OLLILife

A community of learners over 50

April, 2023 | Vol 3, No. 6

The Beauty and Opportunity of April 

...leadership is a process of being aware of and open to making choices that demonstrate conviction and, in the process, shines a light that invites others to grow and change…Beryl Byles

The month of April has always been very special to me. This year, it will usher in my sixth month with OLLI, which is just spectacular!!

We kicked off our membership campaign last month, and I love the interest and enthusiasm around this unified determination to grow! We are slowly, but surely, welcoming in brand new faces to our community.

While we prepare ourselves to engage these newbies, let me take a moment to celebrate all the OLLI veterans. National Volunteer Appreciation Week is also celebrated in the month of April, and I can’t think of a better opportunity to thank you than right now. 

Therefore, I want it to be extremely clear that my gratitude for you runs deep! I greatly appreciate every person who teaches for OLLI, every board member who provides me with insight and advice, every committee and SIG leader’s tremendous efforts, every behind-the-scenes volunteer who manages our digital content, ensures our newsletter is published, and sees that the OLLI Connects blog is updated.  To each and every one of you who does anything for OLLI – I see you and am eternally thankful for your sacrifices. 

Our organization’s principles and core values are centered on learning, staying curious, etc. Every day you are teaching me, informing me, and helping me. I got to greet some of our newest faculty members in Earl Richardson’s “A Course is Born” class. We are gearing up for the transition of some OLLI leaders and it is my earnest hope that together, we will shine a light that invites others to grow and change.

Finally, April hosts Earth Day, which is recognized globally to promote our environment’s protection and support. Events are held annually on April 22, which just happens to be my birthday!!!

Let’s embrace all the beauty and opportunity this month has to offer.  

Apr. 13 - OLLI Newcomers Dutch Lunch

May 5 - OLLI Annual Picnic

May 11 - Summer Open House

Jan. 31, 2024 - Membership Drive Competition ends.

You won’t want to miss OLLI’s Summer Open House, coming up next month.  

The event offers an opportunity to enjoy coffee, conversation, and community with other OLLI members. You’ll also be able to meet our instructors and representatives of our SIGs and find out what’s coming up in our community of older learners. 

Date: Thursday, May 11 

Time: A new member orientation begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Open House at 10 a.m. 

Location: Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave., in Temple Terrace.

We are proud to present Keynote Speaker Howard Kerner, MA, who will discuss History: Why Don’t We Know the Names of the Good? 

We are well aware of the names of evildoers throughout history but not the names of the good people. Howard Kerner’s passion project is researching and sharing uplifting and inspiring stories of human goodness during the Holocaust.

During his presentation, you'll hear surprising stories of human goodness. And we'll consider how we can look for, practice and celebrate more goodness in our own lives. 

Howard Kerner taught English, communications and humanities at the high school and university levels for 47 years. He has published hundreds of articles and created and taught courses on interpersonal relationships and on the Holocaust. 

You can register on line by visiting www.usfseniors.org and clicking on the Open House image. Or you can email [email protected]. Or call 813-974-5848

Meet Charise Dixie:

She’s The Voice Of OLLI

OLLI is an organization largely run by volunteers. But behind the scenes is a small cadre of professional staff under the leadership of Director Veronica Maxwell who help keep the organization running and on track. OLLILife is happy to introduce you to those staff members.

Enrollment Management Specialist Charise Dixie (right) and her husband, Derrick. They met while both worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and have been married nearly 28 years.

As OLLI-USF's enrollment management specialist, Charise Dixie is the person to call when you want to enroll in a class or become an OLLI member.

But that is just one aspect of the role she plays in the organization. She’s a one-person membership, event-registration, information, instructor-support, record-keeping, bill-paying, OLLI booster committee.

Who You Gonna Call?

To most OLLI members, Charise is the voice of OLLI, the person you talk to when you have a question or concern.

Lost your link to a Zoom class? Call Charise.

Need to cancel a class or add one? Call Charise.

A payment receipt never came through to your inbox? Call Charise.

You’re an instructor who needs to send out class materials? Call Charise.

Her phone calls come in on her cell phone, so she’s almost always available. She’s answered members’ calls while in a doctor’s office waiting room and while at lunch with co-workers. She’s even pulled over to the side of a road to answer a phone call.

Charise is in charge of monitoring transactions relating to membership. If your membership is about to expire, expect an email, and usually, a phone call from her. If you’re a new member, she’ll create and send you a membership badge.

Before each course begins, she sends out reminder emails to its students, with a Zoom link if appropriate, and class rosters to its instructors. If the class is canceled or its schedule changes, she contacts each student by email and by phone. At the course’s end, she sends out teacher evaluations for students to fill out. Then she compiles the results for OLLI staff to review. 

Residents of retirement communities that partner with OLLI get special attention from Charise. Every semester, in addition to course catalogs, she sends each resident a list of classes offered in their specific facilities, and she provides personalized registration services for each of them.

She also pays bills, orders supplies, keeps track of donors, and monitors registration for the Open Houses and other events, among many other tasks to support OLLI staff and members.

Marrying Hundreds

Charise joined the OLLI staff in 2015 after a 30-year career with Hillsborough County.

Over her years with the county, she worked in a variety of areas, including the department where marriage licenses are issued and weddings are conducted. As a notary, Charise has presided over many of those ceremonies, she says.

“I’ve probably married over a thousand people,” she says. “Especially on

Valentine’s Day, we’d get tons of people wanting to get married.”

Her fondest memories, though, are of working in the county jail’s records department. The work was interesting, but even more important, it was where she met her husband Derrick, a Hillsborough County deputy working in the jail’s property department. The couple has been married nearly 28 years.

Derrick has since retired from the Sheriff’s Office and now provides security in the county courthouse.

Beating The Competition

In 2014, Charise was nowhere ready to stop working when she got some bad news – her dad was dying of cancer. So after 30 years on the job, she retired from the county and spent the next year taking care of him.

Fortunately for OLLI, Charise was ready to go back to work after her father passed, she says. “I’m a working person,” she says. “I don’t like sitting around doing nothing.”

She was one of about 150 applicants for the position she now holds, Charise says. But former Director Ara Rogers recognized Charise’s experience and organizational skills and hired her for the job.

Charise’s work with OLLI is a labor of love, she says.

“I love my job,’ she says. “I love helping people. I love what we do and the people we work with. We’re a great team. It gives me a way to help people.

“I feel appreciated, and that makes me like it even more,” she says. “A lot of members have said that the best thing Ara has done was hiring me as the registrar for the programs.”

The Buffalo Soldiers

In addition to her professional work, Charise assists her husband in his volunteer work with the Buffalo Soldiers, a non-profit organization dedicated to “perpetuate, educate, and celebrate” the nation’s first all-Black military units, organized after the Civil War.

Derrick is a member of the Buffalo Soldiers’ Woods and Wanton chapter based in the Tampa Bay area. Among its activities are events to provide college scholarships to local students.

Charise is also an enthusiastic giver of gifts and marks Christmas as her favorite holiday. In between the holidays, though, she constantly gives the gift of her creativity and enthusiasm for her work and the people around her.

--Sandy Buckley

Greetings from the Membership Committee

Membership’s hope is to enliven our community and to know more about you. Every month, we will highlight upcoming OLLI events that promote the social component of our life together. Every three months, we will be introducing a brand-new OLLI member and celebrating a 20-year continuous OLLI member. And every year, we will be recognizing 5-10-15- and 20-year members.

OLLI 2K Membership Drive Competition

From now through Jan. 31, 2024, you can win two free classes by bringing in the most new members.

Keep track of all the people you persuade to join OLLI so we can cross-reference your list with the membership roll on Jan. 31, 2024.

April Incentive

New members get one free class.

OLLI Newcomers Dutch Lunch

Thu., April 13, 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. at Brunchies of Tampa restaurant, 14366 N. Dale Mabry. Guests are welcome.

To RSVP: Email Sally Ordway.

OLLI Annual Picnic

Fri., May 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests are welcome.

Carrollwood Village Park, Shelter #2, 4680 W Village Dr, Tampa. See the article below for more information. To RSVP: email Robyn Cheung,

215-880-9212

OLLI Open House May 11, 10 a.m.-Noon

See the article above for more information. RSVP: Email Charise Dixie.

It's Greek

To Me

Members of Instructor Sylvia (Jerry) Noland’s Short Story Genre course recently ended their last session with lunch to thank and celebrate Jerry (fifth from right in photo) at Acropolis Greek Restaurant in Brandon, one of her favorite eateries in the local area.

The class studied various authors including Ernest Hemingway, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Kate Chopin, Flannery O’Connor and others to increase their enjoyment of short stories and to examine the authors’ literary styles. 

Jerry will return to the classroom in June with the Ancient and the Modern, a study of the plays “Oedipus Rex” and “Death of a Salesman.”  In the meantime, thank you, Jerry, for another great class!

OLLI Outdoors Goes On A Honeymoon

On Mar. 9, Mary Ettinger and Patrick Beahon hosted 31 hikers along with Ranger Beth and Naturalist Debbie on Honeymoon Island in Dunedin.

We hiked a land trail and the beach. We had a beautiful day weather wise. The wind changed direction from the south to the northwest and blew the red tide back into the gulf, allowing a beach hike.

While hiking on the Osprey Trail, Ranger Beth described the foliage and pointed out the variety of nests, birds and wildlife. Specifically, we saw an aerie osprey nest with baby chicks peeking out. Prior to the hike on the beach, Naturalist Debbie provided an informative lecture on shells and water ecosystem.

Learning, friendship, fresh air, and nature is what the Outdoors SIG is all about!

--Diane White

Lunch With Ici on parle français!

Members of Ici on parlais français, OLLI’s French Conversation SIG, met for lunch on Mar. 9, at Brio Tuscan Grille at International Plaza and Bay Street in Tampa. 

The group welcomed the opportunity to enjoy the company, conversation, and camaraderie.

The French Conversation SIG, led by Theresa Sokol and Lise Berube, regularly meets on Zoom the first and third Monday of each month.

Some Good Down-home Hospitality

A group of over 20 OLLI members and guests from Conviviality and Celebrations met recently at the Cracker Barrel restaurant on Cove Bend Drive in Tampa for their monthly luncheon.

The group of traveling culinary connoisseurs 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., Apr. 26, at 1 p.m., at Luis’s Garden Grill Café, 4502 W. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa. All OLLI members and guests are welcome to join in the fun. Email Kat Hanscom for more information.

Bravo To BellaBrava!

OLLI's Lunch Bunch group met to mangia in style at BellaBrava Italian restaurant in Tampa's Midtown district on Mar. 27. The folks at this table were among some 20 Lunch Bunchers sitting at outdoor tables while enjoying the balmy breezes, hearty food and even heartier conversations. The Lunch Bunch is a subgroup of the Food! Glorious Food! SIG.

The ABCs Of Cooking

Dale Sena (center) holds up her home-baked French apple tart during the inaugural meeting of the ABC Cooking Club, another subgroup of the Food! Glorious Food! SIG, on Mar. 31.

Club members plan to bring homemade dishes based on the alphabet to the monthly meetings. March's dishes were based on the letter A. Next month B, etc. With Dale, from left, are Mallory Gerstein, Robert Buckley, and Becky Heimsted, all holding glasses of affogato, homemade ice cream with a shot of espresso, also created by Dale.

Just Say "SIG"

OLLI’s Shared Interest Group (SIG) Leaders were honored and thanked at a SIG Leaders’ Appreciation gathering at Carrollwood Village Neighborhood Park on Mar. 31.   The group enjoyed some tasty treats and the opportunity to share ideas and suggestions with each other.

OLLI Director Veronica Maxwell expressed her appreciation to the group for all they do for their SIGs and for OLLI. OLLI’s thirteen Shared Interest Groups cultivate and promote socialization, fun, community and add another dimension to the organization. 

Kathy Palmer, SIG Liaison, introduced Nancy Baily-Williamson to the group. Nancy will assume the SIG Liaison role on May 1.  

Thank you, SIG Leaders for your dedication and contributions to OLLI. 

Many Of Us Talk To Ourselves!

Out of 102 responses to our poll last month on Talking To Yourself, it was found that an overwhelming percentage do so. So don’t feel there is something wrong with yourself and don’t feel embarrassed. 

Many articles about talking to ourselves point-out (whether internal dialogue or self-talk out-loud) it can help to think through ideas, debate decisions, and can hype yourself up to feel confident before a situation. 

So keep “talking away” with confidence.

You're Invited:

OLLI Annual Picnic

Come out and join us for a picnic in the park! OLLI is excited to be bringing back the Annual Picnic!

Fri., May 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carrollwood Village Park,

Shelter #2

4680 W Village Dr, Tampa 33624

The main entree and drinks will be provided.



Bring your favorite sides and desserts.

To RSVP, email Robyn Cheung,

215-880-9212

Eckerd College Offers

Spring Public Events

Eckerd College, located off the Pinellas Bayway in St. Petersburg,is offering several lectures and presentations this spring as well as athletic and arts events.



These events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise specified. 

Click here for general information, directions, event descriptions and listings, and more.



Attention Opera Enthusiasts

Are you a newcomer to Opera or an aficionado looking to expand your knowledge and appreciation of opera? The OLLI Operatunity SIG may be the opportunity you have been hoping to discover. 

Operatunity meets the fourth Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa.  At their meeting on Mar. 27, Derrie Perez and Judy Harwood led the group in a lively review of the Met Opera HD broadcast of Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin shown in theaters on Mar. 18.  

The group also discussed two forthcoming opera productions: Opera Tampa’s rendering of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Apr. 21-23, and the Met Opera HD broadcast of Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier, Apr. 15.  Ed Benedict presented an overview of how Sweeney Todd was conceived, written, and presented as a “horror” play, along with a synopsis of its intricate plot.

Beryl Byles presented a segment from the opera Der Rosenkavalier followed by a brief recap of its story. The group expects to enjoy a Met Opera HD broadcast presentation of this romantic opera later this month.

Email Derrie Perez for details on the Met Opera HD broadcasts and for more information.

The next Operatunity meeting is scheduled for Mon., Apr. 24 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute At Boise State University Is Pleased To Offer The Following...

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University is pleased to offer the following April programs at no charge to OLLI members at other institutes. We hope that you enjoy the programs!  Register here to receive the Zoom link for each presentation. The deadline to register is no later than eight days before the program. Reminders are sent one week, one day, and one hour prior to the start of the program.  

TRAVEL

Off To Ireland We Go!

The OLLI Travel Committee and EF Go Ahead Tours present this trip for July 2024.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

--Irish Blessing

Ireland’s green landscapes, welcoming cities, and rich culture await.

On this 11-day adventure through the Emerald Isle, you’ll see that even the oldest traditions continue to thrive.

Discover the country’s highlights, starting in historic Dublin and continuing on through County Cork, the "Rebel County.” After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and the charming coastal city of Galway, you may find it hard to say goodbye to Ireland.

For more detailed information, join us for a free Zoom presentation by EF Go Ahead Travel on Friday April 21 at 10 a.m. Click here to register.

WHY WE LOVE OLLI

OLLI Connects

Below is a description from OLLI Connects Editors Al Carlson and Theresa Sokol of how the weekly online publication began and developed and how OLLI members can help it further.

Al: Like the rest of us, OLLI-USF has birthdays and -- like the rest of us -- it gets better with each one. When our OLLI turned 25 in 2018, we celebrated by launching a new project to help build connections within the OLLI-USF community: our first ever blog -- OLLI Connects.  Our tag line was "Sharing stories. Building community" and I was the "learn by doing" editor. Operations Manager Cath Mason rounded up some stories, and we launched our first issue on August 31, 2018.

Since then, we've published a new story every Monday: memoirs, fiction, science, history, poetry, politics, humor, photography, and more, all created and shared by OLLI-USF members. (With a few guest articles along the way.) If any of you who have ever contributed are reading this now, thank you!

Theresa: In 2021 Al chose to move to North Carolina, and OLLI staff looked for someone with the right mix of skills (and insanity) to replace him. Rubbing their hands and grinning evilly, they chose me, and I agreed to accept the responsibility.

Al: Then a strange thing happened. Working with Theresa as I showed her the proverbial ropes turned out to be so much fun that I stayed on. Zoom made my move to North Carolina pretty much irrelevant. And the creative chemistry between us led to new directions for OLLI Connects. And demonstrated quite unambiguously what OLLI membership can mean if you lean into it.

Theresa: Now we've augmented our original mission to include interesting writing challenges and theme months as well as frequent use of video and mixed media in our formatting. For us, this has been a creative journey that just keeps getting better. And our subscribers, readers and contributors provide enthusiasm and material that inspires and ....well... connects us all.

The core of OLLI is lifelong learning. No argument there. And sharing classes with other OLLI members adds a social element to membership. But working on OLLI Connects with a simpatico co-editor highlighted the final important part of OLLI membership for us: making a difference. Doing something that involves and affects other people.

Al: So, that's how we got here. (And you thought the stork brought us!). But what's our role going forward? What can we do to make "Sharing stories and building community" a more integral part of OLLI-USF? This is where you come in. Browse to www.olliconnects.org. Scroll through a few issues. 

Theresa: Then send us an email with your ideas. We're at [email protected]. 

--Al Carlson and Theresa Sokol

Who Will Be Number 200?

The Outdoors SIG has grown to nearly 200 members. From a small cadre of folks who attended an OLLI class in 2013, the group eventually formed the OLLI Hikers SIG.

Now known as OLLI Outdoors, the SIG in the last two years has expanded their programs: offering more hikes, walks and kayaking - and adding bike rides, art walks, and online programs.

So far this season, from August to March, OLLI Outdoors has offered 41 events, had 622 people participating, and logged 1,841 miles (on foot, on bike, and on water).

The SIG co-leaders, Diane White and Donna McGrew, are amazed at the response from the members! The benefits? Getting outdoors, great companionship, learning in a healthy environment, and getting in your steps!

Overheard on the trail, this quote sums up the feeling, “Interesting people and wild Florida is lovely.”

Who will be our 200th paid up OLLI member? We’ll let you know!

Contact the SIG leaders to find out how to join us at [email protected].

--Diane White

NEW VOLUNTEER WELCOMED

Congratulations To Our New Volunteer

Congratulations and welcome to our newest volunteer who attended the virtual Volunteer Orientation and Information Session on Mar. 24.

Top row (left to right): Kathy Palmer and Diane Russell of the Volunteer Management Committee; Bottom row: new volunteer Sandy Cunnagin

SIGnificant EVENTS FOR APRIL 2023

Kathy Palmer, SIG Liaison

PEOPLE NEWS

Remembering Betty Jean Lucas 

OLLI mourns the loss of longtime OLLI member Betty Jean Lucas, 94, of Plant City, who passed away on Mar. 13.

Betty was born on Aug. 15, 1928, in Ocean New Jersey. She coordinated the Strawberry Festival Neighborhood Village for many years, was a member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church, and enjoyed sewing and quilting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Lucas, and her children, Buddy Schenck and Tracy Schenck. She is survived by her children, Penny Kalmbach, Marlene Lucas (Patrick Purdue), and Wade Lucas (Marlene), five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, her daughter-in-law, Darlene Schenck, and her sister-in-law, Sharon Smith.

Farewell To Theodore "Todd" Grubb

Olli is sad to announce the passing of longtime member Todd Grubb, who died on Mar. 22 at the age of 90. 

After a long and illustrious career with the federal government, and later as a college professor for the University of Sarasota and Troy University, Todd joined OLLI in 2014.

He was predeceased by his parents, Theodora Grubb and Frederick Grubb; his son Richard; and his former wife Maryanne. He is survived by his wife Arlene Newman; his daughter Jacqueline O'Brien; his sister Caroline Townsend; his stepchildren, Michelle Parlo, David Newman and Andrew Newman; and his grandchildren, Joe Parlo, Ben Parlo, Eli Newman, Gabe Newman, Sarah Newman, Josh Newman, Alexis Newman, Grant Newman and Max Newman.

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.