Traditionally, Labor Day is the harbinger of summer’s end. But with over 130 classes in Osher fall term, there is no reason for any end-of-summer blues! We have a newly added class, the very timely 80th Anniversary: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Revisited with Col. Steve Hall, to kick off the term at our Sandy Center on September 16. And, if you are looking for an easy way to get involved, meet new people, and volunteer your time, be sure to sign up for Osher Ambassadors in the Google Form below. This fun volunteer opportunity consists of serving as greeters who warmly welcome new Osher members and help everyone find their way to our Arapeen Drive classrooms during the jittery first week of school, September 22 to 25. And, we are also recruiting fall term classroom assistants who will to help us make announcements before classes each week (on Zoom and in person) and help us track attendance by overseeing the class roster. Sign up below if you’d like to help in these ways. At Osher, there is always something new and fun to explore! | | |
Thank you so much for being one of our fantastic Osher Ambassadors! This is our sign-up sheet for being a Greeter during Osher's first week of classes, September 22 to 25. As a Greeter, you will welcome and say hello to members as they enter and help them find their classroom locations, as well as show them where the Osher Lounge is located for coffee and tea (if they don't already know). As many of you know, having a friendly face greet you on your first day of classes goes a LONG way, especially for folks new to our program, so thank you for taking the time to help us start the Osher school year with a smile!
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You joined Osher and paid your membership dues for a year of fun. Now what? This single-session free class will welcome new members, provide a "meet and greet" opportunity to socialize a bit with others new to Osher, and show you the ropes of how to get involved. We will cover the material in our Member Handbook, letting you know how you can get the most out of your membership benefits...everything from where to get your U of U student ID card, to where to use it for discounts, to the many campus amenities available to Continuing Education students. Our program becomes stronger with each new member!
Monday, September 8 at 1:30 pm
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The body loves to move. Movement stimulates every cell in our body. The more we move, the stronger we get, and the better we get at moving. The more we move, the more we experience joy and happiness. The brain and every organ in our body loves movement. This class will focus on learning about our bodies, understanding why the body loses mobility, and practicing strategies to improve movement and balance. The movements will be great for people with some joint, back, or neck limitations. And we also welcome anyone looking to improve their physical activity.
Monday, September 22 at 1:30 pm
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For those who have taken the Basic Lipreading course, Advanced Lipreading is a continuation of learning lipreading skills. This course will include a review of past lip shapes with exercises and introduces three more lip shape groupings. The last two classes will be practicing lipreading in a conversational setting with a topic. We will continue to reinforce the lipreading strategies and step up our self-advocacy skills.
Wednesday, September 24 at 1:30pm
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World War II ended 80 years ago on 15 August 1945. To commemorate that momentous historic event, Col. Hall, USAF, Retired, will offer a special single-session lecture that speaks to topics covered in his many other classes and lectures regarding the WWII in the Pacific and the Manhattan Project. But this session will go into greater detail and include several fresh topics not covered earlier, due to time constraints in his regular courses. The people, decisions, and actions that brought World War II to an end demand our deep understanding; anything less is simply disrespectful to history and to the people who made it. Come join Col. Hall for a revisit!
Tuesday, September 16 at 10:00 am
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Many of us think of World War II as having taken place primarily in the places where the forces of the United States and Great Britain fought. We know very little about World War II campaigns in Eastern Europe despite the fact that the vast preponderance of fighting happened there. This lecture series focuses on the specific events of the Eastern European campaign and the decisions that led to victory. We will carefully examine the pros and cons of the major decisions, the factors in play, and why the final outcome was what it turned out to be. We will examine Operation Barbarossa, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the amazing recovery and resilience shown by the Soviets. We will also discuss additional topics, including the role played by Soviet women.
Tuesday, September 23 at 10:00 am
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Losses are a part of our daily lives whether it is a loss of a loved one or a loss of something important in our lives. Losses can create a unique loneliness when we are not able to talk openly about our grief and loss without judgement, bright-siding, or having someone trying to fix us. There is empowerment that comes from sharing our story with others who have also experienced a loss. It not only helps us process our pain, but it also helps others, who are witnessing our grief, to understand their unique grief journey and not feel so alone. The instructor, a certified Grief Educator, will moderate this class using a variety of questions that will encourage sharing and discussion on topics unique to this group. Join this class for a safe place to be yourself, talk about your grief, and learn from others.
Wednesday, October 1 at 1:30 pm
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You want to feel calm and in control in your home--but instead, you are surrounded by clutter, unfinished projects, and delayed decisions. You are not alone--and there is nothing wrong with you. You just have not learned the skill of organizing in a way that feels doable and kind. In this course, you will be gently guided through The Clear & Simple Way, using the proven See It. Map It. Do It. method to create spaces that truly support your life. You will take small, manageable steps that lead to big, lasting change—and experience the relief of getting unstuck.
Thursday, September 25 at 11:30 am
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The Health and Aging course will provide a comprehensive examination of the aging process, focusing on the demography of aging, understanding changes in aging, and social aspects. It delves into the physiological changes associated with aging, including common age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. The course also covers cognitive and mental health, examining topics such as memory loss, depression, and anxiety in older adults. Attendees will study the impact of social factors, such as family dynamics, caregiving, and community engagement, on the health and well-being of the elderly. Additionally, the course covers healthcare systems, policies affecting older adults, and aging in the sociostructural context, including elder abuse and end-of-life decisions.
Thursday, Sept 25 at 5:00 pm
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Run by the Osher National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University, this very special program allows members from various Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes to participate in shared online courses, thanks to the generosity of the Bernard Osher Foundation. These courses are not meant to replace our locally offered in-person or online courses, but rather to supplement our own local offerings. The very high-quality courses feature popular instructors from some of the other 124 Osher Institutes across the country. Osher Online allows Osher members from different states and institutions to learn with and connect to each other while maintaining membership at their own local Institutes. We hope you will enjoy being a part of the fun!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sept 17. An orientation will be held on Sept 30 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees.
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Join us for the September session of the NEW Osher Booker Bookers Book Club series! The Booker Bookers will read Booker Prize winners in monthly meetings from September 2025 through May 2026, with the exception of January 2026. Each session will feature a rotating discussion leader from among Osher members. The reading list is curated by Osher volunteer Lee Ann Troutman, featuring titles available at both the Anderson Foothill branch of the city library system and the Granite County Library. Come meet new friends and join the Booker Bookers!
Friday, September 5 at 1:00 pm
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Join us for the October session of the Osher Booker Bookers Book Club series! The book this month will be The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.
Friday, October 3 at 1:00 pm
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| A tour of the Salt Lake City International Airport will take participants onto the airfield for a unique behind the scenes look at airport operations. The tour is conducted by an airport operations manager who provides an overview of airport programs, such as the wildlife mitigation program, deicing/snow removal, operations, and airport rescue and firefighting services. Participants should plan on at least 90 minutes for the tour. | Thursday, September 25 at 2:00 pm | Thursday, October 16 at 2:00 pm |
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Join us for a special lecture on World Polio Day by Osher member and retired MD Robert Day. Epidemics of polio in the United States became prevalent in the early 20th century. This discussion will focus on some of the science and characteristics of poliomyelitis and on the many individuals who became known for the great American fight against polio. Included are the pioneer scientists who originated the Salk (injected) and Sabin (oral) vaccines, and President Franklin Roosevelt, himself a victim of polio. The origins and the roles of The March of Dimes, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary International, the World Health Organization, and other groups will be discussed. The current worldwide status of polio eradication efforts will be reviewed, and finally, there will be some discussion about possible outcomes of the withdrawal from worldwide public health measures and from vaccine advocacy by the current administration.
Friday, October 24 at 11:00 am
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative team, themes, and creative choices behind the production before seeing a Preview Performance of it! Pioneer Theatre Company's exclusive class is only offered to Osher members. Refreshments provided.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sept 9
Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 pm
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Located in Bluffdale, experience a weaving class in a shady pasture surrounded by alpacas, goats, and chickens. Beginner to experienced weavers welcome! The looms are warped and ready to go. Instruction and all materials provided, but feel free to bring your own yarns, fabric scraps, feathers, or let your creativity run wild. You'll leave with a finished wall hanging or table runner.
Friday, September 19 at 10:00 am or 4:00 pm
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative team, themes, and creative choices behind the production before seeing a Preview Performance of it! Pioneer Theatre Company's exclusive class is only offered to Osher members. Refreshments provided.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Oct 21
Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 pm
| | Language and Memory Aging Study | |
The Language and Memory Aging (LaMA) lab led by Dr. Brennan Payne is recruiting participants for their current study. This study will measure electrical brain activity (using electrodes placed on the scalp) and track eye movements while participants listen to speech presented in background noise. Participants also complete a short hearing acuity test. All data will be de-identified and kept confidential. This study takes place on the main Salt Lake City campus at the U. There would be one test session that lasts 3.5-4 hours, on average. If you choose to participate, you will be compensated $20/hour. Parking will be provided at no charge.
Please email them for more information: lamalabutah@gmail.com
| | Stay Connected by Joining Us on Social Media | |
The Osher Instagram and Facebook pages are a great way to stay connected. We highlight the accomplishments of Osher instructors and members. Special Events are updated, posted, and featured here too. Please like us to stay up to date and share with your friends who would enjoy all that Osher has to offer!
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
801-581-6461 | osher@utah.edu
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