OLLI News from Bradley University
 
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November 29, 2016
Notable OLLI Dates

November December January
Nov. 30, 9am: Spring 2017 Curriculum Committee Meetings in Michel Student Center Executive Suite
Dec. 1, 9am: Berkshires Road Scholar Trip Informational Meeting at Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 N Main St
Jan. 10-13: OLLI Winter Classes in the Michel Student Center


Jan. 18, 9am: Spring 2017 Registration Open House in Michel Student Center Ballrooms
Mentors
Seeking OLLI Mentors!

Laura Bruns, a lecturer in the Department of Communication at Bradley, is seeking OLLI volunteers to serve as subjects for her students' "Legacy Speeches" next semester. 

You will be paired with a student who will interview you and write a speech in your honor for their class assignment. This volunteer opportunity would only require that you let the student interview you in person or by phone during the month of February 2017. You will be invited to watch the classroom speech and will be given a copy of the speech to keep! 

If you are interested, please sign up by clicking here.

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Child
Bon Appetit: A Celebration of Julia Child

Join OLLI in a study group featuring Julia Child this winter!  Register by January 9.

Bon Appetit: A Celebration of Julia Child
Monday, January 23 - February 27
10:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 N Main St

In the upcoming 2017 Winter Session,  OLLI members can have loads of fun and laughter as they learn about the life and loves of an American television pioneer,  Julia Child.  After growing up in a well-to-do family, Child went on to Smith College and then served with the  OSS (forerunner to the CIA) where she met her husband, Paul.   After the war they moved to Paris and in the search for something worthwhile to do,  she decided to attend cooking school.  After finishing her culinary classes, she went on to change the way that ordinary Americans think about food and eating.  Now when there is an entire television channel devoted to food, we'll look back at how Child singlehandedly paved the way for people like Emeril Lagasse and Jacques Pepin and all the other Food Network personalities.   

Our discussion will focus on a remarkable person and free spirit who gave us so many good times.  You don't have to like to cook to enjoy learning about Child. And OLLI guys,  you can learn about the man behind Julia Child's fame, too.

$45 - facilitated by Carol May, retired Social Science Professor at Illinois Central College and OLLI Cinema Committee Chair.

To register, call Bonnie at 309-677-3900 or click here to utilize our online registration system.




What does Julia Child really like to do?  Watch this video clip from the film Julia and Julia, starring Meryl Streep, to find out!




SpoonRiver
Attend a Special Performance by OLLI Members!

A Special Performance of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology
Thursday, December 8
5:00 p.m.
United Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 2400 W Northmoor Rd, Peoria

This fall, the first OLLI Reader's Theater  Group was offered as a study group.  Under the direction of Dr. Bettsey Barhorst , nine study group participants met over six weeks and rehearsed a stage adaptation of  Edgar Lee Masters' classic about the lives of residents in a fictional town  named after the real Spoon River area of Fulton County.

The Study Group Committee invites OLLI members to a special  performance of the play on Thursday, December 8 at 5:00 p.m. at the  United Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 2400 W. Northmoor Road in  Peoria. The performance will include music by Bob Drake and Lynn Furness.

Following this 30-minute performance, the director and cast will be  available for discussion about the play and their learning  experience.

This event is free to OLLI members, but please RSVP regarding your attendance by calling the OLLI Office at 677-3900 by noon on Wednesday, December 7.



Italy
Reflecting on The Best of Italy

This fall, OLLI traveled to Italy on a privately chartered trip with Road Scholar.  After returning home, Deirdre Parker wrote a wonderful article about the trip and submitted it to Road Scholar, and they chose to include it in their LLI Resource Network newsletter.  

Below is an excerpt from the article, which can be viewed in full by clicking on the link at the bottom.  Thank you, Deirdre, for sharing your perspective on this memorable trip with us!

The Best of Italy 
By Deirdre Parker, OLLI, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

The last two weeks of September were an exciting time for me and 26 members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois as we all enjoyed the Road Scholar program, The Best of Italy: Rome, Florence and Venice. The early fall weather was perfect for sightseeing in Italy. We enjoyed sunny, warm days and refreshingly cool evenings that were perfect for exploring three of Italy's greatest cities. Road Scholar scheduled an orientation walk and a short lecture to introduce us to each city, and after that, we were ready for the expert-led field trips.
...
Trips
Visit a Local Nonprofit with OLLI This Winter

When the hustle and bustle of the holidays are at an end, join OLLI in learning more about local nonprofit organizations that keep the spirit of giving alive all year round.  

Greater Peoria Family YMCA (Activity Level 2)
Tuesday, January 17
11:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
On this trip, OLLI will visit the Greater Peoria Family YMCA, which provides programs that build healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for all.  A decade ago, the YMCA moved from downtown Peoria to the former Willow Knolls Country Club and expanded its programming.  We'll learn about that $1.5 million expansion project and how the agency changed its focus from housing to services for the community.  Dan Chonowski, President/CEO of the Peoria facility, will gives us an overview of the YMCA's community hub, home to volunteer opportunities, wellness programs, youth outreach programs, and a full service fitness facility.
$25 - includes lunch, gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation

Neighborhood House (Activity Level 2)
Thursday, January 19
8:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
As Neighborhood House embarks on its 120th year, its President and CEO, Becky Rossman, will provide an opportunity to learn about this unique community asset.  With a mission to alleviate poverty at its roots, Neighborhood House offers programs that provide diverse groups with critical short-term relief while also facilitating long-term recovery.  During our tour, Becky will introduce us to the organization's many programs including meals-on-wheels, after-school and summer meals for children, tutoring, and child care.
$25 - includes lunch, gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation

South Side Mission (Activity Level 1)
Monday, January 23
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
On this trip we'll get an insider's look at the South Side Mission, learn about its role from its business and spiritual leaders, and see the impact of volunteer and financial support toward its ongoing success.  We'll also explore the Culinary Arts Training School, a full-time ministry designed to help under/unemployed men and women train for careers in the hospitality industry.  In addition, we'll meet Chef Chris Franzoni and dine on lunch specially prepared by his students.
$25 - includes lunch, gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation

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Hilltop
Hilltop Happenings
 
#GivingTuesdayBradleyU

Are you ready to continue Lydia Moss Bradley's legacy of giving? This year's #GivingTuesdayBradleyU started earlier today, and you can help make it a success! Participating is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Consider making a gift - in any amount - to support the specific area of the universityyou want to designate.

2. Share/retweet our social media posts throughout the day, and spread the word on social media using #GivingTuesdayBradleyU.

3. Stay up to date on our challenges and donor count at bradley.edu/GivingTuesday.

#GivingTuesday: Priceless
#GivingTuesday: Priceless

Attend a Musical Performance at Bradley

If you enjoy live musical performances, come to campus for one or all of the following concerts this week!  All events will take place in Dingeldine Music Center, located at 1417 W Barker Avenue.  Click on the titles below for more information.

Thursday, December 1
7:30 p.m.
Dingeldine Music Center
Cost: FREE!

Saturday, December 3
3:00 p.m.
Dingeldine Music Center
Cost: FREE!

Saturday, December 3
7:30 p.m.
Dingeldine Music Center
Cost: $5

Sunday, December 4
3:00 p.m.
Dingeldine Music Center
Cost: $10
Travel to Europe with WCBU

WCBU, Peoria Public Radio is excited to announce its station-sponsored trip to Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland April 20-29, 2017. The trip will depart from Bradley University and will visit Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. The group will also enjoy an excursion to see Lake Bled and the surrounding area. From there, the group will enjoy two nights in Verona, visiting this artful center, along with Milan, the fashion capital. Then, the group will head north to the Italian Lake District and spend three nights in picturesque Lake Como. On the final day, there will be a one-day trip to St. Moritz, Switzerland, host city of two Winter Olympics. The travelers will take the Bernina Express, a cogwheel train, back down to almost sea level while enjoying breathtaking views.

The trip will provide many delicious meals and the opportunity to see beautiful sites and make memories to last a lifetime. The deadline to sign up is December 21. Questions can be directed to Cindy Dermody at 677-2340 or [email protected]. Click here to view the complete itinerary and registration.

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