Week of May 18

May 19, 2026

OLLI TRIPS & TOURS –INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN YOU!
SECRET GARDENS & STORIED HOMES – Escape for a day to scenic Litchfield Hills, CT- Explore three historical gardens filled with vibrant blooms and tour two house museums with expert guides sharing stories of colonial and early 20th century life. This adventure begins at 7:00AM with bus pick up at URI* and includes Bellamy Ferriday House and Gardens, Hollister House Garden, Lunch at a Marketplace Kitchen in Central Litchfield**, The Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden, and the Woodbury Factory Store.*Comfort stops to and from destination **Group Menu TBA Tues, Jun 2, 2026 7AM-7PM $200 Registration closes on Wed, May 20  Click Here for More Info & To Register

OLLI EVENT – Cheers to Lifelong Learning at the Tilted Barn Join your OLLI friends for a relaxing afternoon at Tilted Barn Brewery. Enjoy the charm of a farm setting while sampling a wide selection of craft beverages available for purchase. Grab a bite from the visiting food trucks or bring along your favorite snacks to share. For extra comfort, feel free to bring a chair, settle in, and unwind with fellow OLLI members. It’s the perfect chance to connect, sip and savor time together. Thur, June 4, 5:00PM-7:00PM Click Here To Register

DATE CHANGES – 

MOVIE GROUP – originally scheduled for Thurs, May 14, has been moved to Thurs, May 21 at 3PM due to a scheduling change. The group will be discussing the movie A Private Life. Please make a note of the date change. 

UNDERSTANDING ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS AND CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK – originally scheduled for Thurs, May 14, 1PM-2:30PM has been changed to Tues, May 19th, 1-2:30PM.  If you were registered and are unable to attend on the new date, please email the office or call 401-874-4197 and we will be happy to refund your payment. There are now additional seats available for this class. Click Here if you would like to register.

LOCATION CHANGE – CURRENT EVENTS MEETING on Thurs, May 28, 11AM will meet in Swan Hall Room 205 – 60 Upper College Rd. Parking behind the Welcome Center off Briar Lane. Click HERE for Map

CLASS CANCELLATION – Environmental Adaptation: The Watershed Model and Brookie the Brook Trout scheduled for Thu, May 21, 3PM has been canceled due to low enrollment.  Refunds have been issued.

NEW MAH JONGG CLASSES 

Prerequisite: Learn to Play Mah Jonng or prior playing experience, 5 sessions with Karen Sanderson (see dates below) Fee: $25 per session Register online or call 401-874-4197.

Enhanced Guided Play (Max 36) You’ve got the basics — now let’s perfect them! In this guided play session, you’ll put the 2026 NMJL card to work, sharpen your hand selection, and build the confidence to play with purpose at any table. This is the perfect next step after the beginner course or if you want to brush up your skills with the new 2026 card. Choose 1 Session:

How to Play with 1, 2 or 3 Players (Max 24) Who says Mah Jongg needs four players? In this 2-hour class, you’ll learn solo, 2-player Siamese, and 3-player formats so you can shuffle up and deal anytime, with anyone.  Choose 1 Session:

CLASS SPOTLIGHT –

Take A Breath – 4 Sessions with Linda Morse beginning Fri, May 22, 1-3PM The breath is the guide in the journey to balance. This four- week program will have presentation material on the respiratory and circulatory system, teach several breath techniques, and show the value of breath awareness. Besides being calming, the breath can also be energizing – giving you the ability to focus and concentrate on a sport, performance or activity. 

Art in the Courthouse – 1 Session with Retired Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia at The McGrath Judicial Complex. Friday, June 5, 1:30PM-3:00PM. After a welcome by Hon. Gilbert V. Indeglia (Ret.) and Kara Picozzi of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, our tour will include a look into the current photography exhibit featured as part of our community art initiative “Art in the Courthouse.” The visit includes a conversation with the artist. The 90-minute tour includes a short walk and a Q & A with a judicial officer. Free parking onsite. 

PARKING – OLLI Members continue to enjoy FREE parking (with permit) in the Plains Rd Lot (#25). Click Here for more information about parking and disabled parking or call the office at 401.874.4197 with any questions.

Click Here to check out the virtual previews for some of OLLI’s spring classes. 

THIS WEEK AT OLLI 

Monday

  • 9:30AM Beginning Italian
  • 9:30AM In This Moment: Mindfulness Meditation
  • 11:30AM Improving the Home Landscape
  • 11:30AM Square Foot Gardening: Taking it To the Next Level
  • 11:30AM Perry Grist Mill: History in Action
  • 2:00PM Portraits in Charcoal & Conte Crayon
  • 5:00PM Mah Jongg – Enhanced Guided Play

Tuesday

  • 9:30AM The Constitution as Applied: Further Exploration
  • 11:00AM Biking
  • 11:00AM Road to Independence: Revolutionary Newport #1
  • 1:00PM Game On!
  • 1:00PM Understanding Ultraprocessed Foods and Cardiometabolic Risk
  • 3:30PM Save Rhode Island’s Forests
  • 4:00PM Tree & Shrub Identification
  • 5:00PM Let Writing Lead to Wellbeing
  • 7:00PM Frank Lloyd Wright (Osher Online)

Wednesday

  • 9:30AM The Migration Photographers
  • 10:00AM Peace Dale Museum & Village Tour
  • 11:00AM Road to Independence: Revolutionary Newport #2
  • 12:30PM Bowling
  • 1:00PM Hiking
  • 1:30PM Cinema Classics: The Best of Foreign Films – Part 2
  • 2:00PM Cribbage
  • 5:00PM Mah Jongg – How to Play with 1,2 or 3 Players
  • 5:00PM Music: Controversies & Curiosities (Osher Online)

Thursday

  • 9:00AM Let’s Skate!
  • 10:00AM Beginner Mah Jongg
  • 10:00AM The Six Wives of Henry VIII
  • 11:00AM Westerly Museum of Impressionism 
  • 1:00PM Mah Jongg
  • 1:00PM Economic Geology in Rhode Island
  • 3:00PM Great Decisions -Today’s Nuclear Age 
  • 3:00PM Movie Group

Friday

  • 9:00AM QiGong for Vitality (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 10:00AM Great Decisions – Today’s Nuclear Age
  • 10:00AM Charlestown Land Trust: Preserving & Protecting What You Love
  • 10:00AM The Role of Food in Rising Rate of Diabetes
  • 10:15AM QiGong for Vitality – Deepening Practice (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 11:30AM QiGong – Tian Gan (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 1:00PM Take A Breath
  • 1:00PM One Hit Wonders

Saturday

  • 10:30AM Westerly Museum of American Impressionism

CATALOG EDITORS NEEDED: OLLI is looking for members to help write and edit content for our catalog. This is a great opportunity to support our program while helping ensure our course offerings are clearly described, accurate, and engaging for all members. Volunteers may assist with drafting course descriptions, reviewing submissions for clarity and consistency, and helping keep our catalog polished and up-to-date. Writing or prior editing experience would be helpful, but is not required.

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Beth Desrosiers or call 401-874-4619.

HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE A BREAK – URI’s principal basic needs pantry, Rhody Outpost, is for students experiencing food insecurity. Although the school year is over, many students remain on campus throughout the summer months. You can help by donating the following items: Tuna, Sardines, Rice, Pasta (regular & gluten free), Drink Mix Packets (lemonade) and Sunscreen. A collection bin is located in the OLLI lobby. Click Here to view the updated list of all urgently needed items. You can also purchase items directly from Amazon on the Rhody Outpost Wish List.  Reminder: Please no expired food!

URI MASTER GARDENERS AWAITING YOUR CALL (OR EMAIL) – Have a garden quandary or need some advice before you start planting your 2026 garden? Ready to celebrate spring but don’t know where to start? The University of Rhode Island Gardening & Environmental Hotline is now open and in full operation through Nov. 1. Southern New Englanders are welcome to send an email and photos to the University’s Master Gardener volunteer educators or call for science based-answers to their gardening and environmental questions. In-person visits are also available by appointment at URI’s Mallon Outreach Center on the Kingston Campus. Just call 401-874-4836 or email gardener@uri.edu.

THE CONTEMPORARY THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS – The Moors by Jen Silverman Directed by Allison “Sonny” Wong In 19th century England, two sisters and a dog live out their lives on the bleak moors, dreaming of love and power. The arrival of a hapless governess and a moor-hen set all three on a strange and dangerous path. Taking a page from the Brontë sisters, The Moors is a dark, absurdist comedy about love, desperation, and visibility.*Warning: Flashing lights and fog May 8 -23 Standard Tickets $35 Click Here For Tickets

RHODE ISLAND SENIOR GAMES – A community-driven celebration of health, wellness, and friendly competition. Open to participants from across the country, RISG welcomes athletes of all experience levels to stay active, make new friends, and rediscover the joy of play. Registration is now open for all Rhode Island Senior Games 2026 events during our May – October season. Offering 14 events this year- there is something for everyone. Whether you’re in it for the medals or the memories, there is a place for you at the Games! Upcoming events: Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament & Shooting/Skills Competition May 30 -31, Men’s & Women’s Tennis Tournament Sat, June 13. For a list of all events and to register click the link: https://riseniorgames.org/sports/

URI PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPT – Shoulder Motor Control Study: Rotator Cuff Seeking study Participants between 18-64 yrs old with or without shoulder surgery with no mobility limitations. Compensation $20 email: tyler.foster@uri.edu for more information See Flyer For Details

URI DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY (HIPLAB) – COPD Study Seeking study participants with COPD, 45 years or older, no hospitalizations or antibiotics in last 3 months Compensation up to $120  email:hiplab@uri.edu or call 401-874-5541 for more information See Flyer For Details

URI DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY – Cerebral Palsy Study Seeking participants 18-60 years old with cerebral palsy for one 90 minute session assessing muscle strength and function Compensation $25 For more info email sedandrea@uri.edu or call 401-874-5210

NEW DOCU-SERIES FROM CYBER-SENIORS Cyber Seniors is proud to share the pilot episode of a new short-form documentary series called The Choice. It explores MAID,(Medical Assistance in Dying) a complex and deeply important issue facing many families today. For older adults, caregivers, and younger generations alike, questions around dignity, autonomy, care, and end-of-life choice can be deeply personal. Whether people agree or disagree on the issue, it is a conversation that touches many lives. The pilot was created to encourage thoughtful dialogue with compassion and respect.

You can view the pilot here:

Your engagement helps demonstrate interest in the series and supports future production funding.

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING CLASSES AT OLLI, YOU MUST HAVE A PARKING PASS! If you are not sure if your permit is current, please call the office at 401-874-4197. Parking is FREE with membership in Plains Road lot #25 but you must register your vehicle if you are taking classes in 2026. If you get a ticket you will be responsible for appealing it with the URI parking administration.

OLLI IN THE NEWS- Check out the recent article featuring OLLI in Rhody Today and this essay in WBUR.org written by an OLLI member about her experience with OLLI’s Learn to Skate program.

If you would like to view past This Week At OLLI weekly newsletters go to https://web.uri.edu/olli/news/

If you would like to receive updates of URI News and Events subscribe to Rhody Today. 
If you would like to connect with OLLI go to our website olli@uri.edu or follow/like us on  image.pngimage.png.