanne Zumbro and US Congressman Gerry Connolly |
The officials also addressed questions from the audience regarding healthcare, Korea, Syria, the President's budget, and "fake news". While they provided different perspectives on many of the concerns, their discourse was friendly, and they even admitted they would be able to find compromise on most if they took the time to sit down and sincerely hash them out together. Sage advice coming from seasoned statesmen.
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Osher NRC 2017-18 Webinar Series
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Mark your calendar for the next webinar on September 21, 2017 beginning at 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central/noon Mountain/11:00am Pacific/10:00am in Alaska and 8:00am in Hawaii.
Register for the webinar here.
Discover the Resources of the Great Books Foundation
Numerous book clubs and discussion groups across the country, including Osher Institutes, use the discussion models and anthologies of the Great Books Foundation. This 70-year-old organization was founded to advance critical thinking, promote civil discourse, and foster more reflective citizens for the purpose of sustaining our democracy. Many of these services are offered at minimal cost through generous funding sources who believe in advancing the interests of great literature and collaborative learning. OLLI at Johns Hopkins University has found continual success using this model and various materials, including the expertly edited series of Great Books publications. This webinar will provide resources and proven techniques to improve the quality of your local Osher Institute curriculum.
 Presenters
Joe Coulson
President
Great Books Foundation
Erik McWilliams
Volunteer Leader and Facilitator
OLLI @ Johns Hopkins University
If you have interest in being a presenter or have ideas for other topics, please contact Diane Venzera (
[email protected]
).
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Scottsdale, AZ - October 2018
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The 2018 Osher Institutes National Conference will be held at the
Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, October 22-24, 2018!
As with past conferences, two representatives from each Osher Institute will be invited to attend to make it possible for the delegates, National Resource Center staff and the Osher Foundation staff and Board Members to meet each other, network, and have substantive discussions and interactions.
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OLLI at UTMB Health
An Update from the Path of Hurricane Harvey
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Over the past few days, the Osher NRC has been in contact with Michelle Sierpina, founding director of OLLI at UTMB in Galveston, TX. As of Tuesday morning, Michelle had this update - with some encouragement for the UTMB OLLI program, but with the understanding that numerous individual members have been evacuated and sustained devastating losses:
OLLI at UTMB's building has been closed since noon Friday, August 25, as Hurricane Harvey approached. The building, called the Island Community Center, was the central shelter during Hurricane Ike in 2008. It is built on high ground, so we expect to resume OLLI programming September 5, if not sooner.
Our members live all across the storm-ravaged region, as far away as Houston, so there's widespread impact already. The storm is expected to return tonight, August 29, as the island and surrounding area brace for more. Many members have lost much: homes, vehicles, and household goods. Dickinson, hit hard by flooding, is home to numerous members and instructors. They are under mandatory evacuation and have been transported by National Guard C130s to north Texas. Friendswood, where members also live, set a national record for 49.12 inches of rain in a single weather event.
This barrier island community knows how to come together to rebuild and support one another. Our OLLI community will do the same. There will be much to do in the months ahead.
Join us as we send our hopes and prayers to our colleagues at OLLI at UTMB for safety and recovery in the coming days.
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An Advice Column for Osher Institute Staff and Volunteers
Dear Olli
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Dear Olli,
 I recently read an article in your Osher NRC e-newsletter that I would like to share with the members of our Institute. Can we have permission to re-print the article in our own newsletter?
~Interested Reader
Dear Interested Reader,
The short answer is yes, we encourage sharing of our Osher Institute Newsletter to a broad audience as we hope it can be a great resource for information sharing and idea generation at local OLLIs. If the article is one that comes from another Institute, it would be a courteous gesture to reach out to the writer directly for permission. You might collect even more interesting details that you could include in your own version of that article.
~Olli
Have a question for Olli? Please send it in care of Stacey Hart at the NRC:[email protected]
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Educational Travel Ideas from the OLLI Network
The OLLI Traveler
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 OLLI at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Ireland: The Emerald Isle
Experience the beauty and lush splendor of the Emerald Isle, beginning with a tour of the capital, Dublin. V
isit Phoenix Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, and the Guinness Storehouse. Then on to Kilkenny to visit its 12th century castle. Continue to Waterford for a tour of its famous crystal factory and a tasting at the Jameson distillery. Kiss the Blarney stone and enjoy a Medieval Banquet in Limerick. Take in the dramatic cliffs of Moher and the quaint seafaring town of Galway. Continue to County Donegal with its soaring sea cliffs and white sandy beaches.
Cross into Northern Ireland and visit the famed Belleek pottery factory - then join a poetry dinner celebrating the works of William Butler Yeats. Walk the streets of Derry and its 17th century city walls, Guildhall and St. Columb's Cathedral. Visit the geological wonder of the Giant's Causeway.
Conclude with sightseeing in Belfast, exploring the Titanic Museum, the university district, the botanic gardens and the Edwardian City Hall. Learn more about this trip to Ireland.
 OLLI at University of North Florida
Discover the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Enjoy a 90-minute boat tour with narration about the swamp's history, unique ecology, diverse habitats and abundant wildlife. Debrief over lunch followed by a stop at the visitor center. Delight in a self-guided driving tour along a scenic route. Visit the Chesser Island Homestead, built 10 years prior to the 1937 establishment of the refuge. Walk the boardwalk, climb the observation tower or hike the trail.
Learn more about this day trip to the wildlife refuge.
Date: October 23, 2017
OLLI at Western Michigan University
ArtPrize 2017
Each year the internationally recognized ArtPrize opens in Grand Rapids and each year a host of unique and spectacular art goes on display. Always new, always innovative and best of all, thought-provoking art covers the city. Due to the ever-changing venues, our itinerary will not be finalized until shortly before we depart for Grand Rapids. Several of your perennial favorite activities will be included, such as a docent tour at the GRAM and a delightful pause for lunch at the University Club. As always, our goal is to concentrate our stops to allow for maximum art encounters.
Learn more about this trip to Grand Rapids.
Date: September 25, 2017
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Quick Tips for Helping Operate an Osher Institute
Quick Tip - Honoring Osher Institute Volunteers and Staff
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OLLI Director Josh Raney Presents Award |
Both volunteer members and staff at Osher Institutes have vital roles in the success of the Institute. Recognizing those individuals who go above and beyond is important to show appreciation for their work. The OLLI at University of Arkansas holds a yearly event where they honor a "volunteer of the year", an "instructor of the year" and sometimes a staff "service award". While a simple "thank you" can also go a long way, honoring those who's contributions stand out can be a great way to encourage the culture of giving at an Institute.
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Career Openings in the OLLI Network
Job Board
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Program Assistant, Oakmont Campus
Program/AV Support Staff, OLLI
Program Coordinator
Classroom and Facilities Coordinator, OLLI
Assistant II, OLLI
Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at
[email protected]
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