OLLI Classes

October 3, 10, 17, 24

Bradley University Michel Student Center

If you feel the tug of back-to-school time, then join OLLI for its fall classes.  With 43 different options to consider, your biggest challenge will be choosing just four.  Will you learn about archaeology or genealogy?  Are you curious about DNA or or the FBI?  Do you want to listen to music, learn about poetry, or enjoy literature?  In other words, have fun deciding which OLLI classes will bring you the most satisfaction this fall.   

For more information about OLLI's fall classes, review the descriptions here, contact Bonnie or Gwen at (309) 677-3900, or register online.          

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CountyLine Tool

Friday, October 19

8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Level 2 Learning Trip

During our tour, we'll see technologically advanced equipment and learn how the company uses high-caliber tools and personalized service to manufacture and refurbish a vast array of cutting tools. 

$28 - includes lunch, gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation.

The Great Pumpkin Patch/

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery

Tuesday, October 23

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Level 3 Learning Trip

OLLI members will board The Great Pumpkin Patch Express to take a tour of this farm while learning about its history, how pumpkin farming has evolved, and see over 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds from over 30 countries. 

After lunch we'll make a stop at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery for a private, guided, educational tour where we'll meet the goats, view the milking parlor and creamery, walk through the orchard and garden, and of course taste some of the farmstead products!

$119 - includes museum admissions, presentations, lunch, gratuities, snacks, and charter coach transportation

For more information, contact Gwen or Bonnie at (309) 677-3900.  You may also register online for each of these trips.

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Checking emails can be a chore (especially for those who have 97,000+ unread messages, as pictured at left), but our Study Group Chair Gary Nelson wants to remind everyone who is currently in a study group, or plans to take one soon, to check your emails often.  

Many of our facilitators send frequent emails concerning discussion questions, readings, and reminders about group meetings.

Thanks for checking - and thanks for participating in OLLI study groups!

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Socializing is an important part of OLLI, and we want to help introduce you to the people who sit next to you on the shuttle or who join you in classes and study groups.   

This week, we'd like you to meet OLLI Vice President Jane Hense, who hopes that the growing interest in OLLI is a reflection of our program quality and the welcome we offer. 

"I am convinced that OLLI offers an invitation to a richer life," she says.

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September	October
Sept 20, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Study Group Committee Meeting,  Peoria Next Innovation Center	Oct 3, 10, 17, 24,  OLLI Classes , Bradley University Michel Student Center
Sept 26, 12:00 p.m., OLLI Kick-Off Luncheon ,  Bradley University Michel Student Center Ballrooms	Oct 4, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.,  Study Group Committee Meeting , Peoria Next Innovation Center
	Oct 31, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., Winter Registration Social, Bradley University Michel Student Center Ballrooms

Naturalization Ceremony
Tuesday, September 25

11:00 a.m. - Noon

Bradley University Renaissance Coliseum

Join the largest naturalization ceremony in Central Illinois history when over 650 immigrants from 80 different countries will be sworn in as new American citizens.  Chief Federal Judge James Shadid, a Bradley alumni,  will preside over this powerful and inspirational ceremony.  

In addition, Bradley President Roberts will give a welcome, the Bradley ROTC will present the colors, a Bradley music student will sing the national anthem, one of the Bradley speech team members will speak on "Why Diversity Makes America Stronger,"  and the Bradley Civic Engagement Committee will provide voter registration.

Please join us as we celebrate the swearing-in of over 650 new citizens!

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Biology Department Open House

Friday, September 28, 2018

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Bradley University Olin Hall

Bradley's Biology Department welcomes you to reconnect during its 2018 Open House.  Enjoy research displays, conversation, and refreshments at this Homecoming Week event.

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Bradley University remains one of the best institutions in the country for student engagement.  For the third straight year, the university is the top-ranked Illinois school and among the top 15 in the annual Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings released earlier this month.

"Our vision is to be the leader in student engagement, and having an outside source recognize Bradley in this area validates the hard work and effort we put into that vision," said Walter Zakahi, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.  "Our students receive real-world experience and participate in experiential learning. They collaborate across curricula with faculty and staff - all to create an exceptional learning opportunity that is at the heart of the Bradley Experience."

OLLI commends Bradley University for this well-deserved recognition!

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Illinois Antislavery and the Struggle for Freedom

Thursday, September 20, 2018
6:00 p.m.

Presenter Jeanne Schultz Angel, executive director of the Nineteenth Century Club and Charitable Association in Oak Park, will discuss how the range of responses to slavery in Illinois was more complex than the state's designation as the "Land of Lincoln" might suggest - and how some of the underlying issues still manifest themselves today.

Meet Author Ken Zurski
Tuesday, September 25

6:00 p.m.

Ken Zurski, author of The Wreck of the Columbia and Peoria Stories: Tales from the Illinois Heartland, will talk about his new book, Unremembered: Tales of the Nearly Famous and the Not Quite Forgotten. 

The Year of Beer - Microorganisms

Saturday, September 29

1:00 p.m.

Learn about the fascinating microorganisms responsible for fermenting your favorite brews when Lance Shaner of Omega Yeast is our guest speaker at this month's "Year of Beer" series.  Please register by September 23.

For more information about any of these free programs at the Chillicothe Public Library, visit    chillipld.org  or call  (309) 274-2719.