MEET OLLI'S NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR KELSEY WILLMAN | | |
New OLLI Program Director Kelsey Willman, pictured, is delighted to return to Chico, where she has family, roots (she's a Pleasant Valley High School grad), and happy memories. After spending a number of years running community outreach programs for a branch of the YMCA in Nashville, Tennessee, she is also delighted to leave humidity behind.
Kelsey brings her background in social entrepreneurship and her experience managing programs reliant on volunteers to the "very democratic and participatory" environment that OLLI embodies. She's also impressed with the scope of the classes offered – in fact, the recent Spring Class Preview prompted her to create a mental list of classes she hopes to drop in on.
In the course of her career, Kelsey has traveled extensively, notably to India for a year (half on a fellowship, half for personal travel), Guatemala, and Colombia. She never mastered Hindi, but her Spanish is "just about" fluent.
Kelsey is keen to continue OLLI's work to expand accessibility to the program. She plans to help tackle barriers to participation, whether from financial constraints, mobility, technical know-how, or even a sense of being "not smart enough."
While outdoor activities (in a non-humid climate) are a personal favorite of hers, so is music. One of the great aspects of Nashville was its vibrant musical community. She plays the guitar; that's not surprising, she says. "Everyone in Nashville plays the guitar." She's already discovered a new karaoke establishment in Chico, but claims that she's more of a harmonizer than a soloist.
Harmonizing seems a fitting talent to bring to Chico's OLLI. Welcome, Kelsey!
| | JOIN US FOR THE OLLI SPRING PICNIC TOMORROW | | |
Join us tomorrow for our annual potluck picnic lunch where we reconnect with old friends and welcome new learners to the OLLI community. This is a chance to eat, socialize, and even play a few rounds of bingo. You'll also get a chance to meet new OLLI Program Director Kelsey Willman.
OLLI staff will be available to answer any questions about registration or the upcoming spring term, and your fellow members will be there to eat and socialize. Free and open to the public. Invite your friends!
Friday, April 10, 11:30am-1pm
Rain or shine!
Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Wildwood Park), Chico (map)
Free parking and beverages. Join us!
To allow people to make the best food choices for themselves, please bring a full list of ingredients for your dish. Print out our form (pdf) or bring your own. We'll also have forms for you to fill out at the event.
Pictured: Barbara Quinn shows off her bingo prize at last year's picnic as Lois Olson looks on.
| | CURTAINS UP ON THE OLLI PLAY FESTIVAL IN APRIL | | |
The 11th Annual OLLI Play Festival returns this month with more laugh-out-loud plays written, directed, and acted entirely by OLLI members. But don't wait – tickets are going fast!
Ticket Sales
The Saturday and Sunday performances sold out! There are still tickets available for Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $10 each, cash or check only. For more information, contact Debbie Vermette at dvermette@csuchico.edu.
Performances
Note: The performance times listed in the Spring Class Catalog are incorrect. These are the correct dates and times.
Thursday, April 16, 2pm
Friday, April 17, 7pm
Sold out! Saturday, April 18, 7pm
Sold out! Sunday, April 19, 2pm
Gordon 1 at The Social Chico
| | MEMBER BENEFIT: ZOOM TRAINING | | |
Did you know that about 40% of OLLI's classes are online? There's no need to be intimidated by online classes. A benefit of being a member is that OLLI can help you attend Zoom classes.
OLLI offers individualized, one-on-one Zoom training to help you have a successful experience taking online classes. OLLI staff will walk you through the basics, like how to change your display name and how to mute and unmute yourself, so you can feel confident signing in to any online class.
To request one-on-one Zoom training, contact the OLLI office at 530-898-6679 or olli@csuchico.edu.
| | DEVELOP YOUR PAINTING SKILLS THIS SPRING | | |
Christine MacShane's acrylic and watercolor painting classes through OLLI are popular – so popular that they've had waitlists the past few terms. This spring, Christine is offering two levels of each class to give more people a chance to start painting with her or to develop their skills beyond the beginning level, and three of her classes still have available space.
Acrylic Painting: Beginning is for beginners; Acrylic Painting: Developing Artist is for those who are ready to take their painting to a deeper level while still being guided by Christine's step-by-step method.
Watercolor: Beginning is an introduction to watercolor and still has space for aspiring artists, or those who want to practice their art.
When you register for one of Christine's classes this spring, you can begin, or deepen, your painting journey in the company of other OLLI members.
| | OLLI SPONSOR MAKING CONNECTIONS FOR 77 YEARS | | |
Chico Hearing Aid Center has been an OLLI sponsor since 2016, and helping make connections through better hearing for the Chico community for much longer, 77 years in total.
"There is always something new in the hearing aid world, and it just keeps getting better," said owner Deanna McCoy, a certified audioprosthologist and hearing aid dispenser. "The one thing that sets us apart is the ongoing service we provide to ensure the hearing aids are working their best and are set appropriately for each individual."
The upcoming month of May is National Better Hearing Month. One way to make sure your hearing is in its best shape is get your hearing checked.
Chico Hearing Aid Center offers free hearing screenings and assessments, including screenings specifically for OLLI members on Tuesday, April 14, 9-11am and Wednesday, April 15, 2-4pm. The free screenings will take place at the Chico Hearing Aid Center at 1600 Mangrove Avenue, Suite 160. Call Chico Hearing Aid Center at 530-342-8132 and mention OLLI to sign up for a reserved time slot.
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"You all look like you’re having the best time," said a passerby on the path where OLLI's Wednesday Park Walks walkers were. "Are you part of a group?"
The passerby was new to Chico. When one of the walkers started to tell her about OLLI, instructor Amy Hahn had an OLLI postcard at hand to give her.
Many of the Wednesday Park Walks walkers have now purchased OLLI T-shirts, making them an even more visible group in the park. You can register for the class to join them on Wednesdays, or pick up some OLLI postcards at the OLLI office or a classroom to be prepared, like Amy, to give one to any interested passersby.
Pictured: OLLI walkers posing with neighborhood dogs.
| | LEARN ABOUT NATIVE BEES WITH THE MASTER GARDENERS | | |
OLLI partners with the UC Master Gardeners of Butte County to co-sponsor gardening workshops that take place in Bradley 2 at The Social Chico. As an OLLI member, you are warmly invited to register for a workshop taking place in a familiar classroom.
Native Bees
Saturday, April 25, 9:30am-12pm
Anyone who has spent time among flowers has undoubtedly come across some of the many and diverse native bees that call California home. There are an estimated 1600 species in California and our own local urban gardens can support well over fifty of these, including charismatic bumblebees, busy Leafcutter bees, jewel-like Sweat bees and many more. This presentation will introduce you to our native bee families and their natural history. There will be resources and information about how to encourage them in your garden including advice about planting the flowers they depend on, establishing nesting areas and the garden practices that allow them to thrive. As a bonus you will learn about using bee hotels for Leafcutter and Mason bees, an amazing opportunity to watch these harmless workers throughout their nesting season. If you thought the ubiquitous, non-native Honeybee was the only bee out working among your flowers on a warm Spring day, then join us for a surprising look at the many others that also call our gardens home.
This workshop is free with no registration required.
| | MEET A MEMBER: MOLLY LINZ | | |
It started with a poster advertising OLLI. Molly Linz, pictured, and her husband had just moved to Chico from the Seattle area. In addition to seeking sunnier weather, Molly was looking for ways to get to know people in the community. So she joined OLLI last fall, registering for Cracker Barrel, Great Decisions, a walking group, and Pam Loyd's Readers' Theater class.
"At first, it was really scary," Molly admitted. But performing turned out to be great fun. Pam encouraged her to audition for the OLLI Play Festival, and Molly is making her stage debut in this year's productions.
She and her husband are traveling to Turkey and Uzbekistan after the Play Festival finishes. They are taking advantage of a nephew's semester abroad placement in Uzbekistan to visit historical sites – the Silk Road beckons!
Being a part of a vibrant community group, having the opportunity to meet lots of people, and participating in "college-level" classes like Great Decisions have sold Molly on the OLLI experience. She's hoping to go on one of the hikes to be offered in the fall so she can continue exploring the Chico area.
And she is planning to register for Pam's playwriting class so she can further her development as a budding thespian. Just think – all of that from a glimpse of one OLLI poster.
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Earth Day has been celebrated in the US on April 22 since 1970 as a day to focus on environmental issues.
You can celebrate our earth locally with the Butte Environmental Council's 47th Annual Endangered Species Faire. The Faire features animal demonstrations, educational booths, live music, and a parade – and it returns this year to Cedar Grove in Bidwell Park.
Saturday, May 2, 10am-3pm
Cedar Grove Picnic Area and Meadow
| | TRAVEL AND LEARN WITH OLLI | | |
Travel Information Session
Want to know more about our upcoming trips? Have questions about what Collette does? Watch the recording of the travel information session from earlier this month to learn more, complete with captivating slides of the areas we'll be visiting.
| | Wonders of Thailand, Winter '27 | | |
Delve into a land where bustling modern cities, ornate ancient temples, and stunning jungle beaches coexist. Uncover the beautifully balanced mosaic of old and new, metropolitan, rural, and coastal in Thailand. Your 16 days and 24 meals of this small group tour will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.
View the Wonders of Thailand full itinerary (pdf) and book now to reserve your space.
| | France Magnifique Discovery, Spring '27 | | |
From the royal Palace of Versailles to the enchanting streets of Paris, grab a baguette and rendezvous with the best of France. Bask in the rich history, culture, and romance of these celebrated cities and charming towns. Your 12 days and 16 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.
View the France Magnifique Discovery full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.
| | Discover South Pacific Wonders, Fall '26 | | APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH | | |
April 10
April 16-19
April 19
April 20
May 25
June 19
June 26
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OLLI Spring Picnic
OLLI Play Festival
Spring Social Meetups End
First Day of Spring Classes
Memorial Day (No Classes, OLLI Closed)
Juneteenth (No Classes, OLLI Closed)
Last Day of Spring Classes
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If you have something to say, a photo to share, or a question to pose to the editor, you can submit information using our OLLI Newsletter Submission form.
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