The Adventurer


CONTINUING THIS ADVENTURE CALLED LIFE FOR

20 PLUS YEARS


Term: Spring Summer Session 22: May Newsletter


O L L I Newsletter
Monthly Meeting

May 11, 2022 OLLI Monthly Meeting


Curtiss Hall Banquet Rooms


Meeting will start at 9:30am


Circling Lake Michigan: 1100 Miles of History, Arts and Culture


Presented by Dianna Stampfler



Vacationers have been looping the lake for generations, but the official “Lake

Michigan Circle Tour” route was not established until the 1980s when the

Michigan Department of Transportation teamed up with West Michigan Tourist

Association to create the route and its official guidebook. Along the way, find

more than 100 lighthouses, countless islands, unique attractions, parks and

natural areas, miles of glorious beaches, quaint harbor towns, an internationally recognized urban center and one “modern marvel” — the Mackinac Bridge. You are invited to some of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour’s well-known destinations and its best kept secrets with Dianna Stampfler, who worked for seven years at WMTA as a primary researcher and promoter of the route.


Join Dianna as she shares with us about Michigan! 

 

(328) Spanning History — Discover Michigan’s Covered Bridges

Beginning in the 1800s, covered bridges were being constructed around the country

to help locals (and visitors) get across the many rivers and streams that meandered

through the countryside. Those early builders though it was easier to climb

atop the structures to replace roof shingles when necessary rather than working while

standing in the water to repair floorboards that deteriorated over time. Between the

mid-1860s and 1880s, a handful of these beautiful bridges were built throughout rural Michigan; although, over time most have been damaged by Mother Nature or worse yet, vandals. Thankfully, most have been rebuilt and feature historical markers that share the stories for generations to come. Some bridges have been moved to Michigan from other states, or transplanted from private property to country or regional parks, making them accessible for others to enjoy.

Instructor: Dianna Stampfler

Date and Time: Wednesday, 5/11 • 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Curtiss Hall (C 224)

Price: $18 for members • $38 for non-members

Stay Curious...

Lots of great classes and Day Trips with open seats Available!


Four Easy Ways to Register

You may register online at svsu.edu/olli, in person, by phone or by mail. Payment

is accepted by credit card or check. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express

and Discover. Please do not leave any registration or credit card information on our

voicemail. Registration payments made through the mail are not approved until

payment is received and processed.

Pictures from Day Trip to see Hamilton

Loading the 3 Motorcoach Busses! 


This was the 1st time the SVSU OLLI took 3 motorcoach busses to the same destination. History in the making! 

With almost 150 people attending Hamilton, registration was in Groening Commons of Curtiss Hall. Lots of space needed to make sure everyone was checked in and assigned to a bus. 

Lunch was at Baggar's Banquet In East Lansing. They closed the restaurant that day to accommodate OLLI! 


After lunch, we loaded back on the motorcoach busses and headed to the Warton!

It was a full house at the Warton in East Lansing! The performance was amazing. 

Seats still available for Motor Coach Day Trips!

Register Online

Or Call the OLLI Office at

(989) 964-4475

To Join OLLI for one of the following Exciting Day Trips

(38) Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle with History Talk

Start your engines — it’s the Detroit Grand Prix! Since 1982, the Detroit Grand Prix has hosted some of the world’s finest race car drivers for a 2.3-mile race to victory in the Motor City. What started as a Formula One race on the streets of Downtown Detroit has become a yearly pilgrimage of gear heads, racing fans and car lovers to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. Join Detroit History Tours and Bailey Sisoy-Moore for lunch at Traffic Jam and Snug. You will learn how to trace the history of the race, some of its wilder moments, explore its past winners and celebrate its final year on the island before the 2023 race returns to Downtown city streets. Following the lunch and lecture, we will board the motorcoach for a trip on the island, escorted by your tour guide to learn about the island’s history and experience the thrill of the race. Heading to the races, you will be provided with a map of the race paddocks and course. Trip package includes lunch at Traffic Jam and Snug, a step-on guide with private lecture, Belle Isle audio history*, Grand Prix experience and motorcoach transportation to the island, and transportation from SVSU. *Participants will need a smart phone with earbuds the day of trip for the audio history experience.

Date and Time: Friday, 6/3      

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Price: $90 for members • $120 for non-members

(39) Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, which began as a one-day event in 1949, has now grown to a 10-day festival celebrating the island’s lilac collection and much more. OLLI participants will leave SVSU bright and early via motorcoach and take a Shepler’s ferry over to the island. On the way to the island, participants will enjoy a scenic detour under the mighty Mackinac Bridge. A horse-drawn taxi will meet us at the dock and transport us to the Grand Hotel. Before lunch, we have scheduled a unique “behind the scenes” tour for you of the Grand Hotel kitchen. Following the tour, we will enjoy the legendary Grand Luncheon Buffet, which features hot and cold entrees, seafood, salad, pastries and more. You will have the balance of the day to explore on your own. This trip package includes Shepler’s ferry ride including “Mighty Mac” narrative, horse-drawn taxi to Grand Hotel, Grand Hotel kitchen tour, the Grand Hotel buffet luncheon, some free time on the island and transportation from SVSU. Due to the nature of this trip, it is not recommended for those with mobility concerns.

Date and Time: Thursday, 6/9   

6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Price: $185 for members • $205 for non-members

(40) Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations at the MSU Wharton Center 

An electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, it is a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the best of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready” and “Papa was a Rolling Stone,” Ain’t Too Proud tells the unforgettable story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time. Trip package includes main floor tickets to the performance, lunch at Bravo Italian Restaurant and motorcoach transportation from SVSU. Date and Time: Saturday, 6/11    

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Price: $170 for members • $190 for non-members

(41) NEW! Discover Muskegon: Historic Hackley & Hume Historic Site, Muskegon Art Museum and More! 

We will start our day early to head to Muskegon. Our first stop will be at Docker’s Fish House for lunch, a favorite seasonal summer restaurant with great food and a breathtaking view. Then we’re off to visit the Queen Anne-style Victorian homes of Muskegon lumber barons Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume. After we tour the historic sites, a step-on guide will join us on our motorcoach to share a history overview of the Muskegon area and a chance to meander through the Monet Garden of Muskegon. Our final stop at the Muskegon Museum of Art will include a docent-led tour of a special traveling exhibit titled “Dressing the Abbey.” This exhibition weaves popular culture, fashion and history in an exhibition including original costumes from the series “Downton Abbey.” Trip package includes entrance fees to the museums, a tour of the special exhibition “Dressing the Abbey,” lunch at Docker’s Fish House and motorcoach transportation from SVSU.

Date and Time: Thursday, 6/30   

7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Price: $135 for members • $155 for non-members

(47) NEW! Discover Michigan’s Shakespeare Festival: Henry V and The Merry Wives of Windsor



We’ll be traveling to Canton’s Village Theater of Cherry Hill to see TWO shows at the Official Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival is a professional Equity Theatre Company dedicated to producing world-class classical plays. OLLI will be attending the following two performances and is offering a pre-trip class prior to trip day*


Henry V — Focusing on the events before and following the famous Battle of Agincourt, Henry V tells the story of one of Britain’s greatest kings — and the man behind the title. The final piece of Prince Hal’s story first played out in Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 (Award-winning MSF production from 2015), where we saw the wild and angry young man as he grew into a leader of men. One of Shakespeare’s most famous histories, Henry V features some of the most famous scenes and speeches in the cannon. Directed by MSF Artistic Director Janice L Blixt.



The Merry Wives of Windsor — Mistress Page and Mistress Ford have a huge problem — a drunken rogue who will not leave them alone. Sir John Falstaff is short of money and on the hunt for a lady willing to take him on and pay his bills. The ladies get together and hatch a hilarious plan to thwart the pest — if only their husbands can stay out of the way. The Merry Wives of Windsor is famously the result of Queen Elizabeth I demanding that Shakespeare write a play featuring Falstaff (from Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2) falling in love — and how else could such a request play out? Directed by Artistic Associate Robert Kauzlaric.


*Pre-trip class: On Thursday, August 11, prior to our trip to see Henry V and The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Dan Gates, professor of English at SVSU, will discuss the two performances that we will be attending to help clue you in on the plot, characters and what to watch for in these two plays. This trip package includes tickets to the two performances, a pre-trip play discussion, lunch TBD, dinner at Rose’s, and motorcoach transportation from SVSU.

Date and Time: Saturday, 8/13 • 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

Pre-trip class: Thursday, 8/11 • 10-11:30 a.m. Location: Curtiss Hall OLLI Classroom (C 140) Price: $230 for members • $250 for non-members

Visit our Website

An OLLI Travel Preview

Join Go Ahead Tours followed by OLLI Member Beacher Pearce for a look at the Canadian Rockies

Friday, May 27, 2022


10 a.m. - 11 a.m. with Go Ahead Tours

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. with Beacher Pearce


Curtiss Hall Seminar Room D


Canadian Rockies Go Ahead Tours


For OLLI Members going on one of the Canadian Rockies trips or those members still thinking about joining the second trip September 23, 2022 - October 3, 2022.


Join our Travel Provider Go Ahead Tours and get a Travel Preview of our 11 Day Trip to the Canadian Rockies. Go Ahead Tours was founded in 1990 and is apart of Education First, the world's largest private education company whose mission is "to break down the barriers of language, culture, and geography that divide us." Go Ahead Tours has been the travel provider for our trips to Tuscany, Canadian Rockies, Charleston to Savannah, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Ontario to Quebec, and the American South: Nashville to New Orleans trips. 


**You can register day of preview. Payment must be paid in full at time of registration. 

  Deadline for registration for this trip is June 10, 2022. 


Brochure of Canadian Rockies Trip

Member Travelogue with Beacher Pearce

"Hi there, I am Beacher. For the past 65 years my hobby has been photography, and I have combined it with my other hobby of travel. Please join me Friday morning, May 27th when I will be sharing highlights of some amazing locations that I have visited in the Canadian Rockies. This scenery is so beautiful that I don't tire of looking at the photos." 



"These photos are from my trip to the Canadian Rockies in September of 2011 and are of the same locations that are on the 2022 travel itinerary. The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is awesome. You will get to see the beautiful scenery of Canadian Rockies with views of:

  • Pristine forests
  • Alpine meadows
  • Glaciers
  • Rugged mountains and
  • Spectacular, turquoise-colored lakes."



Still Openings for these Classes! 

(337) Making Difficult Decisions, Advocating for Yourself — A Virtual Event Decision-making regarding health and living is difficult in the best of times. Add illness or injury, positive or challenging life changes, and everything in between and the decisions get even more difficult. This workshop will introduce information on things to consider including Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Living Will and other decision-making documents. Michigan-specific documents will be available to all attendees. Documents for other states can be made available upon request. Instructor: Catherine A. Macomber, Ph.D., MSW, SVSU Associate Professor of Social Work

Date and Time: Thursday, 5/19 - 12 - 1 p.m.

Location: ZOOM

Price: Free for members

(321) Fundamentals of Golf Workshop

Join Apple Mountain’s PGA Pro to learn a game you can play for life — the game of golf. In this three day workshop, particpants will learn the basics and fundamentals on putting, chipping and the full swing. Today an amateur, tomorrow Arnold Palmer! Instructor: Chad Maxim, PGA Pro

Date and Time: Wednesday, 5/25, Thursday, 5/26 & Friday, 5/27 • Noon-1:30 p.m. Location: Apple Mountain Golf Course, 4519 N River Rd, Freeland 48623

Price: $99 for members • $119 for non-members

(303/304) NEW! Become a Meat Smokin’ Grill Master 

Learn the tricks of the trade from Slo’ Bones BBQ Smokehaus Pitmaster Dick Bourdow, who will show you the techniques for proper seasoning, fire management, temperature control and how to slice the meat. You will also get the chance to taste some of the finished product. There are two dates to choose from for this great learning experience right before the Memorial Day holiday. Limited space.

Instructor: Dick Bourdow

(303) Session 1:

Date and Time: Tuesday, 5/10 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

(304) Session 2:

Date and Time: Tuesday, 5/17 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Slo’ Bones BBQ Smokehaus, 175 E Jefferson St, Frankenmuth 48734

Price: $30 for member • $50 for non-member

Time to make the Donuts! 

Great time learning how to make donuts at The Farm @ Apple Acres

Fun Facts About Spring! 


  1. This year, the first day of spring was Sunday, March 20.
  2. The first day of spring is known as the vernal equinox.
  3. In Latin, the word vernal means “spring” and equinox means “equal night.”
  4. The Latin word for “season” is sationem, meaning “seed time.”
  5. Spring was formerly referred to as lent, which was changed to springtime around the 1300s, and eventually was shortened to spring. Spring is derived fromthe time of year when plants begin to grow again or spring from the earth.
  6. Attention all lovebirds! We hate to say it, but we may have some bad news for you. According to a Facebook study, early spring is when couples are the most likely to break up.
  7. The spring equinox is one of only two times (the other being the fall equinox) when the sun rises due east and sets due west.
  8. If you were to stand on the equator during either the spring or fall equinox, you would see the sun pass directly over the top of your head.
  9. In the North Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of uninterrupted daylight.
  10. Whereas in the South Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of darkness.
  11. Studies show that babies born in the spring are more likely to be night owls and optimistic.
  12. Usually, the earliest spring flowers to bloom each year are tulips, daffodils, sunflowers, primrose, and lilies.
  13. Though the spring equinox isn’t typically until March 20 or 21, most Americans believe that spring unofficially begins on March 1.
  14. “Spring fever” may be a real (and good) thing! Scientists believe that longer days cause people to be more active, creative, and happy.


A Note from OLLI Advisory Board Chair Roger Spann

Several weeks ago I asked you to share with me your list of what makes OLLI such a great organization and why are you so excited about being a part of our SVSU-OLLI. Several of you responded. I have also chatted with many of you and asked for your opinions to add to the list. I was expecting that if 20 people responded, I would get 20 very different lists and after your first choice, there were many, many items that you said made OLLI great (day trips, classes, interest groups, lunches, dinners, extended trips, monthly meetings, new classes, local adventures, great staff people, SVSU, and the list goes on and on). But here is the surprising thing! Every person had a #1 answer to what they like best about OLLI. It was said in different ways, but it was always the same. I am sure most of you have figured it out even before I even type it in. You overwhelmingly said that the greatest thing about OUR OLLI is (are you ready?) the PEOPLE. It was said in many ways, but it all comes back to what makes OLLI great is YOU. One person said "You meet wonderful people! Every other reason is just another version of the same thing." One common thought was regarding being lonely prior to OLLI, but once a person steps into a classroom, or on a kayak with an interest group, or boards a bus or airplane, or enters a large meeting room, etc, that loneliness disappears and everyone becomes a part of the great SVSU-OLLI family. As we continue to come out of the pandemic and the rebirth of OLLI continues please pat yourself on the back for your part in being a positive force in our community. We are growing thanks to YOU. We are providing new programming thanks to YOU. We are making others feel welcome thanks to YOU. SVSU is taking notice that OLLI is here thanks to YOU. Whatever your involvement with OLLI is (and it is different for all of us), remember that YOU are the reason OLLI exists. From your staff and Advisory Board, thank YOU and YOU and YOU! Be sure to come up and say HI when we attend some of the same OLLI events during the summer ahead.

       Roger Spann, chairperson, Olli Advisory Board

        [email protected]

       989 799 8417



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