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OLLI NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2026
| Robert Frost once said, “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” | This picture was painted by Colette Crown in a class taught by Joe Schum during the COVID stay-at-home crisis. | |
An instructor’s view of the OLLI experience by Janinne Johnson
"I began considering teaching an OLLI course after taking over 50 different courses. But I did not have a talent or knowledge that I could easily transform into an interesting class—I did not think many people would be interested in my background and the joys of hospital and physician administration management.
I wanted to contribute because of the excitement I experienced from the many classes and people in OLLI after retirement. During my undergraduate and graduate work at Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky, respectively, I had taken the required classes but did not have time to take courses just because I was interested in them. With OLLI, the opportunity to learn about so many different subjects was thrilling.
And so about four years ago I began researching a few topics that interested me to consider if there may be information that others may enjoy. After reviewing several, I found a subject that both interested and excited me—Pirates!
I had never created a PowerPoint presentation and had not taught formally before. Talk about a learning curve! But with technical help from my husband Dave and a lot of encouragement from several instructors, I was hooked (pun intended!) on pirates. I found that doing the research and finding multiple “rabbit holes” to explore, I wore out my friends and family with new and exciting facts and revelations. While it involved a lot of hours, I was finally ready for Penny Lamb’s class on how to teach an OLLI class. I taught my first class about 3 years ago. I incorporated ideas about teaching from Penny and other OLLI instructors like Diane Vance and Susan Bottom and found that teaching and sharing ideas with OLLI students was fun.
The OLLI teaching environment is truly unique in that there is no one in the classroom that does not want to be there. Instructors are not compensated and are only teaching because they are interested/excited about a subject or activity. Students are in the classroom just because they want to learn. What a fantastic atmosphere for a novice instructor.
Since my initial foray into teaching, I have prepared and taught another class (History of New Orleans) and hope to teach a third subject for the 2027 spring semester (Vikings). I began this adventure to give back to OLLI but have found that teaching is just another way that OLLI enhances my life."
| | Poetry Corner - Prof of Profs by Geoffrey Brock | | |
I was a math major—fond of all things rational.
It was the first day of my first poetry class.
The prof, with the air of a priest at Latin mass,
told us that we could “make great poetry personal,”
could own it, since poetry we memorize sings
inside us always. By way of illustration
he began reciting Shelley with real passion,
but stopped at “Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”—
because, with that last plosive, his top denture
popped from his mouth and bounced off an empty chair.
He blinked, then offered, as postscript to his lecture,
a promise so splendid it made me give up math:
“More thingth like that will happen in thith clath.”
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Spring 2027 Proposals Now Open!
The course proposal form for Spring 2027 is now open! OLLI at UK is always looking for dynamic instructors with a passion for teaching. OLLI instructors have a passion for their subject, a commitment to lifelong learning education and a willingness to share their knowledge with others who love to learn.
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Deadline to apply: Friday, October 9.
Visit Teach for OLLI at UK for more information.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS & PROMOTIONS
Highlighted events throughout the Lexington community.
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Sullivan University - Community Cooking Classes Series
Wednesdays, October 7 - November 4, 6 PM | Sullivan University, 2355 Harrodsburg Rd , Lexington, KY 40504 | Class size: 7-15 participants | $75 per class, view all courses and register here
We are happy to highlight a wide variety of community cooking classes available at Sullivan University. Class topics include stocks & sauces, making quality salads, appetizers, soup, and desserts.
NOTE: All classes have deadlines to register 6 days before the scheduled class, so be sure to register ASAP.
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Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock at Lexington Opera House
Thursday, October 1, 7 PM | Lexington Opera House, 401 West Short St, Lexington, KY 40507 | Tickets starting at $48.45, purchase here
Featuring gorgeous new walk-around versions of the Fraggles, puppet sized and mechanized Doozers, an appearance from the giant Gorgs, and exclusive new wondrous puppet creatures all from the acclaimed Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, along with fan-favorite songs and exciting visual effects, this all-new musical stage adventure will welcome audiences into the incredible world of the iconic and beloved Fraggle Rock in a whole new way!
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Keeneland Fall Meet
October 2 - 24| Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, Kentucky 40510 | Ticket prices vary, purchase here
Keeneland's 2026 Fall Race Meet opens Friday, October 2, and continues through Saturday, October 24. No racing will be held on Mondays or Tuesdays. The Keeneland Fall Meet is where many of the sport's most notable Thoroughbreds and participants will take part in this premier racing event in the heart of horse country.
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Parktoberfest
Saturday, October 3, 2 - 8 PM | Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Rd Lexington, KY 40502 | Free & Open to the Public
Gather with West Sixth Brewing and Ashland Estate for Parktoberfest, a celebration uniting Lexington's breweries, local food trucks, pretzel vendors, and more. Kick off the fall and Oktoberfest season in true beer garden style with steins, German brews, and live music, all in an outdoor community setting. This family-friendly event will offer children’s activities and ample space to explore Ashland Park’s great lawn. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3rd, 2pm-8pm, to celebrate Lexington’s green spaces, highlight the city’s vibrant local beer scene, and support Ashland’s preservation initiatives.
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UK Football vs LSU
Saturday, October 10, 6 PM | Kroger Field, 1540 University Dr, Lexington, KY 40506 | Ticket prices vary, purchase here
Kentucky hosts LSU at Kroger Field in a key conference matchup.
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Music on the Lawn at Shaker Village
Fridays and Saturdays, October 2 - 31, 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg, KY 40330 | Free & Open to the Public, view full live music schedule here
A fun weekly combination of live music and casual food in a farm-fresh setting! Join us for an evening on the lawn between the historic 1839 Trustees’ Office and the Shaker Village garden. Music on the Lawn features live music, outdoor dining and drinks around the fire pit.
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Breeders' Cup World Championships
Friday & Saturday, October 30-31 | Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, Kentucky 40510 | Trackside GA $85, available here
The Breeders' Cup World Championships returns to historic Keeneland on October 30 & 31, as the world's best Thoroughbreds compete for over $34 million in purses and awards.
Also be sure to look at many great events leading up to the World Championships, all apart of the Breeders Cup Festival: A week of music, food, art, and horse country culture. Learn more and view all events at https://www.breederscupfestival.com/
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If you need some good stimulation for the brain try solving these brain teasers for the month.
Here are a few to work with.
Answers from the September brain teasers are also included!
| | “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey | | Meet the OLLI Member: Brenda Mannino | | |
Our Monthly Member Highlight is from Brenda Mannino
"Do not regret growing older. It's a privilege denied to many." - author unknown
I have an inquisitive mind and an interest in lifelong learning which meshes very well with OLLI's philosophy of aging in a positive learning environment. I have enjoyed taking many OLLI classes over the years which have included: political science; biological and physical science; cooking classes; computer classes; bridge and others. I always enjoy learning new things, making new friends and connecting with others who have similar interests. With OLLI, we take classes by choice and everyone seems motivated to learn and share their life experiences and their careers. This is a stress-free environment where there are no examinations or grades. We are learning for the Joy of learning!
I really like the catalog of interesting and challenging classes that OLLI offers. There is something for everyone. I will continue to sign up for OLLI classes that I can fit into my schedule. Unfortunately many of the classes I have wanted to take are offered at the same time. I have also enjoyed the one-time lectures through the Donovan Forum Series on a wide variety of topics. The day trips and monthly socials also provide great opportunities for social engagement. In the future I hope to be a Donovan Scholar and explore a new field of study as well as travel internationally on one of their trips that are offered to OLLI members.
| | “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't.” – Bill Nye | |
Connect with Us
OLLI at UK
University of Kentucky
Ligon House
658 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0442
859.257.2656
Toll Free: 866.602.5862
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