OLLILife

A community of learners over 50

October, 2023 | Vol 3, No. 12

So Much To Celebrate!

As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, our fall term classes are in full swing, offering a vibrant and enriching educational experience.

From captivating lectures and engaging tours to lively in-person classes, our curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and foster growth. Whether you're diving into the world of literature, exploring the mysteries of science, or honing your creative skills, this season's classes provide a stimulating environment for learning and personal development. I look forward to meeting new faces and embarking on this educational journey with you throughout the autumn months. 

A Memorable Open House

We are fresh off the heels of what is considered by many to be one of the best Open Houses we’ve hosted. I have now been around long enough to see all three of our recent Open House events. I’m eternally grateful to the OLLI staff and volunteers for their amazing work and efforts that resulted in more than 20 new members and over 40 brand-new faces.

As a final note, this month (Oct. 3) brings with it my one-year anniversary as the director of OLLI-USF. I can’t believe how fast time has gone and all the wonderful memories I’ve already made.

We have so much to celebrate, and I look forward to pressing forward toward even higher goals of growth!

Let me thank each one of you for your kind words and tremendous warmth that have filled my heart with so much joy. I am honored to serve you.

Even USF President Rhea Law has welcomed me with open arms; check out our fun photo (above). It’s quite apparent that she loves me!



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Oct. 11 - New Members Lunch



Oct. 13 - Volunteer information session

Oct. 23 - Travel Opportunities Committee presentation on Zoom

Jan. 31, 2024 - Membership Drive Competition ends.

Having Fun With OLLI? Read How You Can Support Your Organization

Search Your Heart And Support A Treasure

Nearly everyone at OLLI has a story:

“It got me off the couch and back into the world.”

“Fun, learning, stimulation.”

“OLLI was such a consolation after the death of my partner.”

“SIG friends have reawakened my interest in [hiking, dining out, French/Italian/Spanish conversation, stimulating discussions, fun and games].” 

“My very best friends I’ve met at OLLI.”

Yes, so many of us joyfully participate as students, teachers, doers, and volunteers of all stripes. Time and talents are alive and well among our 1,350 members. But what about treasure? 

When COVID decimated us in 2020, our OLLI, as well as the 124 other chapters, suffered a body blow that threatened our existence. Happily, OLLI-USF has recovered nicely — we’re back to pre-pandemic membership and growing, with Zoom helping us reach out to our home-bound friends, even more and better courses online and in-person, and vibrant and expanding SIGs.

To support and expand current and hoped-for offerings, we also need your financial support.

In the last year or so, the number of members providing support to the OLLI Annual Fund has declined by nearly 50 percent. We have had many generous donations ranging from just a few to several tens of thousands of dollars, but less than 10 percent of members are making annual contributions. What about you?

The amount is not important. Yes, the amount is not important. We need participation at whatever amount is appropriate to your personal circumstances. Please search your heart and help support this treasure that we know as OLLI.

We’re sometimes asked, “Don’t my annual dues and course fees cover the cost of funding OLLI?” The short answer is “No.” Memberships cover about 20 percent of our operating budget, course fees another 30 percent, investment income from the $2 million Osher Endowment also 30 percent, leaving a 20 percent gap to be filled by fundraising, sponsorships, and a little support from USF.

If you’d like to make a contribution, here’s the online link: https://giving.usf.edu/online/gift/f/640004/

Any questions? Call or email me, Kevin Chittim, chair of the OLLI Fund Raising Committee, at (727) 437-8654 or [email protected], and I’ll help you through the process.

By Kevin Chittim

Photos By Mike Hayes and Karen Bentley

What’s Next? Fall Open House Provides the Answers

The mayor of Tampa was on hand, as were university leaders, OLLI staffers and some 350 OLLI-USF members to mingle, nosh, and learn about what’s coming up next.

Mayor Jane Castor talked about “What’s Next for Tampa,” which involves a focus on transportation, workforce development, housing, infrastructure and safety and security.

“The city is going to change more in the next five years than in my entire life,” Castor said. “But it has to be done intentionally and thoughtfully so that it has resiliency and works for everyone,” she said.

Looking back at the progress the city has made so far, she noted a vibrant downtown, the thriving Channelside area, and a flourishing Ybor City.

But she said, more needs to be done. Toward that goal, the mayor said she has assembled a focus group to work on the city’s issues: “We have a lot to celebrate, but we also need to come together as a community to find ways to solve our problems,” she said.

What’s next for OLLI was also the theme of the Open House, with a focus on the numerous class offerings, lectures, travel opportunities, committees and Shared Interest Groups that are available this semester.

OLLI members had the opportunity to talk with instructors and members of committees and SIGS and have their questions answered. And even better, OLLI members had the chance to get together and share a fun and interesting morning.

Giving Thanks

Members of the Food! Glorious Food! SIG met on Sept. 18 at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County to take a look back at the past five years and to look forward to new activities.

The group also took the opportunity to thank Jane Applegate and Becky Heimstead for their contributions to Food! Glorious Food! After organizing the SIG and leading it for the past five years, Jane and Becky are passing on their leadership roles to a new steering committee.

The new committee includes Grizelle Aldea, Sandy Buckley, Anne Haywood, Kathy Palmer, and Dale Sena.

FGF members also brought a bounty of food (see image right) to be donated to the Feed A Bull Food Pantry, which provides food for USF students in need.

Home Of The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some 20 OLLI members joined OLLI Day Trip Coordinator Don Clark for a tour of Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 20. The group visited public and some private areas where the public does not go.

Did you know that it takes 150 gallons of paint to re-stripe the football field between games?

And were you aware that the stadium had a problem with birds at one time? As a remedy, stadium officials recorded the sounds of predatory birds; the recording is played 24/7, and they no longer have a bird problem.

Those were just two of the tidbits of little-known information that the group walked away with.

Don’s next day trip is scheduled for Tues., Dec. 12. Join him for a tour of the University of Tampa and Henry B. Plant Museum. You can register for day trips on-line or by calling Charise at 813-974-5848.

--Photos by Nancy Baily-Williamson and Bruce Himelman

Outdoors SIG Enjoys

Artist-Led Etched Feathers Tour



Seventeen OLLI Outdoors members were privileged to have local artist John Costin lead them through his Etched Feathers exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center on Sept. 12.

John talked about the history of the art form, his inspiration, and how he creates his work. 

OLLI Outdoors SIG members love nature-themed art – whether it is the public art at USF or the wonderful Audubon etchings and artifacts at the USF Special Collections Library! Inside or outdoors, the Outdoors SIG has adventures for everyone.

For information on how to join the SIG's next themed event, email Diane and Donna at [email protected].

--Diane White 

Oh So Mellow

Eleven members of the Conviviality and Celebrations group met at Mellow Mushroom In Brandon recently for their September luncheon. They dined on a variety of mouthwatering pizzas and crisp garden-fresh salads.

This group of OLLI members and guests meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at various eateries in the Tampa area to celebrate and recognize birthdays and other special occasions.

The next luncheon is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 25. at 1 p.m. at Yummy House China Bistro, 2620 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.

All OLLI members and guests are invited to join in the fun. Email Kat Hanscom for more information. 



Volunteering With OLLI Lets You Follow Your Passion!

Attend a free, no-obligation volunteer information session to learn more about how your knowledge, skills or experience can help OLLI!

The next session will be held Friday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m. Click here to register.

Have a question? Ask Us Anything about volunteering by emailing the Ask Team at [email protected].

--Diane Russell

OLLI Membership Perk: USF Library Card

Did you know that your OLLI membership includes access to the USF Library? This access is a privilege of OLLI membership.

If you would like a library card, please email Charise Dixie or call her at 813-974-5848. Charise will need your full name, birthdate, home address, email address and phone number.  She also will need your OLLI member ID. She can help you with your member ID if you aren’t sure.

Charise will mail you your library card once her processing is complete.  New cards need to be bar-coded on your first visit to take advantage of your checkout privileges.  Simply go to the circulation desk in the library during business hours, Monday through Friday, and tell them you need to register your library card.

Your library privileges at the USF Tampa Campus Library are the same as for USF undergraduates: up to 50 books for up to sixty days. Your card entitles you to check out books, access the library electronic resources and databases and University Media Center items.

If you run into a problem during business hours, ask to see Scott Hicks (813-974-6325, [email protected]) or Loryn Ragsdale (813-974-1610, [email protected]), or contact Charise.

--Nancy Baily-Williamson

Think About It

Want to kick around exciting ideas and possibly come up with practical solutions? If so, you might want to join a new OLLI Think Tank Shared Interest Group.

The proposed SIG is very close to meeting the required number of 12 members to get started. Members of the group will determine the specific ideas it develops and nurtures and the extent to which it tries to implement them within OLLI-USF or our broader society.

If you're interested in joining, or just want more information, please contact Neil Cosentino.

The Great American Eclipse Double Header

Did you know that two eclipses are coming up which can be viewed locally?

Greg Shanos, a NASA/JPL solar system ambassador, recently presented The Great American Eclipse Double Header to the OLLI Outdoors SIG.

You can watch the video now in the Outdoors Vimeo channel – but don’t delay. The first one happens on Sat., Oct.14.

Greg explains when the two eclipses will happen, viewing tips, what you can see in Tampa, best viewing locations, how to view safely, photography tips - and "just what is an eclipse!"

Get your eclipse viewing glasses now before the rush. View the video here.

--Diane White

Are Robot Waiters The Future? 

Some in the restaurant industry think robots are a solution to industry’s labor shortages, while others don’t agree since robots can’t take orders and don’t have the same physical capabilities as humans. 

Last month’s “just for fun” poll asked readers if they were in a fine dining restaurant and unexpectedly discovered a robot was going to be their server, how would they react: leave the restaurant without dinner due to not having human service or stay and see how robot service plays out? 

It turns out that 90 percent of the poll's responders were curious and would stay and see how the process went. 

It would be interesting to compare the cost and upkeep of a robot server compared to human servers’ salaries. Also, would customers' prices go up if robots were costly? Guess we just need to wait and see if robot servers come our way and how it all plays out if it happens. 

Upcoming Events For This Month

Attention OLLI Newcomers

Join the Membership Team at Brunchies (14366 N Dale Mabry, Tampa) on Wed., Oct. 11. at 12:30 p.m. to learn more about OLLI and meet new friends. Dutch treat.

Please reserve with Pam Tyler at 575-779-1382 by Fri., Oct. 6. Either text or call and leave a message.

Membership Circle Development

The Membership Team wants to meet with you on your turf about the Vision of Circles for OLLI-USF. Looking for energetic OLLI members to gather in mid-October or early November for a breakfast meeting in your zip code. Date and location to be determined by member response.

Lutz-Odessa (Circle Three)

Temple Terrace (Circle Five)

Citrus Park/Westchase (Circle Ten)

Seffner Thonotosassa and Plant City (Circle Thirteen)

Please contact Pam Tyler at 575-779-1382. Either text or call and leave a message.

The Membership Committee has an article each month introducing a new OLLI member. Congratulations and welcome to OLLI’s newest members.   

Introducing Marlene Stein

Marlene was born in Detroit and spent much of her life there. After graduating from Wayne State University, she pursued a career in social work.

She worked for the state of Michigan for 34 years, much of it in social work administration. Later she moved to Los Angeles with her son, and she still misses the gorgeous weather (less humidity!) of southern California. 

Marlene was a member of UCLA-OLLI and looked for a new OLLI when she moved to Winter Garden. She prefers in-person classes in spite of her long drive into Tampa.

Her first class was Sara Cohen’s tour of the Tampa Museum of Art, and she is signed up for Sara’s other two museum tours. Marlene is also registered for OLLI's Italian cooking class and has joined the Food! Glorious Food! SIG.

In her free time, Marlene enjoys cross stitch, cooking, and visiting art museums. She has traveled with Road Scholar, including a trip involving cooking and another with glass blowing. Marlene also likes to do Zumba, aqua aerobics, and yoga every week.

--Shirley Herring

We're Heading West

The OLLI-USF Travel Opportunities Committee is inviting everyone to a free virtual presentation on Zoom of a trip to the Black Hills, Badlands and Mt. Rushmore that has been prepared for our members.

When: Mon., Oct. 23

Time: 11 a.m.

Premier World Discovery will present information about the tour, which will take place Sept. 4, 2024.

You can review the trip before the presentation to compile your questions about the tour, if desired, by clicking here

Sign up here for the informative upcoming presentation.

The Many Options For OLLI Members

When members join OLLI, they find many options to choose from. There are opportunities for volunteering, becoming part of a Shared Interest Group (SIG), or learning new subjects. Whether you choose one or more, the bottom line is that you are enriching yourself and helping to keep OLLI rolling.

Over the next few months, OLLILife will explore each of these options. In this issue, we are looking at volunteering. Watch for articles on SIGs and learning and friendship in upcoming editions.

Volunteering With OLLI

Are you looking for a meaningful way to share your talents, experience, and areas of expertise? Do you feel like you have something to contribute, but you aren’t sure how or where to get involved? 

OLLI has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available. Whether you want to be involved with one of the various committees that support OLLI, or you are looking to help with a short-term project, the Volunteer Engagement Committee is ready to answer your questions and connect you with the people who can help you find your niche.

The amount of time you devote is up to you. We are happy to have anyone who can spend a few hours a month.

Most committees meet for one to two hours each month. Many activities (such as writing this article) can be done on your own schedule.

You may also choose to help out the Catalog Team or the OLLILife newsletter team, aid planning social activities or assist with general office work. 

We invite you to join us for one of the six volunteer information and orientation sessions we offer during the year. Contact the Ask Team for more information.

--- By the Volunteer Engagement Committee

---Pictures by Shirley Herring and Sandy Buckley

PROFILE OF THE MONTH

Meet The OLLILife Team:

OLLI-USF 2023 Exemplary Teamwork Award Recipient

The Volunteer Recognition Awards honor volunteers who have made significant contributions to the mission and values of OLLI-USF. In May, the awards were presented to four individuals and two teams. Over the next few months, OLLILife is introducing you to those award winners.

The first edition of OLLILife rolled into OLLI members’ email boxes on Nov. 1, 2020, the result of a collaboration between then OLLI director Ara Rogers and staffer Mary Ettinger. Its goal was to keep members informed about their organization.

It included articles written by members about educational and volunteer opportunities, upcoming meetings and events, and even Zoom tips, so needed in that time of COVID. And every edition was headed by a column by Mary filled with news about OLLI activities as well as interesting personal insights.

Over time, Ara sent out a call to volunteers to help with the publication so she could devote more time to running the organization. Kathy Palmer, Pat Dodge, and Sandy Buckley answered that call.

In August 2021, Kathy, Pat, and Sandy -- with Ara’s help -- published their first edition. And as they became more confident in themselves, they added more features and worked on different looks for the publication.

Mary left off writing her column in December 2022. But while gone from our staff, she’s not forgotten. Kathy, Pat, and Sandy will be forever thankful for the work she did for OLLILife.

This past May, the OLLILife staffers received a 2023 Exemplary Teamwork Award for showing “the dedication to OLLI that exemplifies how an OLLI team works together to inspire us.”



Here’s an introduction to the team members in their own words:

Mary Ettinger

Although I started life as a Midwesterner, born in Urbana, Illinois, my parents changed my destiny and moved me at age 5 to Florida. At Fort Lauderdale High School I took a full-year course in journalism, which included creating the student newspaper. There I experienced writing firsthand; I also learned some photography because just two of us were willing to take on that job, and I became motivated to “stay curious!”

I went on to the University of Wisconsin, back to my Midwest roots, and learned to be a medical technologist like my mother. When I graduated, I was able to get a job quickly anywhere because there weren’t enough medical techs at that time. At first, I went home and worked in a hospital where I earned enough money to go to Europe. Back then, it cost very little to go to Europe and to attend language schools there. I lived and worked for a year in Germany, French Switzerland and Spain and learned so much about the world.

A New Career

Back in the U.S., I spent a year each in Boston and Atlanta, then decided that what I really wanted was to be a nurse. So I came back to Florida and was able to work my way through the fairly new nursing program at the University. of Florida. Thanks to a scholarship at Johns Hopkins Medical School, I went on to become a nurse midwife at its fascinating medical center; then I went back to Gainesville as UF Shands Hospital’s first official nurse midwife.

Then came marriage and a son and a daughter during my eight years in Gainesville. For the next 25 years, we lived in what was then small and peaceful Stuart on Florida’s east coast. I mostly worked in doctors’ offices, but at one point, I stumbled into a journalist job for a year, writing and taking photos for the features section of The Stuart News! I got to interview Farrah Fawcett and a few other glitterati!

 My son and his family (wife and two grandsons) live in California and try to see the rest of us often. My daughter and her husband lived in Tampa before I did, and when she had her first baby in 2001, I went there to help, and I fell in love with my grandbaby and with Tampa. I searched for classes right away (there hadn’t been much in Stuart), and I found OLLI, which has been a joyful part of my life ever since. My second husband died two years ago, and I am grateful that my daughter’s family and now my sister, who has become an OLLI member, and her husband live here, too.

In 2001 Ara Rogers became the second-ever director of what now is OLLI, and in 2003 she brought me onto the OLLI staff. Writing has always been part of that position, and when Ara wanted to start a monthly OLLI newsletter, she asked me to help.

Ara and I got OLLILife going for a couple of years. And as the newsletter grew, Sandy, Kathy and Pat stepped up and took it over, growing it superbly, for which we can all be very grateful!

Sandy Buckley

I have been a writer most of my life, beginning when I was a little girl writing stories and poems to amuse my family and friends.

In college and graduate school, I worked on the campus newspapers, and after graduation, I continued to pursue journalism, first on a small newspaper in Hollywood, Florida, and later for The Tampa Tribune. Sadly, both newspapers are now defunct.

As a beat reporter, I covered a wide range of topics – business, politics, crime, education, medicine and more. The job was fun, exciting, and after a while, exhausting. So after 10 years, I joined the marketing staff of Tampa General Hospital, where for the next 20 years, I wrote newsletters, brochures, annual reports, speeches, magazine articles and more.

In the last nine years of my career, I added a part-time job in Hillsborough Community College’s Writing Center to my schedule. There, I taught students the basics of grammar and helped them develop essays for class.

In 2010, feeling somewhat burned out after 30 years of non-stop writing, I retired. And I vowed never to write another word again.

Breaking A Vow

I kept that vow for many years. Until former OLLI Director Ara Rogers sent out a call for people to assist with the new OLLILife publication. It was an offer I couldn’t resist.

Working on OLLILife has been fun and interesting. Along with Kathy and Pat, I help lay out the edition. I also check everything that goes in for grammar and proper style, and I sometimes edit articles to help them flow better. My particular responsibility, the monthly profile, has allowed me to meet and learn about some of the fascinating people who keep OLLI running.

Working with Pat and Kathy has been so much fun. They are both very creative and bring their own special talents to OLLILife. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.

SIGnificant EVENTS FOR OCTOBER 2023

Nancy Baily-Williamson, SIG Liaison

Carolyn Clark is our Goodwill Ambassador, sending notes of support, congratulations and comfort on our behalf. If you or another OLLI member have a significant personal event, please let Carolyn know.

Send Us Your News

OLLILife wants to share topics of interest that pertain to OLLI-USF and other OLLIs in the country.

Send your article to [email protected] to reach your editors Sandy Buckley, Pat Dodge, Veronica Maxwell, and Kathy Palmer. If possible, please send a picture along with the article as pictures help tell the story.