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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine | | |
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Director’s message
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”—Ranier Maria Rilke
Each spring is a small miracle; it really is magical that the earth stirs with warmth and the dry bulbs and perennials sprout back into life. Neighbors are outside, conversations are more leisurely, and shoulders ease, no longer pinched by cold. April is also the heart of OLLI’s spring session, which is especially busy this year. Aside from the classes and workshops you are attending, you can drop in to a SAGE lecture on Tuesday mornings, go on a tour of early Revolutionary New England on April 26, and keep busy with your SIG.
Here are a few things to consider this April:
· We are offering two separate day-trips this spring—an April 26 trip to Lexington, Concord, and Boston; and a May 9 trip to Boston’s MFA. Find out more about those trips below.
· On April 3 we will host a presentation (via zoom and in-person) for a March 2026 Food and Wine Trip to Tuscany with USM’s Tourism and Hospitality Department. Registration will take place on April 17 for 30 spots—details can be found below.
· On April 14 we will host a Saturday morning “Let’s Talk Teaching” session. Have brunch with us in the Wishcamper Center while we share stories about our love of teaching and join conversation groups about teaching topics. Thinking about teaching? Please come. Experienced OLLI teacher? Please come. This program is sponsored by OLLI’s Teaching and Learning Committee. Participation is free and registration information can be found below.
There are still openings for a few upcoming workshops and regular registration for SIGs. You can register at this link:
https://usm.maine.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/registration/
Enjoy the evolving spring and hope to see you all at an upcoming event or trip, Donna
—Donna Anderson, Director
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In this edition . . .
- Director's message (above)
- Update from the OLLI Advisory Board Chair (below)
- SAGE Season kickoff
- SAGE lectures April 2025
- Let's Talk Teaching program
- Upcoming OLLI Travel Opportunities
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Reflections expands; submissions welcomed
USM Reads for April
- SAVE THE DATE: Classical Uprising returns in June
- April trivia questions
- SIG Corner
- Science discussion SIG
- Senior Moments
- April trivia answers
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SAGE Season Kickoff—A Major Success!
If you missed the SAGE Lecture, Celebrating 100 Years with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, you missed a wonderful program.
PSO Executive Director, Carolyn Nishon, showcased the 100 years of music that the Portland Symphony Orchestra has brought to Maine. Through recessions and the pandemic, the PSO persevered to continue its mission of enriching the lives of Mainers through the diversity of music they continue to offer today. From classical to pops to holiday performances, the PSO provides musical works to entertain and delight many tastes in music to so many.
Carolyn’s presentation included the PSO musician’s visits to young children in schools to introduce them to a variety of musical instruments through hands-on experiences. Nicholas Brown, clarinetist, shared his journey from setting eyes on the clarinet to playing in several orchestras and teaching budding musicians. A Maine native, Nicholas shared how he was inspired by programs and teachers in our public-school system. Along with sharing his story, he played samples of movements that sent chills through the audience.
One lucky participant won two tickets to the March 30th performance, “Mozart Meets Klezmer.” As one of the participants stated, “The SAGE presentation today was most informative and very enjoyable, and I am looking forward to attending the other scheduled programs in the spring lecture series.”
Check out the upcoming SAGE programs below.
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April 8, 2025
Center for Grieving Children
Speaker: Gretchen Johnson, Executive Director, CGC
Presentation: Since 1987 the Center for Grieving Children has played a vital community service—leading vulnerable children and their families through the difficult process of grieving and loss. Learn about the program’s scope, and the in-depth, enriching training program.
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April 15, 2025
Maine Seaweed Council
Speaker: Bonnie Tobey, President, Maine Seaweed Council
Presentation: With the growing demand for nutrient-rich seaweed, the Maine Seaweed Council brings oversight and a wealth of experience to the table—from sharing best harvesting practices to protecting ecosystems to educating the public on the great potential of seaweed.
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April 22, 2025
Maine Port Authority
Speaker: Chelsea E. Pettengill, Interim Executive Director, MPA
Presentation: Managing and overseeing Maine ports to promote North Atlantic trade and distribute freight is a complex juggling act that depends on many collaborations. Learn how the MPA works diligently to keep Maine competitive and vital within the international trade industry.
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April 29, 2025
What’s It Take to Become a News Reporter?
Speaker: Jennifer Rooks, Reporter, Anchor, and Executive Producer for Maine Public Radio
Presentation: Initially terrified of speaking into a microphone, Jennifer Rooks has done it all—local news and general assignment reporter, weekend news anchor, and currently host of Maine Public Radio’s flagship talk program, Maine Calling. She has also served as host, reporter, and executive producer of Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks
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May 6, 2025
Portland Ovations
Speaker: Katelyn Manfre, Director, PO Community Programs & Partnerships
Presentation: Portland Ovations is dedicated to connecting artists and audiences, making the arts and live performance an integral and compelling part of community wellbeing. Katelyn will share how performances for both public and school audiences are curated to delight, inspire, and educate.
You can sign up for the remaining six SAGE lectures as a series for $60.00 (on line or in person) at OLLI’s registration page: https://usm.maine.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/registration/
You can also attend individual presentations for $15.00
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OLLI’s Teaching and Learning Committee is hosting an event
Let’s Talk Teaching!
Everything you need to know about teaching at OLLI! Free workshop with brunch April 12.
Is this you?
- You’ve taken a class or workshop or multiple classes.
- You’ve sometimes wondered what it would be like to . . .
- Take the lead in front of a class and share your passion?
- Plan a class with a friend?
- Be a member of a team offering a class together?
- Have a brilliant, random, inspired moment when watching a facilitator and thought “hmmm. . . I could do that!”
Here is a program for you:
What: Let’s Talk Teaching workshop
When: April 12, 9:30 to noon (including brunch!)
Where: Wishcamper Room 102
Who: You!
Interested in attending? Please RSVP by Thursday, April 3 at olliatusm@maine.edu or by calling the office at 207-780-4406.
Questions? Email or call us.
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Get out and explore the world with OLLI, starting this spring
There are still spaces open for 2025 trip (run in partnership with EF Go Ahead Tours):
- September 2 to 9 trip to the American Southwest
You can now register for two cultural trips this spring:
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Explore the American Revolution by visiting Lexington, Concord, and Boston on Saturday, April 26 with OLLI instructor James Mentzer. We will visit battlefields and The Boston Tea Party Experience. This trip includes transport, tickets to the Boston Tea Party Experience, and lunch (cheese lasagna, meatballs, garlic bread, salad, and iced tea). The cost is: $110. Registration closes on April 11.
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Visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to see the upcoming exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” along with impressionist paintings in the permanent collection. Friday May 9 will be a perfect time to visit the city and to enjoy spring weather and nearby parks and gardens. This trip includes transport and tickets to the MFA and the special Van Gogh exhibition. Lunch will be on your own at the MFA or you can bring a picnic to eat on nearby green spaces. The cost is: $85. Registration closes on May 1.
You can sign up for either above trip at OLLI’s registration page: https://usm.maine.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/registration/
Registration is approaching for OLLI’s multigenerational trip to Tuscany in March 2026. Join us for a presentation about the trip on Thursday, April 3 in Wishcamper 205. You can also join virtually by using this link:
Topic: Tuscany trip presentation
Time: Apr 3, 2025 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://maine.zoom.us/j/6538212728?omn=84815537351
Or Telephone:
US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860
Meeting ID: 653 821 2728
- A Food and Wine tour of Tuscany March 17-25, 2026 in collaboration with the USM department of Tourism and Hospitality. This is a multigenerational trip where we will learn alongside USM students! We will be based om the spa-town of Montecatini Terme, in Tuscany and take day trips to Lucca, Florence, Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano learning about the fabulous food and wine produced in Tuscany. The all-inclusive cost for the trip will (double) will be $4,648, which includes transfers from Portland to Boston (and return), airfare, transfers, hotel, 10 meals, and local guides. OLLI will have only 32 spaces for this very special trip—the Tourism and Hospitality students accompanying us will plan a special educational event for us while on the tour! We will have a presentation about the trip on April 3 (in-person and Zoom), and registration will open on April 17.
- A Fall 2026 Literary Trip to England, featuring stops in London, Chawton, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and more. We’ll walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Austen, the Inklings, and Dickens with a customized tour full of experiences that will make literature come alive. Our work on this trip continues—stay tuned for more.
All OLLI trips are learning experiences shared by people who enjoy the companionship and safety of traveling accompanied by USM staff. For more information about the international trips, please contact donna.anderson@maine.edu.
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Reflections Goes Multimedia in 2025!
This year Reflections is pushing its boundaries beyond print and inviting members to submit new forms of artistic creation. As well as the traditional poetry, prose, photography, and artwork, members may submit video of music, poetry reading, and even some performance. (If you are interested in submitting a piece in a new media form, please contact us at olliatusm@maine.edu for further discussion about how we can support you.)
Our goal is to make Reflections a welcoming program celebrating the broad scope of OLLI creativity. If you submit a piece, your work will be seen either in print, a slideshow, or a video compilation. We are building on the traditional format of the magazine, opening it up to more inclusivity and dialogue. We want to hear from more of you and our goal is to encourage and share your work.
Submission guidelines are being developed and will be shared in a separate email in the near future. The submission link will be opened on April 7 and the deadline will be May 14, 2025. Here is more information about how to submit: https://usm.maine.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/news-publications/ We look forward to hearing from you!
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Mark your calendars for the April USM Reads!
The next iteration of USM Reads will take place on Tuesday, April 29, from 12pm-1pm in the Cohen Center, Glickman Room 103, next to the Osher Map Library. USM Reads is intended to provide a common reading that encourages thought, discussion, and collaboration across campus.
For this USM Reads, we will be discussing The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall KImmerer.
The book is a bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world.
*The book discussion will be facilitated by Professor Rebecca Nisetich and Director of Sustainability, Aaron Witham.
Copies of the book are available ONLY to OLLI members who WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR. We will notify members when those copies are available.
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Classical Uprising returns to OLLI on June 5 with a workshop focused on the exceptional Hildegard von Bingen
Lecture: "Hildegard Understood"
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Location: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - USM Wishcamper Rm 133
Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th-century Benedictine abbess, composer, philosopher, and botanist and the first-named female composer in music history. While most women in 12th-century Germany were not taught to read or write, Hildegard penned three volumes of theology, composed music for liturgy, created a musical morality play, and illustrated manuscripts. This June, Portland Bach Experience presents “Hildegard Reanimated: Vision in Vision,” a multimedia salon concert featuring Hildegarde’s music performed by The Pandora Consort and projected images of her artwork animated by Cate Duckwall.
Join conductor and musicologist Dr. Emily Isaacson, and the musicians of Pandora Consort, for “Hildegard Understood,” a deep dive into the life and works of this trailblazing composer and theologian.
Free to members and friends.
To register, call the OLLI office at 207-780-4406. Attendance is limited to 50 participants.
This series leads up to the Portland Bach Experience Hildegard Reanimated: Vision in Vision salon concert on June 5 in Cape Elizabeth and June 7 in Bath.
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April trivia column
By Faye Gmeiner
The snow piles are almost gone, and OLLI’s spring session has started. Though some say Maine has a mud season instead of spring, I have been enjoying the afternoon light and later sunsets of springing forward into Daylight Savings Time. It’s still too soon to do much outside after 7:00 p.m., so we hope you consider joining us for Trivia Night one or two Mondays during April. You can sign up for our Special Interest Group on the OLLI website, and we warmly invite you to our next gathering on April 7.
Here are some of our favorite recent Trivia Night questions. The answers can be found later in this newsletter.
1. In what country did apples originate?
2. In 1998, what physicist’s lover was revealed to have been a Russian spy?
3. Which country has the most lakes?
Extra Credit: Which state in the U.S. has the most lakes?
4. What determines the sex of most turtles?
5. What food ingredient is the binding medium in tempera paint?
6. How do sea otters store extra food or tools (rocks) on their bodies?
Answers to the trivia questions can be found below.
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SIG Corner
Hello Spring! The calendar indicates it’s spring and YES the daily temperatures are moderating. Mother Nature is slowly awakening from her slumber. Are you also awakening and cognizant of all the advantages available to you as an OLLI member? This is a reminder to tune in to all the activities going on in OLLI world.
For example, have you looked at our Special Interest Groups (SIGs)? By the way, SIG membership is free to OLLI members! Please look at the SIG list on line or in your OLLI catalog to make your choices and expand your learning while you meet new friends and have a bit of fun. I can verify that the SIG facilitators of the various groups work hard for their groups and do welcome any questions from you.
SIG HAPPENINGS! I joined the Eclectic Dialogue Junction (EDJ) meeting held on zoom on March 6th at 7:00 p.m. The topic centered on time change and its effect on us. Would we want to eliminate time change? It was a lively discussion with many opinions and thoughts on the subject. We continued to talk and explore how time affects aging in general. Each month EDJ’s facilitators send a notice out about a week in advance to its members to announce the subject for discussion. If the topic intrigues you, you sign on for an hour or so of fun and expanding your knowledge.
Below are links to two articles sent to us in advance of March’s meeting that may interest to all of you on the subject of time.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/people-hate-daylight-saving-science-tells-us-why/
https://pennypenningtonweeks.com/1467/how-to-enjoy-retired-life-creating-a-retirement-routine/
Since it is spring, the walking clubs and the bike group are undoubtedly arranging their forays on Maine’s trails and to other locations. With the Bridge Group, two Book Clubs, Trivia and Pictionary game nights, as well as, the Science Reading Club, who can ask for anything more? You can! OLLI has more SIGs than I have mentioned in this article; so, you have more groups to explore. Investigate, my friends, and join in this great adventure called OLLI.
NEWS FLASH—A new SIG, Writing for Hungry Spirits, opened on March 25th with Lynne Mentzer as facilitator. If you are hungry for spiritual nourishment and are ready to write your way to a deeper connection with your spiritual self, join this group to write and grow, exploring creative writing techniques in a supportive environment. FMI: revlynne1@gmail.com.
Until next time, “live, laugh, love.”
—Paula Johnson, OLLI Advisory Board
SIG Coordinator
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Science discussion SIG
The March 2025 SciAm article “The Imperfect Bloom” discusses new “slow flower” farms that are raising flowers “without health-harming chemicals used by giant overseas operations that dominate the U.S. flower market.” And the featured farm is in Maine! Thought-provoking articles on “aha moments” and “the bird that broke the binary” are also included. The Science Reading Group discusses monthly issues of Scientific American—register on the OLLI website if you’d like to join us!
—Elizabeth Housewright
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Senior Moments
On March 23, OLLI member Larry Dyhrberg read from his first novel, Sutton Tales, at the Falmouth Library. It was written while Larry was a part of the OLLI Fiction Workshop. The book was just published by Maine Authors Publishing.
Two more OLLI writers will have events in the future: Kim Millick and Tana Leonhardt. “Senior Moments” will report on them in upcoming newletters.
All three of these writers have had pieces published in Reflections, OLLI’s annual journal or art and literature.
(Note: We have appropriated the term “Senior Moments” to celebrate accomplishments of OLLI members outside of OLLI. Submissions are always welcome.)
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1. In what country did apples originate?
Answer: Kazakhstan—and they still thrive there. As reported by science.org, recent DNA research (using 839 apple samples representing five species of apples ranging from Spain to China) confirmed that modern apples were first domesticated from wild Asian apples. That said, European crab apples were found to have contributed the most DNA to modern domesticated apples. People consumed apples as early as 2000 BCE in present-day Greece and Italy, and apples arrived in England before the Romans did. As you may know, apple cider was the most significant alcoholic drink for most of Northern Europe – and safer to drink than the water.
Two fun facts: The only apple native to North America is the crab apple. China produces the most apples in the world.
2. In 1998, what physicist’s lover was revealed to have been a Russian spy?
Answer: Einstein’s. On June 2, 1998, the Los Angeles Times reported that nine letters written by Albert Einstein reveal that the father of modern physics had a love affair during World War II with a purported Soviet spy, Margarita Konenkova. [The letters were sent to her] in the Soviet Union from his home in Princeton, N.J., between November 1945 and July 1946. Although Konenkova succeeded in her job of introducing Einstein to the Soviet vice consul in New York, scholars believe it is highly unlikely that he helped Moscow’s effort to build an atomic bomb.
3. Which country has the most lakes?
Answer: Canada. A McGill University study of lakes of the world, published in 2016, reported that Canada has 879,800 lakes that are 0.1 square kilometer or larger. Of the 1.42 million lakes on earth, 62% are in Canada! The silver medal, with 201,200 lakes, goes to Russia. The U.S. takes the bronze medal with 102,500 lakes. Did you notice that the countries with the most lakes are in the northern part of the northern hemisphere? The lakes were formed by the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the Ice Age.
Extra Credit: Which state in the U.S. has the most lakes?
Answer: Alaska, by far. It has over 3,000,000 unnamed lakes that are larger than five acres. Only 3,197 of the lakes in Alaska are officially named.
4. What determines the sex of most turtles?
Answer: The temperature of the sand. According to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) website, most turtles (crocodiles and alligators too!) have temperature-determined sex determination. Unlike most animals, their sex is not determined until after fertilization. Turtles lay their eggs in the sand. If the eggs incubate in sand temperatures below approximately 82 degrees, they will be male. If the eggs incubate in temperatures above approximately 89 degrees, they will be female. Fluctuations in temperature produce some male and some female turtles.
5. What food ingredient is the binding medium in tempera paint?
Answer: Egg yolks. The egg yolk has lecithin, which acts as a natural emulsifier and helps mix the pigments into vibrant colors with depth and luminosity. It also attaches the paint to the surface of the painting. Egg tempera also dries quickly to a smooth, matte finish that is resistant to cracking. The use of egg yolks in tempera paint dates back to ancient times. Egyptians used egg tempera to decorate everything, including their tombs and coffins. The name “tempera” comes from the Italian “tempere,” to mix.
6. How do sea otters store extra food or tools (rocks) on their bodies?
Answer: In their pockets of skin that are under their armpits. This is too difficult to describe in words, and sea otters are adorable to watch. Take a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrZsCSYGQ-k
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Are you considering submitting an article to the OLLI Newsletter? Get in contact with us! | |
Email ollinews@maine.edu
to submit your piece.
Phone:207-780-4406
Tim Baehr, Editor
Don King, Editor Emeritus
| Deadline for the next issue is April 15. |
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OLLI National Resource Center | | |
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Non-discrimination Notice
The University of Maine, including USM, is an EEO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
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